“Nihao China” program held to strengthen Nepal-China tourism ties ahead of 2025 visit year
Chinese Airlines have joined hands with the China National Tourist Office in Kathmandu to promote tourism between Nepal and China, marking a significant collaboration ahead of the Nepal Visit Year 2025 in China.
As part of the initiative, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern hosted the “Nihao! China” Tourism Promotion Program in Kathmandu on Wednesday. This event sought to deepen Nepali tourism professionals’ understanding of Chinese tourism resources and policies while fostering connections and exploring opportunities for future partnerships.
Xiao Jiang, head of the China Cultural Center in Nepal, highlighted the potential for cooperation, noting that 2025 will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. “With this opportunity, we aim to strengthen cooperation in culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges,” Jiang said, hoping that such efforts would elevate Sino-Nepal relations.
The event featured more than 100 Nepali travel and ticketing agents alongside representatives from Chinese tourism companies. Presentations by the Managing Directors of Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern highlighted flight connectivity between Kathmandu and key Chinese cities like Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Kunming, along with further links to other destinations.
Civil aviation ties have grown between the two nations, with both governments encouraging airlines to expand routes to cities like Pokhara and Lumbini. The collaboration aligns with the shared goal of boosting tourist inflows, as China plans to support Nepal in promoting Nepal Visit Year 2025 through campaigns and signature events like the China Festival.
Nepal, which welcomed over 1 million foreign tourists by November 2024, hopes to attract more Chinese visitors through these efforts. In November alone, 9,458 tourists arrived from China, signaling the importance of the Chinese market for Nepal’s tourism sector.
This joint promotion signifies a strengthened partnership between Nepal and China, aiming to unlock the untapped potential in tourism and cultural exchange.
