Tourism fraternity celebrating World Tourism Day today

Published On: September 25, 2017 08:35 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 25: The Nepali tourism fraternity is celebrating 38th World Tourism Day by organizing various programs across the country on Monday.

Organizing a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) published programs and activities that are being organized to celebrate 38th World Tourism Day.

The tourism fraternity is celebrating 38th World Tourism Day with the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism: A Tool for Development’ on September 27. But Nepal has preponed the celebration to Monday, citing Dashain festival.

According to the NTB, as many as 22 tourism organizations will be organizing several events to celebrate World Tourism Day.

Speaking at the press meet, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), said that the official program of World Tourism Day has been rescheduled to September 25 due to the Dashain festival.

Neupane said that several organizations will welcome tourists entering the country on September 27 at the Tribhuvan International Airport, other entry points and different tourism sites. Similarly, Kathmandu Durbar Square is allowing free entry tourists on that day.

Similarly, MoCTCA, NTB and number of tourism organizations are taking out a procession on Monday morning. The procession will begin at Thamel and pass through major thoroughfares of Kathmandu before culminating into the main celebration program in the NTB Auditorium.

At the program, the government will honor top three foreign currency earning hotels, travel agencies and trekking agencies, as well as companies contributing in sustainable tourism development.

Hotels under the umbrella of Hotel Professionals Federation Nepal are offering 30 percent discount in rooms, while member hotels of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) have offered 15 percent discount on food and beverage.

Speaking at the event, Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the NTB, said that around 50 programs would be organized across the country to celebrate World Tourism Day. “Such events are highly significant for developing countries like Nepal. Promotional programs are very important for us as we are yet to meet our tourism targets,” he added.