The vacant leadership at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation after the untimely death of then tourism minister Rabindra Adhikari in February has been filled after five months with the appointment of Yogesh Bhattarai as the new tourism minister. Bhattarai’s appointment has come at a time when not only the construction of different airport projects and preparation of the ‘Visit Nepal Year 2020’ tourism campaign have been in the doldrums but also when Nepal Airlines Corporation is struggling financially for existence. In this context, Sujan Dhungana and Arpana Ale Magar of The Himalayan Times caught up with the tourism minister to find out how he will address these issues and drive forward the country’s tourism sector. Excerpts:

You have been appointed the tourism minister at a crucial time when the country is struggling to achieve its tourism goals. What will be your top priorities?

I am currently taking note of all information related to the progress in projects led by the ministry and other problems in the country’s tourism industry. As soon as I collect the necessary details on progress and challenges from the related agencies, including the ministry itself, we will develop a one-year work plan accordingly. The tourism sector currently has only seven per cent contribution to the country’s GDP and the country is currently receiving almost 1.2 million tourists annually. This is not enough. The tourism sector can play a vital role in reducing economic inequality, achieving sustainable development and promoting entrepreneurship in the country. Along with helping reduce social and gender inequalities, the tourism sector is also crucial to strengthen Nepal’s bilateral ties with different nations. Thus, the tourism sector certainly has to be under the government’s due priority.

What is your evaluation of the contemporary challenges facing the country’s tourism sector?

There are enormous problems. Primarily, lack of ample and quality tourism infrastructure has always remained the major bottleneck for the growth of the tourism industry. Similarly, the country’s tourism database and information flow are weak. Along with this, we have not been able to develop enough tourism products while those that are available lack necessary branding and promotion in the international market. I see an urgent need to effectively mobilise all diplomatic agencies that Nepal has in different countries to promote Nepal’s tourism. Along with this, government agencies in the country, other non-governmental agencies and the private sector need to be mobilised effectively. I also see that the tourism sector did not receive the level of priority that it should have. This will not happen in my term.

Though the country is observing 2020 as ‘Visit Nepal Year’ to promote tourism, the tourism fraternity seems dissatisfied with the preparations. How satisfied are you?

It is true that preparations for the tourism campaign are sluggish and have not reached the level it should have today. One of the reasons behind this delay is the lack of political leadership at the ministry since the last five months. The ministry will now prepare additional programmes and packages targeting the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign. All our programmes will be focused on promoting the country’s tourism in the international market and coordinating with foreign media for Nepal’s tourism promotion, among others. We will also coordinate with other globally renowned tourism agencies and governments of different nations to make Visit Nepal Year 2020 a successful tourism campaign.

Nepal Airlines Corporation has a big role in the country’s tourism promotion, but sadly it has been struggling financially in recent months. How do you plan to strengthen NAC?

We do not have any option other than to strengthen NAC by addressing problems that the corporation has been facing today, basically because the national flag carrier and its services are directly related to the country’s identity. Thus, the first step towards strengthening NAC will be to study in detail the problems that it has been facing in recent years. I will soon form a study committee to identify problems impeding the growth of NAC. Meanwhile, a number of studies have already been conducted regarding NAC’s inability to function as a competitive government agency. Based on the earlier reports and the findings of the report prepared under my leadership, the government will take necessary decisions regarding the operation modality of NAC. As per necessity and recommendations, we can either restructure NAC’s management or bring in a strategic partner or appoint a management contractor at the corporation. Any modality that we adopt for NAC has to be result-oriented though and we will keep this in mind when taking any

decision. The government has been supporting NAC financially so far, but this trend has to come to an end soon and NAC should sustain itself financially. I am optimistic that NAC will soon improve its current financial state along with improvement in its management and services.

How do you plan to address the European Union’s ban on Nepali airline companies?

The way EU has been continuing its ban on Nepali airlines is sad. Nepal has strong bilateral relationship with countries in the EU. Moreover, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, among other EU nations are those where Nepal has its embassy since decades. Thus, Nepal will strengthen its relations with EU nations and one of the major ways to do so is by first lifting the EU-imposed ban on Nepali airlines and expanding flights to EU countries. EU has raised various concerns and questions regarding Nepal’s aviation sector. During my tenure, I will engage in addressing all such concerns of the EU. Furthermore, my emphasis will be to get the ban imposed by the EU on Nepali airlines lifted by addressing necessary concerns of the EU through talks and consultations with the EU itself and other stakeholders.

The operation deadline of Gautam Buddha International Airport is being extended repeatedly. How optimistic are you that GBIA will be ready by the new deadline of December while necessary groundwork related to new air routes and flight operations at the airport have not yet been finalised?

The government has already finalised a few concepts regarding the operation modality of GBIA. While the government has forwarded its concept of operating GBIA through a government agency irrespective of which country it belongs to, a few international companies handling airport operations have also expressed their interest to operate GBIA. Moreover, a committee has been formed at the ministry to study relevant modality for GBIA operation and finalise it as soon as possible. After that, we will sit together with related agencies to finalise the business plan of GBIA. I am planning to visit the site soon to take note of the construction progress of GBIA and challenges. Sitting together with the project team, including the contractor, we will finalise a work plan ensuring that GBIA will start operations from the stipulated deadline of December. Regarding new air routes, discussions are underway with Indian authorities to allow air routes via Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar. Similarly, I am also committed to ensuring that the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport is expedited.

Meanwhile, construction of the planned Nijgadh International Airport has run into controversy, especially owing to environmental issues. What is your plan for this project?

Regarding construction of NIA, I have already expressed my opinion in the Parliament yesterday. We do not have other options to NIA and it will be constructed. However, we have been highlighting the need for NIA since the last 24 years while we are yet to start construction of the project. I have assumed the leadership position at the ministry in 25th year and I would like to ensure that the foundation stone of NIA will be laid this year.

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