KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) on Wednesday assured hotel entrepreneurs that the government’s accelerated efforts to promote tourism would help address concerns facing the hospitality sector, urging the private sector to work as a strong partner in the country’s tourism development.

During a meeting with officials of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the prime minister urged hotel operators to comply with legal requirements, register eligible establishments with the Department of Tourism, and explore collaboration with the government under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

HAN officials said the country’s hotel industry has the capacity to accommodate 4 million tourists annually but is currently serving about 1.2 million visitors. They argued that higher tourist arrivals would boost employment and strengthen the hospitality sector.

The association also urged the government to reduce electricity tariffs for hotels, expand concessions for smaller hotels, fully operate the Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports, improve Nepal Airlines services, review provisions under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019, simplify procedures for destination weddings, and strengthen the promotion of wellness tourism.