Number of foreign tourists has not increased as expected: NTB CEO Joshi

Kathmandu, June 25: Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Deepak Raj Joshi, has shared that though investment in tourism sector has increased, the number of foreign tourists has not increased as expected.     

At an orientation jointly organized by Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association and NTB here today, Joshi argued that lack of construction of necessary infrastructures is one of the reasons behind less number of tourists visiting Nepal than expected.     

"We failed to bring in tourists as per the target in lack of tourist infrastructures. We believe that the number of foreign tourists can be increased after next two years as construction of various infrastructures including roads are underway across the country," he opined.     

Joshi added that the bodies concerned should be active for infrastructure construction with due responsibility. Moreover, he suggested providing quality service to tourists.     

Similarly, Senior Sub-Inspector at Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Rajeev Bista, stressed that tourist vehicle drivers should be responsible themselves.     

"It will help to reduce accidents if drivers and their helpers become responsible. They should follow the rules for themselves, not for the traffic police," he mentioned.     

Likewise, Association Chairperson Bed Raj Bastola expressed the view that this orientation would impart theoretical and practical knowledge to make drivers and their helpers skillful and follow the safety measures as well as good manners towards tourists.     

He further said helpers of drivers should be equally responsible during the journey. A total of 92 people including tourist vehicle drivers and their helpers have been participating in the two-day programme.(RSS)