The Maoist leadership has stressed the need to promote tourism industry to boost country’s economy.
During an interaction with the office-bearers of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) on Sunday Maoist supremo Prachanda and senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattrai underlined the need to exploit the country’s tourism potentials so that I could be helpful in improvising the economic condition of the people, a press statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said.
“Prachanda underlined the need of promoting tourism to boost country’s economy. Referring to the need to exploit huge tourism potential, Prachanda further said that the tourism industry should be promoted to uplift the living standard of people,” the NTB release said citing a HAN statement issued after the interaction.
Likewise, Dr Bhattarai reiterated the party’s policy of not harming any tourist and tourism-related activities and reminded that not a single tourist was physically harmed even during the strikes, war or Nepal bandha, the statement further said.
“We are firm on our policy to promote tourism as a vital tool for a rapid economic development. Our party will continue to promote tourism as a top priority sector for overall economic development and now also, we are equally committed to protecting the industry,” he added.
HAN delegation led by its president Prakash Shrestha had apprised the Maoist leaders about the deteriorating situation of tourism industry over the last eight years. Shrestha said increasing trade unionism has caused problem to the hotel management and added that extortion has not fully stopped despite party’s assurance.