September 29: Experts have stressed on the need of balanced and sustainable development of tourism for the country’s economic prosperity.

Speaking at a panel discussion organized by New Business Age during the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards on Friday, they argued that tourism has garnered global attention as a means of economic development.

Speakers of the panel discussion entitled “Tourism to Prosperity: Sharing Best Practices” were unanimous in pointing out to the need of sustainable tourism. Four speakers from different parts of South and South East Asia shared the experiences of tourism development of their respective countries during the event.

The speakers stressed on the need to promote the unique culture and tradition of each country to develop the tourism sector. Foreign delegates said during the programme that Nepal’s rich diversity holds the key to tourism development in the country.

Meanwhile, President of Hotel Association of Nepal Shreejana Rana said Nepal’s tourism industry is weak in marketing.  She said that the hotel entrepreneurs are effortful in promoting the tourism industry but the sector requires support from the government.

She said that Nepal had to rely on tourists from Europe and America in the past but things have changed with the increasing number of tourists coming from neighbouring countries and also the rise in number of domestic tourists.

During the panel discussion, Jens Thraenhart, CEO of Mekong Tourism said that sustaining the number of tourists is more important than increasing the number of tourists. Likewise, Sonam Jatso of tourism entrepreneur of Bhutan said tourism is one of the major sources of income of Bhutan. He added that tourists prefer to visit the Himalayan kingdom for its cultural diversity and serene environment.

Bounlap Douangphoumy, deputy director general of the Tourism Marketing Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos said that the number of tourists is increasing in Laos due to proper planning of the government.