Pokhara: Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are excited at the announcement of chartered flights from Pokhara to different cities of China from June 23. The announcement was made by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati at the 24th national conference and annual general meeting of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) on Thursday.

The announcement is expected to materialize the dream of Pokhara folks to start international flights from Pokhara. The Pokhara Regional International Airport was inaugurated on January 1 this year but no international flight has taken place since then.

Chairman of Pokhara Tourism Council Pom Narayan Shrestha said, "We are excited from the announcement to commence chartered flights. This will mark the beginning of the international flights. This should be implemented at any cost."

Likewise, chairman of NATTA Gandaki Province Hari Ram Adhikari said that this will be good beginning for the tourism industry and will serve as a milestone for the entire country's tourism sector's development.

It is said that around 80 per cent of the total Chinese tourists visiting Nepal arrive in Pokhara city. The chartered flights are expected to boost tourism in Pokhara and help to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal.

The tourism entrepreneurs have urged the government to ensure that the chartered flights are implemented as announced. They have also urged the government to provide necessary support to the tourism industry in Pokhara.