The government is going to request embassies of different countries in Kathmandu to modify or remove negative travel advisories.
Speaking at a meeting of parliamentary Development Committee here today, minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripashur Sherpa said that the government is holding talks with ambassadors of different countries next Monday to request them to remove or modify negative travel advisories – issued by them after the devastating earthquake on April 25 – and support Nepal. “We do not need any other help,” he said, adding that they should not stop their citizens to visit Nepal for holiday. “If they remove negative travel advisories, it will help Nepal bring more tourists to the country.”
After the devastating earthquake of 7.8-magnitude on April 25 and subsequent aftershock, many a countries updated their travel advisories to Nepal, warning their citizens to not travel to Nepal unless essential. Around half a dozen countries including Canada, Australia, Israel, the USA have issued travel advisory restricting their citizens to travel to Nepal.
Canada has advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Nepal, whereas United Kingdom has also advised its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to Nepal. “If you have no pressing need to remain and can leave Nepal safely, then you should do so,” the advisory stated, adding that a major earthquake on April 25 has damaged buildings and infrastructure extensively, particularly outside the Kathmandu Valley.
Likewise, the US has also warned its citizens of the risks of travel to Nepal and recommended them to defer non-essential travel. Israel has advised its citizens that different factors should be taken into consideration for those who plan to travel or extend their stay in Nepal. An advisory suggested that Israeli nationals refrain from visiting Nepal.
Similarly, Australia, in its May 13 travel advisory, continued to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Nepal saying that relief and recovery efforts are underway.
Director general at the Department of Tourism Tulsi Gautam, on the occasion, said that they will request the envoys to revise travel advisories to Nepal. “We will also request them to relay the message that Nepal is safe and is ready to welcome tourists,” he added.
Speaking at the meeting, tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha said they would also request officials of TripAdvisor – a popular travel portal – to disseminate the message that Nepal is safe. “In the meeting of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to be held in Singapore on June 29, Nepal will request them to help promote Nepal,” he said, adding that the meeting is supported by TripAdvisor

Tourist promotional campaign in Bangkok
KATHMANDU: Nepali Embassy in Bangkok has launched a campaign to promote tourism in the country under the slogan, ‘Nepal is Safe: Visit, Enjoy and Help Nepal.’ 0rganising a programme in Bangkok on Tuesday for the tourism entrepreneurs and media persons of South Asian Countries that have been sending their nationals to Nepal, the embassy launched the promotional campaign to boost Nepal’s tourism. Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand, Khaganath Adhikari, on the occasion, said that the campaign would continue in collaborating with tourism entrepreneurs and media persons of different cities in Thailand, and different countries including Singapore and Laos. Adhikari also informed at the programme that the embassy will issue visa immediately to those willing to visit Nepal. The embassy is going to organise promotional programme in Phuket, a tourism hub of Thailand, on June 19, Laos on June 27 and Singapore on July 2.

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