‘Tourism laws to be amended to create tourism-friendly environment and boost visitor arrivals’

KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadka Raj Paudel (Ganesh) has said the government will amend decades-old laws governing the tourism sector and create a more tourism-friendly environment to significantly increase tourist arrivals to Nepal.

Addressing the ‘Hospitality Dialogue’ organised by the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) at Hotel Himalaya on Monday as the chief guest, Minister Paudel said policy reforms have been placed at the top of the government’s agenda for the long-term development of the tourism industry.

He said the government plans to upgrade international airports, expand air connectivity and improve road networks linking major tourism destinations with Himalayan landscapes. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at making tourists’ stays longer and their destination experiences more attractive.

Paudel said the government is committed to good governance, economic prosperity and private-sector-friendly policies, urging both domestic and foreign investors to invest in Nepal’s tourism sector with confidence.

He stressed that sustainable development of the tourism industry is possible only through strong collaboration between the government and private sector. The government, he said, will continue to prioritise private-sector suggestions and participation from policymaking through implementation.

Hotel Industry Seeks Policy Stability and Investment-Friendly Environment

Acting President of Hotel Association Nepal, Prabin Bahadur Pandey, said the hotel industry is not merely a commercial sector but an important pillar of the national economy.

He said the hotel industry has been making significant contributions to employment generation, foreign currency earnings, protection of private investment and the overall promotion of Nepal’s hotel and tourism businesses.

Pandey said Nepal’s tourism industry is currently at a critical juncture marked by both opportunities and challenges. International competition is intensifying, while tourist preferences, service technologies and investment patterns are changing rapidly, he said.

In this context, Nepal should prioritise policy stability, an investment-friendly environment, quality infrastructure, effective air connectivity, modern tourism management and a business-friendly legal framework, Pandey said.

He also stressed the need for reforms that can strengthen Nepal’s competitiveness in the international tourism market.

Tourism Administration to Become More Business-Friendly

Director General of the Department of Tourism, Ram Krishna Lamichhane, said the department is working to make tourism administration more business-friendly.

He expressed commitment to making administrative procedures related to the hotel industry simpler, faster and more effective.

Lamichhane also said cooperation with the private sector would be further strengthened to accelerate the development of Nepal’s tourism industry.

Similarly, HAN General Secretary Sajan Shakya expressed confidence that the government would provide necessary support for the development of the tourism and hotel industries.

He said stronger collaboration between the government and private sector would be essential to address the challenges facing the hotel industry. Policy reforms, investment incentives and the creation of a business-friendly environment are necessary to support the industry’s growth, he said.

Hotel Entrepreneurs Raise Policy and Infrastructure Concerns

The dialogue was attended by owners, chief executive officers and managers of four- and five-star hotels from across the country, as well as provincial presidents of the Hotel Association Nepal.

Participating hotel entrepreneurs raised various policy, legal and practical challenges they face while operating their businesses. They also put forward recommendations on improving the competitiveness of Nepal’s tourism industry and protecting private investment.

Among the key issues raised were easing customs procedures for wedding destinations, reforming luxury taxes and fee structures, expanding air connectivity, developing skilled human resources, improving tourism infrastructure and strengthening international tourism promotion.

Participants also called for more effective collaboration between the government and private sector to address challenges affecting the tourism and hospitality industries.

The discussions also focused on policy reforms, tourism promotion, creating an investment-friendly environment and finding solutions to common challenges facing the industry.

Participants expressed the view that regular dialogue between the government and private sector would make tourism policymaking more effective while contributing to the sustainable development and international competitiveness of Nepal’s tourism industry.

The Hotel Association Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nepal’s tourism and hospitality industries through continuous dialogue, cooperation and partnership between the government and private sector, with the goal of making the sector more competitive, resilient and sustainable.