KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 06

A first 'National Tourism Conclave 2022' organized by Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) has kicked-off in Kathmandu, on Tuesday.

The three days event was held as part of the college's Golden Jubilee Celebration, under the theme "Chalking the roadmap of Nepalese Tourism".

Speaking at the event, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, welcomed the event and reiterated the government support for the development of tourism in the country.

"We are in the final phase of announcing 'Tourism Decade' for bringing at least 3.5 million tourists in the country," Shrestha added.

One of the prominent hospitality personalities, Karna Shakya, echoing under the theme 'Tourism Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, said, "Tourism is not only a business, it is also about understanding psychological aspects of tourism as a whole."

While sharing his decade-long experience in the tourism sector, Shakya urged the government to be cautious while opening-up all the sectors for touristic purpose.

Adding spice to the event, college's students presented cultural folk dances and music to entertain the participants and guests.

Achyut Guragain, former president of NATTA, highlighted the flaws in the policy making level of government, referring to the TU's reluctant on granting an affiliation to opening NATHM's branches in other provinces.

He also drew attention of concerned stakeholders on acute shortages of manpower in the hospitality sector, especially in the Terai region.

One of the panelists, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said, "Instead of bringing foreign tourists into Nepal, we are exporting youths to faraway lands." He also vented ire on the government for failing to control corruption and ill practices.

According to the organizer, the day-two of three-days event will continue with the panel discussions and key note speeches along with the cultural performances.

The event was sponsored by Citizens Bank and supported by Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Mountain Academy, Nepal Bank Limited, Nepal Tourism board, Himalayan Glacier, The Nepal Airlines, Kastamandap Television, The Soaltee, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) among others.