Kathmandu, Aug.16: Tour operators Wednesday protested a Rs.75 entry fee hike for tourists visiting  the medieval town of Bhaktapur from August 1. The Bhaktapur Municipality hiked the fee unilaterally from Rs.300 to Rs.375 without consulting tour operators, Nepal Association for Tour

Operators said in a statement.

“The decision has put operators in a very difficult and embarassing position.Tour operators generally sell the tour package minimum one year in advance making it difficult for Nepali tour operators to negotiate and convince prospective clients,” a NATO statement said. NATO asked Bhaktapur municipality to ” ponder the impact of the price hike” before “implementing the new rate.”