Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) delegation led by its President Nava Raj Dahal handed over a four- points memorandum to General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), DevanandaUpadhyay and apprised him of the problems that TAAN members were facing while welcoming and seeing off guests at the country’s only international airport.
Delegates from TAAN meeting General Manager of TIA
The main problem as told by TAAN president Mr. Dahal was scrapping Golden Gate entry pass from the TAAN member companies that resulted as the obstacle for the member companies to welcome and see-off their clients. He also drew the attention towards pass issuance for the irrelevant person, who sometimes show inconsequential behavior that leads inconvenience for tourist, as well as diplomats, thus requested the GM to take appropriate actions. He also requested airport management to reintroduce Golden Gate entry pass to ensure smooth entry of tourism entrepreneurs at the airport to make a warm welcome and see-off the clients without any disturbance.
Another problem disclosed by the delegation was about the immoral conduct of taxi drivers towards the tourist as well as about the private travel company inside TIA who sometimes take off their guest by discounting the price of the trekking package which is seen as a threat to TAAN members thus appealing airport management for strong security.
According to TAAN General Secretary Ang Pemba Sherpa, sending cargoes to the domestic destination has also been a problem as the staff of member agencies aren’t allowed to enter into the check-in area and the cargoes remain unattended when airlines cancel their flight hence causing difficulties to member agencies and urged the airport management to address the issue.
Executive Member of TAAN, Gopal Shrestha pointed out the problem of harassment tourist are being faced due to some irrelevant people who ask for an unnecessary and extreme amount of tips. Similarly, TAAN Secretary SujanLamichhane exposed a disgraceful activity of public like smoking at a no-smoking zone which is providing negative note towards visitors. Other problems like some trekking companies approach the tourist for trekking through their company by staying at Taxi counter in the airport causing other respective company to lose its client.
TAAN’s CEO TekMahat provided an idea of keeping a banner of Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) which will encourage trekkers to trek through a registered trekking company.
GM Upadhyay responded that the passes are issued only for concerned people whenever required and about the issue regarding taxi drivers, he assured to make the security more strong and take forceful charges against the convict. For the case of the private travel agency, he answered that it is kept as a facility for the visitors as sometimes; they can face problems during ticket cancellation and so on. He also decided about shifting the arrivals to minimize crowd in future. TAAN could keep an information board as there will be a walk of 100 to 150 meter in arrival and showed positive response toward the issues presented.
