Finally, the country has its duck in a row for the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) that is being officially announced amidst the grand opening ceremony and public fanfare at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu today, coinciding with start of the new English year. All seven states will organise formal programmes to launch the mega tourism event that seeks to bring in two million tourists from different nations. The VNY2020 marks one of the major events that the country successfully held in the aftermath of the formation of new government about two years ago. It effectively sends a strong message to the world that Nepal has attained durable peace, stability and order, becoming a safe and attractive destination, not only for foreign travellers but also the foreign investors to invest in numerous virgin areas located in diverse climatic zones.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has called on all Nepalis to illuminate their houses in the evening of January 1 in a show of solidarity for the national campaign. “The brightness of the light” he said, “will give a message of new journey.” Minister Bhattarai has rightly said that the event would be a starting point to establish tourism as a vital pillar of national economy. Currently, the contribution of tourism sector to the GDP stands at 3 per cent and VNY2020 aims to increase this to 10 per cent. It will be a milestone in framing tourism policy for upcoming decade that will be evolved into a tourism decade. Tourism offers never-ending employment opportunities as it resolves the quandary of joblessness triggered by the robotic technology and digital economy. For instance, Home Stay will involve many hands and boost the local agricultural as well as industrial products. Tourism development also checks the internal and external migration of the youth, thereby playing a catalytic role in developing sustainable economy.

The government has pulled its weight to make the event a grand success. According to a news report carried out by this daily, the authorities are working hard to ensure the safety of the tourists round the clock.  It is indeed important to provide security, basic facilities and services to the foreign guests so that their stay here will be pleasant and memorable. The government has set up a 24-hour facility to respond to the tourists' call. All the ministries have been directed for making the VNY a success. Of late, the nation has gained confidence with the successful arrangement of the visit of world’s leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and organisation of South Asian Games, which has further proved the efficiency of security agencies to provide foolproof security to our guests.

Nepal is a land of wonders. It is the home to the world’s roof Sagaramatha (Mt Everest), many taller snow-capped mountains, adventurous trekking regions, thrilling wildlife, rare plants and conservation parks, winding rivers, panoramic valleys and beautiful plain lands, ancient culture, historic monuments, intangible and tangible arts and unique life style of people. The foreign visitors will experience serenity, spiritual enlightenment and smile of ever-affable Nepalis who consider the guests as divine figures coming to purify their abode. As all Nepalis are ready to welcome the foreign guests, the latter are sure to receive amicable treatment and collect impressive memories when they set foot in Nepal on the auspicious occasion VNY2020.