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Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadga Raj Paudel (Ganesh) has said that decades-old laws and regulations related to the tourism sector will be amended to further develop Nepal as a tourist-friendly destination.
Speaking as chief guest at the "Hospitality Dialogue" program organized by Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) at Hotel Himalaya on Monday, Minister Paudel made clear that the government has placed high priority on policy reform for the long-term development of the tourism sector.
Minister Paudel said the government would make tourists' stays and destination experiences more attractive through the upgrading of international airports, expansion of air services, and development of road networks linked to Himalayan scenic viewpoints. Noting the government's commitment to good governance, economic prosperity and private-sector-friendly policy, he urged both domestic and foreign investors to invest in the tourism sector without hesitation. He added that sustainable development of the tourism industry is only possible through collaboration between the government and the private sector, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to continuously valuing private sector input and participation from policymaking through implementation.
At the program, HAN Acting President Praveen Bahadur Panday said the hotel industry is not merely a business sector but an important pillar of the national economy. He noted the hotel industry's significant contribution to job creation, foreign currency earnings, protection of private investment, and the overall promotion of the hotel and tourism business. Acting President Panday said Nepal's tourism industry currently stands at a critical juncture of opportunity and challenge, with international competition intensifying and tourist preferences, service technology and investment patterns changing rapidly. He emphasized that, in such circumstances, Nepal must prioritize policy stability, an investment-friendly environment, quality infrastructure, effective air access, modern tourism management, and a business-friendly legal framework.
Similarly, Director General of the Department of Tourism, Ramkrishna Lamichhane, said the department is working to make tourism administration more business-friendly, and expressed commitment to making administrative processes related to the hotel industry simpler, more streamlined and more effective. He said collaboration with the private sector in tourism development would be further strengthened.
HAN General Secretary Sajan Shakya expressed confidence that the current government would extend the necessary support for the development of the tourism and hotel industry, and voiced hope for stronger collaboration between the private sector and the government. He said that policy reform, investment promotion, and the creation of a business-friendly environment are essential to resolving the challenges facing the hotel industry.
The dialogue program was attended by operators, chief executive officers and managers of four- and five-star hotels from across the country, along with provincial presidents of Hotel Association Nepal. Participating entrepreneurs presented the policy, legal and practical difficulties they face in operating hotels, and offered suggestions on enhancing the tourism industry's competitiveness, protecting investment, easing customs procedures for wedding-destination travelers, reforming the luxury tax and fee system, expanding air access, developing skilled workforce, improving infrastructure, international promotion, and effective collaboration with the private sector.
The program featured open and constructive discussion between the government and private sector on various policy reforms related to the hotel industry, tourism promotion, building an investment-friendly environment, and addressing shared industry challenges. Participants expressed confidence that such regular dialogues would make the tourism sector's policymaking process more effective and contribute significantly to the industry's sustainable development and international competitiveness.
Hotel Association Nepal stated that, through continuous dialogue, collaboration and partnership between the government and the private sector, it remains committed to strengthening Nepal's tourism and hospitality industry and making it more competitive and sustainable.
