<p>Tourism Board and and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce TIMS.<br /><br />Under the TIMS, all overseas tourist will have to pay for a TIMS card to trek in the country. NTB and TAAN had been providing such TIMS Card for free for the last two years<br />To acquire TIMS card, free individual trekkers will require to pay USD 20 while trekkers who goes for trekking in a group through trekking companies will have to pay USD 10.<br />TAAN had implemented TIMS for two years (2008-2009)on trial basis.<br />One-third of its collections will be spent for maintaining database and rescue of trekkers in need of emergency services.<br /><br />Another one-third will be utilised for the welfare of labourers.<br />Remaining fund will be spent on infrastructure expansion, conservation and maintenance of existing trekking trails and exploration of new trails apart from holding training for sustainable and responsible tourism. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the pro-Maoist trekking workers have launched agitation to press for their demands which includes hike in pay and perks<br />They also warned to halt trekking activities for indefinite period if their demands are not met.<br /><br />On Wednesday, a group of trekkers from UK were stopped in Pokhara by the pro-Maoist trekking workers.<br />TAAN President Shrestha asked the Maoists to stop their agitation and come forward for dialogue to resolve their problems.</p>
<p>Tourism Board and and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce TIMS.<br /><br />Under the TIMS, all overseas tourist will have to pay for a TIMS card to trek in the country. NTB and TAAN had been providing such TIMS Card for free for the last two years<br />To acquire TIMS card, free individual trekkers will require to pay USD 20 while trekkers who goes for trekking in a group through trekking companies will have to pay USD 10.<br />TAAN had implemented TIMS for two years (2008-2009)on trial basis.<br />One-third of its collections will be spent for maintaining database and rescue of trekkers in need of emergency services.<br /><br />Another one-third will be utilised for the welfare of labourers.<br />Remaining fund will be spent on infrastructure expansion, conservation and maintenance of existing trekking trails and exploration of new trails apart from holding training for sustainable and responsible tourism. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the pro-Maoist trekking workers have launched agitation to press for their demands which includes hike in pay and perks<br />They also warned to halt trekking activities for indefinite period if their demands are not met.<br /><br />On Wednesday, a group of trekkers from UK were stopped in Pokhara by the pro-Maoist trekking workers.<br />TAAN President Shrestha asked the Maoists to stop their agitation and come forward for dialogue to resolve their problems.</p>