D N Shrestha, president,

NATTA

The government should treat tourism industry as a priority industry and formulate clear fiscal policies to boost it. This industry is undoubtedly a ‘golden geese laying golden eggs’. It has to be nourished effectively if more eggs are expected. We urge the government to earmark a certain budget for tourism promotional activities.

Keeping in mind the changed political context, we think it is the right time to increase our presence in potential markets and showcase our unique products.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) needs to be strengthened to boost tourism. But it is of utmost importance that whatever budgetary allocation NTB receives must be spent with a participatory approach, otherwise it would be fruitless. A tripartite action plan should be drawn where the government, NTB and private players from the tourism industry put in money to undertake destination promotion campaigns.

Otherwise, in today’s competitive world, we are sure to remain stuck while our neighbours reach newer heights of success in generating huge amounts of foreign exchanges through tourism. We ought to learn from our immediate neighbour India what the government (consider both, the provincial as well as the central) has been doing there to promote the ‘incredible India’ programme or even from other countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. How many of us are really aware of ‘Naturally Nepal: Once is not enough’.

NATTA’s suggestions to government:

• Support the second NATTA International Travel Mart 2007.

• Allocate budget for joint promotional campaigns/road shows.

• Activate the Nepali embassies to promote Nepal tourism.

• Include real stakeholders in NTB campaigns.