Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Nepal and Japan have taken a significant step to strengthen tourism diplomacy with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nepal Tourism Board and Wakayama Prefecture, Japan for sustainable tourism cooperation.
The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the Nepal Tourism Board’s auditorium in Bhrikutimandap. Both parties expressed their commitment to collaborate on joint tourism promotion, knowledge exchange, and sustainable tourism development initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, and Izumi Miyazaki, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture. The agreement emphasizes joint tourism promotion and marketing, sharing of tourism-related information and best practices, exchange of experts and officials, public relations cooperation, and the promotion of culturally respectful and sustainable tourism.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha, welcomed the delegation led by the Wakayama Governor and described the MoU as an important step in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, especially in the context of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. “Both countries place high importance on cultural matters. This collaboration, on the occasion of 70 years of diplomatic ties, will provide a strong foundation for sustainable tourism,” he said.
Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the long-standing relationship between Nepal and Japan and called the MoU a historic step for tourism promotion. “Nepal and Japan have shared a longstanding relationship. For Nepal, the land of the Himalayas and the birthplace of Lord Buddha, this MoU comes at the right time to diversify the tourism market. It integrates shared values and cooperation and is expected to further strengthen future collaboration,” he said.
Governor Izumi Miyazaki expressed pleasure in collaborating with Nepal, citing the shared history and culture. “We are delighted to enter into this understanding with Nepal, a country rich in history and culture. We believe this MoU will further strengthen tourism promotion between Wakayama and Nepal,” he said.
Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted Japan as a key source market for Nepali tourism and noted a recent 8 percent increase in Japanese tourist arrivals. “Nepal is a destination of diverse and vibrant experiences. This MoU is not just a formal agreement but a bridge connecting destinations, knowledge, and opportunities. It will open new avenues for Nepal’s tourism market,” he added.
The MoU will take effect from the date of signing and will be implemented based on mutual understanding. Both parties will designate focal points to coordinate collaborative activities and will bear their respective costs.
Although not legally binding, the MoU is based on mutual goodwill and trust and is expected to further strengthen seven decades of Nepal–Japan relations through tourism.
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