Government works to promote hotels as industries: Minister Pandey

KATHMANDU, Aug 15: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has said efforts are on to developing hotel business into an industry of the national priority.     

In his response to concerns by lawmaker Madan Kumari Shah in a meeting of the National Assembly, the Minister he is touch with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, to recognise hotels as industries with the production of skilled human resources.     

Likewise, discussions are underway with authorities concerned to maintain uniformity in fare for domestic flight.     

Likewise, programmes like 'road show' have been implemented to attract tourists from India and China.     

According to the Minister, tourism promotional programmes are being continuously implemented at home and abroad to promote the touristic destinations in the country in accordance with the Constitution, 16th Periodic Plan, relevant laws, sectoral policies and Nepal's National Tourism Strategic Master Plan (2016-2025).     

This year too, budget has been allocated to work on indentifying new touristic destinations in the country.     

As he said, the government is all aware of tourism potential in the country and it is true that sufficient budget to promote this is lacking. "The government has set a target of welcoming 1.6 million tourists this year by implementing the Tourism Strategic Plan and the Nepal Visit Decade."     

 Similarly, programmes such as 'Seven Province Seven Destinations' and 'Eco Hill Tourism' have been incorporated in the budget for the current fiscal year, he added.     

As he said, the investment from the federal government continues for an infrastructural development in Khaptad and discussions are going on to establish the Khaptad Area Development Trust.