Tourism Sector Seeks Parity with Industry in Government Policy

Hotel operators of Pokhara have urged the government to grant the tourism sector the same status as the industrial sector, citing the lack of implementation despite official commitments.

Hotel Association Pokhara, Nepal (HAPN) Chairperson Laxman Subedi submitted a five-point memorandum to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha on Saturday, calling for the tourism sector to be treated on par with industry, as announced in the budget for the current fiscal year.

Subedi said the association submitted the memorandum to draw the government’s attention to the continued failure to implement the budgetary provision that recognises tourism and industry as equal contributors to the economy.

The association also demanded regular international flights to major cities in India and China from Pokhara International Airport. It further called for the expansion of domestic air routes connecting provincial cities to promote internal tourism and attract visitors from nearby cities of Nepal’s immediate neighbours.

In the memorandum, the association sought appropriate compensation for the hotel and hospitality sector, stating that the sector suffered direct losses during the recent Gen Z movement.

Receiving the memorandum, Minister Sinha assured that the government would take steps to ensure equal status for the tourism and industrial sectors. He also said the government was working to initiate international flights from Pokhara International Airport at the earliest.

Industry and Tourism Minister of Gandaki Province Mitralal Basyal, business leaders, and officials from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Province Office, among others, were present at the event. -- RSS