Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 1:

The Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) recently submitted its recommendations to the government on the formulation of a new tourism policy. The association has highlighted many problems concerning the overall tourism industry calling on the concerned authorities to chalk out policies taking their suggestions into consideration.

Once Nepal attains full membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the authorities should focus on the "institutional development" of mountain tourism and enhance trekking companies role in the area, according to TAAN.

Likewise, TAAN president Deepak Mahat pointed out the need for the government to introduce the system of issuing trekking registration certificate (TRC) to trekkers instead of re-introducing trekking permits. "The government should allow us to issue TRC to trekkers," he said at a press meet organised by the TAAN today.

Similarly, tourism should be given the status of an industry by giving it various facilities such as income subsidy, according to the association. Pointing out that Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has failed to achieve its goals and that of the private sector, Mahat said it has become a mere government representative.

It has further demanded that the government withdraw its plan of categorising the travel and trekking agents. If it plans to go ahead with its decision, it must be for ensuring quality service and promoting healthy internal competition. "Those offering a tour to Kathmandu should be given a zero rating while those offering packages to remote areas such as Humla must be given a higher rating with an objective to promote rural tourism and sustainable development."

At a time when domestic air operators are closing their operation, the government must introduce healthy policies for the aviation sector for its sustenance and privatise the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, said Mahat.

In order to promote the lesser-known peaks, the TAAN has called on the authorities to lower the charges for tourists or even waive the fees for such peaks and charge high entry fees for climbing famous peaks. It further states that charging $700 as entry permits for tourists visiting Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa is unjustifiable.