In Nepal, the Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today formally launched the Nepal Tourism Year -2011 amidst a colourful function in Kathmandu this afternoon with the lighting of a lamp brought from Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the promotion of tourism industry will not only help in economic development and employment generation but will also in promotion of the country's rich cultural heritage. <br/><br/>He said the end of a decade long conflict in Nepal saw immense growth in tourism sector and expressed his government's commitment to provide all necessary support to make the coming Tourism Year a success.<br/><br/>AIR Kathmandu Correspondents reports that representatives of different organizations, tourism entrepreneurs', students and people from different walks life joined in a massive procession that converged into a mass gathering at the Napal Army ground in Kathmandu this afternoon.<br/><br/>Nepal government has set a target of attracting one million tourists in the country during the Nepal Tourism Year in 2011. According to official sources, a little over five lakh tourists visit Nepal each year, particularly after cessation of conflict more than three years ago. <br/><br/>Nepal Tourism Board has launched a series of promotional campaigns both within and outside the country in a bid to meet its target of attracting one million tourists next year and thereby boosting the national economy. <br/><br/>One of the most encouraging developments for the growth of the tourism sector has been the commitment expressed by major political parties not to organize general strikes and road blockades during the Nepal Tourism year 2011.<br/>