#Travel #Tourism #HanumanDhoka #Kathmandu #Nepal
Kathmandu’s Chief Tourist Area, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, has seen an increase in revenue, now listed in the World Heritage List. In the past fiscal year, it has collected NPR 152,635,000 in nine months.
During the first week of last year’s Baisakh, NPR 146,300,000 was collected as fees from tourists. Chandragopal Pradhan, the head of the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square Conservation Program, provided this information.
According to Pradhan, the increase in revenue is due to tourism service fees, as well as other service charges and administrative fees. The office aims to generate NPR 170 million in revenue for the current fiscal year, which he believes is easily achievable.
Last fiscal year, the office had set a target of NPR 150 million. The revenue collected from entrance fees paid by tourists visiting Hanuman Dhoka for sightseeing is the main source of income.
Currently, the entrance fee for tourists coming to visit this historic site is NPR 500 for SAARC countries and NPR 1,000 for tourists from other countries. Although Nepalese nationals do not have to pay an entrance fee, there may be charges for museum visits.
During the peak tourist season, around 700 tourists visit Hanuman Dhoka daily, with more visitors coming in the months of Bhadra, Ashoj, and Kartik, Pradhan informed.
In the previous fiscal year, 47,399 tourists visited for sightseeing from SAARC countries, while 153,262 tourists came from other countries. During the current fiscal year so far, 35,785 tourists from SAARC countries and 145,625 tourists from other countries have visited Hanuman Dhoka for sightseeing.
Compared to the previous year, there has been no decrease in the number of tourists this year even in the month of Baisakh. Pradhan mentioned that during Indra Jatra, more tourists visit than at any other time.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, believes that the consistent growth in tourism revenue at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square reflects the enduring appeal and cultural significance of the site, attracting visitors from both near and far.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: April 29, 2025 7:02 pm
