Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has welcomed the peace deal signed between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists.

“NATO firmly believes that this historic decision will lead to stability and assist in the economic and overall development of the country,” a press statement issued on Sunday by the Association said.

Executive members of NATO at a meeting today reiterated their earlier position that tourism is the only sector that has the potential to provide short and medium term benefits needed to kick start the flagging economy, the release said.

They stressed that with peace at hand it is the right time for the government and the private sector to act jointly for promoting Nepal in the international arena. Expressing hope that the government would step in to assist the Nepal Tourism Board in its efforts to promote tourism industry, the NATO members also appealed to all the concerned parties to immediately stop intimidation and extortion of tourists rampant in various parts of the country, as this will have a negative effect on the industry, which given the climate to flourish, could show firm signs of revival as early as 2007.

“Nepal has the distinction of being the only conflict zone where tourists had never been harmed even in the heights of the troubles. It is now high time for all concerned political parties to ensure that the tourists who do visit Nepal from this time on do not feel threatened in any way by any one person or group of persons’ activities,” the statement further said.

NATO also called on the political players to forever forego Bandhs, strikes and road blockages in the days ahead. “In light of the improved circumstances in the country, no such activities should be organized that will hamper the economy in any way.”