The Hotel Association has put forward five demands, including the operation of international flights from Pokhara International Airport, the cancellation of environmental studies for the revival and renovation of hotels affected by the Gen-G movement, and the closure of the airport.
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The Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal on Saturday submitted a five-point letter of appeal to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha to immediately implement the recognition of the tourism sector as an industry.
The association has put forward five demands including operation of international flights from Pokhara International Airport, revival of hotels affected by the Gen-G movement and cancellation of environmental studies for hotel renovation.
Association President Laxman Subedi reminded that although the current budget mentions recognition of the tourism sector as an industry, it has not been implemented. Welcoming Minister Sinha, who is also responsible for the Ministry of Industry and Law, to Pokhara, the association urged him to implement these issues immediately.
The association has demanded necessary initiatives to operate regular international flights to various cities in India and China from Pokhara International Airport, which is currently limited to domestic flights. It has also emphasized the need to expand the air network between provincial cities, targeting border cities and domestic tourists.
The association has demanded that the environmental studies implemented in small and medium hotels built before 2072 be canceled, saying that they are impractical. The letter of appeal has pointed out the need to pressure the government to provide a relief package for the revival of hotel establishments directly affected by the Gen-G movement and to complete the upgrading of the main highways connecting Pokhara within the stipulated time.
Understanding the letter of appeal, Minister Sinha assured that discussions are underway on providing industry-like concessions to the tourism sector and that it will be implemented soon. He claimed that the government is also active in operating international flights from Pokhara. Gandaki Province Tourism Minister Mitra Lal Basyal said that the federal government's attention has been drawn to the issue of airport operation time and again.
At a program organized by the Hotel Association to welcome Minister Sinha, former member of the Nepal Tourism Board and advisor to the association, Bishwa Shankar Palikhe, said that the reason for the expected number of tourists not coming to Nepal should be identified. He suggested that tourism marts should be organized in all seven provinces and emphasis should be placed on promotion.
Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Gokarna Karki said that the government should be serious about protecting investment and creating a business environment. He said that a safe environment will not be created until the weapons looted during the Gen-G movement are returned and the culprits are arrested.
Maniraj Lamichhane, head of the Gandaki Province Office of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that making Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan currency exchange easier would help in promoting tourism. Hari Bhujel, first vice-chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, demanded that the court's decision regarding parking management in the lakeside area and Fewa Lake be corrected.
