Nepal takes language route to boost tourism

Some 40 tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal have graduated from the course on basic Chinese language training provided by the Chinese government.The six-month long “Second Chinese Language Training Course for Nepalese Tourism Professionals” was organised by the Chinese embassy in Nepal in co-ordination with Nepal’s ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation.Addressing the graduation ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal government officials expressed hope that the use of Chinese language will boost tourism of the country.“Language not just connects two countries but also brings together diverse communities and culture. We believe Chinese language learned by tourism professionals will facilitate tourism of Nepal,” Maheshwar Neupane, secretary at the ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation, said.The programme comes at a time when the arrival of Chinese tourists is surging as China becomes the second largest tourism source for Nepal. In 2017, Nepal received nearly 1mn foreign tourists, with over 130,000 being Chinese nationals.“We are organising massive programmes in 2018, focusing on China, to promote tourism,” the secretary added.Addressing the graduation ceremony, Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said the training programme will enhance the cultural relations and bonding between the peoples of two nations.“The language training will help the Nepali tourism professionals to provide high quality service to Chinese tourists and to boost tourism. I am hopeful that the professionals will work as messengers to promote mutual relations and friendship between the peoples of the two nations,” Yu said.