KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeeban Bahadur Shahi has said infrastructure development was the base for the overall development of tourism sector.

Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters' Club Nepal here today, the Tourism Minister said the preparations were on for bringing five aircrafts for international flights and ten for domestic purpose to the country. 

The authorities concerned have been urged to provide the Ministry with the details about the cost estimated to rebuild heritages damaged by the Gorkha earthquake and a plan for reconstruction, he added.

Tourists from other countries arrived Nepal to observe the Nepali culture, flora and fauna and get familiar with the Nepali language, but a lack of the effective means of transport had caused inconvenience to them, he said underlining the need of promoting air service to fulfill such gap.

The Tourism Minister further said the bodies concerned have been already directed to prepare separate action plans for the development of tourism in all the seven proposed provinces. RSS