KATHMANDU: The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has accused Dhananjay Regmi, the chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), for defaming Nepal’s tourism sector during a debate program broadcast by the BBC.
In the program aired on BBC Nepali Service on Sunday, Regmi was quoted as saying that the sector was ‘carrying a bag in its pocket, not creating jobs by running a single-family company, not paying taxes and making very small contributions to the state’.
Issuing a letter on Sunday, TAAN expressed disappointment with Regmi’s statement.“Being the CEO of NTB we did not expected him to present such views. Yes, those working illegally in the sector are creating difficulties for the legally operating businesses. However, his words have hurt the legal operators,” said Nava Raj Dahal, president of TAAN.
Dahal further explained that while the coronavirus pandemic has hit the tourism sector the most, all entrepreneurs, workers, laborers and traders related to tourism are in a state of limbo.
“Though entrepreneurs have been left jobless now, the sector needs them in the future. They have to be helped to survive the present crisis by providing some relief measures for them to be able to sustain their businesses till things get normal,” he added.
“In such a situation, the CEO has to be a role model and source of hope and inspiration for all tourism entrepreneurs,” said Dahal. He said that the way Regmi presented the sector is lamentable.
TAAN has also sought Regmi’s public apology for his statement in the program. It mentioned, “We will be compelled to resort to other harsh alternatives if Regmi does not listen to our request.”
Dahal stated that though Regmi might not have intended to undermine the tourism business, his presentation in today’s situation has disseminated the wrong message and humiliated the sector. He stressed that Regmi must apologize for his words and be answerable to the entrepreneurs.
TAAN has said that if Regmi did mention those views unintentionally then he should correct them taking into account his designation and responsibilities. “There is no harm in trying to correct the mistakes that one has made,” said Dahal.
Meanwhile, Fiscal Nepal could not reach Regmi for comments as his mobile phone was switched off.