Kathmandu, September 27:

The Tourism Minister, Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, has said that the government is committed to addressing the problems plaguing the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, the national carrier.

He also welcomed the first tourist arriving today at the Tribhuvan International Airport, German national George Dauster. Dauster had flown to Kathmandu on a plane belonging to Qatar Airways. Vowing to implement the recommendations made by a committee, which submitted its report to the Tourism Ministry recently, he said: “Henceforth, no committees will be formed to study the situation of the RNAC.” He was speaking at a programme — Celebrating 26th World Tourism Day — organised by the Tourism Ministry and the Nepal Tourism Board today.

Pointing out the need to launch promotional campaigns in the international market to promote Nepal as a destination, he said: “On the one hand, we haven’t been able to promote the country in the international market. On the other, terrorist attacks, rallies, and demonstrations

have had a negative impact on the image of Nepal.” Bajracharya gave away certificates and plaques to some of the top foreign money earners, including Hotel Yak and Yeti, Malla Hotel, Hotel Summit, Tibet Guest House, and Hotel Garuda, Yeti Travels, Zenith Travels. Urging the government to strengthen the RNAC, Jyoti Lal Khanna, the managing director of the Yeti Travels, said one Boeing should be immediately added to the RNAC fleet. “The Boeing will help bring in at least 75,000 tourists to the country.” “Tourist arrival figures suggest that coming year will witness an increase in the number of tourists in the country,” he said. Meanwhile, at the Reporters’ Club, tourism entrepreneurs flayed the government’s

‘indifference’ towards the deteriorating tourism industry. Narendra Bajracharya, the chairman of Hotel Association of Nepal, said the tourism scenario has not improved.