SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 07 -
President Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate Nepal Tourism Year 2011 next Friday amid a gala ceremony at Dasrath Stadium, Kathmandu.
NTY is expected to project to the world Nepal’s hospitality and admirable culture and rejuvenate the country’s image as a tourist destination marred by a decade-long conflict.
“The time has finally arrived since the campaign was announced two years ago,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, at a briefing held to announce the major programmes to be held on inauguration day.
The political commitments made during the first part of 2010 had raised the hopes of travel trade professionals that the country could increase the number of visitors.
The record tourist arrivals seen in 2010 have further buoyed the spirits of the tourism industry, said Shrestha.
“Another good news is that the country has also confirmed 9-10 major international events in 2011,” Shrestha said.
According to the NTB, more than 25,000 guests will be attending the inauguration at Dasrath Stadium. “About 6,000 artists (including those from the Nepal Police, Nepal Army and schools) will perform in the event,” said event manager Kul Bahadur Thapa.
There will be 500 security personnel deployed around the venue. In addition, 250 traffic police personnel will handle the traffic besides 150 volunteers. Parking for 2,000 four-wheelers has been arranged at different places around the stadium and in commercial complexes.
There will be a separate event at Tundikhel for the general public, the NTB said. An air show of motor paragliding will be a major attraction in which 21 pilots will perform. In the evening, there will be a firework display and other entertainment at Tundikhel. The NTY implementation committee will be spending Rs 10 million on the opening festivities.
Nepal has set a target to host a million visitors, double the arrivals in 2010. The last such tourism year was organized in 1998 as Visit Nepal Year.
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