Nepali travel entrepreneurs continue protest against NTB
Travelbiznews online ——
Kathmandu: Joint Tourism Coordination Committee (JTCC) has strongly demanded to sack Acting CEO Subhas Niiraula and probe on corruption and financial irregularities of Nepal Tourism Board.
JTCC has launched weeklong protest to pressurize the government to fulfill their demands for overall development of tourism industry in Nepal.
JTCC has called on all tourism entrepreneurs to boycott public function of Sushil Ghimire, secretary of Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation and organize sit-in protest in NTB premises continuosly.
The travel trade professionals have also requested the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to block bank accounts of NTB at different banks and financial institutions.
JTCC decided to close TIMS Counter at NTB if their demands are not addressed. The committee plans to intensify protest programs outside Kathmandu valley as well.
Earlier, a delegation of the Joint Tourism Coordination Council (JTCC) called on Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and apprised him of the corruption and financial irregularities at the Nepal Tourism Board.
JTCC has urged the government to appoint private sector representatives to the board of NTB at the recommendations of tourism-related associations and restructure the NTB immediately.
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) and Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), have already expressed their solidarity to the protest programs of the JTCC.
Different 19 organizations representing various sectors of travel trade are represented in the JTCC including Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal , Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Hotel Association Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, PATA Nepal Chapter, Nepal Association of Tour Operators, Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal, Expedition Operators’ Association, Village Tourism Promotion Forum, Thamel Tourism Development Council, Association for Tourism Service ,Pokhara Tourism Council, Association of Kailash Tour Operators, Nepal Tourist Bus Association, Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association and National Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal .
Meanwhile, a large number of tourism entrepreneurs participated at a rally organized by JTCC today (May 8) to draw attention of the government toward its demands.The rally passed through different streets of Thamel before culminating into a corner meeting at NTB premises.
Representatives of different travel trade associations urged the government to remove Subash Nirola from the post of Acting CEO to pave the way for appointment of new CEO, conduct independent audit of expenses made by NTB over the past five years, and ensure institutional representation in the board of NTB, among others. The protest will continue until the demands are fulfilled.
May 8, 2014
