Saroj Ojha 

Kathmandu- TAAN handed over a memorandum to Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister of Bagmati province Sharesh Nepal on thursday. On behalf of TAAN , First Vice President Cholendra Bahadur Karki, General Secretary Sarita Lama and Secretary Damodar Dhakal met the Minister in Hetauda and handed over the memorandum. In the memorandum addressed to the Minister Nepal, TAAN has put forward some demands by presenting Its views, opinions and suggestions in the title of Background and current request. 

In the memorandum submitted by Taan it is stated that covid 19 has had a greater impact on tourism and travel behavior than any disease outbreak in living memory. 

In the background title Taan has mentioned ‘Considering the intensity of coronavirus and its impact on health, The Nepal Government had to cancel the ambitious campaign “Visit Nepal Year 2020” which aimed in bringing 2 million tourists in Nepal. According to Nepal Tourism Statistics (2019), there are altogether 2649 registered trekking agencies and other subsectors which are facing extreme difficulty in sustain their businesses a long time’. Also  It states’According to Nepal Tourism Statistics (2019), there are altogether 2649 registered trekking agencies and other subsectors which are facing extreme difficulty in sustain their businesses a long time. 1254 registered hotels (star and tourist standard categories); 29 international airlines flying to Nepal and 20 domestic airlines in Nepal'. 

In the  current request  title  TAAN requests the Provincial Government to mention in its budget about providing provision in the form of a soft loan at subsidized interest rate for the sustainability of the business of NRs. 2.5 million for a minimum of 2 year without collateral or loan on the basis of registration and tax clearance for salaries, rent, and other debts. TAAN even claims that this will not only helps to sustain the business and mitigate the immediate impact of the crisis but it can for used in employee’s welfare and can secure employees financial future. Likewise TAAN has requested to address the problem of trekking guide, potters.  TAAN request the Provincial Government to mention in its budget about providing provision of soft loan at subsidized interest rate of NRs. 3 Lakh loans for a minimum 2 year without collateral or loan on the basis of registration and tax clearance for salaries, rent, and other debts on recommendation of TAAN.

In  the memorendum presented by TAAN It further states ’In  these regards, TAAN would like to humbly request the Honorable Minister, Secretary, and other staffs of Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, Bagamati Province, Hetauda, Makwanpur to consider our request to save and protect our Trekking industry and the people associated with its by providing with such a package as mentioned above.’

TAAN official  too  had met chief Minister Mr. Dormani Poudel & Economy affairs and Planning Minister  Mr. Kailash Dhungel  on the same day.  

According to TAAN’s General secretary Sarita Lama during the visit they  institutionally have  requested to take all necessary steps to ensure their difficulties addressing through  upcoming  budgets & programs. 

Memorendum submitted by TAAN-

To,

Mr.Saresh Nepal.

The Minister

Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment

Bagamati Province,

Hetauda, Makwanpur

                                 Kind Attention: Honourable Minister Mr. Saresh Nepal

Dear Sir,

  Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is writing this formal letter to inform you about the developing problem faced by the Adventure Mountain Trekking, Travel and tourism sector by COVID-19  in an attempt to gain your support to the provide financial facilities for Trekking entrepreneurs and people dependent in this sector.

Background

COVID-19, the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a greater impact on tourism and travel behavior than any disease outbreak in living memory.

Considering the intensity of coronavirus and its impact on health, The Nepal Government had to cancel the ambitious campaign “Visit Nepal Year 2020” which aimed in bringing 2 million tourists in Nepal. According to Nepal Tourism Statistics (2019), there are altogether 2649 registered trekking agencies and other subsectors which are facing extreme difficulty in sustain their businesses a long time. 1254 registered hotels (star and tourist standard categories); 29 international airlines flying to Nepal and 20 domestic airlines in Nepal.

It is estimated that the lockdown is causing  the loss of 10 billion Nepali Rupees (83 million U.S. dollar) each month in the hospitality sector such as hotels, travels and aviation as studied by the task force of NTB.

The identified 2649 registered trekking agencies which generated NRs. 46,92,26,347.7 (MoCTCA, 2019; in Ulak, 2020) which are being severely affected.

Current Request

To registered Trekking Business

Trekking agencies of Nepal are having significant financial pressure as result of this pandemic; however, there has not been any support from the government. Thereby, TAAN request to the Provincial Government to consider this situation in its budget.

Providing provision in the form of a soft loan at subsidized interest rate for the sustainability of the business of NRs. 2.5 million for a minimum of 2 year without collateral or loan on the basis of registration and tax clearance for salaries, rent, and other debts. This will not only helps to sustain the business and mitigate the immediate impact of the crisis but it can for used in employee’s welfare and can secure employees financial future.

To Trekking guide, potters

TAAN request the Provincial Government to mention in its budget about providing provision of soft loan at subsidized interest rate of NRs. 3 Lakh loans for a minimum 2 year without collateral or loan on the basis of registration and tax clearance for salaries, rent, and other debts on recommendation of TAAN.

Conclusion

Every subsectors of tourism industry in Nepal has been affected adversely by the pandemic which has multiplier effects on the economic and social systems; however, support/relief packages in terms of (soft loan, collateral-free loan based on registration and tax clearance, tax subsidies) from the government can provide security to the sector that’s suffering from the COVID-19.

In these regards, TAAN would like to humbly request the Honorable Minister, Secretary, and other staffs of Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, Bagamati Province, Hetauda, Makwanpur to consider our request to save and protect our Trekking industry and the people associated with its by providing with such a package as mentioned above.

 I would like to personally and institutionally request that you will take all necessary steps to ensure our difficulties are address.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Sarita lama

General secretary -TAAN