TAAN President Calls for Tourism Recovery Plan, Private Sector Reform

Sagar Pandey, President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), has called for a concrete “recovery plan” to revive Nepal’s tourism industry, severely impacted by arson and vandalism targeting hotels and businesses during the Gen Z-led protests. As an immediate measure, Pandey suggested introducing a three-month visa-free policy for visitors.

He made the remarks at a discussion titled The Road Ahead for Economic Revival, organised by the Nepalese Association of Financial Journalists (NAFIJ) on Tuesday, September 23.

“Recent protests show growing frustration not only with the state but also with private enterprises,” Pandey said. “It is not only the government; we in the private sector also need to correct ourselves.”

Linking the movement’s anti-corruption stance to private-sector practices, he added: “The Gen Z movement has raised questions about how deep the nexus of corruption goes between the private sector and the state. Society is demanding accountability from us too.”

Highlighting Nepal’s lack of quality jobs, Pandey noted that hotel management graduates earn as little as Rs 17,000 a month, forcing many to seek opportunities abroad. Weak state mechanisms and lack of accountability, he argued, have further eroded the business environment. “The Gen Z-led movement is essentially a demand to end corruption. For that, financial transparency must be ensured,” he said.

Pandey also questioned the credibility of official growth statistics, observing that countries with fewer attractions receive far more tourists. He likened Nepal’s tourism sector in the multi-party era to a “malnourished child.”

Stress on peace, security, and improved road and air connectivity, he said, is critical to restoring confidence and attracting visitors.