Chinese language training for tourism entrepreneurs kicks off

KATHMANDU, JUNE 12 : The sixth edition of Chinese language training for tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal commenced yesterday, with an inauguration ceremony featuring Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song. The program, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council, will run for six months.

In his speech, Minister Tamang emphasized the importance of language skills in attracting Chinese tourists and the need to create appealing packages to draw visitors from neighboring countries, particularly China and India. Ambassador Chen highlighted the rapid and clear acquisition of Chinese by Nepali learners, underscoring the language's historical and scientific significance. He noted the necessity for Chinese-speaking human resources to accommodate the increasing number of Chinese traders and investors in Nepal and advocated for mutual language learning to strengthen bilateral relations.

Hikmat Singh Ayer, Acting CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, pointed out that language is a key asset in tourism hospitality, expressing confidence that proficiency in Chinese, the world's second most spoken language, would boost Chinese tourism in Nepal. Harish Chandra Shah, Chair of the Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council, mentioned that 200 individuals trained in Chinese are currently active in Nepal's tourism sector and highlighted the growing demand for Chinese language classes outside Kathmandu.