Stronger coordination key to tourism promotion
Kathmandu / Sept. 28: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel ‘Ganess’ has stressed the need for stronger inter-ministerial coordination, enhanced institutional capacity and continued cooperation with the private sector to make Nepal’s tourism development more effective.
Addressing a programme organised in Kathmandu on Sunday to mark the 47th World Tourism Day, Minister Paudel said tourism development could not be advanced through the efforts of a single ministry alone.
He said he had been consistently emphasising effective coordination among various government agencies for the development of the tourism sector.
Minister Paudel said that the government had plans to enhance the capacity of government institutions involved in tourism and stressed the need to strengthen institutional capacity and service delivery in line with the changing tourism environment.
Stating that Nepal’s unique culture, traditions and community-based festivals and jatras were important foundations of tourism, he emphasised the need to link the preservation and promotion of vibrant community festivals and cultural activities passed down through generations with tourism development.
Describing the Himalayas as a sacred natural heritage not only of Nepal but of the entire region, Minister Paudel said rivers originating in the Himalayas contributed to the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.
He stressed the need to focus on the sustainable use of Himalayan heritage for tourism while ensuring its conservation.
Minister Paudel said that suggestions and feedback from the private sector would be important for the government in addressing shortcomings in existing laws and regulations.
Stating that the private sector had practical experience in operating tourism businesses, he said, “The government is committed to moving ahead by incorporating suggestions from the private sector while making policy and legal reforms.”
The programme also discussed the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in Nepal’s tourism sector, with this year’s international theme of World Tourism Day, “Digital Agenda and AI to Redesign Tourism”, as its focus.
Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Santosh Panta said the serious lessons learnt by the tourism sector from the recent Bhotekoshi floods should be linked with the use of digital technology.
He said that the regular access route and accommodation facilities along the Langtang route had been damaged by the recent Bhotekoshi floods, directly affecting the tourism sector.
Andrew Jones, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Foundation, highlighted Nepal’s geographical and cultural diversity and pledged the foundation’s continued support for the recovery of Nepal’s tourism sector following the Bhotekoshi floods.
He said the role of AI and digital media was becoming increasingly important in supporting nature-based tourism.
He said that the Foundation was operating the Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund to support tourism workers, guides, drivers, porters and tourism businesses affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
The NTB unveiled a new promotional audiovisual material prepared to promote Nepal’s tourism destinations during the programme.
On the occasion, Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF-Nepal) declared three villages as ‘Village Destinations of the Year’. Minister Paudel presented certificates to representatives of the selected villages.
The NTB said that the initiative was aimed at bringing rural tourism, local culture and communities into the mainstream of tourism.