Private sector should take the lead in tourism development

Kul Bahadur Gurung is not a new name in Nepali tourism industry. The young personality, who hails from Sertung VDC of Dhading, district has already spent more than two decades in Nepali tourism industry. He is the managing director of Alliance Treks and Expeditions and president of Ganesh Himal Tourism Development Committee and the newly elected second vice president of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).

Born on Poush 13, 2032 BS, Gurung spent his childhood days in his birthplace itself. “As there was no school in my village, I had to walk for half an hour to reach primary school. I studied there until grade five,” Gurung said. Then he joined a lower secondary school which lied at a distance of an hour from his village. He studied there until class eight and joined a secondary school which lied at a daylong walk from his village. Gurung completed his SLC examination from that school and came to Kathmandu for further studies in 1991.

“I was a bright student. I always stood in the first position in every class I studied,” Gurung said.

Today, Gurung holds two Masters degrees in Business Studies and Sociology. He also holds an LLB degree from Tribhuvan University.

“I was also interested to pursue a degree in tourism. But I couldn’t arrange time,” lamented Gurung.

Explaining reasons behind joining tourism industry, Gurung said he joined tourism industry just to know and understand English language. “During my schooldays, trekking groups used to pass through our village. I was mesmerized by their language. I was very much interested toward English language,” Gurung said, adding, “When I came to Kathmandu, my seniors suggested to me to work with tourism enterprises saying that it was the only place where I could learn English free of cost.”

Gurung first started working with GS Trekking as a porter/guide. Then he joined Nepal Vision Trekking, where he worked for nearly 10 years working as a porter, manager and administration staff. “When I joined Nepal Vision Trekking, it was a modest company. But when I quitted it after 10 years, the company had grown by leaps and bounds. There were more than 100 people on its payroll,” said Gurung.

After leaving Nepal Vision Trekking, he opened Alliance Treks and Expeditions. The company is in business for 11 years now.

Gurung says he is satisfied with his career with the tourism industry. “I am happy with what I have achieved so far,” said Gurung.

Alliance’s major clientele is British. The company also handles good number of French, Belgian, Australian and Japanese groups.

Saying that popular trekking trails in Everest and Annapurna are already crowded and gradually losing charm, Gurung urges all to focus on new trails. “It is very difficult to get flights to Lukla and get hotel rooms in the Everest region during peak season. Similarly, trekking trails in the Annapurna Region are shortening due to roads. It’s high time we promoted new routes and took our visitors there,” the young entrepreneur said.

Gurung has been promoting new trails in Ruby Valley, Ganesh Himal and Langtang region. “These areas are still far from motorable roads and are rich in natural attractions. Also the culture and lifestyle of local people is alive there,” he said, adding, “We have been getting good response from our guests.”

He also feels tourism destinations in mid and far western regions should be explored and promoted in the international arena. “People there are in dire need of tourism benefits. We shouldn’t always wait for the government to take the lead. We, the private, sector should take the initiative,” he said. Gurung, however, said the government should encourage the private sector by developing infrastructures.

Talking about Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Gurung said NTB should focus on domestic marketing of tourism products as well. “There is internal problem in NTB. It has been failing to appoint a CEO. The government should step in and resolve the issue soon,” he said, urging NTB to seek suggestions from the tourism entrepreneurs because they are the ones that sell tourism products and services.

Commenting on the portrayal of Nepal as a cheap tourism destination, Gurung said tourism entrepreneurs are also to be blamed for this. “They are undercutting prices of their products and services to get more tourists. This is ultimately affecting our destination image,” he said, adding, “I think we should have a minimum standard rate.”

Gurung is living a happily married life. “I married my classmate after courting her for several years,” Gurung said. The Gurung couple is blessed with a sweet daughter. His mother has already passed away and his father, who is an army pensioner, is living with him.

In a bid to promote tourism in northern reaches of Dhading district, Gurung has formed Ganesh Himal Tourism Development Committee. “Not only the northern part of Dhading, we are working on to promote tourism in the entire district. We are also preparing to explore tourism attractions in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading to prepare a mini Great Himalaya Trail,” said Gurung.

Gurung says he misses his village very much. “I left my village because I couldn’t see any opportunity there,” he said. He, however, has been contributing for the development of not only his village but the entire district through the GHTDP. “Also, majority of my 38 staff are from my village,” a beaming Gurung said before concluding.