Nepalmountainnews Report | 29 Jul 2007
By Raman Grandon
The budget for Fiscal Year 2007/08 has put aside some important programs for tourism promotion, but there is little we can hope to achieve when we are passing through such an indecisive and transitional period.
The budget has launched 'Send a Friend Home' program- which no doubt is a very apt strategy- to be promoted with the help of Nepalis diplomats among others. But the diplomatic missions in more than 14 countries including India, China, Japan, UK and USA have remained vacant for the last 14 months. And this deadlock is likely to continue for another five or six months or until the next government is formed!
Mobilizing an estimated 1.6 million NRN, laborers and students abroad for the same could also be a challenging one. Issues like dual citizenship, attracting investment, coordinating and bringing the NRN community in one platform are some of the likely barriers ahead. Furthermore, it is hard to imagine how laborers can be a part of this promotional event when they are themselves misbehaved and mistreated like second-class citizens by the authorities at home.
In the mean time, the longer the power tussles for the post of Chief Executive Officer at Nepal Tourism Board, the more difficult will it be for the government to carry out its budget plans and policies. The resignation of one of the selection committee members last week has exposed the dirty game of politics played out within this public-private entity! Pressures especially from the leaders of Maoists, UML and Congress to appoint their respective candidates (and not on merit basis) will be a serious setback to NTB's capability thereby setting a wrong precedence for coming generation. And with the date for Constituent Assembly arriving near, it seems that the problem will not see any solution immediately. 
The talks about Second International Airport and Second Tourism Policy have been going on for the last 4-5 years but neither has seen the light of the day. It is doubtful whether the suggestions offered by tourism associations and other concerned stakeholders back then regarding tourism policy are still relevant today, given the changed political scenario and post-conflict period. Many a time commitment has been made to set up necessary infrastructures for an international airport and upgrading of Bhairahawa (Gautama Buddha) and Pokhara airports to regional hub but to no avail. The strategy of the government to attract investment possibly under BOOT policy might not work again.
Maybe it is high time we made drastic changes in our FDI polices and scale it to competitive standards at par with our neighboring countries. But how far it is beneficial economically, socially and geographically to have an airport in Nijgad, Bara, so close to Kathmandu and isolated and confined from tourism point of view has hardly been given for public discussion.
Moreover, will Nepal be able to attract international flights and increase number of tourists is at the heart of all concerns. This May Austrian Airlines, the last airline connecting Nepal directly to Europe, showed signs of pulling out from Nepal sector citing 'high price of aviation fuel, landing costs and other charges'. Attention should be given to retain such airline carriers as Austrian Air, Korean Air, GMG and CSWA in the days ahead by liberalizing and facilitating aviation policies.
Another year for Nepal Airlines Corporation might also pass by without any decision being taken. There have been 7 reports submitted regarding the restructuring of NAC but there is still no sign of its management taking a firm step. It is known that the management board is not only divided between choosing Boeing or Airbus but they also refrain from taking any decision for fear of past conspiracies!!
It is a good thing that every year the budget makes it a point to raise the issue of Lumbini but that is it. Pathetic as it is in carrying out Lumbini Master Plan, Nepal is always looking for international donors to sluice money generously. Instead why do not we focus on creating a self sustainable fund by promoting and attracting tourists to Lumbini. Let the idea for full completion of Lumbini Master Plan at any cost not take our precious years and capability.
But how to attract tourists when you still have bandhs, highway blockades and reign of violence especially across terai section. Because of this, tour wholesalers are far from giving any positive response and tourists are still not confident in visiting Nepal. Although banning bandhs and strikes in highways is an appropriate measure for now, it would be ideal if the citizens can individually raise their level of consciousness and responsibility.
There is something that the government should learn from its past budget commitments. For example, although the concept of TRC (Trekking Registration Certificate) could be the best approach in controlling illegal trekking activities, the government had to withdraw the decision within three months of its implementation. In fact the matter still remains in limbo. Similarly, last year's policy to waive royalty fees and offer 10 % discount on landing fees has not even generated lukewarm response from tourist charter and international airlines. Besides, there is no evaluation or follow up on last year's progress whatsoever.
Now that the budget for 2007/08 has already been announced the government must take few important steps to see its effective implementation. First, the tourism ministry must form Working Groups around each designated program by involving concerned stakeholders and tourism associations. The Work Group will make plans and programs on how to implement and will also closely evaluate and ensure follow-ups. Take for instance 'Send a Friend Home' concept which can be best propagated by involving NRNs directly. And what better occasion could there be than the 3rd NRN conference going to be held in Kathmandu within the coming months?
Lastly, the tourism industry which generates around US $170 million (NPR 1200 crore) every year has been allocated only NPR 6.31 crore, a mere 0.6 % of the budget share. This is simply not fair!
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