Interaction of tourism development and promotion in Pokhara

Interaction of tourism development and promotion in Pokhara

Press ReleaseDecember 23, 2008An interaction programme was organised at Nepal Tourism Board Office in Pokhara on December 22 & 23, 2008 to discuss various issues related with on development and promotion of tourism and civil aviation in Pokhara and its surrounding. Organised by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the programme was attended prominent tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara and its surrounding areas, tourism and civil aviation experts, high government officials and other stakeholders.Addressing the programme, Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami said she was here to do feasible study of regional airport in Pokhara which would connect Pokhara with other Indian cities. "As a commitment of government for the development of tourism, the government has already allocated Rs. 280 million for the tourism infrastructure. Homework has already been started to address the issues raised in this interaction," she said. She further elaborated about Nepal Visit Year 2011 and asked all stakeholders to join hand together to make it successful. She also informed about the New Tourism Policy which being in the final stage.Responding the various issues raised during the interaction, tourism experts, government officials suggested following way out to mitigate the problems and suggestion for successful planning and implementation of Nepal Tourism Year 2011:1. To make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 successful, it has been requested to Pokhara Tourism Council to take lead in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board Office Pokhara and various stakeholders to form different sub committee for tourism product development, tourism publicity and marketing, human resource and others. Within three years, Pokhara will be developed and promoted as adventure, holiday, pilgrimage and aviation sports hub.2. To run shuttle bus during the bandh or chakkajam in Pokhra, Nepal Tourism Board is agreed to run the bus in coordination with Tourism Police on basis of 50% cost share with concerned party.3. Request has been made to local community to take initiative to declare Pokhara 'Bandha Free Zone'. 4. In regard to allow Nepalese tourists to travel in tourist plated vehicles (green plate), Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation will coordinate with other lining ministry to make necessary change in the Transport Act.5. Request has been made to REBAN Pokhara Chapter to make promotional announcement about Nepal Tourism Year 2011 at the mid-night of December 31, 2008 during Pokhara Street Festival.6. Adhering the principle of decentralisation, Nepal Tourism Board Pokhara Office has upgraded as Regional Office for the tourism development and promotion of Pokhara and its surrounding areas.7. Pokhara will be considered as domestic air hub linking with other small airports in Western and Far Western Region.8. Nepal Tourism Board will support events and festivals as promoter.9. Initiative will be taken for the improvement of trekking trails and finding out alternative trekking trails in coordination with local stakeholder.10. For conservation and promotion of lake as a tourist attraction, Lake Conservation Board has already been institutionalised.11. Initiation will be taken to build new airport in new place as an International Regional Airport in partnership with private sector under the Build Operate Own Transfer (BOOT) model.