Tourism minister for buying more planes

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel on Friday said it is important for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to expand fleet as air service is vital for land-locked country like Nepal.

Stating that there won't have been shortage of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) had there been sufficient aircraft in NAC's fleet, Pokharel stressed the need for procurement of aircraft for the national flag carrier. He also said the government will build airports in 75 districts if they are economically viable.

The country is facing acute shortage of ATF because of Indian blockade for the past three months, forcing domestic airlines to cut two-thirds of their scheduled flights.

Pokharel also said there is a need to revise tourism related laws and regulations for effective development of tourism industry. He also said all tourism plans and programs will be based on 10-year National Tourism Strategy Plan 2014 -2024.

Meanwhile, Minister Pokharel made surprise inspection of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Thursday to study service provided by the country's only international airport. "I went there as a visitor, not a minister," he said, adding: "I stayed there from 8 am till 11 and studied the problems being faced by visitors."

Minister Pokharel said he found some improvements at TIA. "Restrooms were much cleaner, cleaning staffs were working regularly and there were sufficient trolleys," he said. "However, the floor is not suitable for trolley. It is not even across the surface."

He also said the government would soon initiate works to improve services at TIA.

'NTB NEEDS TO BE RESTRUCTURED INTO A COUNCIL'

Pokharel also said Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) needs to be restructured into Nepal Tourism Promotion Council for sustainable development of Nepali tourism industry. "It needs to have separate wings for national tourism promotion, international tourism promotion, research and training, business promotion, and monitoring and evaluation," added Pokharel.

He also said the ministry was clearing legal obstacles to pave the way for NTB to appoint new CEO at the earliest. "I have directed Tourism Secretary Dinesh Thapaliya, who is also the chairman of NTB, to fast-track the CEO selection process," he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary Thapaliya said there is a need to make long-term plans for sustainable development of tourism industry. "We will make necessary changes on the 10-year strategic plan and make new plans and policies based on the strategy," Thapaliya added.

source:republica,21 nov 2015