NTB Conducts Virtual Meet with Province 5 Tourism Partners to Consolidate Recovery EffortsFriday, May 1st, 2020
In an effort to keep communication on with the private sector tourism industry in the provinces and to consolidate all recovery efforts, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a virtual meeting with key tourism stakeholders from Province 5 on May 1, 2020. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB Dr. Dhananjay Regmi chaired the meeting attended by representatives from the hotel and travel trade industry from Lumbini, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Palpa and Nepalgunj.
Private sector representatives from Province 5 shared their views on the best ways to take tourism forward post COVID 19, suggesting recovery and retention solutions for a healthy bounce back of Nepal’s tourism industry. Promotion of domestic tourism through campaigns, packages and supporting policies from the Government was seen as the next crucial step in keeping the tourism economy running. In terms of international tourism, strategic promotions in Indian border cities and China were seen as necessary steps immediately post the lockdown.
Representatives requested strong lobbying from the Government for consideration of loan and interest, waiving or concession in VAT/ tax/ rent/ electricity/ water etc. for easier cost operation, data collection and analysis to track all agencies and operators in tourism, and revision of policies for more liberal approach to facilitate and strengthen the industry, in the recovery period expected.
Product diversification through development and promotion of potential attractions, linking of the prime destinations, were also seen as essential to facilitate domestic tourism movement in the coming days. Minimizing of fear among potential travelers and mitigating threats will be essential to gain travelers’ confidence in the recovery period, they said.
NTB CEO Dr. Regmi was optimistic about quick revival of Province 5 tourism. With Bhairahawa International Airport almost ready to operate, world-class tourism product like Lumbini – Birthplace of the Buddha, and the Indian travelers eager to start traveling, he expects positive tourism recovery in the province sooner. CEO Dr. Regmi also assured solidarity with the Province 5 tourism partners in overcoming the crisis together and ensured all cooperation from NTB to mitigate critical issues. Participants from Province 5 appreciated NTB’s effort to keep communication open and discuss pertinent tourism issues in the present COVID 19 crisis period.
Mr. C.P. Shrestha - President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Bhairahawa Chapter, Mr. Sagar Adhikari - President of Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA) Pradesh 5 Chapter, Mr. Madhav Prasad Nepal - representative of hotel association Butwal, Mr. Pradeep Uday - Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA) Palpa, Mr. Lila Mani Sharma - General Secretary of Lumbini hotel association, Mr. Sriram Sigdel - President Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA) Banke, Mr. Bhaskar Kafle, President of hotel association Province 5, and Mr. Bhim Kandel - President of hotel association Banke, joined the meeting online on Zoom to share their ideas and thoughts with the NTB CEO and Directors.
Department Heads from Head Office in Kathmandu and Chief of Gandaki Province attended and interacted at the meeting along with CEO Dr. Regmi. The meeting was coordinated and moderated by Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya - Officiating Director of PR & Publicity, NTB.