Tourism entrepreneur from Macau JULIE CHENG is currently promoting Nepal among the Chinese tourists.  Julie Cheng is the president of Nepal Development Center in Macau, which regularly organizes discussions program on Nepal. Cheng, currently in Nepal with a group of fifty Chinese tourists, spoke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts:


How do you look at the tourism prospects of Nepal?

As a resident of Macau, I have seen a lot of tourism potential in Nepal. This is a beautiful country with a lot of beautiful mountain peaks. Kathmandu valley is also beautiful, as there are lots of culturally interesting places.


What does your agency do?

Our tourism agency is planning to bring Chinese tourists to Nepal through Hong Kong and Macau. We have also our office in mainland China. As the number of outbound Chinese tourists continues to increase, Nepal may get a lot of benefits from attracting Chinese tourists.


What do you suggest to boost Chinese tourists in Nepal?

First of all, Nepal Airlines needs to increase the number of flights to Hong Kong and other Chinese cities. Due to fewer flights and irregularities, despite their willingness, tourists from Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China are unable to visit Nepal. My suggestion would be to increase regular flights.


Which airline did you take?

I took Nepal Airlines flight. It has a good service. However, the problem with it is uncertainty in its flight time. If Nepal Airlines increases the number of flights, it will find a lot of Chinese tourists.


What do you say about the visa procedure?

I have not seen any hurdles in issuing visa to Chinese tourists. Nepal’s counselor in Hong Kong is issuing the visa fast.


Although there are many other cities around the world and countries which can offer a lot of facilities to Chinese tourists, what are the main reasons Chinese would come to visit Nepal?

First of all, Nepal is their neighboring country. The other reason is that Nepal has a greater diversity in terms of culture, religion and natural environment.  We are selling all of these things to Chinese tourists. In future, the number will definitely increase. Nepalese hotels are offering best services in reasonable prices. There are facilities from recreation centers like casinos, and national parks here.


What is the objective of Nepal Development Center?

One of the aims is to promote Nepal in the Macau, Hong Kong and mainland China. This is the reason we have been organizing various kinds of discussion programs about cultural and other assets of Nepal.


What is your impression about Nepal?

What I can say is that Nepal is a beautiful country with a lot of potentials for economic development. Nepal can earn a lot of money by bringing the tourists.