Bishnu Puka Shrestha, Nepal’s ambassador to China, speaks during a tourism promotional event at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on February 27 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

On February 27, an event promoting exchanges between China and Nepal’s tourism sectors was held at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing. Some 100 industry insiders from the World Tourism Alliance, China Association of Travel Services and travel agencies in both countries were in attendance.  

“The government of Nepal and the government of China have decided to jointly celebrate tourism,” Bishu Pukar Shrestha, Nepal's ambassador to China, said in his welcome address. Highlighting the natural wonders, cultural heritage sites and unparalleled hospitality of Nepal, he stressed that now is the perfect time to promote tourism between the two countries. “It is imperative that we add up the comprehensive and collaborative efforts to unlock the potential of tourism in Nepal,” he said.  

With high peaks, deep canyons and rolling hills, Nepal, a landlocked country lying along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain ranges, has always been a popular destination for trekkers, adventurers and yoga enthusiasts worldwide.  

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, China was Nepal’s second-largest tourist source market, the first being India. The pandemic, however, took a heavy toll on the inbound flow of Chinese tourists. In 2019, Nepal received a record 169,534 Chinese tourists. In 2022, that number fell to 9,599.  

Things took a favorable turn in 2023, the year in which China fully reopened its borders. Last March, Nepal was added to China’s list of approved outbound tourist destinations for Chinese citizens. Last November, a new land port serving as a gateway between southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region went into operation. Several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing and Lhasa, have also resumed direct flights with Nepal. 

Representatives from the World Tourism Alliance, China Association of Travel Services and Chinese and Nepali travel agencies attend a tourism promotional event at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on February 27 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

“In 2024, we will increase the capacity of our flights to accommodate 80,000 passengers traveling between China and Nepal,” An Yongshen, general manager of Himalaya Airlines, said during the event. Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture between Nepal and China, was the first airline to resume direct flights between Beijing and Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, in January 2023. The airline is also planning to invite a group of Chinese travel and outdoor sports influencers to visit Nepal this March as a way of promoting local tourism on Chinese social media. 

With the gradual resumption of flights and tourism activities, hopes are high that arrivals from China will foster cultural as well as business connections between the two countries. This is especially significant under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a strategy to boost global connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road, first proposed by China in 2013. 

“By jointly pursuing the BRI, China and Nepal have continued to foster ties, especially through tourism,” Liu Shijun, vice-chair and secretary-general of the World Tourism Alliance, said. “I hope that we can all participate in strengthening the initiative and facilitating genuine connection between China and Nepal at a human level.” 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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