Tourism entrepreneurs suggest ten points to revive tourism

Kathmandu. The tourism entrepreneurs have suggested the steps to be taken by the government to revive the tourism sector which has collapsed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The meeting of various umbrella organizations related to tourism has drawn the attention of the government saying that the government has not become serious despite repeatedly requesting the government of Nepal and various government agencies to address the grievances of the tourism entrepreneurs in writing and orally.

The organizations have demanded that the quarantine requirement for foreign tourists who come with a 72-hour PCR report should be removed, online and arrival visas and visas from Nepali embassies or missions abroad should be re-arranged and Covid-19 check machines should be installed at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The full text of the press release issued by the umbrella organizations related to tourism to revive Nepal’s tourism sector:

It is clear to us that the overall tourism industry, including Nepal’s mountain tourism, has collapsed due to the Covid-19 infection. Due to this epidemic, we, the tourism businessmen, have been repeatedly requesting the Government of Nepal and various government agencies to address this issue in writing and orally.

However, the Government of Nepal does not seem to be serious about reviving the beleaguered tourism business by addressing the plight of the tourism business.

Therefore, in order to revive the overall tourism sector of Nepal, we heartily request the Government of Nepal to address the demands included in the detailed points on behalf of the tourism related organizations.

1) In the case of foreign tourists who come with 72 hours PCR report, the provision of compulsory quarantine for 7 days should be removed.

2) Online and arrival visas and visas from Nepali embassies or missions abroad should be re-arranged.

3) Covid-19 check machine should be kept at Tribhuvan International Airport.

4) Initiatives should be taken to open the remaining international flights as soon as possible.

5) Corona vaccine should be made available to tourism businessmen and tourism workers.

6) Initiatives should be taken to open the border checkpoints between Nepal and China as soon as possible.

7) Arrangements should be made for the tourists visiting Nepal to visit Nepal only with the help of a guide and trekking assistant from the company.

8) Tourists entering from Nepal-India and Nepal-China borders should be monitored by the government and related bodies.

9) At least 5,000 US dollars worth of corona insurance should be removed.

10) Tourists who have been fully vaccinated against corona should be allowed to move around easily and smoothly.

Thanks.

Umbrella organizations in the tourism sector issuing press releases:

Khum Bahadur Subedi: President, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal

Achyut Guragai: President, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents

Sirjana Rana: President, Nepal Hotel Association

Santa Bir Lama: President, Nepal Mountaineering Association

Hari Dharel: President, Himalayan Rescue Association

Madhusudan Upadhyay: President, Society of Travel and Tour Operators Nepal (Soto Nepal)

Ashok Pokhrel: President, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO)

Ganga Prasad Nepal: President, Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies

Ramhari Timilsina President, Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association

Dhruv Sinkhada: Chairman, Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal

Dumbar Parajuli: President, Expedition Operators Association Nepal

Ishwar Sharma: President, Tourist Bus Association of Nepal

Rajendra Bahadur Lama: President, Nepal Canoning Association

Aranis Rajbhandari President, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal

Bhabishwar Sharma Vice President, Thamel Tourism Development Council

Rameshwar Thapa: President, Airlines Operators Association of Nepal

Jitendra Basnet President, Association of Kailash Tours Operators Nepal

Karna Lama: Chairman, Rimthim Nepal

Rajan Sinkhada: President, Nepal Yoga Association

Aang Chiring Sherpa: President, Climate Alliance of Himalayan Communities

Amir Gurung: President, Gurung Tourism Business Association, Nepal

Tej Bahadur Gurung: Chairman, Ganesh Himal Tourism Development Committee

Tejendra Sharma Poudel Chairman, Village Tourism Nepal

Ram Sharan Thapaliya Chairman, Tourism Service Committee

Sonam Galgen Sherpa President, Sherpa Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Nepal

Balram Neupane President, Rasuwa Nuwakot Tourism Society (RNTS)

Badri Nepal President, Tour Guide Association of Nepal

Gupta Bhandari President, Tanahu Tourism Development Council (TTDC)President, Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA)President, Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association

Maya Sherpa President, Everest Summiteers Association (ESA)