Speaker Aryal Calls for Ambitious Plan to Attract Millions of Tourists to Nepal
Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal has called for an ambitious national tourism strategy aimed at attracting millions of tourists to Nepal, rather than limiting the country’s aspirations to bringing in only a few hundred thousand visitors.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) today, i.e., on Friday, Speaker Aryal urged the government to set bold and ambitious targets for the expansion of Nepal’s tourism sector.
He said Nepal should move beyond the conventional approach of planning to attract tourists in the hundreds of thousands and instead dream of welcoming millions of visitors. According to him, setting larger goals is essential to achieving significant results. “We should not plan only to bring in tourists in lakhs; we should dream of bringing in millions of tourists. Only by dreaming big can we achieve our goals,” Aryal said.
Tourism as a Pillar of the Economy
Speaker Aryal described tourism as one of the main pillars of Nepal’s economy, emphasizing its significant contribution to keeping the national economy dynamic.
He said the government should prioritize tourism development and create an environment in which the sector can expand sustainably. He also stressed the need for tourism-friendly laws and policies to support investment, business operations and the overall growth of the industry.
According to Aryal, the state should formulate policies that recognize the importance of tourism and create a favorable environment for businesses and other stakeholders involved in the sector.
NATTA’s Role in Decentralizing Tourism
Aryal also praised NATTA for its contribution to the decentralization of Nepal’s tourism industry. He noted that NATTA has expanded its presence across all seven provinces, helping connect tourism destinations and businesses beyond the country’s traditional tourism centers.
He said NATTA’s nationwide presence has contributed to taking Nepal’s tourism from the local level to the international market.
“NATTA has decentralized tourism. It has reached all seven provinces. Because of NATTA, Nepal’s tourism has reached from the local level to the global market,” he said.
Need for Greater Ambition in Tourism Development
Speaker Aryal’s remarks come amid growing calls for Nepal to diversify its tourism products, expand destinations beyond established hubs and strengthen its presence in international markets.
His call for a shift toward a multi-million tourist target highlights the need for long-term planning, tourism-friendly policies, stronger infrastructure and coordinated efforts among the government and private sector.
The emphasis on setting ambitious targets also reflects the broader need to position tourism as a major driver of economic growth while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach destinations and communities across the country.
