Austria expresses concern about crisis management and overall tourism in Nepal

Published On: December 15, 2022 08:45 AM NPT By: Sajira Shrestha

KATHMANDU, Dec 15: A high-level visiting team including Austria’s ambassador to India interacted with the Nepal Tourism Board (NRB) on Wednesday on various issues of Nepal's overall tourism and crisis management. On the occasion, a discussion was held between the two sides on future cooperation for crisis management.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB Dr Dhananjaya Regmi welcomed the members of the high-level delegation of Austria including the Austrian Ambassador Katharina Weiser and informed them about Nepal’s tourism prospects and the policies and programs undertaken by Nepal during the crisis situation.

Austrian Ambassador Katharina Weiser stated that crisis management is an important task in tourism and expressed the opinion that it is necessary to share the experiences of both the countries in such matters.

Similarly, Dr Regmi said that NTB is working on crisis management in coordination and cooperation with various agencies of the government and organizations related to tourism so that the tourists visiting Nepal do not face any problems and if they do, they can be solved quickly. Similarly, he mentioned that the natural diversity of Nepal and Austria is similar and also said that there is a need for common view and advocacy to lessen the effects of climate change.

Nandini Lahe Thapa, senior director of the board, informed the visiting delegates about the tourism potential of Nepal and the steps taken by Nepal for crisis management and said that the board received the prestigious 'Pata Gold Award' from the international Wanderlust Arwad and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for three activities undertaken by Nepal.

Director Thapa informed that there is a Tourism Crisis Management Cell in the board's office for crisis management and said that even during the time of Covid-19, the board had done remarkable work in rescuing citizens of different countries.

Nepal’s Honorary Consul to Austria Rajesh Babu Shrestha, high-ranking officials of the Austrian government, senior directors of the board, directors, and tourist police participated in the program along with Ambassador Katharina.