Nepal Tourism Board observed its 5th Anniversary on December 31 amidst a grand function. A large number of tourism entrepreneurs, high government officials and media persons were gathered at NTB to celebrate this function.

Chief guest of the function Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Sarvendra Nath Shukla addressing the function said that all the stakeholders should work together to promote the tourism industry that makes significant contribution to the national economy and further added that since the tourism business is very sensitive, it can be affected badly if the political parties resort to vandalism and destructive activities.

“Since the government’s efforts alone may not be enough to curb such activities, the private sector should also try to forge understanding with the agitating forces to declare ‘no demonstration zones’ in the tourist areas,” he said.

He said the government has adopted an open sky policy to encourage private and international airlines to increase the flow of tourists from potential markets. He said that the success of the NTB within a short span of time was a result of effective approach of public/ private partnership.

Secretary at the MoCTCA Lava Kumar Devkota said that the available resources should be mobilised in effective manner to receive better results in the national economy.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, Chief Executive Officer of the NTB, presenting a brief power-point on its achievements and future plans said NTB could plan for a long term strategy if the government provided fix budget which reduced its dependency on two percent Tourism Service Fee which fluctuates with the arrival of tourists.

He also urged the government to increase its investment to promote tourism industry. Dangi said that the cease-fire between the government and the Maoist rebels is a must and national image should be improved to attract more tourists to the country.

Talking about the slight improvement in tourist arrival trend in 2003, he said that it had been possible due to aggressive marketing by the government as well as the private sector along with various events during the time in spite of the adverse situation.

Subash Nirola, Director of Tourism Products and Resource Development, at the NTB said that the Board had to do a Herculean task to promote tourism industry with the limited resources.

During the programme, Vice-Chairperson of NTB Ambica Shrestha said the money given to tourism industry should be taken as  investment by the government rather than donation.

At the function, Minister Shukla felicitated top tourist service fee payers for the year 2003. Hotel Yak and Yeti, Soltee Crown Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Hotel De’la Annapurna, Manakamana Darshan P. Ltd., Hotel Shangrila, Hotel Dwarika’s, Hotel Radission, Nanglo Bekary Café and Summit Hotel were awarded as the top ten tax payers to the NTB through the revenue collection office.

Likewise, Yeti Travels P. Ltd, Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd. and Himalayan Rafting Expedition Pvt. Ltd. were awarded as the top tax payers among travel, trekking and rafting companies respectively.