The meeting of Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) held on Monday took the decision. The meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, was attended by joint secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), director general of Department of Tourism, immediate and past director generals of Department of Archaeology (DoA), archeological experts, presidents of different tourism organizations, executive committee members and administrative chief of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), among others.According to officials, a special program will be organized at Kathmandu Durbar Square to formally open the cultural heritage sites for tourists.
Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of DoA, said they would formally open Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square for tourists from June 15. Other heritage sites like Bouddhanath, Budhanilkantha and Pashupatinath are safe for tourists.
Speaking at the meeting, Tourism Secretary Shrestha underlined the need to organize effective international media marketing campaign and organize fam trips for celebrities, tour operators and travel writers to Nepal. "This will provide a clear picture of 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 offered to provide surface transportation and tour guides for the participants.
Meanwhile, government offices and tourism related organizations in coordination with DoA will soon begin removing debris from the heritage sites.
The participants of the meeting also held discussions on the best practice to restore and rebuild heritage sites by maintaining sensibility and authenticity of the nation's cultural history.
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