Booking cancellations sound alarm for tourism industry

European tourists planning to visit Nepal have started cancelling their bookings following the European Commission (EC)´s ban on Nepali airlines from flying in the European skies.

Tourists have also started enquiring about air safety in Nepal via email, while several of them have also requested arrangement of travel to tourist destinations by bus.

Tourism entrepreneurs are gravely concerned as booking cancellations have direct impact on earnings from the tourism sector. They are scheduled to submit a memorandum to the government and European Delegation Office to Nepal on Thursday with a request for lifting the ban.“

"We have come to a general agreement that the ban has to be lifted soon and aviation safety should be the major priority. Hence, we will submit a memorandum to both the government and EU delegation to Nepal to resolve the problem as early as possible," said Ramesh Dhamala, president of the Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Dhamala said trekking agencies have reported 15 to 20 percent drop in their business in the two week´s time following the EC´s ban.

Similarly, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) said the ban has led to 20-25 percent drop in the business of travel and tour operator“. "We have started receiving email requests for travel arrangements to tourist destinations like Chitwan and Pokhara by bus while some even cancelled their visits," said Ashok Pokharel, president of NATO.

The loss is huge not only in economic terms, said Pokharel, adding that it also raises questions regarding the competence of civil aviation sector in Nepal.

Pokharel said potential European customers are avoiding Nepal as tour operators have to inform visitors about the ban“. "In addition, the airlines and the agencies have to even refund the amount for the tourists of EU member states if the passengers cancel their visits at the eleventh hour," said Pokharel, adding that the government must take measures for air safety by improving the infrastructures.

Hoteliers, however, said that the ban has not had a significant impact on their occupancy rates, but acknowledged that a prolonged ban would definitely hit them hard.

Nani Kaji Thapa, former president of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), said that though it an off season, adventure tourism business is sure to suffer if the ban is prolonged until February--the peak season for rafting.

Joy Dewan, managing director of Zenith Travels, official GSA of Turkish Air, said“, "AS Europeans plan their trip in advance there have been no cancellations, but we are afraid about the days ahead if the ban continues."

source: republica,7 Dec 2013