KATHMANDU: Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has demanded the withdrawal of hike in entry fee for domestic and foreign tourists visiting Annapurna, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga and Gaurishankar as well as Shivapuri National Park.

A press release issued today by TAAN President Nabaraj Dahal urged to retract the hike in entry fee immediately, saying the hike made by the government without any prior information would have a negative impact in the tourism sector.

Earlier, domestic tourists were allowed to enter free of cost. Now domestic tourists have to pay Rs 100, and tourists from SAARC region Rs 1,000. Earlier, tourists from SAARC region had to pay only Rs 200 as entry fee.

Similarly, the government has increased the entry fee for tourists outside the SAARC region to Rs 3,000 from Rs 2,260.

According to TAAN, the entry fee hike would result in failure of the Visit Nepal-2020, saying it would be practical only if the entry fee is increased after holding a discussion with stakeholders.