KATHMANDU, Feb 25: The election manifesto released by the Nepali Congress (NC) for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections has pledged to establish Nepal as a key tourist destination by attracting three million tourists annually within a decade.
Committing to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy, the NC stated that the industry’s share will be raised to as much as 20 percent. The party has also pledged to make airports more passenger-friendly and accessible.
NC spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the management of the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, will be strengthened within six months.
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The manifesto also promises to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) into two autonomous entities: a service provider and a regulatory body.
Efforts will be made to remove Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety list, the manifesto states.
It further mentions that the tourism industry will be treated as a major pillar of employment generation, entrepreneurship and the prosperity of local communities.
Likewise, the NC has prioritised Janakpur, Lumbini and Kathmandu through the development of a spiritual corridor. It has also proposed developing an integrated tourist circuit by connecting Muktinath, Lumbini and Kathmandu through a digital corridor named the “Buddha to Shiva Spiritual Route.”
The party has announced plans to waive taxes for women and youth entrepreneurs engaged in the tourism sector, provide them with concessional loans, and implement the public-private partnership model in tourism development.
RSS