Kathmandu, Oct. 20 -- The two-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kathmandu last week has raised hopes in the local tourism industry of a windfall in Chinese tourist arrivals to Nepal in the days ahead.

There are several instances that President Xi, one of the world's most powerful men, creates an impact on tourism within China and beyond, wherever he visits.

Xi became the first Chinese president to visit Nepal since 1996 and he himself said he will encourage Chinese tourists to visit Nepal. "Nepal is the first South Asian country to be designated an approved destination for Chinese tourists," Xi wrote in an article published in Nepali papers.

"It's really a big statement from the Chinese president to support Visit Nepal...