Heritage sites record low tourist visitors

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The number of foreign visitors to heritage sites in the valley has dwindled in the past year with a 60 percent drop recorded in Kathmandu Durbar Square, by Hanuman Dhoka Area Conservation Programme (HDACP).

This is despite the heritage sites in Kathmandu staying closed only for two months after the quake. The Durbar squares, considered a major tourist attraction were reopened in the second week of June having been considered a priority given the country’s reliance on tourism.

Despite the efforts though, compared to 500 visitors a day in the previous years, only 200 tourists visit Kathmandu Durbar Square at the moment. This decline in tourist numbers has hit HDACP’s revenue hard as the revenue from entry fee has fallen from being Rs 5,00,000 a day to around Rs 2,00,000 a day.

Bhaktapur Municipality has also reported an expected revenue loss of Rs 110 million this fiscal year due to the declining number of tourists. The municipality had earned Rs 210 million from tourism in the previous fiscal year, covering almost half of the municipality’s total budget.

Most heritage sites have been cleared of rubble and secured for tourists to visit safely. Reconstruction work is ongoing in many of the sites, providing an opportunity for tourists to witness ancient artisan techniques at work. However, heritage sites still await the return of tourists almost nine months post the earthquake.

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http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-02-04/valleys-heritage-sites-await-tourists-return.html