Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey has expressed strong confidence in the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, praising his clear four-year strategic plan for the organization.
At the welcome ceremony for CEO Joshi, Minister Pandey highlighted that when he assumed his ministerial role, the Nepal Tourism Board was under significant scrutiny. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining integrity, stating that he had never engaged in corruption and would ensure that no one would gain undue advantage through his office.
“There were suggestions to dissolve the Board due to its poor performance when I became Minister. However, now the Board has a new leadership, and I expect it to perform well under this new direction,” Minister Pandey said. He assured that he would work on updating the outdated Tourism Act based on collective advice and suggestions.
Minister Pandey also addressed concerns regarding the perception of businesspeople, noting that it was regrettable that investment was sometimes labeled negatively. He stressed the need for a conducive environment for investors.
Additionally, Minister Pandey acknowledged the poor state of Nepal Airlines, prioritizing its improvement to make it the first choice for travelers. “Nepal Airlines is in a dire situation, and significant reforms are needed to enhance its status. We need everyone’s support to achieve this,” he added.
The Minister also admitted that while investments have been made in airport construction, similar investments in the airline sector and airport operations have been lacking.
