Nepali Ambassador reiterates impact of direct flight in tourism development

 

By – KK

 

AMBASSADOR Harishchandra Ghimire highlighted the need for direct air connectivity between Myanmar and Buddha’s Birthplace and requested airlines to make chartered flights to Bhairahawa, Nepal, at Nepal’s Tourism Promotion event held recently.

 

The Embassy of Nepal in Yangon organized Nepal’s Tourism Promotion: Experience Sharing Event on 10 June 2023 on the Embassy premises, following the Myanmar delegation’s participation in Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2023 held in Lumbini in May 2023.

 

The Ambassador encouraged the tour operators to explore tourism packages to Nepal and establish business agreements with counterpart Nepali travel and tour companies.

 

Also, Myanmar National Airlines was positive about the direct flight between Myanmar and Bhairahawa during the discussion organized by Nepal Tourism Board on 18 April 2023.

 

Ms Ganga Sundas, Second Secretary, mentioned in her welcome remarks that the event aimed to provide a platform for visitors to share their experiences and also foster close relations with the business community, and travel and tour companies in Myanmar.

 

U Maung Maung Myint, chair of the Bodh Gaya Pilgrimage Working Committee, who led the delegation shed light on the Maya Devi Temple (the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lumbini, Nepal) and the surrounding sacred places (Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Ramagrama).

 

Myanmar is ranked eighth in the top ten most tourist-arriving countries in Nepal. It would be better if airlines can run chartered flights to Nepal in addition to commercial flights, he highlighted.

 

Daw Kyi Kyi Myint, MD of Myanmar Shwe Maha Tourism Company, shared her experiences stating that it is worth riding the Mt Everest mountain flight. Nepal is a promising tour destination for Myanmar people with enchanting places for natural scenic views and adventure tourism and cultural heritage sites.

 

Beyond the spiritual and ritual tour to the sustainable Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, adventure tour such as mountaineering expeditions in the popular peak climbing regions, mountain flight, cable riding to enjoy the panoramic view, river rafting, boating, paragliding, ziplining, bungee jumping, sightseeing tour to the prominent mountain views including the famous breathtaking sunrise view atop the Sarangkot Hill, Devil’s falls, the second largest and the most visited Phewa Lake in Nepal, and the Kathmandu cultural tour will enchant Myanmar pilgrims and visitors for sure.

 

The tour operators showed their interest in mountaineering sports, spiritual, cultural and adventure tourism. They were optimistic about commencing business in the upcoming season.

 

The director of the Aung Chan Thar Bodh Gaya Pilgrimage tour appreciated the efforts of the Ambassador in promoting tourism and hospitality of Nepali during the tour. She requested the Ambassador to promote bilateral tourism for the economic benefit of the airlines.

 

Moreover, some also requested to ease visa conditions to facilitate transport as eVisa does not permit land crossing, while Myanmar tour operators draw itineraries for India-Nepal pilgrimage packages. Some also called out to bargain the camera fees for tourists and to waive the visa fee. They shared innovative and creative tourism marketing ideas and trends for promotion as well.

 

The representatives from different travel and tours companies, Myanmar mountaineers and Mr Sagar Ghimire, President of All Myanmar Gorkha Hindu Religious Association, Mr Devendra Naulakha, President of Non-Resident Nepal Association and members of the Nepali Community in Myanmar also shared their views and intensified efforts in boosting the Nepal-Myanmar tourism.