New Tourism Minister aims for policy reform to boost tourism sector

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has pledged to revitalise Nepal's tourism sector through timely policy initiatives. 

Programmes will be launched to attract more tourists by exploring tourism potentials through new policy, he vowed, while assuming the office in Singha Durbar on Monday.

Minister Pandey expressed his belief that the country would see tourism development as national politics has made headway to stability. Similarly, the tourism dented by the Covid 19 pandemic, is gradually coming out of crisis. Formulation and enforcement of effective strategies to achieve targets on tourism is equally imperative, according to him.

He also expected cooperation from the employees saying that they are the permanent government.

Similarly, the Minister viewed culture as the essence of the country, so it needs proper attention and protection. 

The Minister signed a decision on the formation of a taskforce on study and suggestion to make Tourism Policy, 2065 contextual. The taskforce is coordinated by Joint Secretary Hemraj Tamang at the ministry.

Effective operation of international airports and national flag carrier would help boost tourism, Minister Pandey reminded. 

Minister Pandey is the 41st Tourism Minister of the country. The ministry was first instituted in 2034 BS having Harka Gurung as Minister of State for Tourism.

Pandey, the 41st Tourism Minister, hails from Bajura district. He was elected as a Nepali Congress lawmaker from constituency No. 1 of Bajura in the 2079 BS general election. His political journey began in 2043 BS, and he holds an MA in Political Science from Tribhuvan University.

Minister Pandey's vision underscores the critical role of tourism in Nepal's growth, and his commitment to policy reform aims to propel the country toward prosperity.

By RSS