TAAN seeks revision of TIMS card pact with tourism board

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is seeking to revise the agreement signed with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) regarding distribution of Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card and managing the amount collected from issuing the TIMS cards.
Issuing a white paper today, TAAN said that NTB has not released its share of amount from issuance of TIMS card. “Thus, TAAN is ready to revise the agreement, if needed,” the white paper reads, adding that some 30 per cent of the amount collected from TIMS goes to TAAN’s organisational account, while 30 per cent goes towards NTB’s organisational account. “Likewise, 30 per cent of the amount goes to the joint account of NTB and TAAN, while the remaining 10 per cent is deposited in the workers’ welfare fund.”
“But TAAN has not received the agreed amount for the last five years,” the white paper reads, adding that it has affected tasks like helicopter, medicine, administration expenditure and salary for staff, research and promotion of new destinations. “And the amount that TAAN is seeking from NTB is related to its share of money collected in the joint account of the organisations.”
TIMS was jointly implemented by NTB and TAAN according to the direction of Nepal government from January 1, 2008 to ensure the safety and security of trekkers and also to control illegal trekking operations,” according to the TAAN. “Since then, TAAN has been issuing TIMS cards to group trekkers (GT), while NTB distributes it to free individual trekkers (FIT).”
According to the white paper, TAAN’s demand has not been addressed despite frequent discussions with the concerned authorities. “The TAAN has not received its due share of the amount collected in the joint account since the last five years,” the white paper reads, adding that it has also adversely affected the administration expenses and wages of staffers working at the TIMS collection centre, along with the work of introducing and promoting new trekking routes.
Due to the tug of war between the NTB and TAAN on income from TIMS card, TAAN has also been not able to renew the organisation since past years. It has not been renewed for the last two fiscal years – fiscal year 2018-19 and fiscal year 2019-20. TAAN was last renewed in fiscal year 2017-18. “The auditing of TAAN and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) is done collectively, showing TAAN's earning in millions according to the white paper.
AAN has been – citing the security issues of trekkers – demanding the government to stop distributing trekking permits to individual trekkers. It also showed concern over the country's inability to provide TIMS card through online system.
TAAN is working to provide 20 per cent off to foreign trekkers by its member companies on the occasion of Visit Nepal Year 2020, the white paper reads, adding that it will contribute in welcoming 800,000 tourists to the country during VNY 2020.

Tourism Secretary commits to resolve problems in tourism sector

Tourism secretary promised to resolve the problems faced by the tourism sector.
During a meeting with a delegation of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), who paid a courtesy call on secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kedar Bahadur Adhikari today at the latter’s office the secretary committed to working together with private sector to resolve burning issues in tourism industry.
Responding to the delegation, he said that implementation of single payment system can be operated through a systematic planning of permits. Adhikari also assured to carry out necessary actions for infrastructural development in Ramecchap.
The delegation led by TAAN president Khum Bahadur Subedi also handed over 9-point memorandum to the secretary Adhikari apprising the latter about existing problems faced by the tourism industry. The delegation pointed out the impractical imposition of expensive and double trekking permit fee as well as the need to make it mandatory to have at least two trekkers for trekking.
Stating the importance of TIMS in controlling illegal trekking operation, ensuring trekker’s safety and security and labor welfare, Subedi urged the secretary to take necessary initiations for effective implementation of TIMS and make guide and assistants compulsory for trekking above 3000m.
TAAN, on the occasion, also submitted a record of comments and negative experiences of tourists on Ramecchap–Lukla flight and requested with the secretary to facilitate a hassle-free travel for tourists on Ramecchap–Lukla route, while calling for a complete halt of Kathmandu- Lukla flights.

TAAN suggests policy reforms

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has requested the government to reform policy to promote the tourism sector.
A delegation TAAN – while meeting with minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai at his office today – suggested immediate policy reform in the tourism sector.
The delegation led by TAAN president Khum Bahadur Subedi also handed over a memo to the minister.
President Subedi drew the attention of the minister to two foreign trekkers, who have gone missing in Rasuwa for the last 10 days and also requested for effective implementation of TIMS in all trekking areas. He urged to make trekking guide and porter mandatory for all trekkers and use government registered trekking company.
Similarly, TAAN general secretary Sarita Lama read out the suggestions provided by TAAN and asked the minister to advise Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to issue TIMS card online. She further requested to implement Group TIMS effectively and abolish Individual (FIT) TIMS card as well as the practice of collecting Rs 1,500 collected by Sagarmatha National Park from guides.
The delegation strongly appealed with the minister to impose 5 per cent Tax on trekking and mountaineering sector, annul the VAT levied against the use of porter, mule and yak services and halt Kathmandu–Lukla flights completely in order to promote flight on Ramechhap–Lukla sector.
Minister Bhattrai, on the occasion, congratulating the newly elected executive committee of TAAN said that safety of tourist is the government’s utmost responsibility so taking a guide or a porter while trekking is essential to ensuring security of tourist. In order to resolve the problems faced by trekking entrepreneurs, minister Bhattarai assured to organise a joint meeting with the Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Department of Tourism, Inland Revenue Department, Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN and NMA.
The TAAN delegation comprised of senior vice-president Nabin Trital, general secretary Sarita Lama, secretary Damodar Dhakal, joint treasurer Surya Kumar Shrestha, executive members Simbir Ghale, Sanam Sherpa and Prem Bahadur Lama.