With the objective of attracting more South
Asian tourists, particularly Indians, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal
(TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) have decided to lower the Trekkers´
Information Management System (TIMS) fee for SAARC countries by 70 percent.
A recent meeting of TAAN and NTB reduced the fee to US$ 3 per person for tourists traveling in groups through trekking agency and $6 per person for FITs (Free Independents Travelers).
The existing TIMS fee which is a mandatory for trekking to Everest, Langtang and Annapurna region is $10 and $20 per person for group and solo trekkers, respectively. However, no changes have been made in TIMS fee for tourists other than from the South Asian region.
Although almost 20 percent of the total tourists include trekking in their itineraries, the participation of tourists from South Asian region in trekking is negligible.
Tourism entrepreneurs are hopeful that the special fee for SAARC countries will attract more tourists at a time when Nepal is being considered as an expensive destination compared to other tourist destinations in South East Asia.
A recent meeting of TAAN and NTB reduced the fee to US$ 3 per person for tourists traveling in groups through trekking agency and $6 per person for FITs (Free Independents Travelers).
The existing TIMS fee which is a mandatory for trekking to Everest, Langtang and Annapurna region is $10 and $20 per person for group and solo trekkers, respectively. However, no changes have been made in TIMS fee for tourists other than from the South Asian region.
Although almost 20 percent of the total tourists include trekking in their itineraries, the participation of tourists from South Asian region in trekking is negligible.
Tourism entrepreneurs are hopeful that the special fee for SAARC countries will attract more tourists at a time when Nepal is being considered as an expensive destination compared to other tourist destinations in South East Asia.
