This year's earthquake and the ongoing crisis have taught us a good lesson regarding the importance of air connectivity. What is the ministry doing in this direction?
Tourism is the mainstay of Nepali economy and aviation is the key for tourism development. Hence, we cannot address the current challenges of tourism as well as the ongoing economic without changing our perspective toward the national flag carrier. We need to strengthen it. The national flag carrier is in immediate need of at least two wide-body aircraft, two narrow-body aircraft, four Twin Otters and four to five helicopters. The board of NAC has directed the NAC management to conduct a study on fleet expansion. We will take appropriate decisions after we get the management's report.
We have also directed NAC to operate existing aircraft to the full capacity. NAC is soon starting flights to Kolkota, Guanzhou and Dammam, and increasing flight frequency to Indian cities of Bangalore and Mumbai. We need to strengthen domestic air service as well. Once we have sufficient aircraft, we will make profit from international flights and use the amount to subsidize flights in remote areas which are unprofitable. We are also mulling over starting helicopter service. If study shows helicopter service will be feasible to serve remote areas, NAC will buy helicopters. Though preliminary report has show that it will be expensive by 12 to 15 percent compared to fixed wing, we will start helicopter flights if it helps to serve remote areas that don't have airstrips.
You are talking about buying new aircraft. Will NAC take delivery of Chinese aircraft - MA60 and Harbin Y12e?
The committee formed to study the agreement with China is yet to submit its final report. We will take decision on the issue after studying the committee's report. It is a fact that we are in need of aircraft. But we have asked China to fulfill our five demands related to issues of repair and maintenance, high insurance cost, stock guarantee for supply of spare parts, test flight by instructor pilots and regular training to our pilots.
Statistics shows arrivals from China are increasing significantly in recent years. What do you think should be done to bring more Chinese tourists to Nepal?
Chinese tourists come to Nepal mostly to enjoy natural beauty. We have held discussions with diplomats, cultural groups and other Chinese officials regarding Chinese arrivals. They have suggested to us to open entry point so that Chinese tourists can come via surface transport. Second suggestion was to strengthen connectivity between Kathmandu and Shanghai, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Beijing, Xian, Hong Kong and Kunming. If these issues are sorted out, they have assured that tourist arrivals will reach 500,000 in the next three years.
We have signed Air Service Agreement (ASA) with China and we will fly to more Chinese cities once we have more aircraft.
NTB has resumed CEO selection process by inviting candidates, who were shortlisted four years ago, for interview. Can we be assured that the vacant post will be filled now?
I am hopeful that NTB will get CEO within a month of the beginning of the selection process. We have never come across this kind of disaster in management. There is a need to restructure NTB. For this, we are soon making amendment to Tourism Act and Nepal Tourism Board Act.
Tourism cannot be strengthened without active participation of private sector. We will make amendment to both the acts in such a way that private and public sector, and organized groups can join hands for together development. Similarly, we need to work for structural decentralization, HR management and its relation with other organizations, and change definition of 'tourist' and define domestic travelers as tourist so as to promote domestic tourism. Similarly, we need to strengthen organizational management to support private sector and clearly define the periphery of an autonomous body.
We will boost the morale of NTB employees and do needful research to identify new destinations and promote them in international arena. Similarly, we will make amendment to the disputed Financial By-laws and prepare Internal Work Operation Guideline to make activities of NTB more effective.
What about the reconstruction of quake-damaged temples and monuments which are directly related to tourism?
We are working for renovation of historical monuments. First we will prepare renovation plan and invite bids from interested firms for reconstruction works of around Rs 3 billion in this fiscal year. Plan to spend Rs 1 billion for renovation is ready and we will implement it within this fiscal year.
Many countries like Sri Lanka, China, and Italy have expressed wiliness to rebuilding heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley and Nuwakot. We have also started a study on protection of cultural heritage sites. The ministry will distribute fund for the purpose from the coming fiscal year. Similarly, we will bring all organizations related to culture and its promotion under the ministry.
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