PACKAGES FOR DOMESTIC TOURISTS

KEDAR DAHAL

KATHMANDU, June 1

Tourism entrepreneurs have started promotional activities across the country to lift the tourism sector affected by the earthquake. They have started to announce packages with discount for domestic tourists even as foreigners are cancelling booking toward the end of tourist season.

The majority of tourist hotels outside Kathmandu Valley are giving discount of up to 50 percent. Entrepreneurs in Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi—that have not been affected much by the earthquake—along with Pokhara, Dhulikhel, Souraha, Daman and others have started to offer discount and packages simultaneously. Travel and trekking agents, and hoteliers are holding discussions almost every day about the way forward as there is little chance of domestic tourism in the Valley now.

“We have been holding discussions about the way forward as the star hotels have almost become empty now. The entrepreneurs have agreed to offer new packages but we have concluded that alone will not suffice and the state also must bring a special program,” General Secretary of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Vinayak Shah says.

Citing examples of revival of many countries through domestic tourism, Director General of the Department of Tourism Tulsi Prasad Gautam says Nepali entrepreneurs should also move in the same direction. “The government and entrepreneurs have been holding discussions about the ways to promote domestic tourism. We have been holding discussions daily about what to target in the upcoming season and will reach conclusion soon,” he adds.

Pokhara

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have announced packages with special discounts on all kinds of tourist activities. Hotels and guest houses there will provide discount of 50 percent, while there will be discount of 20 percent in restaurant bill, 30 in trekking package, 20 in tourist bus ticket, 20 in reservation for vehicles, 15 in paragliding, ultralight flight, bungee jum and jeepline, and 20 in tourist guide. The Western Region Hotel Association has already announced a package with 50 percent discount.

Daman

General Secretary of Makawanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mahendra Rawat says preparations are on to bring different programs to attract domestic tourists due to the terror in Kathmandu Valley and other areas after the earthquake. “There may be health probelms while visiting Daman during cold season. We are, therefore, sending message that this is the right season to visit Daman,” Managing Director of Everest Panorama Resort Sudesh Gautam (Chhetri) says revealing that all 23 hotels in Daman have started preparations to offer packages.

Entrepreneurs feel that tourists from India and tarai in Nepal—which suffers from heat wave—can be attracted to Daman situated at an altitude of 2,322 meters. Daman and Simbhanjyang (2,488 meters) are popular among domestic tourists.

50 percent discount in silver triangle

Hoteliers of tourist destinations Sauraha, Pokhara and Lumbini have initiated the concept of silver triangle offering 50 percent discount to domestic tourists after the earthquake. The western Region Hotel Association, Pokhara, Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan and Siddhartha Hotel Association are preparing to conduct promotional activities in China and India using this concept.

“Decisions have yet to be taken about the fee for elephant safari and visits even though hotels have announced packages,” First Vice President of Regional Hotel Association Suman Ghimire says. Discount of 50 percent in rooms of all hotels in Chitwan, Pokhara and Lumbini has already been announced. There are currently 150 hotels in Sauraha.

Safe Far West

Tourism entrepreneurs in the Far West region have also put forward the concept of safe far west. General Secretary of the Beautiful Far West campaign Kishor Khadka says preparations are on to target both domestic and foreign tourists as tourist destinations in all nine districts of the region are safe. There are trekking packages for 9-18 days in Dolpa, Rara, Khaptad, Badimalika, Apisaipal and other areas. There are tour packages of up to 10 days for Bardiya, Khaptad and Shuklaphant.