Talking to myrepublica.com on Sunday, Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of NTB, said requests to DoI for the arrangement of maximum facility including concessional rate for visas for stuck tourists, has been made on behalf of NTB. [break]
“DoI has assured maximum cooperation for the stuck tourists with special arrangement on visa fees as per the existing immigration law,” said Shrestha. According to NTB, a total of 16,946 tourists from European countries visited Nepal in March. Europe and the US accounts for over 40 percent of total tourist arrivals to Nepal.
He said impact of the disruption in European flights would take toll in tourist arrivals by over 40 percent if the problem persists.
Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) had earlier urged NTB to provide visa facility to the stranded tourists with the visa fee of US $ 2 per day if they continue to stay in Nepal after expiry of their visa.
As per the existing provision, DoI can extend visa for a period of at least 15 days for the first time.
Ashok Pokharel, president of NATO said the request for special concession in visa fee was made amid uncertainty over the resumption of. “As we don´t have exact data about the number of tourists stuck in Nepal and those postponing the visit to Nepal, we are collecting the information about them from tomorrow,” said Pokharel.
He said tour operators have reported cancellation of visits from Europe to Nepal due to disruption in airspace. “The number of tourists coming from Europe would go down significantly if the resumption of flights is delayed,” said Pokharel.
Arjun Sharma, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) said Inbound and outbound tourists to and from Europe have highly been affected.
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