Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Nepal launches Visit Nepal 2020 with much fanfare

The country today launched Visit Nepal 2020 lighting the flame of unity.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari after igniting the Flame of Unity to inaugurate the Visit Nepal 2020 – that is going to be observed throughout a year with the slogan ‘Lifetime Experience’ – said that the country has now focused on economy prosperity.
The economy is dependent on tourism but it had been affected by the long civil war and unstable political system, she said, adding that the country has now overcome the political challenges and focused on economic prosperity. “Tourism is the backbone of the country’s economic development.”
Requesting all Nepalis – inside the country and abroad – to be a part of the campaign and make it successful as Nepali culture equated ‘guest with god (Atithi Devo Bhava)’, she said that Nepal has more to offer than just Sagarmatha, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini.
On the occasion, tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai seconded her saying that Nepal is a unique creation of nature and implored all visitors to come for a lifetime experience. “Nepal is the land of cultural excellence and tourists can visit sacred religious sites and experience our diverse wildlife, flora and fauna,” he said, assuring that the country is moving towards the path of good governance and prosperity. “
Claiming that this year is the starting point to follow the path to mark 2020-30 as the tourism decade, he said, that the target of 2 million tourists in 2020 and the campaign itself is an inadequate for sustainable development of the tourism sector.
The inauguration ceremony of the mega tourism campaign kicked off with chanting of mantras of seven religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kiratism, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism – and launching of Viber stickers of VNY2020 and mascot for the campaign, Yeti.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed tourism ministers from India, China, Myanmar and Jamaica. They also extended their good wishes to Nepal for the grand success of the VNY2020 campaign.
Also present at the function were the Chief Justice, the National Assembly Chairman, former Prime Ministers, political party leaders, heads of constitutional bodies, heads of diplomatic missions, members of parliament and ministers and delegates from various countries including tourism ministers.
The VNY2020 was also officially inaugurated in all the seven provinces today including in Biratnagar of Province 1, Janakpur in Province 2, Sauraha, Chitwan in Province 3, Pokhara in Gandaki Province, Thakurdwar, Bardia in Province 5, Bulbul lake in Karnali and Dhangadi in Sudur Paschim Province.
VNY 2020 Secretariat coordinator Suraj Vaidya, on the occasion, said the inaugural ceremony has focused on highlighting Nepal's culture, heritage, costume and lifestyle while promoting tourism in the country.

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