See tourism as a business for success of NTY-2011: Tourism minister

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari has urged everyone to strictly see tourism as "a business" in order to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) a grand success. He also said there is great business potential in tourism.

Speaking at an interaction program held in the capital on Wednesday, Minister Bhandari also vowed to promote rural areas in the country as a potential tourist destination and increase tourism related activities there and said that this will contribute greatly in internal tourism.

The interaction program was organized by FV Nepal (Nepal Federation of Volunteers) to discuss the international tourism business possibilities in Nepal and renovation, preservation and importance of Ranighat Durbar in Palpa district.

The Ranighat Durbar has possibilities for international tourism because it has great historical, religious, cultural and architectural value, said the organizer.

The Ranighat Durbar was built about 125 years ago by Khadga Shumsher Rana in memory of his wife Tej Kumari following her demise. The Durbar has since then stood as a symbol of Rana's love towards her life. Now, the durbar is in its renovation and promotion stage.

Besides Ranighat Durbar, other places of tourist interest in Palpa are Hattidhuga, Soon Gupha, Ridi Gandaki, , Ruru temple and Shrinagarpark.

Ranighat Durbar can be developed as one of the wonders of Nepal very much like Taj Mahal in India, the organizers said. nepalnews.com