Star hotels to get tax incentives in Lekhnath

Pokhara: Lekhnath Municipality has announced tax incentives to individuals or groups investing on star hotels in Lekhnath area which has so far remained in shadow despite being home to seven beautiful lakes and loads of other tourist attractions.

The meeting of City Council held recently decided to offer tax incentives to groups constructing star hotels near Rupa and Begnas lakes.

“We have decided to exempt integrated property tax (IPT) for five years to woo hoteliers to invest on projects here,” Ram Chandra Paudel, executive chief of the council, said.The municipality had introduced IPT from this fiscal year itself.

Poudel said they announced tax incentives realizing that the area has been lagging behind in terms of tourism despite having massive tourism potential.
According to officials, the tax exemption facility will come into effect from the coming fiscal year.

Though Lekhnath is home to seven beautiful lakes, the area lacks good hotels and resorts for tourists. Begnas Resort is the only proper accommodation in the area so far.
“Foreigners come here to see the lakes and beauty of Lekhnath. But they return to Pokhara the same day because of the lack of good hotels and resorts here,” Poudel said.

The Lekhnath Municipality has allocated one million rupees for preservation of lakes. Similarly, the municipality is spending Rs 10.23 million to be received under the World Bank grant for Baraha Area Development Program.

Likewise, Rs 1.3 million has been allocated to build a suspension bridge linking Lekhnath Municipality and Rupakot VDC and to study the feasibility of operating bungee jumping there.

It has also set aside Rs 1 million for the development of Archale - the birthplace of Kavi Shiromani Lekhnath Paudel. The municipality has also allocated Rs 100.5 million for different road projects.

source: republica,17 jan 2014