Newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has committed to updating Nepal’s tourism policy to drive development in the sector. On Monday, upon assuming office at Singha Durbar, Minister Pandey announced his intentions to attract more tourists by exploring the nation’s tourism potentials through a revised policy framework. He has formed a taskforce, coordinated by Joint Secretary Hemraj Tamang, to review and suggest updates to the Tourism Policy, 2065. This taskforce is expected to ensure that the tourism policies are timely and effective, addressing the needs of the current tourism landscape.

Minister Pandey expressed optimism about the future of Nepal’s tourism sector, citing political stability as a key factor that will facilitate tourism development. He acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism but noted that the sector is gradually recovering. Pandey emphasized the necessity of formulating and implementing effective strategies to meet tourism targets, with a focus on both policy and operational improvements.

A crucial aspect of Minister Pandey’s strategy includes the effective operation of international airports and the national flag carrier. He believes that improving these areas will significantly boost tourism. Minister Pandey called for cooperation from ministry employees, highlighting their role as the permanent government and essential contributors to policy implementation.

In addition to tourism, Minister Pandey stressed the importance of protecting and promoting Nepal’s cultural heritage. He referred to culture as the essence of the country, requiring proper attention and preservation. Badri Prasad Pandey, born in Bajura district in 2030 BS, is a Nepali Congress lawmaker elected from constituency no. 1 of Bajura in the 2079 BS general election. His political career began in 2043 BS with the Nepali Congress, where he has held various roles since his days in student politics. Pandey holds an MA in Political Science from Tribhuvan University. As the 41st Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Minister Pandey aims to build on the legacy of the ministry, first established in 2034 BS with Dr. Harka Gurung as the Minister of State for Tourism.

With his extensive political background and a clear vision for the future, Minister Pandey’s initiatives are expected to steer Nepal’s tourism sector towards growth and resilience. The formation of the taskforce and the proposed policy revisions mark the beginning of what is hoped to be a transformative period for tourism and cultural preservation in Nepal.