Stakeholders Call for Stable, Clear Tourism Act

Stakeholders from Nepal’s tourism sector have stressed the need for a stable, long-term and clearly defined Tourism Act, calling for the decentralisation of permission, registration and licensing processes to provincial and local levels.

They raised the concerns during a discussion on the Tourism Bill, 2081 held on Thursday at the Legislative Management Committee under the National Assembly.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Mountaineering Operators’ Association, Mini Casino Association and other tourism entrepreneurs.

Stakeholders suggested that licensing of hotels and resorts should be handled by local governments instead of being centralised in Kathmandu, while the state should retain responsibility for managing mountain climbing permits and liaison officers.

They also stressed that the new law should clearly define areas such as mountain tourism, domestic tourism, foreign and one-day tourists, casinos, hotels and liaison officers to ensure clarity and long-term stability.

Tourism expert and researcher Dr Ganesh Gurung highlighted the historic role of the Nepal Mountaineering Association in the development, promotion and publicity of mountain tourism, as well as in producing skilled human resources for the sector. He urged the continuation of the definition of mountain tourism included in the Tourism Act, 2035, in the new legislation.

Speaking at the discussion, NMA President Phur Gelje Sherpa called for the responsibilities assigned to the Association under the 2035 Act to be clearly and strongly incorporated in the new bill. He cited the Association’s work in mountain cleanliness, waste management, data collection and the international promotion of Nepal’s tourism.

NMA General Secretary Rhishiram Bhandari emphasised the need to further clarify the definition of domestic tourism, ensure proper documentation of one-day tourists and decentralise tourism administration in line with Nepal’s federal structure.

Hotel Association Nepal General Secretary Sajan Shakya urged the inclusion of a provision requiring all hotels used for tourist accommodation to be registered with the Department of Tourism. He also expressed concern over the proposed reduction of the minimum bed requirement for small- and medium-scale hotels from 50 to 25.

Mini-casino entrepreneur Gokarna Lamichhane said that 32 mini-casinos operating in border areas generate millions of rupees in taxes and royalties for the government while creating employment opportunities. He said frequent changes in rules have created business uncertainty and called for clear provisions on casino infrastructure, licensing and operating areas.

President of the Legislative Management Committee, Tulasha Kumari Dahal, said the Tourism Bill is being amended after a long gap and assured that the views and suggestions put forward by stakeholders would be taken seriously during the revision process. -- RSS