Nepal and
India are going to sign a landmark tourism deal that is expected to boost
tourism bilaterally.
The deal is
also expected to create an environment for injecting more investment in a big
way.
The draft
for the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral tourism
investment and cooperation prepared by the two sides is in its final stages
with a joint working group giving it a final shape. A technical team comprising
experts in the travel and tourism sectors from both countries has prepared a
draft MoU. It is a government-to-government pact which will explore and
identify areas of cooperation on mutual basis.
The draft proposes
that both sides should facilitate overland travel by tourists, create
hassle-free transport movement at major crossing points, and ease border
formalities at the customs points.
The joint
panel also suggested that Nepal cash in on the travel benefits provided to
Indian holiday-makers like leave travel concession with effective coordination
and cooperation with and among the India Railways and airlines to boost the
market on both sides and opening of the Banbasa bridge over Sarada-Mahakali
river on the India-Nepal border in western Nepal.
The joint
technical team has also suggested holding an annual India-Nepal forum meeting
for joint tourism promotion.
Nepal has
also proposed revision of the air service agreement (ASA) with India if the
existing air seats facility proves inadequate in catering to increasing
movement of travelers.
According to
spokesperson at the Tourism Ministry Mohan Krishna Sapkota, the deal will help bring
investment, boost tourism and provide better facilities to tourists traveling
to both countries as both the countries offer huge opportunities in the sector.
Meanwhile, a recent Indian
government move on visa liberalisation to extend the visa-on-arrival facility
to travellers from nearly 180 countries from this year will also benefit Nepali
tourism sector.
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