'Don't imitate foreign culture to develop tourism'

By Our Correspondent,Pashupatinagar, Aug. 2: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati has asked all to refrain from copying foreign cultures in the name of developing tourism. 

Speaking at the budget presentation programme held by Ilam's Suryodaya Municipality on Monday, Minister Kirati said that preserving Nepal's native culture and traditions, not imitating others, would boost tourism in the country.

Calling on officials to not destroy the environment by constructing view towers on every hilltop, he also stressed the need for development to be in line with nature.  "We should not forget our roots when trying to move forward and the new structures we construct should not erase the legacy of our ancestors," he emphasised.

The Minister also shared that despite having plans, his Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation could not implement them because of a lack of budget. He also expressed displeasure with various stakeholders' Europe tours that he said "cost millions of rupees but failed to bring any tourists". So, he suggested them invest in neighbouring countries to lure visitors.