Number of tourists visiting Nepal can be increased to 50, 000: Ambassador Park

KATHMANDU: The Korea Tours and Trekking Operators Association of Nepal (KOTAN) has a target to increase the number of Korean tourists visiting Nepal to 50,000 annually.

The KOTAN has set a goal of increasing the current number of 27,000 to 50,000.

According to the statistics of Nepal Tourism Board, the number of Korean tourists visiting Nepal stands at 27,000 annually.

On the occasion of the eighth anniversary of Kotan, South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-Young said the number of Korean tourists could reach 50, 000 annually. Despite having ample potential, there is lack of publicity, he added.

Saying that five million people trek in the mountains every week in Korea,  Ambassador Park said that if only two percent of them come to Nepal, that number would increase.

During the programme, KOTAN Chairman Amar Bahadur Shahi said that the Nepal Tourism Board and government agencies should take further initiatives to promote Korea’s environment and Nepal’s tourism.

KOTAN Treasurer Ngawa Ngima Sherpa said that various programmes were held last year to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Korea.

Since there is a high possibility of Korean tourists visiting Nepal, Sherpa said that the government should prioritize expanding air routes.