Kathmandu, April 8
Experts and stakeholders have emphasised on the need for collaborative efforts from the government, private sector as well as individuals for the overall development of the tourism sector. They have stressed on the need to improve the structural and managerial reforms of the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), strengthen air connectivity with other countries as well as introduce new innovations to tackle the ever changing environment and demand in the sector.
Speaking at a programme 'Knowledge and idea sharing session on harnessing tourism opportunities for national prosperity', organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Shanker Das Bairagai, chief secretary for the Office of Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, reiterated that the effective coordination and cooperation between the government and the private sector is necessary for tourism development and that bodies concerned should proceed with a strategic action plan to bring more foreign tourists into the country.
"Coordination and cooperation between the government and the private sector is necessary for tourism development.
Let us all move forward together to get the desired results. As the government is also trying to reform policies, there will definitely be some improvements in the upcoming policies and programmes," he said.
Similarly, Suresh Adhikari, secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that the process of making Nepal an international destination has been moved ahead after conducting management reforms of the NAC. He emphasised on the need to proceed with an effective action plan to exhibit the country as an international tourism attraction.
Meanwhile, CEO of NTB Dhananjaya Regmi, while presenting the work being done by the board, stressed that international market strategy is necessary to attract foreign tourists for the development of the tourism sector, and that Nepal's tourism is on the mend from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, experts pointed out that although there have been some policy reforms, more is needed and that a one-door policy should be implemented for tourism-related services. In addition, they mentioned that it is necessary to pay attention to the expansion of international air services and the quality of tourist services to increase tourist arrivals.
Similarly, the heads and representatives of organisations related to the tourism sector also emphasised the need for policy reforms in tourism and said that an effective planned programme should be introduced to make the expanding tourism market more dynamic.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 9, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
