Kathmandu, December 8
A government-commissioned task force has recommended that airline companies charge an equal amount of domestic airfare for both Nepali and foreign passengers.
The panel led by former secretary Suresh Man Shrestha says the airfare should be decided by the balance between demand and supply as per the international standards, but not by the nationality of travellers.
Currently, the companies charge foreigners almost double the amount of fare for Nepali travellers. Consequently, foreign travellers do not use air routes for travel within Nepal unless urgent. It has also established Nepal as an expensive destination, which would have an adverse impact on the country’s tourism industry, according to the panel.
As the government is preparing to launch the Visit Nepal Year 2020 next month, tourism entrepreneurs are also pressing the government to impose such a rule. Staff at international diplomatic agencies and INGOs had also questioned the difference.
