Minister Kirati discusses tourism development with CNI

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 5: A delegation of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has held discussions with the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati about the development of the tourism sector.

Congratulating and expressing best wishes to the Minister Kirati on behalf of the Confederation, the delegation has suggested the steps to be taken to promote Nepal's tourism, to remove it from the security list maintained by the European Union and the policy reforms to be done immediately and in the long term.

Senior Vice President of CNI Raj Bahadur Shah informed the Minister that the Confederation had formed a committee keeping Nepal's tourism sector in high priority.

He said that even though Nepal is a major tourist destination, foreign tourists are not able to come as expected because the air fare in Nepal is very expensive.

He asked for necessary initiatives to reduce air fares, to make the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation competitive and to remove Nepal from the security list maintained by the European Union.

Birendra Raj Pandey, vice president of the Confederation, said that the CNI had been working together with the government for the development of the economy and is ready to move forward by cooperating for the development of the tourism industry.

Pampha Dhamala, chairman of the Tourism Committee of CNI, urged the government to provide the same facilities to the tourism industry as other industries.

Dhamala emphasised that Nepal's promotion campaign should be conducted in an effective and visible manner in international destinations.

The delegation drew the attention of the Minister to the lack of air routes for the successful operation of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport, according to the CNI.

The CNI also drew the attention of the minister to take necessary steps to remove the limit of cash that Indian tourists can bring to Nepal, to develop and promote Nepal as a filming destination and to facilitate the arrangement of bringing and taking away jewellery for weddings as Nepal can be a suitable destination for weddings.

Accepting the suggestion of the Confederation, Minister Kirati thanked the Confederation for the suggestion citing that he expects clear and genuine suggestions from the private sector regarding policy reforms.

He informed that the initiative has been started regarding the removal from the security list of the European Union.