November 19: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that Nepal's tourism sector has been contributing more than Rs 80 billion worth of foreign currency to the country’s economy.

“Tourism is the prime source of foreign currency for Nepal,” he informed.

Inaugurating the Nepal Tourism and Hotel Management Foundation (NATHAM) branch at Birtamod in Jhapa on Wednesday, November 18, Minister Bhattarai informed that the government has kept development of tourism as a topmost priority as it is the main source of foreign currency.

"Tourism is the backbone of economic development," he further said.

Minister Bhattarai added that NATHAM's third branch has been set up in Jhapa to produce required manpower to support the tourism sector of Province one.  Currently three five-star hotels and other big hotels are being set up in Mechinagar and Birtamod municipalities.

He informed that branches have already been expanded in Nepalgunj and Mahottari. Minister Bhattarai expressed confidence that the people of Province 1 would now contribute to the tourism sector by studying hotel management.

He also informed that the government is preparing to make it mandatory for foreign tourists to have a guide when visiting Nepal, adding that large manpower is needed in the tourism sector.

Deepak Kumar Thapa, executive director of NATHAM, informed that graduates will be sent to the branch established at Anarmuni Public Campus in Birtamod. He further informed that through teaching and training, NATHAM has produced 54,000 manpower in Nepal and 90 percent of them are employed. -RSS