Domestic, Asian tourists keep rafting biz afloat

Despite rise in the number of rafters, rafting operators saw their revenue go down by around 25 percent in 2012.

Rafting operators say the drop in the number of rafters from Europe and US, who prefer longer trips, affected their revenue during the year. Though booking for the upcoming season that starts from the last week of February is up by 12 percent, they say the revenue side does not look promising.

Nani Kaji Thapa, president of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), said rafting operators saw revenue down by up to 25 percent last year. “Majority of rafters today are from India, China and other Asian countries who prefer river trips of one or two days,” Thapa, who operates Asian Adventure - a rafting company - said. “On the other hand average rafting period of Europe and USA tourists is 4-5 days.”

Rafting operators say unhealthy competition amongst themselves and unauthorized rafting business were forcing them to sell packages at cheaper rates.

According to NARA, many unregistered groups and individuals are illegally operating rafting trips.

Operators charge US$ 25 per day per person for rafting trips in rivers like Trishuli, whereas the tariff goes beyond $80 per day per person in rivers like Sunkoshi and Karnali.

Chandra Bahadur Dahal, managing director of Eco Nepal Adventure, said domestic tourists and tourists from India and other Asian countries were saving rafting business. “The flow of Asian tourists mainly Chinese as well as domestic tourists has gone up significantly,” Dahal said. He hoped rafting trips can be extended by developing attractive packages and promoting them effectively in international market.

Dahal also said bookings for the coming season were up 101-12 percent.

Rafting operators say the number of European and US rafters was declining because of the availability of attractive river trips in other countries in recent years. “Also, tourists are diverting to other adventure activities like bungee jumping, rock climbing, and mountaineering, among others,” he added. “After enjoying rafting in a Grade V river, tourists don´t wish to repeat the same; they look for something adventurous.”

According to NARA, more than 110,000 people enjoyed rafting in Nepal last year.

source:republica,22 Jan 2013