Although Nepal has welcomed pilgrims and hikers from all over the world, the country is now specifically looking to attract more tourists from China.

Nepal's tourism authorities have branded next year the "Nepal Visit Year 2020" and holding promotional events in a number of Chinese cities. In Beijing, the Nepalese embassy, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), and Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents held a reception on Wednesday for Chinese tourism and media professionals.

In an opening speech, Nepal's ambassador Leela Mani Paudyal said tourists from China have made great contribution to Nepal's tourism development. 

"However, the potential is much larger than the current flow and less than commensurate to the surge in the number of outbound tourists from China," Paudyal said.

To attract more Chinese tourists, Paudyal said, "This sales mission is part of that effort."

Nepal's tourism officials are also stepping up efforts to make travel to and within Nepal more convenient. NTB manager Shradha Shrestha credited positive impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative in this respect. 

"Currently Nepal has Air Service Agreement with seven cities of China, of which we are operating direct flights from five cities," Shrestha said. And to prepare for Nepal Visit Year 2020, "two new airports will be coming up at Lumbini and Pokhara and 100 new destinations are being explored."

In addition, the country is strengthening services at scenic spots, providing authentic Chinese food and Mandarin-speaking staff.

"The Chinese government and the Embassy of China in Nepal are taking serious initiatives for strengthening Chinese language human capacity to facilitate the Chinese tourists coming to Nepal by conducting series of Chinese language trainings jointly with Ministry of Tourism & Nepal Tourism Board," Shrestha said.