TAAN demands immediate withdrawal of entry fee hike

Aarthik News

Oct. 23, 2018, 4:51 p.m.

Kathmandu, Oct 23 . Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has demanded withdrawal of hike in entry fee for domestic and foreign tourists visiting Annapurna, Manaslu, Kanchanjangha and Gauri Shanker as well as Shivapuri National Park.

A press release issued today by TAAN President Nabaraj Dahal urged to retract the entry fee hike immediately, saying the entry fee hike made by the government without any prior information would have negative impact in tourism sector.

Earlier, domestic tourists were allowed to enter free of cost. Now domestic tourists have to pay Rs 100, and Rs 1,000 by tourists from SAARC region. Earlier, tourists from SAARC region had to pay only Rs 200 as entry fee. Similarly, the government has increased entry fee of tourists out from SAARC region to Rs 3,000 from Rs 2,260.

According to TAAN, the entry fee hike would create problem to make Visit Nepal-2020 a success, saying it would be practical only if entry fee is increased after holding discussion with stakeholders.