Challenges for the new minister, secretary
A new minister and secretary are at the helm of the tourism ministry. While new tourism minister Deepak Chandra Amatya assumed office about a fortnight ago only, Suresh Man Shrestha was appointed tourism secretary about a month ago. The duo has a big responsibility of giving a much-needed impetus to the Nepali tourism industry which has received a massive blow due to inactiveness of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) – the national tourism organization.
Nepal’s tourism industry has suffered a lot due to inactiveness of NTB over the past six months or so. Tourism entrepreneurs, under the leadership of Joint Tourism Coordination Committee (JTCC), padlocked NTB for more than 50 days, demanding investigation against the then acting CEO Subash Nirola. Though daily activities of NTB was brought to a grinding halt for nearly two months, the previous minister and secretary did nothing to break the stalemate. Probe committee formed to investigate irregularities in NTB has already submitted its report. But the ministry has yet to take necessary step for the implementation of the report. The new minister and the secretary should make sure that the report is implemented at the earliest and necessary action is taken against those found guilty.
Similarly, the private sector has long been demanding the restructuring of NTB. It is one of the demands raised by JTCC. Private sector has asked the government to restructure NTB in such a way that the private sector has decisive say in the functioning of NTB. The government has formed a committee to recommend it for NTB restructuring. The committee, however, is yet to submit its report. The main objective of forming NTB was to streamline Nepal’s international marketing and promotional activities under the leadership of the private sector. Nepal’s tourism industry is driven by the private sector. Realizing this fact, the government must ensure private sector’s say in daily functioning of NTB. Or else NTB will be nothing more than ailing state-owned enterprises.
The ministry took a controversial decision this spring. It authorized the controversial Everest summit – the only one this season — by a Chinese mountaineer who used a chopper to cross the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. The move was heavily criticized at both home and abroad. The ministry should review its decision and make sure that such decisions are not taken in the future.
Aviation is a key aspect of Nepali tourism industry. But two important agencies under the ministry – Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) – are passing through difficult times. While the former is trying to resurrect its image by expanding fleet, the latter is trying to improve aviation safety standards to remove the country from the European Union (EU) blacklist. The ministry needs to properly watch their activities and provide necessary guidance so that these agencies do not lose track.
The ministry is busy preparing National Tourism Strategy Plan for the next decade. The new minister and secretary should make sure that each and every component of the tourism industry is duly addressed in the plan. We should do away with our impediments and open up new avenues for investment and opportunities in the country.
Tourism is a private-sector driven industry. The ministry should listen to suggestions from the private sector and treat is a friend, not a foe.
Best wishes to the new minister and the secretary !!
