The Nepal cabinet is going to announce tourism sector as a priority industry soon.

“The proposal has been submitted to the cabinet and it is will decide soon,” said secretary at the tourism minister Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi addressing the 48th annual general meeting of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA).

The tourism sector must be given a priority as it is the only industry that can help develop overall economy, Joshi said, stressing on the need of new tourist vehicles. “But the syndicate is hurting the tourism sector.”

Similarly, tourism minister Lokendra Bista Magar stressed about the need of new aircrafts and development of proper airport infrastructure as per a report in the Himalayan Times.

During the AGM, the association also felicitated tourism entrepreneurs Natasha Shrestha with NATTA Sagarmatha award 2011 and Jigyan Thapa with NATTA Vashker award 2011 for their contribution to the tourism sector.

Similarly, Susheel Bhattarai of Nagarik Daily, Hari Raj Joshi of Image and News 24 were awarded with NATTA Tourism Journalism Award 2011.

Santosh Kumar Lama of Atlas Travel, MaheshPrasad Rai of Broadway Travels, Sonam Gurung of Experience Nepal Tours and Travel, and Mahendra Man Shrestha of Namaste Travels and Tours were awarded for their 25 years of dedication in the sector.

The association felicitated immediate past president of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Prachanda Man Shrestha with honorary life time membership of NATTA.

New team in NATTA

KATHMANDU: The NATTA AGM also formed a new team for next term. Pavitra Kumar Karki became unopposed new president, whereas Madhusudan Acharya and Shambhu Pathak elected as elected as first and vice-president respectively. Achut Guragai elected in the post of general secretary, Gokul KC in secretary, Santosh Gautam in treasurer and Navaraj Dahal in joint-treasurer. The new team has 15-member representing travel industry.