As part of their tourism promotion mission in Bangladesh, officials of Nepal Tourism Board, Cosmic Air, Marco Polo Travels, Hotel Royal Singhi and Nepal Recreation Centre are now in the capital to participate in the Dhaka Travel Mart 2005 to be held in March 4-6.

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka yesterday organised by Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Ambassador to Bangla-desh Bhagirath Basnet said Nepal waived visa fee of $29 for Bangladeshi visitors from 2003. "After the waiver, number of tourists from Bangladesh is increasing."

Tourists are now safe in Nepal. The government has restored tranquility and peace as political uncertainties are over, he added.

Basnet said Bangladesh is in the second position regarding trade with Nepal among the Saarc countries.

Supplementing government efforts to woo back tourists, Nepalese private carrier Cosmic Air, which now connects capital cities of the two countries with three weekly flights, came up with a special promotional offer for Bangladeshi travellers in the upcoming travel mart where tourism organisations from South Asian nations will gather.

People buying a return ticket from Cosmic Air stall at the travel mart will get another ticket free. The two-way ticket, pricing $208, will remain valid for one year. Passengers of Cosmic Air will also get complimentary casino coupon worth $50, he said.

Cosmic Air started flights to Bangladesh in November last year, said Bhoj Raj Ghimire, secretary of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, and expected that Bangladeshi private carrier GMG Airlines would also start flights to Nepal within a few months.