NTB Conducts Virtual Meet with Gandaki Pradesh Tourism StakeholdersWednesday, April 29th, 2020
In an effort to keep communication on with the private sector and to consolidate all recovery efforts, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a virtual meeting with association heads and tourism stakeholders from Gandaki Province on April 29, 2020. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB Dr. Dhananjay Regmi chaired the meeting attended by representatives from Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC), Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA) - Western Region, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) – Western Region, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) – Pokhara Chapter, Restaurant & Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) – Pokhara Chapter, VNY Coordinating Committee - Gandaki Province, Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA), Trekking Equipment Seller Association (TESA), and Embroidery & Garment Association (EGA).
Private sector association representatives from Gandaki Province shared their views on the upcoming strategy for Nepal’s tourism industry, recovery and retention solutions. Immediate neighbors of Nepal China and India are seen as the most potent markets during Nepal’s recovery period post COVID-19. They also emphasized on the need for retention and relief packages to the tourism workforce for sustenance of the industry. Representatives also stressed on support and empathy from the Government of Nepal to the tourism industry that has made huge investments in the tourism sector in anticipation of Visit Nepal 2020.
Financial relief through negotiation with banking sector to grant nominal interest during the crisis period, concession in basic resources like electricity/ water etc for upkeep of hotels and tourism properties, were requested by the participants. New promotional plan, branding exercises, focus on digital marketing, creation of new products, strengthening of the National Flag Carrier were also recommended as the global tourism industry expects a paradigm shift in the post COVID-19 period.
To facilitate tourism from China in the post lockdown period, G2G intervention was requested for opening of Tatopani entry point on Nepal-China border. Similarly, suggestion was made to gain permit for Nepali vehicles till border-town cities in India.
NTB CEO Dr. Regmi expressed solidarity with the private sector in overcoming the crisis together. He said all efforts were being made to ensure relief and support to the tourism industry of Nepal through regular communication with the Government sector; coordination with the private sector tourism industry, banking sector, donor agencies and all related partners and stakeholders. The CEO said work was in progress for recovery strategy to be implemented immediately after lockdown. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and the Government of Nepal are fully aware of the current situation in the industry and have pledged support to the tourism industry, according to CEO Dr. Regmi.
President of PTC Mr. Chiranjibi Pokhrel, President of Western Regional HAN Mr. Bikal Tulachan, President of NATTA Western Region Mr. Sanjay Kant Sigdel, President of TAAN – Pokhara Mr. Hari Bhujel, President of REBAN- Pokhara Mr. Bhimsen Bhujel, President of NTVA Mr. Bob Gurung, VNY Gandaki Province Coordinator Mr. Agni Kandel, President of NESA Mr. Ram Chandra Giri, and President of EGA Mr. Bishwa Raj Pokhrel, joined the meeting from Pokhara online on Zoom to share their ideas and thoughts with the NTB team of CEO and Directors.
