Tourism associations agree to form umbrella body 'Nepal Tourism Federation'

Tourism businesses have agreed to move ahead with a proposal to form the 'Nepal Tourism Federation', which would bring the sector's major associations under one umbrella.

At a chairpersons' meeting held in Paknajol, Kathmandu, on Sunday, representatives of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), with TAAN Chairman Sagar Pandey, took part along with Hotel Association Nepal, the Nepal Mountaineering Association, the Expedition Operators' Association, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies, the Airlines Operators' Association of Nepal, the Nepal Tourist Transport Entrepreneurs' Association and the PATA Nepal Chapter.

The meeting discussed tourism development, institutional reform, challenges faced by the sector and a common agenda for the private sector.

Under the concept of 'One team, one vision, one voice', the meeting stressed the need to identify common problems and engage institutionally with the government and concerned agencies. It also concluded that joint efforts are needed to solve these problems.

The proposed federation aims to make the tourism sector more organised, professional and results-oriented.