Kathmandu: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Wakayama Prefecture have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cultural ties and promote sustainable tourism cooperation between Nepal and Japan.
The agreement was signed at the Nepal Tourism Board by NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi and Governor Izumi Miyazaki of Wakayama Prefecture, in the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha.
The MoU focuses on joint tourism promotion and marketing, exchange of tourism-related information and best practices, expert and official exchange visits, enhanced communication and public relations, and the promotion of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Sinha highlighted the importance of the collaboration in the context of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. He said the partnership would provide a strong foundation for advancing sustainable and responsible tourism in both countries.
Governor Miyazaki expressed pleasure in formalizing cooperation with Nepal, acknowledging the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. He voiced confidence that the agreement would further enhance tourism exchanges between Nepal and Wakayama Prefecture.
Tourism Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula described the MoU as a historic milestone in strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations. He noted that the agreement comes at an opportune time to diversify Nepal’s tourism markets while reinforcing shared cultural values.
CEO Joshi said Japan remains one of Nepal’s key tourism source markets and described the MoU as a strategic bridge connecting destinations, knowledge and opportunities, paving the way for expanded collaboration, innovation and mutual growth in tourism development.
