According to Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), the proposal to withdraw the provision on liaison officers was recently forwarded to the cabinet by MoTCA. [break]
Speaking to the press right after inaugurating the Destination Manang 2010 campaign, Bhandari said the free movement of tourists is necessary for encouraging inbound international tourists.
Hinting about soft measures be taken in terms of restricted areas, he said the restricted areas for tourists should also be reviewed. Minister of Culture Minendra Rijal said Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Bhandari and himself were already agreed on withdrawing the government decision on provision of Liaison officers for trekking in conservation areas.
The tourism entrepreneurs and different organizations concerned with tourism had opposed the cabinet decision on liaison officers immediately after it had come.
Bhandari, addressing the masses at Chame, said that horse racing and archery can be internationalized through good marketing. "With horse racing and archery alone Manang can cater more than 10,000 tourists for the event. Let tourists race horses and try archery", he further added.
He emphasized that the geographical, cultural, natural and ethnic diversity of Manang should be showcased in a special package for domestic and international tourists. According to Bhandari, rather than opening hotels with great facilities in remote Nar and Phoo Valley, the concept of home stay should be promoted.
"Home stay is itself a product; selling in a commercial way how you eat and live is home stay", Bhandari opined. Sangdo Lama, member of the Remote Area Development Committee and advisor to the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, said the provision for liaison officers at Nar, Phoo and Lake Tilicho is unacceptable.
He had given a briefing on different activities which are going to be performed during Destination Manang 2010.
Kapli Gurung, President of Manang Sewa Samiti, demanded that the air fare from Pokhara to Manang be reduced to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,200. The air fare from Pokhara to Mustang is Rs 1,900. He also requested that the government provide a budget for constructing an airport at Syarkyung in Chame.
Speaking at the function, Binod Gurung, Coordinator of Destination Manang 2010 and President of TEAM, hoped the activities for Manang promotion would help Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011.
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