The recent political development of the country has also encouraged the tourism industry like other sectors.

By Pratibedan Baidya

Tourism entrepreneurs say there has been positive signals in the sector within a short period of one month and urged the government and the Maoists to convert the ceasefire into permanent peace to give life to the tourism industry of the country.

The country, which remained in turmoil during the 15 month long direct rule of the King Gyanendra is moving towards a new direction following the reinstatement of parliament and the Maoists coming to sit for negotiations.

Mirabel Resort at Dhulikhel

Mirabel Resort at Dhulikhel
Talking to Nepalnews, Shyam Shrestha, Executive Chairman of Mirabel Resort Hotels, Dhulikhel, said that the flow of tourists is very encouraging following the political change in the country.

He informed that the number of domestic tourists is also encouraging. If the situation remains the same, it would boost the tourism industry of the country and also the Hotel business, he added.

“In the past, before the declaration of ceasefire and political development of the country, the flow of tourists was very irregular and the cancellation rates very high,” he added.

The entrepreneurs are also initiating various efforts to give life to the ailing hotel industry at a time when the situation is favourable, he said and added the removal of the security check point en route has also encouraged visitors to visit Dhulikhel.

Shrestha informed that his Hotel has also announced cheap packages targeting domestic as well as foreign tourists. “We are providing extra facilities to the customers in cheap rates,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mitra Bhattrai, Director sales and Marketing, Ace Hotels and Resorts told Nepalnews though the political development has raised the hope of reviving the ailing tourism industry, the flow of tourists was not encouraging so far.

He said that the 19-day long general strike caused a huge loss to the tourism industry, adding as most of the tourists cancelled their trip to Nepal, it will take some time again for them to plan a visit to Nepal. He hoped the flow of tourists will increase after September.

He said that as the number of Indian tourists was increasing, there was optimism that the flow will increase gradually.

He informed that they have been briefing the Indian Travel Agents about the recent political development of the country and urging them to send tourists to Nepal.

He further said they are offering various packages for the promotion of internal tourism. He informed that they launched the “Chiso Chiso Hawama” package targeting Nepali tourists and officials of the Kathmandu based diplomatic missions.

He further said that the dispute of the Nepal Tourism Board also pushed the tourism industry back. “Foreign travel agents asked us about the standoff of NTB but we did not have any answer; such incidents also affects the tourism industry, which is a very sensitive issue,” he said.

The entrepreneurs however express fear that the recent extortion drive of the Maoists could lead the country into further bloodshed any time. They said though Maoists are not pressuring the hoteliers as they are doing to other industrialists, they fear that such acts of Maoists could destroy the positive environment of the country.

Foreign countries have been lifting strict travel advisories on Nepal following the political change in the country, which is a positive development for the tourism industry of the country.

The entrepreneurs however express fear that the recent extortion drive of the Maoists could lead the country into further bloodshed any time.
Sajan Shakya, proprietor of Marcopolo business hotel, a leading business hotel of the country and director of the Club Himalaya, a popular resort based at Nagarkot said that there was some improvement in the tourism sector following the political development of the country.

He added that the occupancy rate of Marcopolo Hotel reached 60-70 percent from 30-40 percent of the previous days.

He informed that though the flow of businessmen and officials of non-governmental organizations is significantly high with the political development, there was not much changes in the flow of tourists.

On the extortion spree of the Maoists, he said some of his business associates had been approached by the Maoists, but not him. He said such activities will give a negative message in the international level.

CEO of NTB Tek Bahadur Dangi

CEO of NTB Tek Bahadur Dangi
(File Photo)
Meanwhile, talking to Nepalnews, Tek Bahadur Dangi, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board said that there is positive development in the tourism sector following the political development of Nepal.

Many countries have lifted their travel advisories on Nepal and the restoration of democracy in the country had spread a very good message in the international area, so we have to cash the opportunity, he said.

He informed that there is increase in the number of tourists arriving Nepal.

On the controversy in the NTB, Dangi said it was a unfortunate event and that such incidents should not repeat in the future, as it will have negative impact in the tourism sector of the country.

The Democratic Tourism Society (DTS) padlocked the NTB office for 19 days demanding resignation of CEO of NTB, Tek Bahadur Dangi, and overall restructuring in the organizational structure of the NTB.