KATHMANDU, Jan 10: As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and the fear of another spell of lockdown looms large, tourism entrepreneurs have demanded that the government allow the tourism businesses to continue their operations by following the health safety measures.
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Sunday held discussions with organizations and individuals concerned with the tourism sector as the transmission of the new variant Omicron of COVID-19 is on the rise. In the program, private sector organizations and tourism entrepreneurs suggested keeping tourism businesses alive by following the health standards. They also urged the government to take such a decision saying that the country’s tourism sector collapsed in the past due to the sudden lockdown. They emphasized the need to vaccinate all to keep the tourism sector alive.
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Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of NTB, said that the board conducted various programs in the past despite the contagion of COVID-19 and limited resources.
Achyut Guragai, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATA) said that there was no alternative to administering booster doses against COVID-19 and make tourism operational by adhering to health standards. “Living with COVID-19, doing business together following health protocols is our only alternative,” he added.
Tourism entrepreneur Bijay Amatya suggested the NTB change the market strategy considering the situation of COVID-19. Similarly, Dambar Parajuli, president of Expedition Operators Association Nepal said that criteria should be formulated to invite tourists but there should be no problem after their arrival in Nepal.
