1 hr ago
India-Nepal Tourism Pact Seeks To Boost Cross-Border Travel
Tourism groups from India and Nepal met in Madarihat to discuss ways to bring more visitors across the border.
They signed an agreement to work together on tourism promotion.
They also plan to train drivers and tourist guides.
Nepal’s representatives said floods damaged some areas, but many popular places are still open.
They want Indian tourists to know that Nepal remains ready to welcome visitors.
The groups discussed trips that could include temples in India and destinations in Nepal.
Indian representatives also suggested new projects, such as a ropeway and better tourist facilities.
The Nepalese delegation was scheduled to visit Jaldapara National Park during the meeting.
The Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association and Nepal’s Jhapa Tourism Forum held a two-day tourism meet in Madarihat, Alipurduar.
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly promote tourism between India and Nepal.
A joint committee will organise training for drivers and tourist guides to improve grassroots tourism services.
Nepal’s representatives said destinations outside flood-affected areas remain open, despite damage and disrupted access toward Manasarovar.
Participants proposed religious tourism circuits and broader development linking Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri.
- Who
- The Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, Nepal’s Jhapa Tourism Forum, and tourism stakeholders from India and Nepal.
- What
- They held a tourism meeting and signed an agreement to promote cross-border travel and improve tourism services.
- Where
- The meeting took place at the Nature Interpretation Centre in Madarihat, Alipurduar, West Bengal.
- When
- The two-day event began on Tuesday, with the Nepalese delegation scheduled to visit Jaldapara National Park on Wednesday.
- Why
- The organisations aim to increase tourism between the two countries, address concerns about Nepal’s flood damage, improve services, and develop regional tourism circuits.
Key facts
- Event
- Two-day Indo-Nepal Tourism Meet
- Venue
- Nature Interpretation Centre, Madarihat, Alipurduar
- Organisers
- Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association and Jhapa Tourism Forum
- Delegation
- A 12-member delegation from Nepal’s Jhapa Tourism Forum
- Agreement
- The two tourism bodies signed a memorandum of understanding
- Planned cooperation
- A joint committee will organise training for drivers and tourist guides
- Proposed projects
- A ropeway to Totopara, opening Bhutan Ghat to tourists, and development at South Khayerbari mini zoo
Quotes
Uday Kumar Srestha
President of the Jhapa Tourism Forum
“I have seen the proposals and will talk to the state tourism minister about them. We also aim to encourage tourists to spend a couple of days in the eastern Dooars and visit the Jaldapara National Park, the Buxa Tiger Reserve, the Chilapata forest and the Cooch Behar Palace. We need to develop a tourism circuit covering Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri.”
telegraphindia.com
“In our memorandum, we have proposed construction of a ropeway to Totopara, opening the Bhutan Ghat area for tourists, and infrastructure development at South Khayerbari mini zoo so that more tourists can visit the destination.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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