Nepal's Travel Industry Hopes For Gains As China Pledges to Send More Tourists

The Chinese government has declared 2025 as "Visit Nepal Year in China" — an offering that came during a Nepal-China diplomatic consultation meeting in Kathmandu earlier this month.

Boosting tourism from China will help Nepal reach ambitious targets: It wants to attract 2 million foreign tourists annually by 2025, up from 1.1 million last year.

Tourism is a cornerstone of Nepal's economy, contributing nearly 8% to the GDP. Last year, it generated $2.5 billion in revenue and supported 1.2 million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. This sector accounts for over 15% of Nepal’s total employment.

In addition to tourism promotion, China has played a role in developing Nepal's infrastructure. The Pokhara International Airport, funded by China, is one example. In March 2016,