Fearing this will hurt tourism in the lake city and adjoining areas, tourism entrepreneurs have criticized the decision and threatened to launch protests if such a decision is ever implemented. [break]
Trekking agencies, hotel entrepreneurs, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Pokhara Tourism Council have protested the decision and threatened with further protests, if the decision is not called back.
Speaking at a program in Pokhara on Friday, acting Chief District Officer Ishor Raj Regmi expressed solidarity with tourism entrepreneurs and committed that he would make sure the decision is not implemented.
“This is a one-sided decision taken by the municipality and it is against tourism trade in this city,” Regmi added. He expressed surprise over not being consluted on the issue.
Spokesperson for Pokhara Sub-Metropolis Ananta Prasad Koirala said the new decision will be effective from new fiscal year. Citing the practice in Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and some Indian tourist cities, he said tourists should be charged some kind of tourist fee while visiting Pokhara.
He said till date the sub-metropolis has not been able to take any benefit from tourism in Pokhara.
Koirala said the office would further decide after holding meetings with stakeholders on whether the fee would be applicable while visiting tourist sites or as entry fee.
Different organizations have been charging visitors ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 400 for visiting tourist sites including Fewa Lake, Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave and others.
The revenue is being used by local organizations and the government does not receive any share from the money thus collected.
Tika Ram Sapkota, President of Pokhara Tourism Council and board member of NTB, said entrepreneurs should express solidarity and make sure the decision is not implemented. He further said that the sub-metropolis should ask local organizations to work for tourism promotion rather than charging money illegally from tourists.
President of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Pabitra Kumar Karki said the decision to impose tourist tax is unfair. He said he would assist the protest program and take up the matter with the central leadership to make sure activities hampering tourism growth don´t take place.
Related story
Nepali tourism entrepreneurs write to Chinese embassy to open N...
