The new rule is made mandatory for all overseas trekkers and will seek tourists travelling through trekking companies to pay $10 and free individual trekkers (FIT) to pay $20 per trekking route. NTB and TAAN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this connection on Thursday. [break]
"The funds collected through the new levy will be used for developing trekking sector and welfare of its employees," said Prachanda Man Shrestha, NTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
According to him, one-third of its collections will be spent for maintaining database and rescue of trekkers in need of emergency services.
Another one-third would be spent on trekking workers´ insurance, medical and social security, and also bearing the administrative expenses of implementing TIMS.
"Remaining one-third of the fund will be spent on infrastructure expansion, conservation and maintenance of existing trekking trails and exploration of new trails apart from holding training for sustainable and responsible tourism," Shrestha said.
The money collected from TIMS will be desposited in separate bank accounts and a committee having coordinator from Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and members from NTB and TAAN will allot the fund for different programs, reads a press statement.
Officials elaborated that the charge is being imposed as per the new TIMS Operating Directives, which designates NTB as its implementing agency and grants it authority to work with government, local bodies and stakeholders concerned for its enforcement.
As a trial, NTB and TAAN had been providing such TIMS Card for free for the last two years. "The trial was successful. Hence, we are now implementing it with certain service charge," Shrestha said. Bachchu Narayan Shrestha, Vice President of TAAN, told the press that the TIMS card can be obtained from all counters of NTB and TAAN.
Related story
Trekking agencies urge mandatory TIMS card for foreign trekkers
