Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman Highlights Major Achievements

3rd April 2026, Kathmandu

The Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Deshbandhu Basnet (Ajit), has reflected on his successful tenure, emphasizing the crucial role of the private sector in advancing the tourism industry of Nepal.

Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman

As his three-year term as an executive committee member comes to an end in April 2026, Basnet highlighted both the significant achievements made and the strategic work that still lies ahead for the nation.

According to the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman, the private sector has played the most vital role in the development and growth of the tourism industry so far. Basnet noted that continuous collaboration between private stakeholders and government bodies has helped address key challenges and create new opportunities for economic expansion. He was originally appointed as the chairman of the Tourism and Air Transport Committee in Jestha 2080 by FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal, marking the start of a proactive and reform-driven leadership period.

Policy Advocacy and Government Coordination

During his leadership, the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman actively engaged with the highest levels of governance to ensure the industry’s voice was heard. His team maintained consistent dialogue with:

• The Prime Minister’s Office
• The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
• The Ministry of Finance
• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)

Through these frequent meetings, Basnet and his team worked to identify systemic issues in tourism and aviation, proposing practical solutions that align with global standards. These efforts resulted in several positive developments, showcasing the power of policy advocacy and stakeholder collaboration in a developing economy.

Key Achievements During the Tenure

The tenure of the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman has been marked by several notable accomplishments that have fundamentally changed the business landscape for hospitality providers:

1. Tourism Act Amendment

Basnet consistently pushed for modernizing the tourism laws of Nepal. This advocacy contributed to policy changes that better support the growth of the hospitality sector and simplify the licensing process for new ventures.

2. Hotel Industry Recognition

Perhaps the most major achievement was the government’s decision to grant industry-level recognition to hotels. This allows hotel businesses to receive similar tax benefits, utility rates, and incentives as large-scale industrial enterprises, significantly improving their bottom line.

3. VAT Review on Air Tickets

The chairman also raised critical concerns regarding the VAT imposed on airline tickets. By advocating for policy revisions, he aimed to make air travel more affordable for domestic passengers and more competitive for international tourists.

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Persistent Challenges in the Aviation Sector

Despite these achievements, the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman acknowledged that significant hurdles remain, particularly regarding the aviation infrastructure of the country.

Underutilization of New International Airports
Basnet pointed out a critical issue: the new international gateways are still not operating at their full potential.

Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa)

Pokhara International Airport

Although the government introduced various incentive schemes to attract international airlines to these hubs, the efforts have not yet yielded sustained results. He expressed hope that future leadership will intensify diplomatic initiatives to ensure these multi-billion rupee projects are fully utilized for international flights.

Vision for Future Tourism Development

Looking ahead to 2083 and beyond, the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman outlined several urgent priorities to unlock the full potential of Nepal:

Direct Air Connectivity with Europe: Basnet stressed that establishing direct flights between Kathmandu and major European cities is essential to boost high-spending tourist arrivals.

Removal from EU Aviation Blacklist: He emphasized that the Civil Aviation Authority and the government must work in sync to address safety concerns and remove Nepal from the European Union’s aviation safety list.

Global Branding Strategy: Promoting Nepal in the international market through the Nepal Tourism Board remains a key focus. Basnet believes the private sector must be more deeply involved in these branding initiatives to ensure they are market-driven.

Acknowledgment of Team Contribution

The Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman expressed his deep gratitude to FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal for the trust placed in him. He also credited the success of the committee to the collective efforts of Vice-Chairs Achyut Sharma Guragain and Nilhari Bhandari, as well as the dedicated advisors who provided technical expertise throughout the term.

Commitment to Continued Progress

Even as his formal term concludes, Basnet remains fully committed to contributing to the economic and tourism development of Nepal. He expressed confidence that the momentum built over the last three years will continue with the support of the broader business community.

The journey of the Nepal Tourism Committee Chairman serves as a strong example of how strategic leadership and consistent dialogue can bring about impactful structural changes. While notable milestones have been reached, the path forward requires sustained effort and stronger global connections to ensure that Nepal becomes a premier global destination. With improved policies and a recognized hotel industry, the tourism sector is now poised for a very promising future.

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