Kathmandu, July 14:

Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), in a press statement issued here today, has stated that the budget for 2006-07 has ignored the tourism sector despite it being one of the most important sectors to boost national economy and create employment opportunities.

Due to weak tourist arrivals and a deteriorating situation at home caused by national and international events, the hotel sector has been at a miserable state, a matter to which the government has paid no attention, hoteliers said.

The suggestions given by HAN have not been included in the budget 2006-07 which proves that the government does not seem serious in generating revenues from the tourism sector and boost the sector for creating enormous employment opportunities.

The budget seems silent on issues like free visa for one year, rescheduling of loans, availability of interest rate to the hotel sector at par with prioritised industries and freeze on interest payment for coming two years, which were submitted to the finance minister by HAN before the budget presentation.

HAN has stated the fund allocated for industrial rehabilitation fund is not sufficient and it would not be effective to revive sick industrial units. Although, the tourism sector plays a leading role in the national economy by creating employment and helping in poverty alleviation initiatives, no effective programmes to revive this sector might lead to its collapse, said HAN.