Thamel: The Central Tourist Hub Of Nepal

Thamel, a central tourist commercial hub of Nepal, holds significant historical, cultural, and religious importance. The Thamel Tourism Development Council plays a crucial role in preserving, promoting, and enhancing this area. Thamel is a living museum of Nepali art, skills, and services. Preserving and promoting it is a major duty and responsibility of the Council.

Developing local art, culture, and civilisation in the Thamel area as new tourism products can contribute to sustainable development. This not only helps in preserving the local culture and civilisation but also extends tourists' stay and boosts economic earnings. Studying and integrating the heritage sites within this area into tourist activities can further enhance Thamel's tourism.

Thamel's essence lies in its hotels, restaurants, entertainment activities, discos, lounges, clubs, and bars that offer authentic Nepali products and art. The collective form of these businesses defines the feature of Thamel. By protecting and promoting these enterprises, the state can collect taxes, business owners can earn profits, and local landlords can generate rental income, all contributing to the nation's per capita income and promoting the international image of Nepal.

However, some indecent activities and business indiscipline in the Thamel area have tarnished its image. Improving this and establishing Thamel as a civilized and cultured, business-friendly tourist destination on national and international stages is another important duty of the Thamel Tourism Development Council. Recently, with special initiatives from the Council and support from local, provincial, and central governments, Thamel has become a vibrant 24-hour touristic area. Implementing a code of conduct to reduce potential accidents, ensuring the fundamental rights of the locals, and creating a business-friendly environment for both employment and profits are key responsibilities for the upcoming committee.

Another significant responsibility involves coordinating with all three levels of government to facilitate physical improvements, security, and risk reduction in this area. Collecting details of various goods and service providers in Thamel, discussing issues and challenges with government, non-governmental, and local stakeholders, and taking appropriate steps to resolve problems and develop Thamel as a dignified and cultured tourist destination are vital duties of the Council.

The Council is also responsible for researching and preserving the historical heritage of Thamel and promoting it. It should support students studying tourism and hospitality by making Thamel a centre for practical studies. Thamel serves as an information hub for Nepali art, goods, and services, as well as all kinds of information about Nepal for foreign tourists. Thus, it can be viewed as a major destination for managing necessary information for tourists exploring Nepal.

By considering all these aspects and developing Thamel as a respected, organised, and dignified centre, Nepal's international image can also improve. The upcoming executive committee of the Thamel Tourism Development Council, along with its office bearers and members, should coordinate with local, provincial, and central governments. With the solidarity of business owners and participation of local landlords, they have the responsibility to develop Thamel as a model destination for the nation.

In the context of Nepal's tourism market losing some of its international lustre, developing Thamel into a more dignified, organised, and cultured society within the framework of responsible and sustainable tourism can position it as a major international tourist destination. The Thamel Tourism Development Council must lead this effort, proving itself superior through the unity, participation, and solidarity of business owners and locals.

Therefore, it is essential for local landlords and business owners to be clear about the tasks, duties, rights, and areas of the new executive committee to be elected at the upcoming general assembly of the Thamel Tourism Development Council. With sincere requests to all local landlords and those involved in various professions and businesses, let us unite to preserve Thamel's overall economic, social, cultural, and historical dignity and develop it as a premier tourist center of the country.

(The author is Vice President of the Thamel Tourism Development Council.)