KATHMANDU – The tourism stakeholders from Nepal and China have called for enhanced partnership between the two countries for boosting tourism collaboration and promoting shared learning in this field.
At a programme titled “2026 China Tourism Day Joint Promotion and China South Airlines Appreciation Event” organized by China National Tourist Office, China Cultural Centre and China Southern Airlines in Kathmandu on Tuesday evening, the speakers mentioned that the two countries can offer a lot for the tourism fraternities, as travelling was a part of learning, exchanges, sharing and gaining insights.
On the occasion, the Director of China Cultural Centre in Kathmandu, Liu Zhanping, said tourism is a platform and the purpose of this event is to ensure a close and pragmatic cooperation between China and Nepal in tourism, feel the unique charm of tourism between the two countries, explore the broad prospects of tourism cooperation, and continue to promote cultural exchanges and personnel exchanges.
He also expressed happiness for Nepal becoming a major tourist destination for many Chinese nationals, adding that China is also looking forward to welcoming more Nepalese to visit and travel to China to understand and experience a real three-dimensional, open and progressive China.
Director Liu observed that travel is life and has become a part of the ways we live. He said tourism allows us to be close to nature, enjoy the green mountains, water, birds, and escape from the anxiety and tension of work and life, tourism allows us to feel the charm of multiculturalism in the civilization relics left by human ancestors. Tourism can also promote civilized exchanges and mutual learning between ethnic groups, and countries can enhance friendship and build a community with a shared future for mankind, Director Liu stated.
At the event, Officiating Director of Nepal Tourism Board Sunil Sharma made a presentation on Nepal’s tourism products and tourist destinations, inviting the foreigners to visit Nepal’s breathtaking views, experience peacefulness and enjoy abundant flora and fauna.
Similarly, Zhao Pengjie of China National Tourism Office in Kathmandu shared a detailed descriptions about China’s key tourism destinations and the world heritage sites. In his presentation Zhao shared information about Chinese cuisines, cultural, religious and natural heritages including Mt Kailash, Potala Palace, Terracotta Museum, the Forbidden City and several others.
According to Zhao, China Tourism Day is marked on May 19 since 2011 being inspired by the travel spirit of Xu Xiake, the legendary Chinese traveller and geographer whose journeys across mountains and rivers were recorded in “The Travels of Xu Xiake”. His footsteps symbolize curiosity, persistence, and a lifelong devotion to understanding the world through direct experience, Zhao added.
Likewise, Yang Wenfu, the General Manager of China Southern Airlines in Kathmandu expressed happiness for cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, adding that they were working on the publicity of tourist destination from Nepal and China. “We provide a more convenient air bridge for personnel exchanges, tourism cooperation, and economic and trade relations between China and Nepal. He hoped for continued partnership towards mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, jointly driving tourism exchanges, cultural relations and the aviation market between China and Nepal towards higher quality development.
The joint event witnessed the participation of Acting Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Deo Chandra Lal Karn, Acting General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Tek Nath Sitaula, Officiating CEO of Nepal Tourism Board Hikmat Singh Ayer, diplomats, tourism fraternities from Nepal and China, the government officials, tours and travel agencies’ representatives and business community leaders.
During the event, Nepal’s 10 top agencies of China Southern Airlines were awarded.
