TAAN organizes introduction meet with tourism stakeholders

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized an introduction meeting with different government agencies and other tourism stakeholders on November 6.The meeting was organized to introduce the new executive committee of TAAN with stakeholders of Nepali tourism industry. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal Trust for Nature Conservation, and Tourist Police were present at the program.Speaking at the program, Govinda Bahadur Karki, director general of Department of Tourism, said there is a need to explore and promote new areas across the country. "Similarly, there is a need to update existing trails to make trekking safe. We are looking to work with TAAN in this direction," he added. Stating that Nepali tourism industry is passing through difficult times, he said the government and the private sector should work in tandem for early recovery of tourism industry.

Similarly, TAAN Treasurer Lila Baldab Dahal said TAAN cannot ensure safety of trekking workers if Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) is not implemented as it covers their ricks. "I would like to draw the attention of the tourism ministry and NTB in this direction," he added.Likewise, TAAN President Chandra Prasad Dahal said all stakeholders should work for development and promotion of tourism industry. He also pledged to address all genuine demand of trekking workers. "Trekking is our common agenda. We should work to make trekking safe," he told tourism workers. He also drew the attention of government toward other burning issues of Nepali tourism industry.Office-bearers of travel trade associations like Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal Travel and Tour Agents Association (NATTA), Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Society of Travel and Tour Operators Nepal, Tourist Guides Association of Nepal, Trekking Guides Association of Nepal, Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal, Nepal Canyoning Association, Journalists Association for Tourism-Nepal, Kathmandu Environment Education Program, and Thamel Tourism Development Committee, among others, also participated in the program.On the occasion, representatives of different organizations congratulated the new executive committee and wished for its successful tenure. They also pledged all possible support and cooperation to the new executive committee.