KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has pledged to position Nepal as a major tourist destination in its election manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections, aiming to attract three million tourists annually within the next decade.
The party promised to boost the tourism industry’s contribution to the national economy to 20 percent and make airports more passenger-friendly and accessible. NC spokesperson Devraj Chalise said the management of the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, will be strengthened within six months.
The manifesto also proposes splitting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) into two autonomous bodies — a service provider and a regulatory authority. Efforts will be made to remove Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety list.
NC emphasized that tourism will be treated as a key driver of employment, entrepreneurship, and local community prosperity. The party plans to develop spiritual corridors in Janakpur, Lumbini, and Kathmandu, and establish an integrated tourist circuit connecting Muktinath, Lumbini, and Kathmandu through a digital route called the “Buddha to Shiva spiritual corridor.”
Additionally, the manifesto proposes tax waivers and concessional loans for women and youth entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, alongside promoting public-private partnerships in tourism development.
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