Pokhara without a city map is just the lake
POKHARA, Aug 17:
Pokhara without a city map is just a lake and hundreds of hotels. That´s how international tourists describe this exotic tourist destination in absence of a city map that provides not only detailed information on roads but also inform about major attractions and access routes.
Even though Pokhara attracts over 250,000 tourists every year, most of the tourists return without visiting the major attractions in the city and adjoining areas in absence of a city map that provides complete information. Though some entrepreneurs have developed maps on their own, they do not capture all the details.
Nonetheless, as the number of complaints from international tourists continue to mount, Tourism Board Pokhara (TBP) has decided to publish ´Pokhara Greater Valley Map´. For the purpose, it has appointed Hari Shrama, first vice-president of Paschimanchal Hotel Association, as the coordinator. Sharma told Republica he has recommended to publish 50,000 copies of the map, which will cost Rs 1 million.
It is not that the city never had a complete map. In 2003, Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Kaski District Development Committee and local tourism organizations published a city map. But after the first print of 20,000 copies was sold out, reprints were not ordered, simply because no one was responsible for the matter.
Officials at TBP said they have been trying to come up with a complete city map targeting tourists, but in vain. Every day a large number of tourists approach TBP for information and city map. But in the absence of one, the office returns them offering mere some brochures.
“We feel embarrassed to inform international tourists that the tourism office has no city map,” said Baikuntha Acharya, chief of TBP. “For many tourists we are providing information about famous places by making a map on a piece of paper,” added Acharya.
But such customized hand-written maps neither cover all the sites nor provide basic information that tourists are interested in. Many tourists remain largely unaware of major sightseeing spots.
As a result, tourists visiting Pokhara need to depend on information provided by taxi drivers and travel guides to go around the city. Unfortunately, most of the tourists wishing to visit villages nearby Pokhara cancel their plan just because they find no map to help them in their travel.
“Tourists complain they have to cancel their trekking plan because they lack maps to provide them reliable information. Sadly, no one is doing anything to end this mess,” said Giridhari Dhakal, chief of Tourism Office, Pokhara.
While Dhakal admitted that lack of fund is the main reason why publication of the city map has not been undertaken with due sincerity all these years. However, TBP officials believe this is as much lack of initiative on the part of private entrepreneurs.
The government had set aside Rs 500,000 two years ago for the publication of the map. But the work was not undertaken as entrepreneurs did not show interest, said Acharya. “We are still ready to provide financial assistance if entrepreneurs show interest to publish the map this year,” he added.
Why not TBP publishes the map on its own? Officials said they wanted entrepreneurs to own such publication programs.
Source: Republica
Pokhara without a city map is just a lake and hundreds of hotels. That´s how international tourists describe this exotic tourist destination in absence of a city map that provides not only detailed information on roads but also inform about major attractions and access routes.
Even though Pokhara attracts over 250,000 tourists every year, most of the tourists return without visiting the major attractions in the city and adjoining areas in absence of a city map that provides complete information. Though some entrepreneurs have developed maps on their own, they do not capture all the details.
Nonetheless, as the number of complaints from international tourists continue to mount, Tourism Board Pokhara (TBP) has decided to publish ´Pokhara Greater Valley Map´. For the purpose, it has appointed Hari Shrama, first vice-president of Paschimanchal Hotel Association, as the coordinator. Sharma told Republica he has recommended to publish 50,000 copies of the map, which will cost Rs 1 million.
It is not that the city never had a complete map. In 2003, Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Kaski District Development Committee and local tourism organizations published a city map. But after the first print of 20,000 copies was sold out, reprints were not ordered, simply because no one was responsible for the matter.
Officials at TBP said they have been trying to come up with a complete city map targeting tourists, but in vain. Every day a large number of tourists approach TBP for information and city map. But in the absence of one, the office returns them offering mere some brochures.
“We feel embarrassed to inform international tourists that the tourism office has no city map,” said Baikuntha Acharya, chief of TBP. “For many tourists we are providing information about famous places by making a map on a piece of paper,” added Acharya.
But such customized hand-written maps neither cover all the sites nor provide basic information that tourists are interested in. Many tourists remain largely unaware of major sightseeing spots.
As a result, tourists visiting Pokhara need to depend on information provided by taxi drivers and travel guides to go around the city. Unfortunately, most of the tourists wishing to visit villages nearby Pokhara cancel their plan just because they find no map to help them in their travel.
“Tourists complain they have to cancel their trekking plan because they lack maps to provide them reliable information. Sadly, no one is doing anything to end this mess,” said Giridhari Dhakal, chief of Tourism Office, Pokhara.
While Dhakal admitted that lack of fund is the main reason why publication of the city map has not been undertaken with due sincerity all these years. However, TBP officials believe this is as much lack of initiative on the part of private entrepreneurs.
The government had set aside Rs 500,000 two years ago for the publication of the map. But the work was not undertaken as entrepreneurs did not show interest, said Acharya. “We are still ready to provide financial assistance if entrepreneurs show interest to publish the map this year,” he added.
Why not TBP publishes the map on its own? Officials said they wanted entrepreneurs to own such publication programs.
Source: Republica
