Kathmandu, July 14:

Tourism associations have lauded the government’s efforts to give a momentum to the ailing industry through this fiscal year’s budget.

Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), issuing a press release has welcomed the budget calling it ‘a positive document’. “The country’s economy, and especially the tourism sector, is passing through a critical phase. The budget has taken some constructive steps to bring the tourism industry out of the deep waters,” it reads.

HAN has also hailed the government’s new initiative to formulate a Tourism Policy-2007 and launch promotional campaign like ‘Send a Friend Home’ and appointment of ‘Brand Ambassador’.

“The initiative taken for second international airport at Nijgarh, Bara is praiseworthy and upgrading of Pok-hara and Bhairahawa airpo-rts into regional airport will help woo more tourists.”

Likewise, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has also lauded the budget for incorporating NATO’s recommendation to ban the strikes and protests along the major highways.

“Another positive aspect of the budget is to install modern equipment at the TIA to modernise it,” NATO says.