TAAN presents 24-point memorandum to Nepal PM

Kathmandu : Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) handed over a 24-point memorandum to Prime Minister K.P.Oli , drawing attention toward different problems that Nepali tourism industry, particularly the adventure tourism sector, is facing.

Among others, TAAN requested PM Oli to make necessary direction for effective implementation of new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and TAAN for effective implementation of Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).

Similarly, it also urged the government to gradually open restricted areas for foreign trekkers so that locals there can get due benefits from tourism. It also requested PM Oli to take necessary initiative for lowering permit fee to Upper Dolpa and Upper Mustang to US$ 100 per person per 10 days.

The delegation also urged the Prime Minister to do the needful for issuing restricted area permits from the tourism ministry itself instead of Department of Immigration.

Drawing the attention of PM Oli toward difficulties in welcoming and seeing off guests in the absence of TIA Golden Gate entry pass, the delegation urged to introduce identification cards for tourism entrepreneurs and facilitate movement of such card holders in different tourist areas, including airports.

The delegation also requested PM Oli to take needful policy decisions to eradicate syndicate system in transportation sector and facilitate smooth movement of tourists across the country. Stating that imposition of VAT was making Nepali tourism products and services expensive compared to competing markets, the delegation suggested that the government impose a maximum of 3 percent VAT on transactions of tourism entrepreneurs.

TAAN also sought package program, including concessional loans, to revitalize tourism sector that was hit hard by the April earthquake and Indian blockade. The delegation also urged the government to deploy a team of liaison officers in one mountaineering instead of sending one liaison officer with every group. It also urged the government to deploy liaison officers only for peaks above 7,000 meters. The delegation also requested the government to reduce royalty fee of mountain peaks in Nepal after studying royalty fee in other competing markets like India and Tibet.

Among others, the delegation also urged  to take necessary initiative for barring foreign investment in trekking sector. TAAN also urged PM Oli to designate Kora La along Nepal-Tibet border as the entry point for tourists and pilgrims heading to Kailash-Mansarovar area of Tibet.

Kailash pilgrimage from Nepal has been affected following closure of Tatopani entry point after the April earthquake. It also urged the government to waive off permit fee for all mountain peaks in mid and far western region till 2020. Similarly, it also requested the government to waive off all taxes and VAT for tourism enterprises based in these reasons for five years.

The delegation also urged  to provide all tourism-related service under one-door system. At present, tourism entrepreneurs have to visit different ministries for different services.

Stating that the existing provision of garbage deposit was not practical, the delegation suggested introducing non-refundable ‘Environment Conservation Fee’ instead. Similarly, the delegation requested PM to make necessary directions for easing filming in Nepal Himalayas to encourage documentary makers which will in turn help in tourism promotion. It also requested PM Oli to take necessary policy decisions for 100 percent waiver of customs duty on import of trekking equipment like satellite phone and radio sets, among others.

Other demands include inclusion of tourism education in school and college curriculum, revisiting the new provision of furnishing bank guarantee for trekking entrepreneurs, 50 percent customs duty waiver on import of vehicles for tourism enterprises, among others.

Responding to the delegation, PM Oli said he would make needful directions after studying the demands.

A delegation of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) led by President Chandra Prasad Rijal paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sharma Oli at the latter’s residence in Baluwatar on Dec.24 .

Office-bearers and executive committee members greeted PM Oli with bouquets, khadas and token of love. On the occasion, President Rijal briefed PM Oli of the activities being carried out by TAAN and its role in the development of adventure tourism in the country.

Along with President  Rijal  , Senior Vice President Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, 1st Vice President Tej Bahadur Gurung, 2nd Vice President Ram Prasad Sapkota, General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama, Secretary Mukti Pandey and Treasurer Lila Baldav Dahal were in the delegation. Similarly, Executive Members Sarita Lama, Devi Pandey, Wangchu Sherpa, Basudev Lamsal, Dambar Bahadur Adhikari, Taranath Lamichhane, Pemba Sherpa, Surya Bahadur Ghimire, Dawa Lama Tamang and Shital Chandra Dharel were also present in the delegation. Source : TAAN  Dec 2015