Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari has said that the improvement of situation at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is an urgent concern for the government, and his immediate focus would be to see reduction of air traffic congestion and management of traffic flow at the airport.

“Development of connectivity and infrastructure are the major needs for the promotion of tourism,” Adhikari said on Friday during the event of unveiling a 100-day action plan of the ministry.

According to My Republica, the minister has committed to cooperate with concerned authorities to find out solutions for airports and road connection issues in Nepal. “I have decided to begin with small issues that could be solved immediately,” he said. “Therefore, the 100-day action plan comprises concrete short-term plans that can be achieved within the targeted deadline.”

As per the plan, TIA is extending airport operation time from 18 hours to 21 hours in first phase. Similarly, addressing the second international airport project, the plan has mentioned that within 100 days, the EIA report will be approved, liability management with LMW will be done, and construction modality will be made. Besides, the ministry will also look for alternative domestic airport.

Likewise, the work plan has mentioned that necessary reforms will be seen in tourism policy and a strategic document will be made for tourism promotion in the international market as well as to reform on working procedures based on standard operating procedures at all concerned bodies, preservation and promotion of culture, digitalization and record keeping of archives of national importance, completion of construction and management of museums, and developing data sharing network in cooperation with immigration department.

The plan also aims to conducting survey for tourism friendly infrastructures and management of sustainable tourism, organizing several promotional events, strengthening air industry management, and strengthening Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

Minister Adhikari said that the ministry’s long term vision was to make tourism sector’s contribution reach up to 25 percent on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal.

“Indeed the number of tourist arrival is important but more than that, contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP plays a big role,” Adhikari added. He further said that at the end of the 100 day period, all the concern authorities will brief about the achievements.