Hotel and tourism entrepreneurs in Madhesh Province have urged the provincial government to create a more investment-friendly environment, strengthen tourism promotion and adopt a transparent and dignified system of business monitoring. The concerns were raised during an interaction programme organized in Lalbandi, Mahottari, with Madhesh Province Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism Kanish Patel.
The interaction was organized at Gautam Hotel in Lalbandi under the chairmanship of Federation of Nepal Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs (FONHATE) President Hira Gautam. The programme was coordinated by FONHATE Madhesh Province in collaboration with the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Madhesh Province and Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Madhesh Province.
Businesses Raise Concerns Over Monitoring and Fines
Representatives of the hotel and tourism sector drew the minister’s attention to what they described as “raid-style” monitoring conducted by the provincial Home and Communications Ministry and its subordinate agencies. The entrepreneurs said they support legal compliance, transparent regulation and effective monitoring, but expressed concern that sudden inspections and enforcement practices could create fear among businesses and tourists while discouraging private-sector investment. They urged the government to establish a clear and professional monitoring mechanism under which businesses receive prior information before inspections, except in cases where immediate action is legally necessary.
FONHATE Submits Attention Letter to Minister
Mohan Sharma Lamichhane, Founder General Secretary of FONHATE Madhesh Province and President of NATTA Madhesh Province, handed over an attention letter to Minister Patel on behalf of hotel and tourism entrepreneurs and the broader private sector. The letter emphasized that tourism is one of the key foundations of the Province’s economic, social and cultural development. It noted that private-sector hotel and tourism businesses have continued to play a leading role in tourism promotion while participating in national and provincial campaigns.
The private sector has also been involved in initiatives such as Visit 2020, Visit Madhesh and “Ghumau Madhesh, Bujhau Madhesh,” along with programmes including the Madhesh Conclave, Madhesh Tourism Meet, Industrial and Religious Tourism Festival and Madhesh Travel Mart.
Policy Instability Raises Investment Concerns
Tourism entrepreneurs said they have previously drawn the attention of the provincial chief minister, finance minister and home and communications ministers to problems facing the tourism industry. However, they said frequent changes in the provincial government and policy instability have affected the continuity of tourism-related investment, budgets and promotional programmes. According to the entrepreneurs, long-term tourism development requires consistent policies, predictable investment conditions and continued government support rather than short-term programmes that change with political transitions.
Call for Dignified and Transparent Monitoring
The entrepreneurs said they do not oppose government monitoring or legal enforcement. Instead, they called for a system that respects the investment and dignity of businesses while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations. They specifically demanded that monitoring procedures be made transparent, professional and business-friendly, with prior notice provided to establishments wherever possible. They argued that enforcement should not unnecessarily create fear among entrepreneurs or tourists, as such practices could undermine confidence in Madhesh’s tourism industry and discourage further investment.
Minister Pledges Cooperation with Private Sector
Minister Kanish Patel expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation between the provincial government and the private sector to ensure investment security and promote sustainable tourism in Madhesh Province. He said the government would work toward a system of monitoring based on prior information and greater coordination with tourism businesses.
He also emphasized the need to promote digital tourism and protect the province’s religious, cultural and traditional heritage, including local food, festivals and customs. The minister also expressed interest in advancing programmes such as tourism marts, expos, street festivals, affordable markets, cross-border B2B programmes and stronger inter-provincial tourism relations.
Focus on Cross-Border and Sustainable Tourism
The participants highlighted Madhesh’s strategic potential for cross-border tourism, particularly through stronger links with neighbouring markets. They called for greater development of cross-border B2B activities, tourism fairs and promotional campaigns to attract visitors and investment. Minister Patel said the provincial government would move forward with a sustainable tourism development plan while working with the private sector to expand tourism-related activities and strengthen Madhesh’s position as a tourism destination.
Tourism Businesses Call for Long-Term Government Commitment
The tourism entrepreneurs emphasized that Madhesh’s tourism potential cannot be fully realized without stable policies, adequate investment and continuous cooperation between the government and private sector.
They called on the provincial government to ensure that tourism promotion programmes receive consistent budgetary support and that regulatory mechanisms encourage, rather than discourage, private investment.
The interaction concluded with a shared emphasis on building a tourism-friendly business environment in Madhesh through transparent regulation, investment protection, digital promotion, cultural preservation, cross-border cooperation and sustainable tourism development.
