KATHMANDU, Sept 13: Entrepreneurs have called on the government to introduce plans to promote tourism. They have expressed dissatisfaction that even two months after the formation of the new government, there is still no clear plan for improving the tourism sector.

After being appointed as Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation on July 14, Minister Badri Pandey announced plans to introduce a timely tourism policy within three months and to provide discounts on aviation fuel to international airlines operating from Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports. However, tourism entrepreneurs have complained that the minister has not effectively implemented these plans.

Binayak Shah, president of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), emphasized the need for effective plans to promote tourism. “In these two months, the government has not shown significant achievements beyond announcing a timely tourism policy and providing fuel discounts to foreign airlines,” Shah said, “I am also part of the sub-committee formed to create a new tourism policy. Work is ongoing but the progress is slow.”

He added, “Even a small achievement is better than nothing. However, announcements alone are not enough; there needs to be homework for implementation, and the government has been sluggish in this regard.”

Shah suggested that, given the current capacity to provide double the services compared to the number of arriving tourists, result-oriented actions are necessary. “The tourism sector is dynamic and lively,” he said. “It's not enough to just talk and make announcements; a concrete action plan must be created and implemented to achieve results.”

He noted that the tourism sector is extensive, and the minister should be undertaking a significant amount of work, but progress has been delayed.

While taking charge of the ministry, Minister Pandey emphasized the need for necessary reforms in the tourism policy and announced the formation of a study committee. Although he committed to creating a timely tourism policy based on in-depth research by the committee, HAN President Shah expressed concerns that the work might not be completed on time.

Factors such as unstable government, lack of timely policies and laws, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crises, and gaps between the government and stakeholders have impeded the expected pace of development in the country's culture and tourism sectors.

Kumar Mani Thapaliya, president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), stated that without improvements in Nepal Airlines, there will be no sustainable improvement in the country's tourism sector. He stated that regardless of which minister comes, the development of the country's tourism is linked to the reform and growth of the national airline, adding, “The development of Nepal's tourism is dependent on the reform and progress of the national airline.”

Minister Pandey acknowledged that attracting foreign tourists can significantly contribute to the national economy. He emphasized the need for the government to create an investment-friendly environment for economic prosperity and assured that the ministry is working accordingly. He stated that efforts are being made for the development and expansion of the culture, tourism, and aviation sectors.

 
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