Tourism is emerging as an important source of income for Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi, as major attractions have earned more than Rs 13.06 million during the current fiscal year. The municipality has increased income by collecting entrance fees and signing contracts for operating tea shops and visitor facilities at destinations including Poon Hill, Paudwar Tatopani Kunda, Ratopani Kunda and Rupse Waterfall. Authorities are now giving more attention to promoting destinations and managing tourism in order to increase the amount of money flowing into local coffers.
Popular Attractions Help Earn Millions For Local Government in Annapurna
Annapurna Rural Municipality has signed revenue contracts with several of its major tourist destinations, according to Chief Administrative Officer Kapil Pandey. The deals for Poon Hill, Paudwar Tatopani Kunda, Ratopani Kunda and Rupse Waterfall have earned the municipality a total of Rs 13,066,555 during fiscal year 2083/84 in Annapurna area.
In the meantime, the municipality has invited bids to collect entrance fees and run a refreshment facility at Bhurung Tatopani Kunda, with a minimum amount of Rs 950,000. The proposal for the site is currently under evaluation, with the contract to cover operations during September and October as the municipality readies itself for infrastructural developments.
Poon Hill has the highest single contract among the destinations listed by the municipality. Sunny Hotel of Ghorepani has signed the deal to collect entrance fees and run a tea shop at Poon Hill for Rs 7,100,500, while the Paudwar Tatopani Kunda contract was signed for Rs 5,010,000. The deals were also signed for Rs 400,500 at Ratopani and Rs 555,555 for collecting entrance fees at Rupse Waterfall. The minimum bids for the contracts were set at Rs 5.25 million for Poon Hill, Rs 2.75 million for Paudwar Tatopani, Rs 400,000 for Ratopani Kunda and Rs 200,000 for Rupse Waterfall.
Revenue From Local Hotels Also Adds Up
Revenue for the municipality from tourism does not only come from entrance fees collected at major attractions. Hotels and other businesses at popular destinations also contribute to the local government through business taxes and payments for using public land. Hotels in the Khopra area, for instance, pay Rs 30,000 per year in business tax and Rs 36,000 for the use of public land. Similar business taxes are collected from hotels, restaurants and coffee shops at Mohare Danda, Rupse Chhaharo, Ghorepani, Chhotepa in the Annapurna Base Camp area and Humkhola. No proposal has come for running canteens at Sekarku Tatopani, Narchyang and Mahabhir waterfalls.
Tourism has become increasingly important for the municipality as it strives to meet its targets for internal revenue. In fiscal year 2082/83, Annapurna Rural Municipality had set a target of Rs 21.275 million for internal revenue and earned Rs 11.5 million from tourist destinations. For the current fiscal year, the municipality has raised its target for internal revenue to Rs 25 million, with tourism expected to be one of its main sources. Chairperson Bharat Kumar Pun said that tourist destinations are playing a key role in the municipality’s efforts to raise its internally generated income.
Poon Hill, Hot Springs And Waterfalls Provide Range Of Options
The municipality has set different entrance fees for domestic and international visitors at Poon Hill and Bhurung Tatopani, with the charges being Rs 50 for Nepali visitors and Rs 150 for foreign visitors. Apart from Poon Hill, the area has a range of attractions such as Ghorepani, Mohare Danda, Khopra, Khayer Lake, Rupse, Narchyang and Mahabhir waterfalls, in addition to several natural hot springs. Annapurna I is also located in Ward No. 4 of Narchyang.
With its range of options, the municipality can promote a variety of tourism, including trekking, mountain viewing, visiting waterfalls and hot springs. This allows the local government to encourage visitors to go to different areas while providing accommodation, dining, shopping and other facilities in these locations. Annapurna Rural Municipality is therefore looking to combine tourism promotion with improved facilities and infrastructure at its destinations. Officials consider this to be a way of increasing the number of tourists while ensuring that they contribute more to the local economy.
Rs 23 Million Set Aside For Tatopani Development
The municipality is also set to invest significantly in developing tourism infrastructure, with Rs 23 million earmarked for Bhurung-Tatopani Kunda in the current fiscal year. The project is in the preparation stage and is expected to enhance the facilities at the natural hot-spring destination. In addition to the infrastructure development, the municipality will continue with organized revenue collection and commercial operations at tourism sites. The combination of the two is expected to enhance the value of these tourist attractions.
Vice Chairperson Diva Tilija Pun said that the municipality is focusing on improving tourism infrastructure and increasing publicity and promotional activities regarding its tourist destinations. According to her, these efforts are aimed at not only raising internal revenue, but also at improving the livelihood of the people by encouraging tourism. With tourist destinations already contributing significantly to the local government’s income, Annapurna Rural Municipality is looking to increase their role in the local economy. The latest revenue figures show that one of the main attractions of the area is set to play an important role in its fiscal planning for the coming years.
