Nepal aims to attract one million tourists in 2011

KATHMANDU - Nepal has hastened the process to attract more and more tourists in order to attract one million tourists next year for the much awaited Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

According to eKantipur.com, the growing number of hotels, international airlines bookings and rising number of visitors in 2010 are positive indications that the country is likely to receive more tourists than ever.

However, doubts persist among the government authorities and travel trade entrepreneurs as to whether the country would achieve the target of bringing one million tourists at a time when the country is reeling under political uncertainty and the shaky peace process, the paper said.

The ambitious campaign was launched with the hope of attracting at least a million foreign tourists under the public-private- partnership that gives a major boost to the Nepalese economy at a time when the country is facing turmoil, it added.inister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari is hopeful that the tourism year will give the desired boost to the country’s economy.

“Even if the target is not met, the campaign will be a key driver in establishing Nepal as a prime destination,” Xinhua quoted him, as saying on Monday.ANI)