Minimise impact of dengue on tourism industry, says minister

Kathmandu, September 16

At a time when dengue has been wreaking havoc in the country, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has directed all stakeholders to be cautious of the impact that the disease could have on the tourism industry.

As the tourist season has begun and the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign is nearing and the country is facing a problem of dengue, Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai had called a meeting today with concerned stakeholders to prevent the tourism industry being afflicted by dengue.

As domestic and foreign tourists have started travelling with the beginning of the tourist season, Minister Bhattarai has directed the stakeholders to ensure a healthy environment for travellers.

The meeting was attended by Tourism Secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Home Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), airline companies, tourist bus operators and other institutions related with the tourism and civil aviation sector.

The tourism minister has directed all to use preventive measures based on the working area of each concerned authority. CAAN has been directed to collaborate with stakeholders to keep all the airports across the country clean and to maintain hygiene. The minister also directed the authority to spray mosquito repellents inside the aircraft before take-off.

Likewise, HAN along with other restaurant entrepreneurs, tourist transportation operators and other institutions providing tourism services have been directed to keep their respective working areas clean, to inform their guests to be cautious about dengue and to provide medicine as per need if required.

The minister has further requested all stakeholders to conduct cleanliness campaigns at open tourist areas — Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpur, Pokhara, Sauraha and other tourist destinations. Also, Nepal Tourism Board has been directed to cooperate with concerned authorities to convey positive message in local and international markets that Nepal is safe to travel.