President's Message

Dear TAAN Memebers,

Our country is at a crucial transition phase as political parties are busy preparing new constitution to institutionalise republican system and federal system. This will bring an end to feudal system that has been practiced here for centuries and take the country to a democratic system where people can live a live a dignified life.

Global tourism is slowly reviving after taking a beating from global financial recession that affected economies throughout the world. Though the imapact of economic recession was very low here, it led to cancellation of bookings and subsequently low arrival. But with the beginning of new tourism season, tourist arrival to Nepal has been increasing at an encouraging pace. We hope the trend will continue in the days to come.

Nepal's major strength is adventure tourism like mountaineering, trekking and rafting among others. But our Himalayas are suffering from the impacts of climate change and global warming. Glaciers are melting fast and the entire mountain ecology has been affected. Since the tourism industry of the country is largely dependent on mountain and ecology, it is our duty to protect and concerve our fragile environment by practicing responsible and eco-friendly tourism for the sustainable business development. TAAN has been organising Eco-trekking Workshop every year to encourage our entrepreneurs adopt responsible and eco-friendly tourism.

The advent of roads in the popular Annapurna Region has come as a serious challenge to the trekking and adventure business in Nepal. As a result, trekkers' stay in Nepal is shortening and it is making significant impact on revenue from tourism. It becomes our responsibility to develop new trekking areas to set the trekking business rolling and also to offer something new to our valued visitors. As a result, TAAN explored Tsum Valley in Gorkha and Panchpokhari and Bhairav Kunda area in Sindhupalchowk distirct. The exploration works will continue in the days to come as well.

In a bid to ensure safety of trekkers and maintain a reliable database of trekking sector, TAAN actively lobbied for the implementation of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) and we are committed to continue it in the days to come. Apart from this, TAAN has also been trying to create a professional business environment by implementing a Code of Conduct for trekking entrepreneurs. I am hopeful that the code of conduct will come into implementation soon.

TAAN has also been trying to create a conducive business environment for entrepreneurs by taking up the issue with concerned government agencies. We recently entered into an agreement with representatives of trekking workers to ensure better working environment for them.

Nepal is observing Nepal Tourism Year 2011 to bring in one millon tourists a year and to present Nepal as a fascinating tourism destination in the world. TAAN will leave no stone unturned to make the programme a grand success.

We request our member agencies and friends in the industry to provide their valuable support and cooperation and help establish TAAN as a responsible travel trade association in the country. We solicit similar support and cooperation in the future as well.

Thank You.
Mahendra Singh Thapa
President