New norms soon for monitoring tourism biz in Pokhara

Pokhara: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is all set to introduce a code of conduct for tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara. New norms for individuals and organizations involved in tourism business are to be announced Saturday.

According to Tika Ram Sapkota, a member of NTB and coordinator of the new norms, introduction of the norms is necessary for the sustainability and better management of tourism business and for instilling a greater sense of responsibility among tourism entrepreneurs operating in Pokhara.

“If tourism business in Pokhara continues without monitoring and remains unmanaged, the sector might become beset with problems about two decades from now. So, norms are necessary to check any unscrupulous practices,” Sapkota told Republica.

“Tangible guidelines are necessary for disciplined and sustainable tourism business in this tourist hub. It is only moral guidance that will help both tourists and tourism entrepreneurs,” he added.

The norms have been prepared through the joint effort of Pokhara Tourism Council and the Switzerland-based National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCR), and constitute the main guideline for the operation of tourism activities in Pokhara.

“There is no authority for controlling and regulating tourism business in Nepal. Problems may arise in future if this lack of proper guidelines continues,” Sapkota further said. He also informed that the directive was prepared after more than one and half years of consultations with stakeholders.

He said he believed that all tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara would commit themselves to the norms.

“One should only engage in business for which one has revived license. Businessmen tend to get involved in illegal and unscrupulous activities. The new norms would help check such anomalies,” he further said.

The District Tourism Committee and the Tourism Council will jointly monitor implementation of the norms. The authorities concerned will be trained for the purpose, according to Sapkota.

The norms contain provisions that require tourism entrepreneurs to play a role in the conservation of natural and cultural sites in Pokhara, and they are also expected to help keep the environment clean, maintain fair competition in business and not engage in any activities that disrupt other people´s businesses.

source: republica,19 april 2013