The Tourism Committee under the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) held a detailed discussion with the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, focusing on crucial reforms needed to revitalize and enhance Nepal’s tourism sector.
During the meeting, which took place on Sunday, the committee extended congratulations and best wishes to Minister Pandey. The discussions emphasized the urgent need to reestablish direct air links with Europe, make the national flag carrier more competitive, and introduce new tourism-related laws and policies to bolster the sector.
Raj Bahadur Shah, Vice President of CNI, expressed optimism about the potential for growth and investment in the tourism industry. He underscored the importance of developing new policies to foster this growth. Shah also highlighted existing challenges in the tourism sector and provided suggestions for their resolution.
Key topics discussed included reducing air accidents, operating the two new international airports efficiently, and addressing operational issues at the Nepal Tourism Board and Tribhuvan International Airport. Ravichandra Singh, a committee member, urged the government to extend the operational hours of Tribhuvan International Airport from the current 14 hours to 16 hours starting from November 8, 2024, to accommodate the peak tourist season. He suggested extending the airport’s closing time from 10 PM to midnight to better serve the influx of tourists.
Singh also pointed out that while the government has targeted attracting 1.6 million tourists this year, the high cost of air tickets could hinder this goal. He advocated for a review of the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on air tickets to make them more affordable and attract more tourists.
Another committee member, Ashok Pokharel, stressed the need for Nepal to improve accessibility to facilitate tourism development. He called for effective lobbying to remove Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety list, which would ease travel between Nepal and Europe. Pokhrel also emphasized the need to strengthen the national flag carrier and ensure that the Nepal Tourism Board operates effectively in line with its objectives.
In response, Minister Pandey assured the committee that the government is prioritizing tourism sector reforms and will proceed accordingly. He mentioned that the issues plaguing Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports are expected to be resolved by September 2024. Additionally, the long-awaited Tourism Act is in its final stages and will be introduced soon.
Minister Pandey also acknowledged the importance of revitalizing Nepal Airlines and stated that further discussions and consultations would be held to strengthen the national carrier. The meeting concluded with Pampha Dhamala, Chairperson of the CNI Tourism Committee, and members Hikmat Singh Aire, Tilak Lama, and Dipak Raj Joshi, extending their congratulations and sharing their suggestions with the Minister.
