Pokhara: The Hotel Association Pokhara, Nepal, has called on the government to grant equal status to the tourism and industry sectors. Association’s Chairman Laxman Subedi submitted a five-point memorandum to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha, urging the government to ensure that the tourism sector receives the same status as the industry sector.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Subedi emphasized that the memorandum was a reminder of the government’s previous announcement to treat both sectors equally in the current fiscal year’s budget, an initiative that has yet to be implemented. The Association is advocating for equitable treatment to enhance the tourism sector’s growth and contribution to the economy.
The Association’s memorandum also highlighted the need for regular flights to various cities in India and China from Pokhara International Airport. It called for the development of domestic air routes among provincial cities to promote domestic tourism and target bo
rdering cities of Nepal’s neighboring countries. The memo further stressed the importance of compensating the hotel and hospitality sector, which has been directly impacted by the Gen-Z Movement.
Minister Sinha, upon receiving the memorandum, assured that the government would work towards ensuring equal status for the tourism sector alongside the industry sector. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to facilitate international flights from Pokhara International Airport.
The meeting was attended by several notable figures, including Industry and Tourism Minister of Gandaki Province Mitralal Basyal, business leaders, and officials from the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Office, among others.