February 21: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati has said that tourism industry was the country’s key economic pillar and proactive role of all is required for its promotion and development.

At an interaction programme on “Nepal’s Tourism: International Promotion” in Kathmandu on Monday, Minister Kirati laid emphasis on tourism development along with the promotion of cultures.

“Tourism should be developed with the local culture, knowledge and taste. Development of tourism could not be even imagined by keeping the local taste away. Our hotels and restaurants should serve the local flavour. Tourism development is not likely only by relying on foreign foods,” he said.

On the occasion, Minister Kirati also emphasized the need of linkup between tourism and production and shared that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation would unveil the new strategy for the tourism promotion after consulting the stakeholders.

 Kirati also informed that a bus service would be started soon to connect all seven heritages of the Kathmandu Valley. The Heritage Bus Service would be run to lure more and more tourists along with sharing the history and significance of the heritages. ---RSS