Kathmandu, September 8
Experts and stakeholders fear the country’s tourism industry, hardly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, might take as long as five years to return to its normal position.
They say the pandemic’s impact on the industry could not be assessed now as it is not yet certain how long the pandemic will go.
Participating in a discussion organised by the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal on Monday, Nepal Tourism Board’s former chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said the government and the private sector should promote initiatives taken to attract tourists to the source market. When the industry returns to its normality, it could need additional forms of services targeting particular interests of the tourists, according to him.
Likewise, hotelier Yogendra Shakya, who coordinated the country’s Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign, said, “I do not see the sector could improve before 2024/25.” Stating entrepreneurs are ready to welcome the guests, the demanded the state make an environment for that.
