Kathmandu: Nepal has annulled a notice that suggested tourists entering Nepal through the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) carry cash for visa charges.
The Department of Immigration had issued the notice on Sunday stating foreign tourists should bring USD 200 in cash for an on-arrival visa to avoid hassle, reasoning that ATM Lounge at the airport was not functional.
According to the airport office, the provision of carrying cash was revoked after widespread criticism. TIA Manager Prem Nath Thakur said that the provision has been annulled and a new ATM has been installed at the immigration hall.
The tourism entrepreneurs had drawn the government’s attention to facilitate the arrival of foreign tourists. They had expressed concern that the notice issued by the Immigration Department has shown inconvenience and hassle in the service delivery to the tourists.
Issuing a joint press statement on Monday, the tourism associations had argued that the notice would earn a negative image of the country in the international arena. Instead of introducing reforms and correcting weaknesses in the tourism sector for its recovery, the recent notice to the foreign tourists invites backlash and builds a negative image of the country, they had argued.
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