The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) warmly welcomed Badri Prasad Pandey, the newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, at a special ceremony held on Wednesday. The event was attended by key figures in the tourism sector, including Dr. Ganesh Prasad Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Board President; Vice President Ram Prasad Sapkota (Kamal); Member Secretary Milan Devkota; and Board members Madan Acharya, Rishi Bhandari, and Rajendra Lama. Also present were Koshraj Niraula, Director General of the Immigration Department; Balsagar Giri, Joint Secretary of the Finance Ministry; and Executive Chief of the Tourism Board, Hikmat Singh Air.
In his address, Minister Pandey expressed his commitment to enhancing the tourism sector through necessary policy improvements. He emphasized the need for effective operation of the tourism board and indicated that the Ministry is prepared to support any required policy adjustments to facilitate sector growth. Pandey highlighted the immense tourism potential in Nepal, particularly in regions like Lekhepal, and stressed the importance of leveraging the country’s natural beauty to boost economic prosperity.
Acknowledging the complexities of tourism development, Pandey noted that a single government effort is insufficient. He advocated for a public-private partnership approach, which the board is structured around, and called for the development of short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies to enhance tourism. He underlined the need for improvements in policy, functionality, and employee documentation, while urging stakeholders to explore and capitalize on Nepal’s tourism opportunities even amidst challenges.
Minister Pandey also mentioned that the Ministry is currently evaluating how to make the board and other related bodies more effective, taking into account the relevance and impact of the board’s initiatives. He assured that the Ministry is committed to studying and implementing measures to enhance the effectiveness of tourism programs.
In response, Executive Chief Hikmat Singh Air presented an overview of the board’s concept and initiatives aimed at advancing Nepal’s tourism development. He requested Minister Pandey’s support in overcoming policy-related challenges that affect the board’s international programs, emphasizing the need for facilitation to make these programs more impactful.
The event underscored a collaborative spirit and a shared commitment to driving Nepal’s tourism sector forward, with the newly appointed Minister pledging to work closely with the board to realize the sector’s full potential.
