KATHMANDU, Dec 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal says the tourism sector has been playing a significant role in country’s economy.

Inaugurating the 38th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Kathmandu on Friday, Dahal said the government was committed to helping the private sector develop and expand Nepal’s tourism industry.

Stating that agriculture, hydropower and tourism were important sectors for the Nepali economy, Dahal said the government has put these sectors in priority.

On the occasion, Dahal handed over letters of appreciation to the top three member-companies of TAAN on the basis of issuance of TIMS cards -- Himalayan Encounters, Royal Mountain Travel Nepal, and Highland Excursions.  

Similarly, Dahal presented Sunil Sharma, a photo-journalist at Xinhua, and Mohan Prasad Mainali of Image Nepal, a travel magazine, cash prizes of Rs 10,000 each and letters of appreciation in recognition of their coverage of the Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon that TAAN had organized earlier this year to disseminate the message that the Langtang-Gosaikunda region was safe for trekking.

Likewise, Dahal presented the TAAN Sagarmatha Adventure Tourism Journalism Award to Kedar Dahal of Karobar daily, and the TAAN Sagarmatha Pasang Lhamu Award to mountaineering instructor Pasang Lhamu Sherpa. The awards each carry a purse of Rs 25,000.

Speaking at the event, TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal said TAAN, as the largest tourism association of the country, has a greater role to play in the development of the entire tourism sector not just the adventure tourism sector.

Minister of State for Agricultural Development Radhika Tamang, Tourism Secretary Shankar Prasad Adhikari, and Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi, among others, were also present at Friday’s event.

Meanwhile, a closed-session held earlier on Friday approved the Annual Program Report for Fiscal Year 2072/73, the Annual Program and Activities for Fiscal Year 2073/74 presented by TAAN General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama, the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2072/73, and the Estimated Income and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2073/74.

Similarly, it also approved Employees Bylaws and Financial Bylaws of the association.

Established in 1979, TAAN has been active in the promotion of the adventure tourism sector.

 
• prime minister
 
• pushpa kamal dahal
 
• tourism sector
 
• key role