Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) Secretariat has appealed to one and all to take part in the formal launching programme of NTY-2011 on February 26 along with a national flag.

According to the NTY Secretariat, the programme will formally begin with the illumination of peace torch brought from Lumbini by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at Tundikhel amidst a gala festival.

Speaking at the press meet organized by NTY-2011 Secretariat in the capital on Wednesday, Yogendra Sakya, National Coordinator of the NTY-2011 Implementing Committee, asked one and all to spontaneously be the part of campaign to promote tourism, a mainstay of national economic development.

He said that the occasion would also be used for collecting commitment from all the stakeholders.

"The political parties, private sector, artists, professionals, students, international/non-governmental organisations/journalists and other concerned stakeholders and individuals will be present there to express their commitment--together for tourism," he said.

Similarly, the political parties are expected to showing their commitment to stopping bandh and strikes and other activities that are detrimental to the tourism campaign.

He said that most of the political parties had already expressed their commitment to stopping calling for bandhs and strikes.

According to the programme, the private sector will convene at Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwor, tourism entrepreneurs at Nepal Scout, Lainchaur, political parties and their sister organizations at National Auditorium Hall, Bhrikutimandap and professionals at Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi, and march towards Tundikhel for a mass gathering. The processions will have cultural shows and traditional costumes of various ethnic communities.