The government is opening some cultural heritages sites in Kathmandu Valley for tourists from June 15. The government had barred entry of tourists in these sites following the earthquake of April 25.
(Photo: The Guardian)
The meeting of Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) held on Monday took the decision. The meeting, which was chaired by tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, saw participation of high ranking officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Department of Tourism, Department of Archaeology (DoA), archeological experts, presidents of different tourism organizations, executive committee members and administrative chief of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), among others.
Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of DoA, said they would formally open Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square for visitors from June 15. Other heritage sites like Bouddhanath, Budhanilkantha and Pashupatinath are safe for tourists, he added.
Speaking at the meeting, Tourism Secretary Shrestha said there is a need to organize effective international media marketing campaign and organize fam trips for celebrities, tour operators and travel writers to Nepal to disseminate positive message about Nepal. “This will help us tell the rest of the world what we still have to offer after the earthquake of April 25,” said Shrestha.
In the meeting, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) expressed commitment to provide complimentary accommodation to participants of fam trips, while Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has said it would arrange vehicles and tour guides for the participants.
Source: TAAN
