Rising unionism hits tourism sector

Rising trade unionism backed by political parties has hurt the tourism sector, according to tourism entrepreneurs.

“Repeated strikes by politically backed trade unions have hit the tourist inflow growth rate,” said vice president of Thamel Tourism Council Ramsharan Thapaliya, addressing an interaction here today.

Tourists do not come to Nepal to remain confined to a room, he said, adding that guests come here to visit various sites. “But repeated strikes by politically backed trade unions have forced entrepreneurs to serve them in hotel rooms, which is not sending a good message.”

The country has witnessed a fall in the growth rate of arrivals in 2012 as compared to 2011 and 2010. According to figures from Nepal Tourism Board, tourist arrivals in 2012 increased by only 9.8 per cent to 598,204, as compared to 2011, when some 544,985 tourists visited Nepal. In 2011, arrivals had recorded a growth of 21.4 per cent as compared to 2010.

The government must create an environment whereby tourists can easily visit Nepal, said another tourism entrepreneur Khum Bahadur Subedi, on the occasion.

Despite the huge potential in the country to attract tourists, Nepal has not been able to exploit it, said president of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents Nanikaji Thapa. “The country has not been able to conserve cultural and natural heritages that are the key attractions for tourists,” he said, adding that the government must conserve them as tourism is the lifeline of the economy. “But due to the lack of a tourist-friendly environment, the country is losing billions.”

Likewise, tourism entrepreneurs, on the occasion, also asked the government to bring tourism favourable policies to promote the country, apart from adding aircraft for the ailing national flag carrier. “Due to lack of aircraft with Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the country is losing billions as international airlines have been enjoying the monopoly market,” they blamed.

Tourism secretary and newly appointed chairman of the corporation Sushil Ghimire consoled entrepreneurs saying that NAC will buy new aircraft in a few days. “The long wait of 25 years to buy aircraft is coming to an end,” he said, adding that NAC will get the aircraft soon.

Since the peak tourist season in the country lasts for only six months, the government must develop packages to expand it to round the year, suggested president of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal Mahendra Singh Thapa. “There is cut-throat competition in the trekking sector which has fuelled illegal trekking, and the government must control that trend,” he said, asking the government to bring a security plan for tourists.

source: The Himalayan Times,29 Jan 2013