KATHMANDU: The private sector needs to be united and work together for the rehabilitation and revival of the tourism sector that has been highly affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

The speakers at an interaction program highlighted this topic.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) had organized the program on tourism promotion. The speakers further stressed on widening the partnership between the government and the private sector for rehabilitating to its previous state the tourism that has been dented by pandemic.

Minister for Culture, tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Yadav Prasad Koirala and chiefs and representatives of the tourism umbrella organizations were present in the program.

The participants from the private sector stressed on the need of opening tourism activities with effective communications and coordination in place, underlining adherence to the health security protocols for the rehabilitation and revival of the tourism industry.

On the occasion, Tourism Minister Bhattarai informed that concrete steps have been initiated for operating the tourism sector. He also expressed commitment on behalf the Ministry for the rehabilitation and reinstatement of the tourism sector, NTB stated in a press release today.

Tourism Secretary Koirala urged one and all for collaboration in preparing a work plan to tide over the present crisis in the sector and move ahead.

NTB Executive Director Dr Dhananjaya Regmi made a presentation on the works carried out in the past and at present by the Board towards addressing the adverse impact of COVID-19 on tourism.

He urged for unity and collaboration of the private sector for the rehabilitation and revival of the tourism sector effectively.