Department of Tourism on the cards

The government is all set to revive a powerful department to look after all tourism-related activities.The Department of Tourism (DoT) will be formed under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Joint Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota said referring to today’s decision taken by a study committee led by Sapkota himself. “MoTCA has also endorsed the decision,’ he said.The ministry has already received approval from the finance and general administration ministries for formation of the department.

Sapkota, who currently leads Human Resource Management and Tourism Promotion Division at the ministry, hoped that the Cabinet would endorse the decision in a day or two.Stakeholders have long demanded for such department to ensure smooth service delivery in tourism sector, he claimed.

Earlier, the government had dissolved the department in 1999 and formed the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in public-private partnership model. A tourism industry division under the ministry was also authorised to handle tourism-related activities.

“DoT will replace tourism industry division.”Sources also claimed that many rights of NTB will be curtailed after formation of DoT.After formation of the department, it will strengthen the regulatory works and make service deliver more effective, said Sapkota.

“The department will have its own infrastructure and human resources to promote country’s tourism industry,” he said, adding that the tourism police will also come under the department.

“There will be a sole authority to deal with all tourism related activities and the new department could work promptly for quality control and industry improvement sectors.”

The new department will look after tourist hotels and resorts, travel, trekking, rafting and other tourism industries and mountaineering expedition, among others. The department will also be responsible to frame and implement all tourism-related policies.

“DoT will also ensure better coordination with government and non-governmental tourism related associations.”

source: the himalayan times,21 july 2014