Don't freeze NTY budget: Organizers

KATHMANDU, June 20: Organisers of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 have asked the government to continue its budgetary support for the year-long national campaign to promote tourism and host a million tourists in the country.



In particular, the government should not freeze in the upcoming budget the remaining Rs 130 million out of the total Rs 230 million earmarked by the government for NYT promotion and celebrations, they said. The government has released Rs 100 million for NTY, so far.[break]



Speaking at an NTY briefing program in the capital on Monday, Yogendra Shakya, coordinator of NTY implementing committee, said that NTY programs depended on the government budget and it was a must to make sure that promotional activities happen smoothly. "The budget has been used for international promotional programs and tourism fairs held in different parts of the world," he said.



Tourism officials cited the delay in budget, cancellation of aircraft procurement deal by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), and political instability as major bottlenecks for the success of NTY-2011. However, officials claimed that despite these challenges, the target of one million tourists was still achievable in the remaining months.

Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Prachanda Man Shrestha said there has been an aggregate growth of 23 percent in tourist arrivals till the first five months of NTY 2011, which according to him is remarkable in the present circumstances.



Briefing about various activities that took place in the first half of NTY 2011, he said complexities in government directives hindered NTB plan for a media campaign in India to attract Indian tourists for the current season. The government had earmarked Rs 130 million to promote Nepal as a tourist destination in India, China and potential tourist generating market of Europe and USA.



He said that the government decision to waive mountaineering royalty for some of the mountains was a positive step. The government had decided to waive 50 percent in mountaineering royalty for Dhaulagiri Peak from May to December, about a month ago. Similarly, the government has also decided to provide free visa for summiteers of Mt Everest and Mt Dhaulagiri. The mountaineering royalty of mountains situated in mid-western and far-western development regions have also been waived for coming five years.



Shrestha said that after the introduction of Regulation of Homestay, 164 units in 12 districts were registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA).

He further said that in order to calculate arrivals from India, NTB was working with the government to keep the record of vehicles entering Nepal.



Coordinator Shakya said that hosting one million tourists was not the only target of NTY 2011. "This is a journey, not a destination. I am happy with what we have received so far," he added.

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