According to tourism ministry officials, Nepal is proposing China to open Kimathanka of Sankhuwasabha, Kora La of Mustang and Hilsa of Himla in the 9th Coordination Committee Meeting for the Promotion of Tourism between Nepal and Tibet to be held in February or March. The high-level ministerial meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on December 21 and 22, 2015.
Govinda Bahadur Karki, director general of Department of Tourism (DoT), said that Nepal has decided to propose China to open three border points, resume Tatopani border as soon as possible, and make Rasuwagadhi border fully operational. “We will also request the Chinese side to resume Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service,” he added. “Opening of new border points will not only help to bring more tourists from China but also increased trade volume with our northern neighbor,” Karki added.
The bus service, which started in May, 2005, came to a halt in 2006, mainly due to visa issues.
At a time when China's outbound tourism is increasing drastically while its inbound is decreasing, tourism entrepreneurs say that resumption of bus service and opening of new borders will also help China to increase inbound tourism.
According to officials, Nepal is also requesting China to provide three-day entry permit to Nepalis so that trade between two countries can flourish. At present, China has giving entry to Nepalis for a day.
Karki said that Nepal will also request China to ease visa process for Nepalis as well as Indians willing to visit Kailash-Mansarovar area via Nepal. “This will help to increase flow of tourists to China from Nepal,” he added.
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