Press Release
On the occasion of the Republic Day, the Embassy of Nepal organized a Nepal Tourism Roadshow in Yangon, in association with Nepal Tourism Board and support from Visit Nepal Year 2020. The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Tourism and Hotels His Excellency U Ohn Maung and Ambassador Bhim Udas by lighting in panas.
Chief Guest HE U Ohn Maung said, with the changed global trends in tourism we have to encounter the challenges in tourism development and management, and we need more cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries to enable tourism industries moving forward for mutual benefits in a sustainable manner. Further, he said, air connectivity is crucial for promotion of tourism and he expressed optimism that air services will be operated again between Nepal and Myanmar in the near future. He assured necessary support to the public and private sector for expanding air linkages among the countries of the region.
In his opening remarks, HE Ambassador Bhim Udas said that the tourism roadshow was organized to promote tourism and culture cooperation between Myanmar and Nepal. The Government of Nepal has announced 2020 as Visit Nepal Year and the Lumbini Year with the aim of attracting 2.0 million visitors during next year. He said, the number of tourist from Myanmar is increasing every year and it might increase further in 2020 with the operation of Gautam Buddha International airport in Lumbini next year. He mentioned about unveiling of U Thant’s statue by his grandson Dr. Thant Myint-U on 17 May(12 days ago) in Lumbini garden with the support of Lumbini Development Trust of Nepal.
Mr.Ko Ko Latt, Vice-Chairman of the Myanmar-Nepal Business Forum stated that private sector of Myanmar has negotiated with a private airline to operate air service between Yangon and Kathmandu from December 2019, that would help improve business and flow of movement of tourists between the two countries.
Mr. Hla Myint Oo, former Ambassador of Myanmar to Nepal who is also the Chairman of Myanmar-Nepal Friendship Association, said that two countries have been enjoying cordial and friendly relations and many things are common. He recalled generous support received from the Government of Nepal in building Myanmar pagoda and monastery in Lumbini garden.
Ms. Ohnmar Myo, Program Office of UNESCO offered her impression about arts, heritage and archaeological sites of Nepal, and the way it is being preserved and protected by the Government and people of Nepal. In the program, HE the Union Minister and Ambassador Udas presents a Honorary Certificate to Mr. Nanda Ram Neupane, President of Hindu Central Board of Myanmar who was awarded “Agghamaha Sudharma Manijyotidhar”, highest medal in religious field by the Government of Myanmar for his immense religious contributions to Myanmar society.
At the end, Ambassador Bhim Udas presented gifts to the Chief Guest and three travel agents who had sent maximum number of tourists from Myanmar to Nepal during the current tourist season.
A video presentation of Lumbini and adventure tourism produced by the Nepal Tourism Board was shown. A Nepali cultural dance was performed by women of Nepali Origin of Myanmar during the program. About 200 people including, a large number of out-bound tour operators and travel agents and spouse of diplomatic core in Yangon attended the roadshow.
Embassy of Yangon
30 May 2019
