Nepal is hoping to establish direct air links with Russia to revive tourism between the two countries, according to Mani Raj Lamichhane, a spokesperson for the Nepal Tourism Board.
“We are still in talks,” Lamichhane said. “We are losing a lot due to the lack of air connectivity. Entrepreneurs are constantly asking us to lobby for the start of flights during negotiations with the Russian authorities. We hope that direct flights will resume very soon,” he added.
Lamichhane confirmed that Nepal is actively working to resume direct flights between Moscow and Kathmandu, which were discontinued in 2004. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is the country’s most popular tourist destination, home to over 130 architectural monuments, including the Buddhist temple complexes of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath.
The resumption of direct flights between Nepal and Russia is expected to significantly boost tourism between the two countries. Nepal is a popular destination for Russian travelers seeking adventure, trekking, and cultural experiences. Russia, on the other hand, is a major source of tourists for Nepal, with over 20,000 Russian visitors arriving in Nepal in 2019.
