NTB board to use 25pc of last fiscal's budget

The first board meeting of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) after the reinstatement of its board members has decided to use 25 per cent of the budget of 2011-12.

“NTB had a budget of Rs 380 million in the last fiscal year, and the board meeting yesterday decided to use 25 per cent from last fiscal year’s budget,” said director at NTB Aditya Baral.

“We can now start our regular plans and programmes related to tourism promotion and marketing with 25 percent of the budget,” he said. NTB has estimated a budget of around Rs 500 million for fiscal year 2012-13.

“We are waiting for the estimated budget of Rs 500 million for the current fiscal year to be endorsed,” he said, adding that it will be endorsed by the board meeting very soon.

He also informed about plans to increase the Tourism Service Charge that is Rs 500 at present. “We have already received permission from the government to increase it to Rs 1,000, but due to the tourism promotion campaign in 2011 we were not able to do so,” he said.

However, now the board meeting is expected to ratify it, he added. The next board meeting will also inform about the launch of a new mechanism and promotional programmes for NTB.

source: The Himalayan Times,20 Sept 2012