Tourist Police celebrated its 45th anniversary

KATHMANDU, Jan 26:The Tourist Police marked its 45th anniversary.On Friday, the Tourist Police marked the occasion by hosting a program at the Nepal Tourism Board's office in Bhrikutimanda, Kathmandu.

Sudan Kirati, the program's chief guest and Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, stated that tourist safety is the most important factor in tourism development. "Tourist police are friends of tourists," he said, adding that the work of the tourist police is vital in ensuring tourists' safety and making their stay in Nepal enjoyable by informing them of Nepal's norms and regulations.

He further stated that since tourism can produce so many jobs, everyone should work on boosting Nepali tourism.

Similarly, Binayak Shah, President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), has stated that the country's peace and security will have a significant impact on the development of tourism. He thanked the Nepal Tourism Police for their outstanding job to ensure the safety of tourists. "By changing the practice of tourist police being mobilized only after a written complaint is received by the tourist police, they can take immediate action as soon as a problem arises so that both tourists and businessmen can get services at the right time," he said, added that they should look into the matter.

During the program, General of Police Basant Bahadur Kunwar discussed how the work done by the tourist police in various tourist areas of the country for service facilities and complaint management of tourists is commendable, and how the police personnel involved should be determined to improve the level of service delivery in the future.

Noting that Nepal is not only beautiful but also safe, Inspector General of Police Kunwar stated, "Our goal is to ensure that our domestic citizens who enjoy domestic tourism, as well as any foreign guests who visit Nepal, have a positive experience." It is to have a professional remedy for the challenges.

DSP Narendra Kuwar, Chief of Tourist Police Unit, welcomed the attendees and provided information about the Tourist Police's establishment and operations. He stated that the tourist police, founded with the original slogan of ''for the safety of tourists, tourism police,'' continues to function with the same vigilance even in the lack of various resources.

Tourism Secretary Dr. Deepak Kafle, Director General of Department of Tourism Chakra Bahadur Budha, , and others all gave their greetings.

Prizes were distributed to the the winners of the Tourist Police Inter-table tennis Tournament, and organizations and person who have supported the Tourist Police in the past were honored. 

At present, there are tourist police unit offices in all the five provinces except Far West and Karnali provinces. There are a total of 28 tourist police unit offices, 10 in Kathmandu Valley and 18 outside the valley. Out of the total number of 239 tourist police posts, 220 police personnel are currently working for the services, facilities, security and welfare of tourist destinations and tourists.