A nine-member NATTA delegation met newly appointed Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Suresh Man Shrestha on Wednesday, the 27th August at his office in Ministry of Culture,Tourism and Civil Aviation, Singhadurbar. The delegation led by President Mr. D.B. Limbu felicitated Secretary Mr. Shrestha with bouquet and khada. Speaking on behalf of NATTA Board and NATTA General Members President Mr. Limbu expressed congratulatory words and best wishes for remarkable success of Mr. Shrestha’s tenure of office. President Mr. Limbu also explained and presented a six-point letter of memorandum to Secretary Mr. Shrestha. The NATTA grievances stated in the letter of Memorandum include: the immediate amendment of the definition of “Tourist” in both the existing Tourism Act and Transport Act of the Government of Nepal thereby easing the services of tourist transports to both the domestic as well as foreign tourists, creating the provision of issuing permits on ad hoc basis to tour operators to run red-plated vehicles in service of the foreign tourists, erect a permanent Tourist Bus Terminal in Kathmandu, settle the issue of Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara, consolidate the national flag carrier and activate Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and continue the promotional programs and international marketing.
On the occasion, Secretary General, Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa explained to Tourism Secretary Mr. Shrestha about the proposal designed by NATTA for a share in the NQ Tax collected from the individual international foreign travellers to fund NTB and also presented a copy of the Proposal along with a demand letter requesting him to take prompt action on this grievance of NATTA. NATTA delegates present in the meeting were President Mr. D.B. Limbu, Secretary General Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa, Treasurer Mr. Narayan P. Gurung Koney, SecretaryMr. Ramesh Thapa, Executive members Mr. Chitra Bahadur Gurung and Mr. Binay Basnet beside past executive board officials Mr. Achyut Guragain, Mr. Bhim Panta. CEO Prof. Dr. Hari Sarmah read out the letter of Memorandum to Tourism Secretary.