NC Election Manifesto Prioritizes Tourism Development

The Nepali Congress (NC) has pledged to prioritize tourism development in its election manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives elections, setting an ambitious target of attracting three million tourists annually within the next decade.

The party said it aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to as much as 20 percent of the national economy. It also pledged to make airports more passenger-friendly and accessible.

NC Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said the party would strengthen the management of Nepal Airlines Corporation within six months.

The manifesto also promises to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into two autonomous entities—a service provider and a regulatory body. In addition, the party has committed to making efforts to remove Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist.

The NC described tourism as a major pillar for employment generation, entrepreneurship promotion and the prosperity of local communities.

The party has proposed developing a spiritual corridor linking Janakpur, Lumbini and Kathmandu. It also plans to establish an integrated tourist circuit connecting Muktinath, Lumbini and Kathmandu under a “Buddha to Shiva” spiritual route supported by digital infrastructure.

Furthermore, the manifesto promises tax waivers for women and youth entrepreneurs engaged in the tourism sector, along with concessional loans. The party has also pledged to promote tourism development under a public-private partnership model. -- RSS