Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha Addresses Nepal's Tourism with Industry Leaders on Thursday

KATHMANDU, Sep 15:Yesterday, during a meeting held at Singhadarbar, the Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, in his opening remarks, expressed a strong interest in maintaining Nepal's tourist intake of 1 million visitors. He sought ways to support tourism agencies and improve service quality and security. The Minister stated, "If you provide written suggestions, I'll do my utmost to address them within the ministry. Our aim extends beyond one million tourists; we aspire to attract 3.5 million. I am fully committed to assisting in achieving this goal."

Additionally, the Minister criticized the insufficient research conducted before the construction of Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports, highlighting various issues related to policies, border regions, remote areas, national restrictions, and aircraft procurement.

Nepal Mountaineering Association President Nima Nuru Sherpa discussed the potential for increased tourism by enhancing Nepal's mountaineering and overall tourism sectors. He mentioned requests to ease restrictions in certain areas, streamline helicopter flight permissions, and coordinate with Chief District Officers for restricted area access. Sherpa also emphasized the need for a thorough review and consolidation of permits to simplify the process, as the current system mandates multiple permits for distinct locations, causing unnecessary complications.

Representatives from prominent organizations, including the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN),Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA)  as well as notable individuals such as Karna Sakya and Ang Tshering Sherpa and Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, actively participated in the discussion. This collaborative effort underscores a shared commitment to revitalizing Nepal's tourism sector.