BY BALLAV DAHAL
THE RISING NEPAL, 03RD NOVEMBER 2009
The widening gap between the ruling political parties and the opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist shows that the current transition is likely to be lengthened further. This has created a sense of insecurity among all the investors, especially tourism entrepreneurs.
Perturbed by frequent strikes and blockades, tourism entrepreneurs have urged the key political forces to reach and understanding and move the peace process ahead.
“We need a tourism-friendly environment. Even after the peace process, we have failed to change the negative perception of foreign tour operators and potential tourists towards Nepal as a destination due to extortion and other forms of hassles,” said Hari Dharel, managing Director of Highlander Trekking & Expeditions (P) Ltd.
The ailing Nepalese tourism industry saw a more favorable situation during the last some months when few strikes and blockades decreased. “Tourists will feel secured when politics of confrontation and extortions come to an end in the country,” said Dharel, former general secretary of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Recalling the relatively peaceful and tourist-friendly atmosphere during the last few months, Dharel said that the tourism industry would not grow without peace and stability. “As a sensitive sector, tourism can be disturbed easily even by minor incidents such as extortions,” he added.
He said that it was illegal for anybody or organization to force tourists to pay money. “Apart from extortions, strikes and blockades have tarnished our destination image at international arena. So, the government, political parties and the private sector need to join hands to restore the country’s image,” he said.
Emphasizing the need to develop professionalism in the travel trade sector of Nepal, he said, “The state must take action against all sorts of illegal activities to take the country’s tourism to a newer height.”
Regarding the upcoming tourism event- Nepal Tourism Year 2011, he said that the program is very relevant at a time when the country’s tourism industry has been jinxed with problems for several years.
“But no significant preparations for the event have been made so far. The government and the private sector need to do extensive homework for making the event a success.” He said.
Bringing the haphazard condition of Thamel to lime light, he said that the Ministry of Tourism and Civil aviation must work in close coordination with the other concerned government bodies to enhance the glory this tourist hub. “Thamel is losing its charm among tourists because of illegal activities. Tourists have stopped feeling safe and secured in Thamel because of growing unprofessional and criminal activities,” he said.
He suggested that the government should pay urgent heed to Thamel, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and Pokhara Bus Park. “The expatriate communities as well as visiting tourists have been showing their concern over the negligence on the part of the agencies concerned,” he said.
“There is no light in the evening at the domestic terminal of the Kathmandu airport. Even Shakuntala Thilsted, spouse of the Danish Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Finn Thilsted has shared how she had to suffer when she arrived there from Nepalgunj” he said.
He complained that the Ministry of Tourism and civil Aviation did not take the issue seriously. “It is sad to note that even genuine issues raised by such personalities are not heard,” he said.
He stressed the need to develop a strong monitoring mechanism at the ministry to handle grievances.
He also called for making available toilet facilities at airport. “The TIA and all other airports need to be given a face-lift,” he said
Welcoming the decision of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) management to purchase two aircraft he said that it would help give a boost to the country’s tourism industry.
He, however, suggested that the internal management of the corporation needed to be reformed. “The airline should start the process of online booking of tickets so that it can make profits,” he said.
He added that tourism needed regular attention of the concerned ministry and agencies. “The government must stop giving lip services to the sensitive sector like tourism.” he said.
