DoI organises orientation for tourism service providers in Chitwan

NARAYANGADH, CHITWAN: The Department of Immigration (DoI) organised an orientation programme for tourism service providers in Chitwan on Sunday related to the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS).

It is the first orientation of its kind organised for tourism service providers outside the Kathmandu Valley, after the DoI mandatorily enforced the system in star-rated hotels within Kathmandu from January 1 this year.

The system aims to keep track of visitors, prevent visa violations and facilitate emergency responses for foreign nationals in Nepal, thereby strengthening immigration oversight and streamlining communication between service providers and foreign nationals. The DoI launched the system to ensure the safety of foreign nationals visiting the country and to control potential crimes involving foreign nationals.

The system will be enforced in hotels, airlines, homestay facilities, trekking companies, tour and travel agencies and money exchangers outside the Kathmandu Valley from March 1, said Ram Chandra Tiwari, Director General of the Department. He said the system would maintain a complete record of foreign nationals as they arrive in Nepal.

He unveiled the DoI's plan to expand the service nationwide in a phased manner, first in star-rated hotels within Kathmandu and then gradually to major tourist destinations across the country, coordinating efforts with the concerned agencies and stakeholders.

Also speaking at the orientation, Chitwan's Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal emphasised that the DoI should operate in a business-friendly manner and address the procedural problems seen during the implementation of the FNMIS.

President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists in Chitwan, Basantaraj Parajuli, said the implementation of such a system would significantly contribute to sustainable tourism and called for making the process of implementing FNMIS convenient and hassle-free.

The orientation programme was attended by representatives of tourism-related agencies, officials from relevant government bodies, chiefs of the district security agencies, as well as hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs.

By RSS