Says Nepal and Pakistan have been helping each other during hard times
Ansar M Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, NOV 2 /DNA/ – Ambassador of Nepal Tapas Adhikari has said Nepal is a global tourist destination. It is a hub of mountain and adventure tourism. We have trained manpower in these spheres.
‘ We have the best hospitality industry in South Asia. It has the best and authentic restaurants of different delicacy of the world and most open and vibrant society. Mountain, culture, people, religion, jungle safari are the main areas of tourist attractions in Nepal’.
He expressed these views while giving an exclusive interview to Daily Islamabad POST.
The Ambassador further said, tourism was a main component of the economy and provides economic opportunity, employment and revenue. It is expanding day-by-day. It provides cultural cooperation opportunities where different culture meets and interacts. Tourism is a soft power of the country.
He said they wanted to show culture, tradition and other tourism products to our friends across the world and the Government of Nepal announced to organize Visit Nepal Year 2020 to show Nepali hospitality. In the meantime, the Covid outbreak completely impacted the plan and you are aware how much the travel, airlines and tourism industry suffered by it. Tourism industry has not reached the pre-Covid level.
‘But I believe the time won’t be the same again and we will come with more vigor to show Nepal, Nepali culture and Nepali hospitality.
Pakistan is a big market of tourism. Every year a large number of people visits different countries for tourism from Pakistan. Being in the neighborhood, simple visa regime, friendly environment, hospitable people, I believe Pakistani people will enjoy their visit in Nepal. Moreover, every year Nepali mountaineers are visiting Pakistan for mountaineering and tourism with foreign guests. They are sharing their skills and knowledge with local Pakistani mountaineers. I believe continued cooperation between Nepali and Pakistani mountaineers will make a difference to both countries, making it the center of mountain tourism, he added.
Talking about floods in Pakistan Ambassador Tapas said, the massive Monsoon floods caused a huge impact in Pakistan. Many precious lives were lost and a large number of houses, public property, farmlands, crops were completely destroyed or damaged.’ We are deeply touched by the death and damage by the floods. As close friend, we are fully with the Government and people of Pakistan and express our deepest condolences to them’.
He said, Nepal and Pakistan have been helping each other during such times. Nepal sent a flight containing food, clothes and medicines on 13 September 2022. Since both countries are prone to natural disasters induced by various factors such as climate change, we should continue and enhance our cooperation at bilateral, regional, and global levels to adapt and mitigate these impacts, the ambassador concluded.=DNA
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