Pokhara, August 22

Tourism Entrepreneurs of Pokhara have requested bandh enforcers to search for other alternatives to general strike, as the tourism industry is on the verge of collapse due to persistent agitation.

Bharat Raj Parajuli, chairman of Western Hotel Association, Pokhara, said the economy of the tourism industry had been ruined due to natural disasters and frequent bandhs. Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Som Bahadur Thapa said the tourists’ itinerary was obstructed due to the continuous strike. The number of tourists visiting Pokhara had declined after the April 25 earthquake. Thapa added that though it was the beginning of tourist season, booking cancellations were on the rise due to the strikes. “The frequent bandh has ruined the environment of tourist spots,” he added.

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal first Vice-chairman Dipak Raj Adhikari said the number of domestic and international tourists had decreased.

According to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, a day’s bandh causes the country a loss of around two to three billion rupees.