“Ordering the resorts to shut down abruptly without informing us in advance is unjustified and impractical,” Prakash Shrestha, managing director of Machan Wildlife Camp told a press meet in the capital, Tuesday. “We are convinced it is full of prejudice and guided by the vested interest of certain persons.”The CNP office had ordered the all resorts to shut down their operation as the day 15-year long contract to operate the resorts expired on July 15.
The CNP administration ordered the closure of the country’s oldest resort Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Machan Wildlife Camp, Chitwan Jungle Lodge, Gaida Wildlife Camp, Island Jungle Resort, Hotel Narayani Safari Resort and Temple Tiger Jungle Camp.
Shrestha said the impact on tourism sector is being felt following the closure of park resorts, with the cancellation of booking and spreading of negative message to international tour operators.
“It will badly affect the Visit Nepal Year 2011 as the number of tourists is all set to decline by over 50 percent if the resorts are not re-opened in time,” warned Shrestha.
Regarding Monday’s statement from Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority which said that five resorts – Machan Wildlife Camp, Gaida Wildlife Camp, Island Jungle Resort, Chitwan Jungle Lodge and Temple Tiger Camp – owed a total of Rs 10.9 million, the hoteliers claimed the due was the amount had already been waived by the government in 2003 as recommended by a high-level commission.
“The figure that came out from the CIAA is not based on the fact, as most of the dues have been cleared,” said Shrestha. “The dues are not big issue and if the government insists we are ready to pay; however, there should be convincing reasons from the government,” Shrestha.
Basanta Mishra, managing director of Temple Tiger Camp, said that with the closure of the park resorts, overall tour package including combined package with Indian tour operators has been affected. He also said employment of over 1200 workers is at risk due to closure of the resorts.
He claimed that both Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bandari are positive about extending the lease of the resorts.
Hoteliers also warned that they would launch protest if the government called tenders from interested parties including them for granting contracts to operate the resorts inside the park.
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