KATHMANDU: Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Conservation Programme (HDDCP) under Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has recorded fewer number of tourists visiting the durbar square this year.

According to HDDCP, only 7,490 tourists had visited the durbar square from mid April to mid May compared to the 12,519 tourists who had visited the square in 2008. The area had recorded only a mere 297 tourists from the SAARC nations. HDDCP had collected

a total of Rs 2.18 million from the entrance fees during that period.

Hari Kumar Shrestha, programme manager of HDDCP, said that they were recording less number of tourists this year compared to the previous years. He said that the increasing number of criminal activities and the political instability and violence were the major reasons behind the decline in the number of tourists.

He also claimed that the declaration of the US of Nepal as an unsafe destination to travel was also one of the reasons behind the decline in tourists visiting Nepal.

He shared that the decline in the number of tourists was not only of the US citizens but tourists from all over the globe.He further added that the off-season were not helping matters.

While more number of tourists had been recorded from mid March to mid April in 2009.

HDDCP had recorded a number of 13,367 tourists and had collected Rs 3.92 million from entrance fees. While there was a decrease in numbers from mid February to mid March where 9,713 tourists had visited the area.