Delay in recognizing tourism as national priority industry worries entrepreneurs

KATHMANDU, Nov 24: Tourism entrepreneurs, who were looking forward to enjoying special privileges following the government´s decision to recognize tourism sector as a national priority industry, are disappointed as the process of giving special status to the sector has not begun even after six months of making a formal announcement in this regard.



The Council of Ministers, in the first week of May, had approved the proposal of a high level committee formed under the coordination of the then Secretary of Prime Minister´s Office Lila Mani Poudyal to enlist tourism as a national priority industry. [break]



The committee, in its proposal, had recommended incentives such as tax and customs duty discounts for tourism and aviation sectors, concession on electricity bills and special facility to lease land to attract foreign investment. Other recommendations included upgradation of Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports into international airports and development of tourism friendly rules and regulations.



A meeting organized by Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) on Thursday expressed disappointment over the delay in implementation of these recommendations.



"The cabinet´s decision was highly regarded by the industry, but it is very disappointing that no serious initiative has been taken so far by the concerned government authority to implement it," said Madhab Om Shrestha, executive director of the association.



as the feet dragging started, tourism entrepreneurs have decided to submit a memorandum to the government asking it to implement the decision at the earliest.



"Recognition of tourism as a national priority industry is very important, especially against the backdrop of political instability," representatives of different tourism associations said during the meeting. "After the implementation, the government should consider tourism industry as emergency services provider and ban protests in the sector."



Mohan Krishna Sapkota, joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation who heads tourism industry division, said the process of establishing tourism as a national priority industry was time consuming as it required consultations with various officials representing different ministries. "Our ministry has already communicated with other concerned ministries for the implementation," he added.



Meanwhile, a different meeting held on Friday expressed deep concern over the delay in the appointment of CEO at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The meeting was participated by tourism entrepreneurs and board members of NTB Dhurba Narayan Shrestha, Pampha Bhusal and Phurba Gyalgen Sherpa. "The meeting has decided to take new initiative to fill the vacant post from the private sector," a statement issued by the association said.

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