Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 2:

Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has expressed its serious concern on unconfirmed statements, both in the national press as well as in the vernaculars, about the closures of various sectors from the 1st to 3rd June and again from 7th to 12 June. In a statement issued on behalf of tourism entrepreneurs, NATA has said that the continuous bandhs and demonstrations have already damaged Nepali tourism industry and contracted the entire economy of the country. "The bread and butter of around 1.2 million people directly or indirectly dependent on tourism related professions, is facing risk and uncertainty," says the release.

NATO has requested the organisers of bandhs to allow tourists who are already in-country or who may already have left home to visit Nepal during the so-called bandh period and tourists vehicles to move unhindered for arrival, departure, sightseeing and other related activities in tourist areas of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and other places. "NATO requests to be allowed tourism industry to deliver at least the basic necessary services to our distinguished visitors. Uninterrupted services offered is linked to the better image and prestige of the whole nation," the statement adds. In another circular, NATO has appealed its members to exercise with reasonable caution while delivering services to the clients. It has also recommended to make aware of the prevailing situation and the clients to be looked after with the best service.