September 17: Tourism entrepreneurs have demanded removal of quarantine provision for tourists arriving in the country in order to revive the tourism industry. They have demanded to provide on-arrival visas for tourists instead of putting them in quarantine.

The entrepreneurs put forward these demands in a programme organized by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) on September 16. Stating that the tourism sector has been adversely affected by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the government's indifference, NATTA held a meeting with the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAN), Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) and other stakeholders.

Participants of the meeting demanded the government to make necessary arrangements to provide on-arrival visa by removing the quarantine provision, open the border with India and implement a one-month free visa for tourists announced by the government immediately.

The meeting has also decided to resort to protest programs from next week if the government does not address their demands immediately. Likewise, the tourism entrepreneurs have decided to move ahead in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries to draw the government’s attention to address their demands.

Nepal has been placed in the red zone in the international travel advisory. Entrepreneurs have pointed out that the government should facilitate hassle-free arrival of vaccinated tourists and tourism entrepreneurs.