FOREIGN VISITOR SHOULD BE CHARGED MORE

International tourism has become the backbone of many economies of the world and these countries
rely heavily on the income generated from the tourists. That is why some people opine that foreign
visitor should be charged more than the domestic tourists. Although these people have their arguments
for their opinions, personally, I disagree with this practice.

On the one hand, it is common in many tourists’ places Nepal that foreign tourist is charged higher than
local visitor. The increase in prices is due to the fact that the Nepalese rupee is much weaker than
currencies of many European countries and other developed nations. Therefore, such tourists can afford
to pay without feeling the pinch, and the upkeep of historical monuments is done through this money.
Secondly, foreigners are accustomed to prices being much higher in their home countries. For example,
entry to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is US$20 (NRs 2520). In that context, visiting
important historical sites of country is very reasonable and much lower than that.

On the other hand, there are many reasons to oppose the above view. Firstly, it is unfair and leads to
discrimination which will create negative feeling about country. For example, if a Nepali person visiting
Come to think of it – a foreign country has to pay more than local residents, what would be the
reaction? Secondly, as we brag about ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ ( meaning that guest is like God ), charging
foreigner high rates to foreign tourists will entail taking home negative impression by them. Also, they
may never come again to the country and this could deter their friends and all other who get this
negative information. Consequently, it would be a great loss to the nation in the long run.

In conclusion, it is not good to charge foreign tourists more than local tourist because it would be unfair
and it would be a short-sighted approach to earning foreign currency.