Experts of the tourism sector have urged Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to present its budget for the recovery and revival of the country's tourism sector by coordinating with the federal, provincial and local levels of the government.
They made this suggestion during a virtual interaction programme organised by the tourism board on Thursday to gather recommendations regarding the budget for fiscal year 2021/22.
The speakers have asked NTB to unveil programmes that will make optimum utilisation of its limited resources. They stated the tourism sector should gradually be opened and made vibrant by ensuring vaccines against COVID-19 and maintaining necessary health safety protocols.
On the occasion, former tourism secretary Dipendra Purus Dhakal stated that the federal government should provide grants to NTB for tourism promotion during this current crisis.
Likewise, Dr Bishnu Prasad Gautam asked NTB to announce its budget only after coordinating with all three tiers of the government and also by reviewing its past experiences.
During the programme, experts suggested the tourism board work on recovery and revival plans for at least two to three years by bringing all stakeholders on board.
Dr Som Prasad Khatiwada, Dr Prem Sharma, Ram Chandra Sedhain, Chetnath Kandel and Surya Kiran Shrestha, among others, expressed their opinions during the virtual meeting.
Likewise, other experts stressed the need for human resources development and digital marketing of tourism products adding that though COVID-19 was a challenge for the industry it could also be looked upon as an opportunity.
Speaking at the event, NTB Vice-Chairman Chandra Prasad Rijal pledged to bring about policy reforms by incorporating the recommendations of the experts and stakeholders.
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