By Our Correspondent
Bhairahawa, Jan. 2: Tourism Minster of Myanmar U Ohn Maung Thursday said that the Myanmar Government was positive about operating direct flights from the Gautam Buddha International Airport.
“The Myanmar Government and Airlines there are ready to operate regular direct flights to Lumbini once the construction of the Gautam Buddha International Airport completes, the visiting Minister of Myanmar said.
After Sri Lanka, the largest number of tourists to Lumbini comes from Myanmar and Thailand.
Stating that Lumbini has a strong ties, love and affection with Myanmar, Minister Maung said that he was ready to hold talks regarding the direct flights from Myanmar to Lumbini.
Myanmar Tourism Minister Maung, who was here for a visit to Lumbini, said so while talking to ministers from the State 5 government and officials from the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), at the Bhairahawa Airport.
The visiting team of Minister Maung was welcomed at the Bhairahawa Airport by Province-5 Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Lila Giri and Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust Saroj Bhattarai, among others.
From the Airport, Minister Maung went directly to the Birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini and visited the Peace Stupa; paid homage to the Mayadevi Temple and observed and paid homage to various temples and the areas constructed with the support of the Myanmar Government.
On the occasion, discussions were also held with the LDT officials over tourism promotion, and the ways of bringing more tourists to Lumbini.
Highlighting that as Nepal was celebrating the Visit Nepal Year 2020, Minister Maung said that he would take initiatives to send more number of tourists from Myanmar to Lumbini.
Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust Saroj Bhattarari said that the government of Myanmar had provided a big support for the promotion of tourism in Lumbini.
“We expect the same assistance and cordial relation from the Myanmar government,” said Bhattarai.