Tourism Minister pledges transparency in aircraft procurement

KATHMANDU, Sep 27: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said the procurement process of aircraft for the national flag-carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has neared the final phase. 

Addressing a programme organised at the Patan Durbar Square premises on the occasion of the 44th World Tourism Day today, the Minister said the decision has been made to expand NAC's fleet to promote tourist arrivals in the country.    

On the occasion, the Civil Aviation Minister assured of transparency and no irregularities in the procurement of aircraft. 

The NAC is preparing to purchase three Twin-otters through its internal sources for the domestic service. 

At present, the NAC has two Twin-otters for domestic services and two wide-body and two narrow-body aircraft for international flights.  

On the occasion, the Minister stressed the need to revise development policies to make them more culture and nature-friendly.  "Nepal suggests a high potential for being developed as one of the wonderful tourist destinations in the world due to its nature, diverse geography, mountain ranges, culture, and civilization," he said, adding that tourism laws and acts should be revised in a way that they could enable an atmosphere towards that end. 

The tourism minister said Nepal's tourism industry is on the path of recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and the tourist arrivals in the days to come are expected to rise.  He was of the opinion to encourage tourists to prolong their stay in Nepal through the fusion of its culture, nature, and adventure in tourism. 

On the occasion, Lalitpur metropolis deputy mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya pressed the idea of promoting culture, heritage, and tourism simultaneously and pursuing a goal of economic prosperity through eco-friendly tourism development. 

Nepal Tourism Board vice-chair Chandra Prasad Rijal insisted on the need to strengthen public-private partnerships in the tourism industry. 

On the occasion, various organizations, mountaineers, and individuals were honored in recognition of their contribution to the tourism sector. 

On the same occasion, the minister unveiled a map highlighting touristic areas within the Lalitpur metropolis. 

The government and tourism organisations celebrated World Tourism Day under the theme of "Tourism and Green Investment". 

The Seven Summit Treks, Sita World Travel Pvt Ltd, Everest Hospitality and Hotel and Resort, Pokhara Astra, NAC, Lumbini's Green Resort, Nawalparasi-based Amaltari Homestay are those organisations receiving the awards on the occasion. 

Likewise, Norwegian climbers Kristin Harila and Lama Tenjen Sherpa who created a mountaineering history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in 92 days were honoured.