July 4: Experts in the field of tourism have suggested the Nepal Tourism Board to bring a budget in coordination with the federal, state, and local levels to revive the tourism that has been burdened by Covid 19.

Speaking at a recent virtual interaction organized by the Board, the experts suggested formulating a plan for maximum use of limited resources. They stressed that the tourism activities need to be revitalized gradually by ensuring vaccine against COVID-19 and maintaining health protocol.

   Former Tourism Secretary Dipendra Purush Dhakal shared that the federal government should provide a grant to the board to promote tourism amid current crisis. He said that there would be financial problems in the promotion of tourism and the sector would be affected if the government does not bring help in times of trouble.

Dr. Prem Sharma suggested the board to formulate a budget to promote domestic tourism as there is less possibility of international tourists visiting Nepal immediately. Similarly, Dr. Som Prasad Khatiwada, Ram Chandra Sedai, Chetnath Kandel, and Surya Kiran Shrestha said that the board should prepare a recovery and revival plan of at least 2 to 3 years by including the stakeholders’ suggestion and move ahead with the work of tourism promotion accordingly.

Similarly, Dr. Alok Rai, Ramesh Upadhyay, Pashupati Neupane, and Gyanendra Ratna Tuladhar stressed on digital marketing while tourism entrepreneurs Vijay Amatya, Vikram Pandey, and Sien Pandey urged the board focus on new tourism products and marketing rather than infrastructure.

During the interaction, Chandra Prasad Rijal, vice-chairman of the board, said that the board would take forward the work of policy reform by incorporating the suggestions of experts. He said that the board was planning to work transparently in all the states despite the small budget and the suggestions of experts would be helpful in formulating the budget.

Similarly, other members of the board Krishna Shah and Pampha Poudel Dhamala said that the board was coordinating with various agencies for resource management even in difficult circumstances.