Kathmandu. KATHMANDU — The government has announced to take stern action following complaints of irregularities and fake rescue in helicopter rescue operations in the mountainous region. Issuing a press release on Monday, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation stated that it would take action against anyone bringing tarnish image of the tourism sector by adopting a zero-tolerance policy.
For some time now, the national and international media has been reporting fake symptoms, unnecessary helicopter rescues, and claiming huge sums of money from insurance companies.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation and various investigative reports, this scam appears to be very big and planned.
Research has shown that insurance fraud worth more than Rs 2 billion ($19.6 million) is estimated to have taken place in collusion with various trekking agencies, hospitals and helicopter companies. In some cases, it has been found that many tourists on the same flight are charged double or thrice by making separate bills.
Such activities have led to a portrayal of Nepal as a ‘place of fraud’ rather than a safe tourist destination. The reputed insurance companies of the world have started hesitating to insure tourists visiting Nepal, which has caused a serious crisis in Nepal’s global reputation and adventure tourism.
The Ministry has come up with immediate and long-term reform plans to curb the irregularities:
1. Zero tolerance and action: Blacklisting of individuals and agencies found guilty and disclosing their details publicly.
2. Joint Monitoring Team: A task force comprising Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Nepal Police and Tourism Board will conduct regular audit and monitoring.
3. Digital system: Integrate tourist registration, rescue demand and insurance certification by developing a technology-based system.
4. Rebuttal to Misleading Information: The government has urged people to avoid such misconceptions, clarifying that some media reports have deliberately made tourists sick by feeding them contaminated food.
“This is not a systemic failure but the mischief of a limited number of people,” said a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Joint Secretary Jai Narayan Acharya. We will regain international trust by tightly controlling it. “
