Nepal launches tourism promotion campaign in Bangladesh

The Government of Nepal launched a tourism promotion campaign sloganed “Nepal Tourism Year 2011″ at Nanking Darbar Hall, Bangladesh on Monday.
The program was launched by a campaign team of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) at a presentation ceremony.
The presentation ceremony was titled as ‘Together for Tourism: Nepal Tourism Year 2011′.
The program was launched to expose tourism industry of Nepal.
The chief guest of the ceremony was AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Mayor of Rajshahi whereas special guest was Abu Bakker Ali, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Lekh Nath Bhusal, Senior Officer of NTB said that, “Bangladesh holds a great potential for tourists arrivals to Nepal with its direct connectivity between capitals of both the countries”.
Mr. Lekh Nath also said that, “19 political parties of Nepal including the major ones have made a public commitment to make the campaign a total success by signing the commitment papers which mentions that their parties would not create any general shutdown, strikes and obstructions in the country in 2011.”
He added that Nepal’s Prime Minister has also stated that, “Tourism is a peace industry. So, we need to discourage strikes for the sake of tourism as well as economic development. Economic prosperity is the key to social justice so cooperation from all sectors is a must to meet the target of welcoming one million visitors in 2011” and “We believe Nepal will generate more interests among Bangladeshi tourists aspiring to purse the pleasure of antique monuments and castles in Durbar squires along with shopping and casinos”.
He further added, “Nepal offers various options to the tourists and travelers from Bangladesh ranging from the cultural extravaganza to beautiful and awes inspiring Shangri-la of snowcapped mountains, mountain flight, ultra light, wild life, Jungle safari, boating and nightlife”.
12,578 visitors from Bangladesh had visited Nepal last year whereas visitors arriving from air totaled to 6,735 till May last which is 59.7 percent increase over the same period last year.
Mayor Liton called for resolving the existing problems including double-entry visa relating to travel to Nepal by road for attracting more visitors from Bangladesh including its northwest part.