How do you plan to move forward with your tourism revival plan?
Out revival plan has three stages. The first was emergency or rapid rescue, which we have successfully completed. The second step is to provide relief to the tourism sector workers. TAAN has been coordinating with World Food Programme (WFP) to provide basic necessities to nine remote hill districts using the skills of our workers. The third step is to chart out a rapid recovery plan with the focus on reviving our businesses and ensuring the safety of our the people. It isn't an easy task, as we need an entire season to assess the damage and reconstruct the damaged lodges and maintain the trail. We think the upcoming three months would be crucial for turning the plan into reality.
What new changes are going to take place?
The disaster has taught us a big lesson. The first thing we have decided is there will be no trekking without a guide or porter. We will stress proper records on the trekkers and guides so that tracking them becomes faster and easier. We have realized a need to strengthen the whole system to provide security and be prepared for any unfortunate events.
What challenges do you see ahead?
Our first and foremost concern is that we make sure that all the trails and destinations are safe from the earthquake. While this is a challenge, we have to let positive message flow in the international market as well. Hence we are planning and are ready to invite experts, who will study the geological structure of these mountains and trails. We don't want to send invitations to tourists and adventure seekers without guaranteeing safety. We are planning to get everything ready, along with safety measures, within the next three months. This is the right time for the maintenance of the trails.
Besides, the people involved in the business themselves have been hit hard by the disaster and there is no way we can welcome the tourists before they recover. So the bigger challenge is to help the workers get back on their feet by taking care of their basic needs and arranging shelters for them and their families.
How will the recovery plan work on sustaining the workers?
We have been requesting the government to engage the available manpower, who number around 200,000, in food-for-work scheme, and also involve them in the reconstruction process. It is essential that they are directed in the reconstruction, lest they decide to move out of the country, in which case, the tourism industry will suffer even bigger loss. So far, the government has responded positively to our requests.
Is offering discounts for adventure sports to draw tourists a good strategy?
Cheaper packages can't make up for the safety of people. We as businessmen need to think about the long term effect of such decisions. We shouldn't take reckless decisions during a time of crisis. It would be better if we invest time and human resources at hand for reconstruction.
Do you think the psychological impact resulting from the disaster would affect the reconstruction work?
It's been more than a month, and we can see that life is getting back to normal. This is the time to be patient. If we lose hope at such a time, then reconstruction will take a back seat. People in this sector have to face all sorts of challenges, and I believe they will get over this crisis, too. We have the resources to deal with such crisis. Besides, we have begun counseling the people in the tourism business who have been hit by the natural disaster. We are careful not to rush things as being patient pays off.
Do you think disaster tourism could work in this situation?
Right now, we want to focus on reconstruction and encourage volunteer tourism, instead. In the coming months, many people will move to the disaster-affected areas for the construction and renovation of houses, health posts, heritages, and in return we will offer them tour packages during their stay.
I think this is the best and surest way to revive the flow of both domestic and international tourists. Apart from contributing for relief materials, if Nepalese people themselves visit various places within the country, it will be better.
How cooperative has the government been throughout the situation?
Very. The fact is, after the disaster, we acted without wasting time. I think we did pretty well with the available resources. Of course it would have been better if we had been properly equipped, which would have made the rescue missions faster. But we did learn our lesson from last year's tragedy. We were working with the government to prepare ourselves for the worst situations. Unfortunately, the preparations were still underway when the disaster struck.
Related story
Making a great first impression at an interview
