Tourism entrepreneurs give recommendations

The private sector has submitted a report to the High Level Committee formed under the coordination of the secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Lila Mani Poudel about policies and plans needed for overall development of the tourism industry.

In the report presented on March 27, the private sector has recommended the government to include the tourism industry within emergency services. According to tourism entrepreneurs, the sector is different from other industries therefore continuous disputes within it can cause a deep impact.

“The government should include the tourism industry within emergency services and should put a ban on protest programmes launched by trade unions,” states the report. The tourism sector should also be included in the National Priority Industry according to the Industrial Enterprises Act.

The report has also recommended the government to include representatives from the tourism sector in the Industrial Rehabilitation Fund. Moreover, it has also urged the government to take only 10 per cent duty charge for the import of vehicles by businesses involved in the tourism sector.

It has also urged the government to grant a lease facility for tourism services in remote areas. Government should provide a tax discount for 10 years in 22 districts to establish hotels and lodges according to the Industrial Entrepreneur Act 2049.

The private sector has also asked the government to develop the minimum infrastructure that is required to promote tourism. It has insisted the government to designate airports in Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi as international airports.

It has also mentioned the need to develop another domestic airport to minimise traffic at the only international airport of the country, and to start the construction and development of a second international airport and buy at least six aircraft with the latest technology for Nepal Airlines Corporation.

source: The Himalayan Times, 1 March 2012