Bhaktapur, July 7:

Number of tourists visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square has this year increased compared to last year, resulting in increase in revenue collection of Bhaktapur Municipality.

According to the records at Tourism Service Centre, Bhaktapur, a total of 80,323 tourists from non-SAARC region and 29,408 from SAARC region visited Bhaktapur Durbar Square in the current fiscal year. While as many as 69,411 tourists from non-SAARC region and 22,919 from SAARC region visited Bhaktapur Durbar Square in the fiscal year 2005-06.

The municipality has already collected more than Rs 61 million in tourist service charge. It has also set up 14 ticket counters in different parts of the city for the convenience of visitors. The tourists from SAARC region are charged Rs 70 and tourists from non-SAARC region are charged Rs 750.

Dipendra Prajapati, an officer at the Tourist Service Centre said that after the peace is restored, we have observed the continuous flow of tourists. “Tourists — who visit Bhaktapur to observe the historic monuments and the traditional life style of Newar community — from India, America and the UK exceed the tourists from other countries.”

Tourist especially visit four squares — Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square in Bhaktapur.

“The revenue collected are primarily spent on the preservation, renovation and maintenance of these areas. Some amount of the collection also goes for the development of education and health sector in the municipality,” he added.