SOTTO-Nepal has raised concerns over persistent problems affecting Nepal’s travel and tourism sector, including airline ticket inventory, ticket capping, and commission structures, during a meeting with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganess). A delegation led by SOTTO-Nepal President Man Bahadur Shahi met with Minister Paudel at the Ministry and discussed challenges faced by travel and tour operators. The association also submitted a memorandum outlining measures aimed at making Nepal’s travel trade more systematic, transparent, and sustainable.
SOTTO-Nepal Seeks Better Airline Ticket Access
SOTTO-Nepal has urged international airlines operating from Nepal to immediately provide necessary ticket inventory to travel businesses. According to the association, limited access to airline inventory has made it difficult for travel agencies to effectively serve customers and conduct their businesses. The association has also called for capping arrangements for all eligible travel businesses to make ticket distribution and sales more accessible and systematic. It said a more organized system would help travel agencies operate fairly while improving services for travelers.
Another major concern raised by SOTTO-Nepal was the commission structure provided by airlines. The association urged the government to coordinate with airlines to ensure reasonable commissions for travel businesses, arguing that declining or discontinued commissions could threaten the sustainability of travel agencies and the employment and self-employment opportunities they generate.
Travel Businesses Highlight Their Role in Tourism
SOTTO-Nepal emphasized that travel businesses are directly connected to Nepal’s tourism industry and contribute to employment, self-employment and government revenue. According to the association, around 9,000 travel businesses are registered across Nepal, with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 currently active. The association said challenges affecting travel agencies therefore have wider implications for the tourism economy.
SOTTO-Nepal has also been involved in promoting domestic and international tourism through destination promotion programmes, B2B sales missions and international sales missions. Its promotional activities have covered markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, Finland and India. Within Nepal, the association has promoted destinations such as Ilam, Rara, Resunga, Supa Deurali, Khaptad and Suryabinayak, while also working with local governments on trekking, destination promotion and other tourism-related programmes.
Tourism Minister Calls for Practical Solutions
While receiving the memorandum, Minister Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganess) called on the association to bring forward solutions along with the problems it had raised. He also emphasized the need to ensure that the interests of one business do not negatively affect another business within the tourism sector. SOTTO-Nepal has urged the ministry and concerned authorities to coordinate with airlines and take practical steps on ticket inventory, capping and commission arrangements. The association believes addressing these issues would help strengthen travel businesses, protect employment and support the broader growth of Nepal’s tourism industry.
