National parks entry fee hike riles tourism entrepreneurs

Tourism entrepreneurs have criticized the government for raising entry and other fees at national parks and wildlife reserves citing such increments directly hamper tourism-related businesses. They have also warned of launching protests if the government does not roll back the decision.

The government, which had not changed the fees for more than a decade, had all of a sudden increased various fees by up to nine times since last week.

With the revision, foreigners now have to pay a fee of Rs 1,500 -- three times the previous rate -- just to enter national parks. Likewise, elephant ride in the national parks now costs Rs 2,500, up from Rs 100 in the past, and canoe ride Rs 2,000 up from the previous rate of Rs 230.

Entrepreneurs said the government neither consulted them nor informed in advanced about the changes, inflicting huge losses. “Implementation of the decision caused losses to tour operators as they had sold packages on the basis of old fee structure,” said Shankar Sainju, president of Regional Hotel Association Nepal.

Sainju said national parks are a major tourist attraction and unnatural hike in entry fees would divert tourists to cheaper destinations. “We support the government´s decision to raise fees but they should be affordable to budget travelers,” he said.

Madhab Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotel Association Nepal, which has submitted a memorandum to the government requesting it to roll back the decision, also echoed Sainju. He said the decision would hamper tourist arrivals, eventually hitting the country´s earnings from tourism.

Tourism entrepreneurs said they are holding talks with the government officials on Sunday. “If the government turns a deaf ear to our demands, we will organize a series of protests. We may also shut down hotels,” they said.

source: republica,29 June 2012