KATHMANDU: An international tourism fair began today at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, aiming to promote Nepal’s tourism on the global stage.

Inaugurating the fair, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, expressed confidence that the event would significantly boost Nepal’s tourism industry worldwide.

Minister Tamang emphasized that the ministry is committed to achieving the government’s goal of attracting at least 1.6 million tourists this year by addressing issues in the tourism sector.

Minister Tamang shared that efforts are underway to waive VAT and other unnecessary taxes on air tickets, assuring that these problems would be resolved before the passage of the budget for tourism promotion.

He added that the government has already started infrastructure development in key tourism areas, noting that Nepal is listed as a top travel destination in the world tourism market.

He emphasized that collaboration with organizations working in the tourism sector is essential for laying the foundation for the country’s prosperity through tourism development.

The two-day fair features participation from 155 entrepreneurs representing 16 countries, including Nepal, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Maldives, America, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bhutan.

Fair Coordinator Bishnu Pandey mentioned that the fair was organized to connect Nepal’s tourism sector to the international level.