Kathmandu, August 7 – Nepal and Tibet, autonomous region of the Peoples Republic of China, have signed an eight-point memorandum of understanding here to promote of tourism between the two neighbours.
The MoU, signed yesterday, aimed to develop the border areas of Nepal and Tibet – Kerung and Nangpala – as transit points, simplify the visa procedures for Nepalese tourists visiting Tibet, renovation of the Tato Pani-Lhasa highway, permit Nepalese helicopters to land in Tibet in rescue operations, commence mountain flights to Mt Kailash and the Manosarovar region from Nepal, permit Nepal airlines to land in Lhasa, reduce airfare between Kathmandu and Lhasa and to promote cross-border tourism, officials said.
The MOU was signed after a bilateral meeting held between the tourism delegation from Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, where it was also decided to form a joint committee for the promotion of tourism in the two regions.
“We are going to exchange ideas and strategies on joint tourism promotion of Tibet and Nepal,” Tibet Autonomous Region vice-chairman and leader of the 31-member Tibetan delegation Lobsang Gyalzen said.
Nepal and Tibet share many common geographical features, including rivers and mountains, which would be instrumental in developing joint tourism, he said, emphasising their common historical art, cultural and business relations.
Partnership between the two regions would help strengthen socio-cultural aspects in general, and tourism in particular, Tourism Ministry Acting Secretary Shanker Prasad Koirala said.
The meeting would be instrumental in promoting trans-Himalayan and cross-border tourism, he added.
