May 19:  The announcement of chartered flights from Pokhara to different cities of China starting from June 23 has excited the tourism entrepreneurs of the lake city.    
Addressing the 24th national conference and annual general meeting of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) on Thursday, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati announced to begin chartered flights to different cities of China from June.    
The announcement is expected to materialize the dream of Pokhara folks to start international flights from Pokhara.    
The Pokhara Regional International Airport was inaugurated on January 1 this year but no international flight has taken place since then.    
Chairman of Pokhara Tourism Council Pom Narayan Shrestha said, "We are excited with the announcement to commence chartered flights. This will mark the beginning of international flights. This should be implemented at any cost."    
Likewise, chairman of NATTA Gandaki Province Hari Ram Adhikari said that this will be a good beginning for the tourism industry and will serve as a milestone for the entire country's tourism development.    
It is said that around 80 per cent of the total Chinese tourists arriving Nepal visit Pokhara city. -- RSS