Nepal to Waive Visa Fee for Foreign Tourists for the Year 2011

According to a proposal made by the Nepal Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), foreign tourists visiting Nepal in 2011 would not be charged any visa fee. The initiative has been taken ahead of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign.

The proposal of wavering visa fee was suggested by the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 National Coordination Committee. Then MoTCA has sent the proposal to the Ministry of Finance recommending it to be included in the upcoming budget for the year 2010/11.

Each of the foreign tourists visiting Nepal, except those from the SAARC countries, now pays $25 for a 15-day visa and $40 for a 40-day visa.

Now, Nepal is trying to boost up its flourishing tourism industry by attracting more tourists from various parts of the world. That is the reason MoTCA has taken up the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 project. More than half a million foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2009, but the country is now expecting over one million tourists in 2011.

Nepal has many tourist-attraction places including Himalayan Mountain, Pokhara Valley, Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, Gosainkunda lake, and many others.

Nepal’s tourism sector contributes a lot to its economy. The number of tourists visiting Nepal has been increased significantly over the last few years since the country’s political condition has been stable. Now, Nepal government is taking up various initiatives to attract more tourists in the country.