EDITOR'S NOTE
The debacle faced by the tourism industry of
Nepal has hit many tourism entrepreneur's and other infra-structures related with it very
hard. It was further aggravated by the unstable law and order situation, the
mis-management of the nation's flag carrier by the various governments and the national
disaster in royal massacre at the royal palace. The understanding established between the
Maoists and the government to end the uprising, the RNAC affair being straightened and the
national grief giving way to normalcy have somewhat cleared the dark clouds and the
tourism industry seems to be limping back to its track. The greatest set- back Nepal's
tourism industry has undergone in the last two years must be able to make us wiser not to
put all the eggs in one basket. These last two years must have taught all the Nepalis many
more important lessons how to safeguard our tourism industry which is one of the pillars
of our nation's economy.
The lukewarm reaction of the government to
the pernicious publicity by the media of the friendly neighbor had totally failed to
arrest the alarming drop in the tourist inflow which at one stage had reached almost 76%.
Had it not been for the untiring efforts of the private sector, the scenario would have
been much worse. For sometime past Nepal Tourism Board has been making Herculean endeavors
to entice the tourists to include Nepal in their intenerary. It is reliably learnt the
resources crunch has very badly hampered the Board's programs in foreign countries. If the
government is serious about bringing the tourism industry to its former track, they have
to sanction sufficient funds to the Board. The more you sow, the more you reap. We trust
the government will not fail to take note of our humble advice. And there are a few other
things the government has to implement if they want that tourism should contribute not
only to strengthen existing infrastructures but expand them and thus generate more job
opportunities and encourage new tourism oriented industries to be established. Nepal has a
few very attractive religious places apart from Pashupatinath. The Baaraha Kshetra, the
Mukti Kshetra and the Ram Janaki temple at Janakipur are popular pilgrimages with the huge
Indian religious minded populace. Nepal has so far not been able to exploit them. If
necessary attention is paid to make their visits interesting and comfortable, lakhs of
Indian tourists are sure to throng these religious sites. And again, the government has to
activate its foreign missions to make necessary publicity about Nepali tourism by
providing them necessary funds and programs. The third important thing the government has
to do urgently is to totally stop official interference in the workings of the national
flag carrier -- The Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation. But, so far all good advices have
fallen on deaf ears as the corrupt politicians have turned the RNAC into a milch cow. No
prime minister has taken any steps whatsoever to check corruption in the RNAC.
Unfortunately prime ministers themselves have been the biggest culprits. What about Sher
Bahadur Deuba in his second stint? As a matter of fact, the government should give serious
consideration to privatize the Royal Nepalese Airlines Corporation. And the last but the
most important thing the government has to do without a moment's delay is to take this
matter up with the government of the friendly neighbor in the South. His Majesty's
Government must be able to impress upon its counterpart in New Delhi that anti-Nepal
publicity by the Indian media is not only very badly hurting Nepal's overall economy but
providing very fertile ground to generate anti-India feelings in the minds of the Nepalese
people. If India is really sincere in her protestations about her friendship towards her
smaller neighbor, she has to prove it by her actions. Symptoms on the horizon have started
becoming favorable. Now, it is upto His Majesty's Government to act and act precipitously
for Nepal's tourism industry to blossom.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
| Senior Reporter |
: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
| Photographer |
: Nishchal Chapagain |
| Editorial Office |
: GPO Box 7256,Baluwatar,Kathmandu, Nepal. |
| Telephone |
: 977 1 423 127 |
| Fax |
: 977 1 417 845 |
| email |
: spotligh@mos.com.np |
|
