Highlighting the importance of tourism to the national economy, Prime Minister Nepal said tourism can play a crucial role in moving the country into a new economic dimension. He also said tourism in Nepal can be taken to new heights by promoting effectively attractions such as Mt Everest, Lumbini, Pashupatinath, Janakpur and Biratnagar.

“Tourism is a peace industry. So, we need to discourage bandas and strikes for the sake of tourism as well as economic development,” the PM said, adding, “Economic prosperity is the key to social justice.” He also said cooperation from all sectors was a must to meet the target of welcoming one million visitors in 2011.

Nepal pledged to mobilise all government mechanisms to develop tourism infrastructure and to ensure rule of law for the success of NTY-2011. Along with the prime minister, leaders of 19 political parties reiterated their commitment not to organise any strike that could affect the tourism year. Likewise, representatives from FNCCI, NCC, HAN, NATTA, FCAN, NRNA, BAN showed their commitment by pledging to make the campaign a big success and avoid any kind of bandh or strike in 2011 to maintain peace and security.
Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari said the campaign was focused on triggering economic development in the country. “The private-public partnership approach and political commitment will pave the way for the success of the campaign,” Bhandari said.

Yogendra Shakya, national coordinator of NTY 2011, said Nepal was fully prepared to welcome one million visitors. “But without the support of all other sectors, we cannot achieve the objectives of this campaign," he added. Shakya also said the campaign aims to rebrand Nepal´s tourism image, which was tarnished due to the insurgency.

Billed as the most ambitious national project, NTY 2011 targets to attract one million tourists.