“The shutdown has significantly increased our earnings,” said Subba Thapa, who rents out bicycles. Thapa owns 20 bicycles that used to fetch him Rs 1,500 on normal days. But these days, he is making upto Rs 6,000 a day. [break]
“The rise in demand is bound to increase earnings,” said Thapa, who has been doing the business for the past three decades. “All bicycles are on use,” he added.
The bicycles have become the only option for domestic as well as foreign tourists in Pokhara these days. The absence of vehicles on the streets has made bicycling additionally enjoyable.
But lack of option is not the only reason why such entrepreneurs are making such earnings. The entrepreneurs have more than doubled the rent.
Gokarna Khanal, another bicycle entrepreneur, said he charges Rs 200 per day from domestic tourists, and Rs 300 a day from foreigners. On normal days, he was charging the former Rs 100 a day and the latter Rs 150.
But the entrepreneurs are mindful that frequent as well as prolonged shutdowns will eventually hamper the arrival of tourists and affect their business as well.
“So far so good in terms of earnings. But if the strike prolongs for too long, the number of tourists will go down,” Khanal said.
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