KATHMANDU:- The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan have signed an agreement on tourism cooperation aimed at strengthening tourism diplomacy between Nepal and Japan. Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NTB and Izumi Miyazaki, Governor of the Wakayama Prefecture, signed the MoU amid a programme at the NTB office at Bhrikutimandap today.

Under the MoU, both sides have agreed to collaborate on joint promotion, knowledge exchange and sustainable tourism development.

The MoU prioritises joint tourism promotion and marketing, exchange of tourism-related information and best practices, and exchange of visits by experts and officials. It also seeks to enhance cooperation in communications and public relations while promoting culturally respectful and sustainable tourism.

During the MoU signing ceremony, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha, acknowledged the visit of the governor-led Japanese delegation as a welcome step.

Minister Sinha further noted that this collaboration, taking place in the context of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations, would play an important role in advancing sustainable and responsible tourism.

The Minister remarked, “Both countries attach high importance to cultural values. This partnership, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Japan, will provide a strong foundation for sustainable tourism.”

Likewise, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, recalled the long-standing relationship between Nepal and Japan and termed the agreement a historic step for tourism promotion.

He added that the MoU comes at an opportune time to expand and diversify Nepal’s tourism market, highlighting the country’s identity as the land of the Himalayas and the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Similarly, Izumi Miyazaki, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, expressed his happiness over the collaboration agreement with Nepal. He said, “We are happy to have signed an agreement with Nepal, which is rich in history and culture. I am confident that this agreement will further strengthen tourism promotion between Nepal and Wakayama.”

Also speaking at the programme, CEO Joshi mentioned that Japan is one of Nepal’s important tourism source markets and cited that Japanese tourist arrivals have recently increased by around 8 per cent in the recent time.

The MoU will come into effect from the date of signing. As per the agreement, both parties will designate a contact point for coordinating cooperation activities.

Furthermore, the MoU states that both parties will bear their respective expenses. Although the MoU is not legally binding, this agreement, based on mutual goodwill and trust, is expected to further enhance the seven-decade-long Nepal-Japan relations through tourism cooperation.RSS