Tourism entrepreneurs of Bandipur, one of the most popular tourist destinations of Nepal, are now worried about their payments and loans, which they have taken from banks and lenders to expand their businesses.
Tourism entrepreneurs of Bandipur, who used to get elated to hear their phone ring before the COVID-19 pandemic, are now getting anxious whenever they hear their phone ringing.
Prior to lockdown, they used to get phone calls from tourists for bookings. But now they are receiving frequent phone calls from banks, financial institutions and lenders to remind them to pay their installments.
The hotel and tourism businesses in Bandipur have reported huge losses owing to the grinding halt in tourism activities for more than two months.
Bandipur, a hill station in western Nepal, which is one of the favourite destinations, used to see a huge number of tourists who would pay a visit of this hilltop settlement which has rich heritage and architecture and enjoy the view of mountain ranges.
The hotels and resorts used to be packed with tourists. Owing to this many tourism entrepreneurs made a substantial investment.
But unfortunately, the story turned bizarrely different. Hotels these days wear a deserted look and all the tourism related businesses are completely halted due to ongoing restrictions.
After the country lifted the restriction imposed in the hospitality sector earlier, tourism entrepreneurs were very hopeful that business would get back on track, said Sangita Pradhan, a tourism entrepreneur.
But once again the tourism sector is facing the same crisis and they are worried about the interests of bank loans they have taken to expand their businesses, she added. “Tourism entrepreneurs are frustrated as there is no income because all the hotels are now closed,” she added.
Baisa Gurung, the outgoing chairman of the Bandipur Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Committee, said since the entrepreneurs were compelled to lock their businesses, they are now worried about the payment of their bank installments and taxes.
“The government should pay attention to reduce the interest rates, as 90 per cent entrepreneurs have expanded their businesses by taking loans from banks,” said Gurung.
Since banks and financial institutions are vying for profit, the government should take an initiative to introduce a relief package, like cutting interest rates and waiving interest during the time of lockdown, he added.
“Hotel entrepreneurs are now worried about their staff and loans, which they have taken to expand their businesses. But the second wave of pandemic has adversely affected the tourism sector again,” said Bijay Kumar Karki, operator of the Bandipur Hotel Palace.
Kisan Pradhan, chairman of the committee, said the businessmen were in trouble as they were still struggling to recover the losses caused by the first wave of pandemic.
Around 500 tourists would visit Bandipur daily if there was no pandemic, he said.
The operators of the homestay are also facing similar problem, said Pradhan.
Raju Baniya, former chairman of Bandipur Community Homestay, said that this tourist site has already worn a deserted look thanks to the second wave of pandemic.
There are nine to 10 hotels under construction in Bandipur. Currently, 70 hotels, including big and small ones, are in operation. Besides this, four groups have been operating homestays.
All these hotels are able to accommodate 1,300 to 1,400 tourists at a time.
Source : TRN,
