The Second BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers` Roundtable and Workshop concluded in Kathmandu by signing Kathmandu Declaration and adopting 14 points Plan of Action. Inaugurated by…
The Second BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers` Roundtable and Workshop concluded in Kathmandu by signing Kathmandu Declaration and adopting 14 points Plan of Action. Inaugurated by Rt. Hon`ble Subash Nembang, Speaker of House of Representatives, the Government of Nepal, the Ministerial Level Meeting of 2nd BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers` Roundtable and Workshop was attended by Hon`ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, HE Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, State Minister, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh, Hon. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Bhutan, Hon. Ms. Ambika Soni, Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, India, Brig-Gen. Mr. Aye Myint Kyu, Vice Minister, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar, HE Mr. Sumith Nakandala, Ambassador, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Nepal and Mr. Sakthip Krairiksh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand.
As per the Plan of Action adopted at Ministerial Meeting, the major areas of cooperation and action agreed upon are formation of BIMSTEC Tourism Information Center; establishment of BIMSTEC Tourism Fund; development of Tour packages (for two or more countries) including Buddhist Circuit, eco-tourism, adventure-tourism and MICE tourism products; Organising Familiarization trips for journalists/tour operators, Travel Facilitation within BIMSTEC Member countries; Felicitate Student Exchanges; Parity in Entrance Fee at Archeological Sites; Extending of Accessibility by Air, Land and Water; Joint Investment Promotion; Human Resource Development; Crisis Management; Support from Development Partners and formation of BIMSTEC Tourism Working Group. The Meeting also decided to host the third BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers’ Round Table and Workshop in November 2007 in Bangladesh. It is also agreed in the Plan of Action that Nepal will prepare the terms of reference for the establishment of BIMSTEC Tourism Entrepreneurs Private Sector Forum and BIMSTEC Media Forum of Tourism Journalists for effective participation by private stakeholders in tourism development of BIMSTEC region.
Earlier, addressing the meeting, Hon`ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, who also chaired the Second BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers` Roundtable and Workshop held today said, We should also learn some lessons from some of the countries, which are far ahead in taking the true benefits from tourism for addressing multi-sectoral problems associated with the economy. Tourism has stood as a troubleshooter to address multitude of problems associated with poverty reduction. So, if good networks and experience are shared through operation of exchange programs and trainings, new course would open up in this region too.
Mr. Madhav Ghimire, Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Chairperson of Senior Officials` Meeting held yesterday made a successful presentation of Report of Senior Officials` Meeting and apprised the Ministers about the progress made on Plan of Action.
Attending Ministers from the BIMSTEC region agreed upon the prospect of tourism imbibed by the region and if collectively harnessed would leave ample opportunities to alleviate the burgeoning poverty of this region. They also agreed that the tourism promotion and development this region should be expeditiously carried on in priority. They also agreed to promote the region as a tourism hub incorporating various gamut of tourism activities including Meeting Incentive Convention and Exhibition(MICE).
The Meeting which ended yesterday has BIMSTEC Tourism Working Group consisting of representatives of National Tourism Organizations and private stakeholders of tourism industry from all member countries to decide on the program priorities, expenditure of BIMSTEC Tourism Fund, preparation of concrete proposals to be sent to BIMSTEC Working Group in Bangkok and ADB and to follow up the progress on the plan of action.
