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TAAN to monitor illegal trekking operators

 The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is all set to check and control illegal operations in the trekking industry. Due to the growing number of illegal operators, genuine agencies are losing their goodwill in the international tourist market, states TAAN.

“The growing number of illegal trekking operators has increased the risk of the country losing quality tourists as illegal operators are providing low quality trekking packages at a very minimal cost as compared to registered trekking operators,” said president of TAAN Ramesh Prasad Dhamal.

“Due to the growing number of illegal operators, TAAN with the support of the government is planning to organise special interaction programmes regarding illegal trekking operations and their impact on the tourism industry,” he said. “If illegal operators continue to book tourists, we will be forced to take strong action against them,” he added.

According to the trekking association, the growing number of illegal operators is creating a threat for legal operators as legal trekking operators are losing opportunities due to illegal operations conducted by various foreigners working as team leaders, non-governmental organisations, international non-governmental organisations, hotels, travel agencies and individuals.

“Illegal operators are offering trekking packages at prices that are around 30 per cent to 40 per cent lower than what a genuine trekking agency charges,” Dhamal said.

According to him, in the Everest region, a trekking agency charges a minimum of $60 per day excluding the cost of transportation but illegal operators offer such a package at $35 to $40 per day without any quality service, which has directly affected both the business and quality service that can be provided by a registered trekking agency.

Along with the monitoring of illegal trekking operators, TAAN is also preparing to develop alternate trekking routes and coordinate with the government and other sectors to promote domestic tourism.

source: the himalayan times,25 Sep 2013