Occupancy only 30 percent despite increase in arrivals: HAN

KATHMANDU, Nov 22:Hoteliers have said that when large hotel structures are put into operation, the supply is more than the demand. Businessmen say that hotels are running at only one-third occupancy.

Binayak Shah, President of the Hotel Association Nepal, and officials met with Sudan Kirati, Minister of Culture, tourist, and Civil Aviation, on Tuesday to review the country's tourist operations.

President Shah said that while foreign tourists are being attracted to visit Nepal, the tourists coming to Nepal are going elsewhere due to the difficulties in highway roads, air networks, and transportation.

"If Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airports are fully operational, the country can leap tourism," stated Shah.

President Shah emphasized during discussion that the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Nepal Airlines should be active in promoting the country's tourism in the worldwide market in a strong and effective manner. Furthermore, the working group constituted for the structure of public-private partnership regarding the NTB has filed a report and urged that it be implemented.

He believes that the Federal tourist Act, which is due to be modified, would address this by simplifying the country's tourist policy and making it more investment and tourism friendly. There was a discussion about the casino regulations being made by the delegation, which should be made systematic and effective to facilitate casino operations.

President Shah emphasized that the tourism and hotel industry, which is collapsing due to various crises, cannot be addressed by the national budget and monetary policy, and the principal interest to be paid to the bank has not been paid on time.

To promote tourism in the country, he declared that Nepal Hospitality Day will be commemorated on January 15 on the occasion of the HAN's founding day, adding that this program will also benefit the country's tourism decade.

Minister Kirati stated at the time that the arrival of tourists is satisfactory and that a positive message will be communicated to the worldwide community in the coming days. He stated that in order to make the country prosperous, infrastructure would be completed on time, the air network will be expanded, and relevant agencies are taking measures in this direction.

He stated that since a committee has been formed under the Prime Minister's leadership to improve the country's economy, proposals linked to tourism would be significant, and that the homework for the tourism decade has also begun.