Operating regular air flights beween Pokhara and Chengdu accentuated

CHENGDU (CHINA), MARCH 20: Tourism entrepreneurs from Pokhara in Nepal and Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, have concluded a Business-to-Business (B2B) partnership and 'Sales Mission' program

The entrepreneurs from Pokhara travelled to the northern neighbour yesterday on the first commercial chartered flight conducted by Sichuan Airlines from Pokhara International Airport.

At the program held by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in collaboration with the Pokhara Tourism Council and the Consulate General in Chengdu, the businesspeople related to tourism from both countries emphasized the need to continue to operate air flights between Pokhara and Chengdu so as to promote tourism between Nepal and China.

Chengdu-based tourism entrepreneurs praised Pokhara’s natural beauty and urged local stakeholders to focus on infrastructure development to attract more Chinese tourists.

Speaking on the occasion, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya expressed his enthusiasm about the inaugural commercial chartered flight from Pokhara—the tourism capital of Nepal—to Chengdu.

"The friendly relations between Nepal and China are as high as the mountains, as deep as the sea, and as vast as the sky," he said, highlighting the historical ties between the two nations, dating back to figures like Princess Bhrikuti, Emperor Songtsen Gampo, and Araniko.

He further noted that Sichuan Province, renowned for its world-famous tea, giant pandas, and rich Buddhist heritage, has become a major global tourist attraction. He added that Nepali tourists are eager to explore Chengdu’s cultural and natural offerings.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Sichuan Province, Liu Min, expressed confidence that the chartered flights operated by Sichuan Airlines would become regular. He emphasized that sustained flights would not only strengthen tourism ties but also deepen the long-standing historical relations between the two nations.

Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Taranath Pahari echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Pokhara-Chengdu flight would significantly enhance tourism collaboration between Nepal and China. He expressed optimism that tourism entrepreneurs in Chengdu would extend their full support to the initiative.

Maniraj Lamichhane, Chief of Gandaki Province of the NTB, highlighted Pokhara as a favored destination among Chinese tourists and stressed the importance of maintaining regular Pokhara-Chengdu flights to attract more visitors.

Consul General of Nepal in Chengdu, Suresh Raut, assured that the Consulate General would provide all necessary support to ensure the continuation of these flights.

General Secretary of Pokhara Tourism Council  Jeevan Raj Sapkota expressed confidence that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Pokhara would see a significant rise in the coming days.