KATHMANDU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign formally kicked off here on the first week of 2020 with an appeal to the world travelers to visit the Himalayan country.
Amid a special function organized at Dasharath Stadium in the capital city, Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the mega campaign, which aims to attract two million foreign tourists, by lighting the flame of unity and unveiling the mascot of Yeti.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Bhandari said that tourism is an integral element to achieve prosperity, and appealed all for cooperation to make this campaign a grand success.
Over one million foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2018, with India and China being the largest tourism source markets. Tourism contributes to around 3 percent of total of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product.
Echoing the president's statement, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that tourism is the main pillar of Nepal's economic development, and this campaign is the point of beginning.
"The year 2020 will open a new horizon for tourism. We plan to follow this new path and mark 2020-2030 as the tourism decade," Bhattarai said, adding that Visit Nepal Year 2020 will contribute to achieving the national goal of "Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali."
Mentioning the major features of Nepal including mountains, natural and religious sites, cultural richness and diversity, the minister said that Nepal is ready to welcome the world community.
The chief justice, the National Assembly chairman, the former prime ministers, political party leaders, members of parliament, delegates from various countries including tourism ministers, heads of diplomatic missions and tourism fraternity attended the opening ceremony.
On the occasion, the march by different associations related to the tourism sector were held while the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force displayed a special presentation. Besides, the event featured renowned musical bands of Nepal and spectacular cultural performances.
The tourism campaign was also inaugurated in all the seven provinces of the country on Wednesday by organizing grand functions filled with celebrations and enthusiasm.
The third of its type tourism campaign aims to promote Nepal as a renowned tourism destination among the international tourists. Earlier, Nepal had hosted Visit Nepal 1998 and 2011.
