Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has urged the government to focus more on the tourism sector, which he believes has immediate potential for economic benefits. Speaking at the Hotelier Summit 2024 organized by Capital Nepal on Friday, Dhakal emphasized the importance of government attention in this sector.
Dhakal expressed his concern about the reduction of flight frequencies during the tourist season, arguing that they should be increased instead. He noted that both the Malaysian and Qatari ambassadors had inquired about the reduced flight numbers from Nepal. “Instead of decreasing flights during the tourist season, we should focus on increasing them. Opening more hotels in Nepal means providing access to tourists from around the world. To facilitate this, hotel service fees should be adjusted to be more timely and appropriate,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to prioritize infrastructure development to attract more tourists and boost revenue. Dhakal stressed the urgency of upgrading the Narayangarh-Muglin-Pokhara road and addressing complaints about high airfares. “We need to prioritize infrastructure development to enhance tourism. The current high cost of airfares in Nepal is a concern that needs to be addressed,” he added.
Dhakal pointed out that while many hotels have been established by the private sector, progress in infrastructure development has been slow due to insufficient government support. He emphasized that if the government accelerates infrastructure development, it will benefit both the tourism and hotel industries.
“Private sector investment in hotels is a long-term commitment. We need to develop infrastructure in border areas as many tourists, especially from India, visit Nepal during holiday seasons. We should not be stingy with providing services to them,” he concluded.
