Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has said that Chinese tourists are the heart of Nepali tourism industry.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the Yuan Sangrila Photo Exhibition starting on Friday, Minister Bhattarai recalled that the government expected more from Chinese tourists while the government announced Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.
Stating that the campaign was not successful due to unfavorable conditions, he said that the number of Chinese tourists will increase as soon as the situation improves.
He further said that the government is working to make the travel environment easier very soon, he said that programs like photo exhibitions would play a role in deepening the relations between Nepal and China. Stating that Nepal has also participated in the BRI program recently launched by China, he said that it would play a big role in economic development and prosperity.
Inaugurating the program, National Assembly Speaker Ganesh Prasad Timilsina said tourism would be an important sector in reviving the economy affected by COVID-19.
He said that Nepal has products that can attract a large number of Chinese tourists and stressed on its promotion.
The photo exhibition is organized by Nepal China Media Forum in Nepal. The Chinese delegation wished success to the program through video conference.
Kishor Shrestha, chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, said that the program, which was taken as a means of cultural exchange, had to be limited to virtual media due to the epidemic of coronavirus.