Binesh Ghimire
Finance Head
Annapurna Cable Car
What are the current developments at
Annapurna Cable Car?
We recently celebrated two years of
successful operation and are proud to be seeing operational profits. However,
we're still very much in the development phase, with a substantial investment
in infrastructure and facilities. New attractions are underway, including a
children's play area, additional restaurants, and a conference hall, all aimed
at enhancing the overall experience for our visitors.
To support these developments and
optimize our financial structure, we're preparing to raise 300 million Nepalese
Rupees through an initial public offering (IPO), for which we've already filed
an application. This funding will primarily help us reduce our debt by paying
down bank loans, which will decrease our interest expenses and lead to greater
nett profit in the near future. Given the scale and longevity of this project,
we're only in the early stages, but we're highly optimistic about its growth and
its promising returns for future investors.
What can we expect from Annapurna
Cable Car in the near future?
You can expect a focused and
strategic push in our marketing and promotion efforts. We plan to participate
actively in tourism events, sponsorships, and branding collaborations to
solidify Annapurna Cable Car as a must-visit attraction in Pokhara. By increasing
our visibility and partnerships, we aim to ensure that every tourist
considering Pokhara will see Annapurna Cable Car as an essential part of their
itinerary. With these efforts, we're excited to become an even more prominent
landmark for visitors from around the world.
What can you tell us about the fare
structure of the Annapurna Cable Car?
We've ensured that the fare
structure is very affordable and accessible to everyone. All the prices have
been approved by the local government to make it affordable for locals. The
round-trip fare for Nepalese citizens is just Rs. 700, and we also offer discounts
for senior citizens, children, and students. Children under 3 feet travel for
free. For SAARC tourists, the fare is Rs. 1000, and foreign tourists pay USD 12
for the same service.
This makes the Annapurna Cable Car
one of the most cost-effective ways to travel to Sarangkot and enjoy the
various attractions in the area, offering great value for the experience. We're
committed to providing an affordable yet premium experience for all kinds of
tourists visiting Pokhara.
What are your immediate future plans for the Annapurna Cable Car?
Our immediate focus is on awaiting
the approval for our IPO, which will be a significant step for us as we
transition to a public company. As a limited company, we are strengthening our
team to be more responsible and preparing ourselves for public transparency in
line with company laws.
Lesioning, budgeting, and thorough documentation of both
our short-term and long-term plans are currently top priorities. We're also
restructuring our organization to position ourselves for rapid growth. Along
with these internal improvements, we're planning an aggressive promotional and
branding campaign in the coming months, which will play a key role in expanding
our reach and establishing Annapurna Cable Car as one of the key attractions in
Pokhara.