Entrepreneurs warn protest against tourist tax for Pokhara

POKHARA, Jan 29: Tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara have warned of strong protest up to the central level against Pokhara Sub-Metropolis, which is hell bent on charging tourist tax from visitors. Metropolis is preparing to implement its decision of charging $ 10 per tourist from next fiscal year.



Entrepreneurs here submitted a memorandum to the office of Sub-Metropolis on Friday, protesting its decision to levy entry fee on foreign visitors. [break]



Officials of Pokhara Tourism Council, Regional Hotel Association of Nepal (REHAN), Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) submitted the memorandum to chief executive of sub-metropolis office Tilak Paudel.



Earlier, a meeting of Municipal Council under Pokhara Sub-Metropolis decided to collect tourist tax by removing entrance fees in places like Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave and others.



Member of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and president of Pokhara Tourism Council Tikaram Sapkota said the decision has made all tourism entrepreneurs upset and it will ruin the brand image of Pokhara.



President of REBAN, Pokhara chapter, Biplav Paudel, said, "We will organize 24-hour sit-in if the decision is not scrapped."



Chief executive Tilak Paudel said his office will initiate necessary discussion with stakeholders before implementing the decision.

Related story

Tourist Bus Nepal app launched