Kathmandu, Sept 24: Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, has emphasized Nepal’s immense potential to boost its tourism industry, leveraging its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
During her recent visit to Nepal, Marthini shared her thoughts in an interview with Chief Editor Sushil Aryal of newspolar.com, highlighting the steps Nepal could take to strengthen its tourism sector.
Nepal’s Natural Advantages and Cultural Riches
Marthini remarked that Nepal has been gifted with abundant natural resources, which can be a major draw for global tourists.
She advised that Nepal should focus on promoting its natural attractions rather than relying on artificial ones, drawing parallels with Indonesia’s tourism strategy.
Reflecting on her own experience, the Deputy Minister shared that her visit to Kathmandu had fulfilled a long-held childhood dream.
She described Kathmandu as a “city of temples,” reminiscent of Bali, and noted the emotional and cultural depth she felt during her stay.
Cultural and Religious Tourism Opportunities
Recognizing the strong cultural ties between Nepal and Indonesia, especially in terms of shared Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Marthini suggested that both nations could collaborate in promoting religious tourism.
She highlighted the potential for joint tourism programs between Kathmandu and Bali, two destinations rich in cultural and spiritual significance.
Suggestions for Strengthening Nepal’s Tourism Sector
Marthini offered several recommendations for improving Nepal’s tourism offerings, including the development of skilled manpower, improving hotel and transportation infrastructure, and enhancing waste management and service quality.
She pledged Indonesia’s support for Nepal’s tourism promotion efforts and expressed admiration for Nepal’s hospitality and the warmth of its people.
Growing Tourist Numbers and Connectivity Challenges
The Deputy Minister noted a 186% rise in Nepali tourists visiting Indonesia in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting increasing ties between the two countries.
However, she acknowledged the need for improved connectivity, citing the lack of direct flights between Nepal and Indonesia as a major hurdle. Marthini shared that efforts were underway to address this issue.
Vision for Future Cooperation
Looking ahead, Marthini identified three key areas for cooperation between Nepal and Indonesia:
1. Establishing direct flights to enhance travel convenience.
2. Simplifying visa processes to make it easier for tourists to visit.
3. Developing joint religious tourism programs, capitalizing on the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the two nations.
As the number of Nepali tourists visiting Bali continues to grow, Marthini expressed excitement about future collaborations, committing to working closely with stakeholders to facilitate easier access for tourists between the two countries. #nepal #indonesia #bali #tourism
