Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister, Badri Prasad Pandey, has announced that efforts are underway to develop the hotel industry as a nationally prioritized sector.
Responding to a query raised by MP Madan Kumari Sah (Garima) during the National Assembly session, Minister Pandey informed that the process of granting industrial status to hotels is being advanced in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.
Minister Pandey highlighted the government’s commitment to prioritizing the production and development of skilled human resources in the tourism sector. He also emphasized the importance of establishing uniformity in domestic airfares, stating that discussions with relevant stakeholders are ongoing to address this issue.
Minister Pandey expressed confidence that the ongoing discussions regarding the standardization of airfare prices for both domestic and international tourists would soon yield results and be implemented. He also noted that promotional activities, including roadshows, are being conducted by the Nepal Tourism Board, targeting tourists from India and China.
The Tourism Ministry has been actively implementing various programs based on Nepal’s Constitution, the Sixteenth Plan, laws related to civil aviation, sectoral policies, and the National Tourism Strategic Plan (2016-2025). These initiatives aim to develop, expand, and identify tourist destinations, construct trekking routes, and promote tourism products domestically and internationally, as highlighted by Minister Pandey.
Minister Pandey revealed that the Nepal Tourism Board has identified 100 tourist destinations, with infrastructure development already underway by the Department of Tourism. Additionally, budget allocations have been made for identifying new tourist destinations.
“We are all aware of the potential in the tourism sector. However, the budget has indeed been insufficient. The Strategic Tourism Plan (2016-2025) and the Nepal Visit Decade aim to attract 1.6 million tourists this year. Programs such as ‘Seven Provinces, Seven Destinations,’ ‘Eco Hill Tourism,’ and other promotional activities have been included in this year’s budget,” Minister Pandey stated.
He also mentioned that the Khaptad region is a major focus for tourism development, with the federal government investing in various infrastructure projects. Discussions are ongoing regarding the allocation of funds for infrastructure development and the establishment of the Khaptad Region Fund.
