Stakeholders underscore need for stable and clear Tourism Act

Kathmandu, Jan 8: The tourism sector stakeholders have stressed on decentralization of the permission, registration and licensing process for the tourism businesses to the local level.

This issue came up in the discussion with stakeholders on the ‘Tourism Bill, 2081’ held in the Legislative Management Committee under the National Assembly today.

The discussion was attended by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), the Hotel Association Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Operators’ Association, the Mini Casino Association, and tourism entrepreneurs.

They suggested that the hotel and resort licensing process should be managed by local levels rather than being centralised in Kathmandu, and that the state should take responsibility for the arrangements of mountain climbing permits and liaison officers.

Stakeholders expressed the view that the related laws should be long-term, stable and clear, and that topics such as mountain tourism, domestic tourism, foreign and one-day tourists, casinos, hotels, and contact officers should be clearly defined.

Renowned expert and researcher Dr Ganesh Gurung discussed the historic role played by the Nepal Mountaineering Association in the development, promotion, publicity, and production of skilled human resources in mountain tourism.

He emphasised the need to continue the definition related to mountain tourism included in the Tourism Act 2035 in the new Act as well.

During the discussion on the tourism-related bill, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Phur Gelje Sherpa, demanded that the responsibilities given by the 2035 Act should also be clearly and strongly included in this bill.

He highlighted the Association’s initiatives on mountain cleanliness, waste management, data collection related to border security, and the promotion of Nepal’s tourism through collaboration with international mountaineering associations.

Nepal Mountaineering Association General Secretary Rhishiram Bhandari advised further clarification of the definition of internal tourism, proper documentation of one-day tourists, and the decentralisation of tourism administration to provincial and local levels in line with the federal structure.

Hotel Association Nepal General Secretary Sajan Shakya called for incorporating a provision mandating the registration of all hotels used for tourist accommodation at the Department of Tourism. He also expressed concern over the reduction of the minimum bed ceiling for small- and medium-scale hotels from 50 to 25.

Mini-casino entrepreneur Gokarna Lamichhane said that 32 mini-casinos operating in border areas generate millions of rupees in taxes and royalties for the government while creating employment opportunities. He lamented that frequent changes in rules cause business instability and demanded clear provisions regarding casino-related infrastructure, licensing, and operating areas.

Committee President Tulasha Kumari Dahal said the Bill is being amended after a long time and that the submissions collected from concerned stakeholders would be taken seriously.