July 31, 2020

Safety protocol to be applied in tourism sector: Kul Bahadur Gurung-NMA-GS

July 31, 2020

3 min read

Kathmandu: General Secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Kul Bahadur Gurung has said that health safety protocol will be adopted in the tourism sector.

Speaking to highlights tourism, Gurung further said that health safety protocol will be applied in the tourism sector as Coronavirus fear was still lurking around mountaineering, trekking, travels, hotels, and restaurants.

He also said that tourism was being resumed under compulsion as workers dependent upon tourism were jobless for a long time and the tourism sector has also come to a grinding halt due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.

He also shared that most of the tourism entrepreneurs were likely to go in depression as the government has not been able to provide this sector with promotional facilities to revive it although there has been some affirmative responses from the government side, but has not been sufficient.

He said since the government has decided to allow domestic and international flights to operate from August 17 the tourism sector will resume its services. However, only resuming tourism services is not enough as it all depends upon the country to let the tourists come and go out in the autumn season. Even if at least 20 to 25% of tourists will come here then the tourism sector will survive which is being hoped at the moment.

He said that one tent should be used for one individual and a big team of trekkers should not be allowed and kept in a hotel besides using masks, hand gloves as part of maintaining safety protocol. All tourists coming to Nepal should produce their PCR report.

He also said “Cash for work” has been proposed to the tourism ministry to cope up with the mountaineers and supporters, which includes cleaning the Himalayas, repairing shelter houses, preparing high passes for the trail, etc.

He added that if 1500 to 2000 climbers and supporters can be put to work then the tourism sector can get a sigh of relief.