KATHMANDU: The election manifesto released by the Nepali Congress (NC) targeting the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections has promised to establish Nepal as a key tourist destination by bringing in 3 million tourists in a year within a decade.

With a commitment to increase the contribution of the tourism industry in the national economy, the NC stated that the tourism industry’s contribution will be increased to as high as 20 percent, and the airports will be made passenger-friendly and accessible.

NC Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the management of the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation will be strengthened within six months.

The party’s election manifesto promises to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) into two autonomous entities, including a service provider and a regulatory body.

Efforts will be made to remove Nepal from the safety list of the aviation safety of the European Union (EU), the manifesto stated.

It mentioned that the tourism industry will be considered a major pillar of employment, entrepreneurship and local communities’ prosperity.

Likewise, the NC has given priority to Janakpur, Lumbini and Kathmandu through the development of a spiritual corridor as well as develop an integrated tourist circuit by connecting Muktinath, Lumbini and Kathmandu through a digital corridor, namely the Buddha to Shiva spiritual route.

The party has announced to waive off taxes for women and youth entrepreneurs involved in the tourism sector and provide concessional loans to them as well as apply the public-private-partnership model in tourism development.