By Our Correspondent, Bhairahawa, June 18: The government has launched a campaign to further systematise the tracking of foreign nationals’ activities in an effort to establish Nepal as a safe tourist destination.
An orientation and interaction programme was held with stakeholders in Bhairahawa on Tuesday as part of a nationwide rollout of the Foreign National Management Information System (FNMIS), developed by the Department of Immigration.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Department of Immigration, Ram Chandra Tiwari, emphasised that tourism promotion and national security are complementary, noting that sustainable development of the tourism industry is impossible without a secure environment.
“Tourists are drawn to destinations where the security system is robust and reliable. While tourism supports the economy, we cannot compromise on the core issues of national security,” said Tiwari.
Director General Tiwari added that because not all foreign nationals entering Nepal arrive with positive intentions, maintaining accurate statistics and records of their activities is essential. He noted that the department regularly takes action, ranging from arrests to deportations, against foreign nationals involved in undesirable activities, illegal religious propaganda, or criminal behaviour.
According to Tiwari, the FNMIS will systematically record details regarding the stay, movement, and activities of foreign nationals entering Nepal. The system is expected to bolster tourist security, improve service delivery, aid search and rescue operations during disasters, and strengthen national security.
“Being linked to this information system does not mean tighter control; rather, it ensures better management and safety,” he said.
Rupandehi Chief District Officer, Bishwaprakash Aryal, stated that the system is now ready for effective practical implementation and urged hotels, travel agencies, and other service providers to integrate with the platform.
Dr. Haridhwaj Rai, Chief of Information and Public Relations at the Lumbini Development Trust, added that security remains the primary prerequisite for increasing tourist satisfaction and prolonging their stay.
Private sector perspective
Private sector representatives participating in the programme noted that whilst the system’s objectives are positive, its practical implementation must remain business-friendly.
Thakur Kumar Shrestha, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) for Lumbini Province, pledged the private sector’s support for the government’s plans, but cautioned that it should not create unnecessary administrative hurdles in the future.
Tourism entrepreneurs highlighted that the systematic recording of Indian tourists, in particular, is highly necessary. Chandra Bahadur Thapa, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Nile/Lumbini Chapter, pledged his support to make the information system effective, while Sanjay Bajimaya, President of the Society of Travel and Tour Operators (SOTTO) Lumbini, suggested that prioritising data management for Indian tourists should be a focus.
Dilip Kumar Kandu, Senior Vice President of the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded that tourist arrivals will only increase when visitors feel genuinely safe, meaning security and tourism must be promoted hand-in-hand.
The government-launched FNMIS, introduced under the immigration reform scheme, is being viewed as a significant step toward integrating the management of foreign nationals, tourism security, and national security.
The Rising Nepal
