Federal parliament ready for policy reform of tourism sector: Speaker Mahara

Kathmandu– Parliament Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has expressed his full support for bringing the required legal reforms for the development of the tourism sector. 

Addressing a programme organized on the occasion of the 52nd annual general meeting of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) here today, he said the tourism sector has made a significant contribution to the nation’s overall economic development. 

Speaker Mahara also lauded the role of NATTA through its active works towards promoting Nepal as a major tourist destination and encouraging tourists from across the world to visit Nepal. 

Nepali Congress leader Gyanendra Bahadur Karki stressed the need of making the tourism sector dignified and systematic. He stressed on the development of tourism infrastructures for attracting quality tourists in the country. 

Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Krishna Devkota urged the tourism entrepreneurs to promote religious tourism along with other sectors while stressing on the development of the overall tourism sector. 

Executive Director of Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, said joining hands with the private sector was necessary for the development of the tourism sector. He also appreciated the government for its initiatives for tourism promotion. 

NATTA president CN Pandey said Nepal’s tourism would be boosted if it can bring maximum number of tourists from its immediate neighbours China and India, the two most populous countries of the world, in addition to other countries. 

“Around 1.2 million tourists visited Nepal in 2018. This is an encouraging sign. The government should invest in the infrastructure development for drawing two million tourists in 2020. This would be possible only through the development of the airports and air transport,” he said. 

NATTA presents various awards 
NATTA has honoured various persons contributing to the promotion of tourism sector on the occasion of its 52nd annual general meeting. 

Tourism entrepreneur Ambika Shrestha has been honoured with the ‘NATTA Achievement Award’, Chair of Buddha Air Company Pvt Ltd, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, has been conferred with the ‘Sagarmatha Award’ and tourism entrepreneur Yogendra Shakya has been honoured with the ‘Bhaskar Award’. 

Likewise, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)’s reporter Achyut Regmi, Nepal Television journalist Pradip Chapagain, Republic Daily correspondent Arpana Ale, editor with the Tourism Online, Prashant Pradhan and editor of Dainik Nepal Online, Madhav Tiwari have been presented with the ‘Media Award’ on the occasion. They have been honoured with Rs 25,000 each. 
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