Different umbrella organizations related to tourism have demanded vaccines against coronavirus to entrepreneurs, employees and staff deputed in the frontline at tourism destinations within 30 days.
Issuing a joint press release on 10th August, the tourism-related organizations urged the government to open all tourism sectors by taking initiative for creating a trustworthy environment in the international tourism sector by providing vaccines against COVID-19 to all citizens at the earliest for the revival of tourism business hit hard due to COVID-19.
They also demanded immediate implementation of policy and programs related to tourism announced in the budget of the current fiscal year 2020/21 and making arrangements for tourists visiting Nepal and inoculated with a full dose of vaccine against coronavirus so that they need not stay in quarantine as well as arrangement of PCR test at the airport and other entry points.
Similarly, implementation of free visa immediately to implement ‘visa on arrival system in an easy manner through online visa service system to encourage tourists to visit Nepal only through hotel/agents has also been demanded.
The joint press statement also asked the government to make arrangements of nation-wide training and monitoring mechanism to make health safety protocol implementation effective, to ensure representation of chairperson of main umbrella organization related to tourism in the CCMC and to make arrangement of a separate number of embossed number plate for tourism-related vehicles.
Different organizations–Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Society of Travel and Tour Operators Nepal (SOTTO), PATA Chapter Nepal (PATA), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Tourist Bus Association of Nepal (TBAN), Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal (HRA), Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA) and Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOAN) had issued the joint press release.