April 19: The tourism entrepreneurs have drawn the government's attention to facilitate the arrival of foreign tourists. They 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 argued that the notice issued by the department would earn negative reputation of the country in the international arena. The Immigration Department had issued the notice on Sunday stating that foreign tourists had to bring dollars physically for on-arrival visa, saying that ATM Lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport was not functional.

Instead of introducing reforms and correcting weaknesses in the tourism sector for its recovery, the recent notice to the foreign tourists would cause a backlash and build negative image of the country, the tourism stakeholders argued.

They urged the government to immediately make arrangements to facilitate the foreign tourists.

The tourism associations that issued the joint statement include  Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agency Association of Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association, and Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies. -RSS