"The recent catastrophic earthquake has already caused enough damage to the tourism sector. Although a few tourists are in Nepal currently, the bandh has sent a wrong message," said Bharat Raj Parajuli, chairman of Western Region Hotel Association.Tourist-hub Lakeside of Pokhara was very quiet during the bandh on Friday. Buses travelling to Kathmandu and Chitwan from Pokhara were almost empty.
Pom Narayan Shrestha, chairman of Nepal Association of Tours and Travels Agency (NATTA), also said that banda has a negative impact on the tourism sector. "Tourism industry has been hit hard by the banda culture. Parties should seek an alternative to banda as it affects almost every sector."
According to him, only one tourist bus left Pokhara on Friday. "The impact of banda is clearly visible," he said.
Pokhara Tourism Committee (PTC) issued press statement on Friday and strongly criticized the banda. Chairman of PCT Som Bahadur Thapa said banda has affected people across the country.
"Bandas destroy the economy. It is a great sorrow that banda has gained continuity again, which has severely affected the tourism sector. Political parties should highly consider its effects and find alternatives to it," Thapa was quoted in the statement.
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