By Damaru Lal Bhandari
Kathmandu, October 23 – Those Nepali tour operators surviving on their gleanings from the avid bent on a Tibet tour are facing hard times, thanks to reneging by Tibetan tourism officials on promises concerning air seats per week.
Leading tour operators involved claim Tibetan aviation authorities have not kept promises made in March concerning air seats and the nature of aircraft to be operated. Deterrents include policy change about Indian tourists which has rendered Nepali tour operators redundant. No one is allowed into China even with a valid visa or if h/she has taken a detour through Nepal. “We are left with fewer clients to handle. The Tibetans promised four flights, but reduced it to two before making it three in July,” said Suresh Shrestha, a professional with a leading Tibet and Mansarovar tour operator. Sources said the RNAC had to call off flights to Lhasa sometime ago because “the Tibetan officials created hurdles.” “The Tibetan travel agencies which have a monopoly are now dealing directly with Indian tour operators. This eliminates Nepali operators,” Shrestha said, adding China, too, has departed from the policy of considering Nepal as a gateway to Tibet.
While the cost of one package tour stood at $500 for each member of a 15-member group earlier, the same now costs $900 per in the case of a group less than 40 people and $700 per if the group is more than 40 people. Leela Dahal, a travel trade professional with Ying Yang Travels, said: “Selling Tibet and Mansarovar is now an uphill task. The Sajha Yatayat, too, is ferrying tourists to Tibet.”
Cheng Ji, a Chinese embassy functionary, said: “I am not in the know of things. I will have to check with Tibetan officials before saying anything.”
