Trekkers´ Information Management System (TIMS) can go online only next season

The plan of making Trekkers´ Information Management System (TIMS) card available online this trekking season seems a mission impossible as only the software has been installed as of now while the remaining infrastructures are yet to be put in place. The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) has already finalized the software for making TIMS card available on the net. And Ramesh Dhamala, president of TAAN, told Republica that the online system can be implemented right after Tihar. However, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is yet to endorse the plan to make it available online. NTB and the TAAN have been jointly implementing the TIMS since 2010. Lila Bahadur Baniya, senior manager of NTB, said that it is not possible to make TIMS available online this trekking season. “The TAAN has already made the software, but as TIMS is directly related to revenue there are many issues to be addressed such as internet security, making check point systems go online, backup power for check posts, training manpower, and making the sample of hard copy of TIMS card ready among others,” said Baniya, adding that it is possible to operate the online system only for the next trekking season. The TAAN will be providing a code to the trekkers who register online but have to collect the hard copy of the card once they arrive here. Deepak Mahat, past president of TAAN, said that the online system can be launched immediately after getting green signal from NTB. But he echoed Baniya´s view that making the check points system go online and arranging power and data backup system is really challenging. Mahat who has been closely working on TIMS online said that the system in very important for the trekkers but also for making data analysis and documentation easy and keeping transparent record of TIMS that is accessible from any place. “We are in discussion with NTB regarding the detailed overview of the possibility of making TIMS available online, and will try to implement it as early as possible,” said Sagar Pandey, general secretary of the TAAN.