December 28 2001

KATHMANDU: The government Friday announced relief measures for the tourist industry to bail it out of the current slump. Minister for Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta made public the sweeping measures to revive the industry.

Visa fees have been slashed with single and multiple entry visas costing $30 and $50 respectively. One day visitors will not be charged from January 1, 2002 to July 15, he said.

Six restricted areas along the Nepal Tibet border have been open for group tours. The areas are: Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Humla, Darchula, Manang and Mustang.

Fees for filming in Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa have been slashed to $5000 from $40,000.

Government is considering reducing taxes on Indian vehicles entering Nepal to attract visitors from the southern neighbour.

Hotels can now settle their electricity bills in quarterly installments instead of monthly payments and credit repayment has been rescheduled for one year, he said.