A high-level delegation led by Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, to address pressing issues surrounding religious tourism, specifically related to the Kailash Yatra and Lhasa trips.
The delegation included NATTA board members and the President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Mr. Sagar Pandey. The joint team emphasized the need for streamlined and efficient visa and permit processes for pilgrims and tourists traveling to the sacred sites of Mount Kailash and Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Focus on Promoting Religious and Cross-Border Tourism
During the meeting, NATTA President Thapaliya outlined the growing global interest in religious tourism, especially among Hindu and Buddhist devotees. He stressed that Kailash Mansarovar is not only a spiritual destination but also an opportunity for Nepal to serve as a gateway for trans-Himalayan tourism.
The team highlighted how unnecessary delays and cumbersome bureaucratic procedures for obtaining permits and visas have discouraged potential travelers and hindered Nepal’s potential as a religious tourism hub.
Need for Diplomatic and Policy-Level Coordination
TAAN President Mr. Sagar Pandey pointed out that Nepal must proactively engage in diplomatic dialogue with Chinese counterparts to simplify permit issuance procedures. He emphasized the importance of government-to-government coordination in resolving logistical bottlenecks and enabling group travel permits, especially for organized pilgrimage tours.
The delegation also proposed forming a task force or a special coordination committee that includes government officials and tourism stakeholders to address the ongoing challenges.
Government Response and Assurances
Minister Badri Prasad Pandey acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and expressed the ministry’s commitment to promoting cross-border tourism with a focus on religious, cultural, and spiritual routes.
He assured the tourism leaders that the ministry would look into the visa and permit issues seriously and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Embassy, and relevant Chinese authorities to explore viable solutions. The Minister also underlined the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance Nepal’s tourism brand internationally.
Both NATTA and TAAN have long advocated for making Nepal a key transit and facilitation point for religious pilgrims. They reiterated that smoother travel procedures would not only boost pilgrimage tourism but also generate employment and income for local communities in far-western and mid-western Nepal, through which the pilgrims typically pass.
In conclusion, the delegation urged the government to prioritize religious tourism under national tourism strategy, and take immediate steps to simplify administrative processes to enhance Nepal’s position as a spiritual and cross-border tourism destination.
