Lanka, Nepal in tourism develolpment project

Two South Asian countries - Nepal and Sri Lanka - which had tremendous tourism potential, but could not exploit them properly are now to launch a tourism development campaign jointly.

Nepal and Sri Lanka have more tourism potential than any other country in South Asia. Whereas Nepal is rich with nature and cultural heritage, Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. There is a possibility of attracting a large number of tourists from India and China, neighbouring countries and other countries. Tourists visiting the region can enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas as well as the beauty of the seas.

Although the number of Sri Lankans visiting Nepal is low, it has been increasing steadily.

It was 9,844 in 2001, 9,805 in 2002, 13,960 in 2003, 16,844 in 2004, 18,770 in 2005, 27,413 in 2006, 49,947 in 2007, 37,817 in 2008, 36,362 in 2009, 45,531 in 2010 and 69,241 in 2011.

Of the tourists visiting Lumbini, Sri Lankans make up a large chunk. In 2010, 37,645 tourists had visited Lumbini. Of them, those coming to Lumbini via India on the land route were 22,052.

In the same period, 22,833 tourists came from Thailand, 5,701 from Myanmar, 5,469 from South Korea, 4,717 from China, 2,317 from Vietnam and 2,151 from Japan visited Lumbini.

Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Chandima Weerakkody says traditional relations between Nepal, which is regarded as sacred because of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and Sri Lanka, which has a mostly Buddhist population can be further strengthened through tourism.

Nepal and Sri Lanka can attract a large number of tourists from neighbouing India and China and other countries by preparing an integrated tourism package which can greatly aid the economic development of the two countries.

-Himalayan Times