Tourism news From taan

Vol:-14


July 15, 2008 Year IV





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Tourism master plan for far-western region


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Tourist arrival up in Bouddhanath


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Pokhara tourism worried by Jomsom Road


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Winner of global digital photo contest declared


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TAAN, NATTA meet tourism secretary over Tibet issues


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New ad-hoc committee formed in NMA


Tourism master plan for far-western region

With the objective of promoting tourism in Khaptad and other surrounding areas, Khaptad Area Tourism Development Committee (KATDC) is preparing a master plan after identifying major tourist destinations in the Far-Western Region.

Experts Rabijang Pandey, Sharad Regmi Umesh Mandal are interacting with local stakeholders in different district headquarters of the region to collect inputs for the master plan. The team has already conducted interactions in six different districts of Far-Western Region.

Triveni of Khaptad, Khaptad Daha, Nagdhunga, Badimalika of Bajura, Surma Sarobar of Bajhang, Ugratara of Dadeldhura and Tripura River of Baitadi have already been identified as potential tourism destination in the far-western region.

'We will make master plan considering the tourism attractions and facilities for the visitors. It may take more than year and we will again discuss it and finalise it,' said Rabijang Pandey, chief of the team.


Tourist arrival up in Bouddhanath

Tourist arrival in Bouddhanath Stupa has increased in the first six months of 2008 by 6.52% as compared to the arrival figure of same period last year.

According to the Bouddhanath Area Development Committee (BADC), a total of 61,232 foreign visitors visited Bouddhanath Stupa up to June this year. Only 54,168 foreign visitors had visited Bouddhanath in the same period last year.

Dilip Kumar Lama, president of BADC, said that the number of visitors from the non-SAARC countries was recording a remarkable growth rate. By the month of June, the number of visitors from non-SAARC countries has increased by 20.6 percent against the same months last year. 'The visitors from Korea, Japan and Thailand come to visit Baudhanath area in a large scale,' Lama says.

With the increase in tourist arrival, the revenue generated from the tourist arrival has also increased. According to Lama, BADC collected around Rs. 4.3 million in the first six months of 2008 which is an increment of 18.33 percent as compared to the same period last year.

Bouddhnath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal and it has been identified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.


Pokhara tourism worried by Jomsom Road

Pokhara-based tourism entrepreneurs are worried that their investment of billions of rupees has become uncertain with the construction of road in Jomsom, encroachment of Fewa Lake and unplanned urbanisation of Pokhara Valley.

Pokhara based tourism enterpreneurs also said that tourists' stay in Pokhara will shortened as they could not travel directly to Jomsom.

Pokhara is eighter starting or ending point for many trekking routes in Annapurna Region. According to the entrepreneurs, almost 80% of total visitors to Pokhara go on trekking in Annapurna Region.

Speaking at the 14th convention of Regional Hotel Association of Pokhara, Kali Bahadur Adhiakri, former board member of NTB, said the encroachment of natural heritage of Pokhara Valley was affecting the tourism industry.

''Pokhara is fast becoming a congested city due to unplanned urbanisation which has led to the obstruction of views of Machchapuchhre and other peaks from Pokhara. Pokhara will lose its charm if such things continue,' Adhikari added.

As per the prevailing regulations, people are not allowed to construct buildings higher than two storeys to ensure the clear view of the Mount Machhapuchhere from all sides of Pokhara. But the people are violating the rules and regulations. People are even encroaching Fewa Lake and even the city sewerage is flown into the Fewa Lake. Fewa Lake is also getting polluted with the ever spreading water-hyacinth.


Winner of global digital photo contest declared

Prem Hang Banem has won 'Global Digital Photo Contest (GDPC) 2008 organsied by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on the occasion of their silver jubilee anniversary.

Banem was awarded ICIMOD Hindu Kush Himalayan Prize while Rajesh Sharma and Rabindra Roy won Special Mention awards.

'The Global Digital Photo Contest 2008 received 1,102 entries from 336 contestants representing 65 countries,' said Ujol Sherchan, senior programme officer of Mountain Forum Secretariat and coordinator of the GDPC 008.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Andreas Schild, director general of ICIMOD, emphasized on the need of using photos as a visual tool for outreach and sensitise the public about the changing mountain world, especially in the context of climate change and globalization.


TAAN, NATTA meet tourism secretary over Tibet issues

A delegation of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA) met secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and apprised him of the losses that the industry incurred with the closure of Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

The delegation also requested secretary Poudel to take initiatives and formally request the Chines authorities to start issuing visa from Nepal. Secretary Poudel said that he was aware of the implications of Tibet closure and he would help raise the issue at government's level.

China had stopped foreign visitors from visiting Tibet after riots in Lhasa in mid-March. Though it said that Tibet has been opened to foreign visitors from July, Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu is yet to issue any visa to foreign visitors.

Approximately, 20,000 foreigners travel to Tibet from Nepal every year.


New ad-hoc committee formed in NMA

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) on July 07, 2008, formed a new ad-hoc committee with its chairman and ex-officio members after other members of the executive committee resigned. The members resigned after Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), trekking agents, mountaineers and mountaineering workers disrupted its election process for second consecutive time in a month.

The formation of ad-hoc committee has paved the way for the peaceful solution for the ongoing dispute between TAAN and NMA.

The five-member ad-hoc committee has Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa as chairman and Jyoti Adhikari, president of TAAN; Bikram Neupane, president of Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), representative from Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and Tashi Jangbu Sherpa, immediate past president of NMA. The ad-hoc committee will nominate 16 more members: three each from TAAN and NMA; one each from members of task force of TAAN and NMA; representatives from Everest Summiters' Association (ESA), Nepal Mountaineering Instructors' Association (NMIA), Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), Women Mountaineering Association (WMA) and Nepal Mountaineering Federation (NMF); one famouns mountaineers; and one each from two mountaineering workers' unions.

The ad-hoc committee will form NMA Statute Amendment Recommendation Committee which will recommend amendments in NMA's statue within six months. Then the ad-hoc committee will hold election of the new executive committee.

It is learnt that the ad-hoc committee will address all demands put forth by TAAN, mountaineers and mountaineering workers. TAAN and NMA are believed to have agreed to float group membership i.e NMA general members, trekking agents, chapter members, mountaineers, workers etc. Such groups will select delegates who will have the rights to vote in NMA's annual general meetings.

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Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN)
MEDIA CENTER
P.O.Box.: 3612, Ganesthan, Maligaun, Kathmandu
Phone : 0977-1-4427473, 4440920, 4440921
Fax: 0977-1-4419245
Email: taan@mail.com.np
URL: http://www.taan.org.np

NTB seeks parties' pledge on tourism

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Tuesday held a program to welcome all the political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly and sought a firm commitment from them to foster tourism. Addressing the program, tourism secretary Lila Mani Poudel said a cloud of doubt hung over the tourism industry amid lack of infrastructure, inaccurate publicity in the international markets and sudden and frequent strikes.

“But we are hopeful that these challenges will be sorted out with our collective and united efforts in the coming days,” he said.

NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said that due to Nepal's geographical characteristics, tourism was not only a choice for economic development but a compulsion and necessity. “According to research findings of the World Tourism Council, tourism has created over 500,000 jobs in Nepal,” he said.

“We are realizing that aside from rising fuel prices and poor infrastructure, strikes and bandas are pushing tourism to the brink of uncertainty,” he added. “Now we need to ask ourselves if we can make a commitment to bring smiles to the faces of the Nepali people, create an enabling atmosphere for businessmen and build a new Nepal through advancement in tourism.”

The Kathmandu Post 16 july, 2008

NTB sales mission

Nepal Touirsm Board (NTB) organised Sales Mission in Australian cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane recently. This was the fourth sales mission of NTB in less than a month. The sales missions in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane were participated by more than 250 tour operators and media representatives, a press release states. NTB also offered an eight-day trip to Nepal to the winner of lucky draw organised in each of the three cities.
The Himalayan Times July 13,2008

Call to appoint tourism attachés

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has urged the government to appoint tourism attaches in Nepali diplomatic missions abroad for promoting tourism through economic diplomacy.

NTB formally proposed the provision of tourism attaché through the Tourism and Civil Aviation Sub-Committee of the Revenue Recommendation Committee (RRC) constituted by the Ministry of Finance to recommend policies and programmes for the coming budget. The sub-committee has forwarded NTB’s proposal to RRC.

The sub-committee has recommended to appoint tourism attachés to Nepali en voys in the US, the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia.

These countries are the major tourist generating markets.

Elaborating on the provision, Nandini Lahe Thapa, NTB tourism marketing and promotion director said the attaché should know Nepal’s tourism products and services and be able to develop professional relations with local tour operators and media. “We have limited budget and can’t always travel abroad. We will give orientation to staff of our diplomatic missions and they can function as tourism attachés. We aren’t demanding that the government create new posts,” Thapa said adding that the attachés would represent NTB in their respective workstations and that they would be assigned with certain responsibilities.

“We are hopeful that our proposal will be incorporated in the coming budget. I think this will be a cost effective means of promoting tourism through economic diplomacy,” she said.

The private sector has long been demanding that the government activate its diplomatic missions for tourism promotion. NTB, together with the private sector, gave orientation to the latest batch of Nepali ambassadors before they headed for their respective embassies.

Hailing NTB’s proposal, Basant Raj Mishra, president of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) said the provision of tourism attaché in Nepali diplomatic missions would be effective for tourism promotion. “We have long been demanding that the government activate our diplomatic missions abroad for tourism promotion. I am hopeful that the provision of tourism attaché will help the tourism industry,” he added. Mishra suggested that NTB thoroughly train the attachés and assign them their responsibilities.

“They should be informed about tourism products and services, know our strengths and weaknesses, and develop good liaison between tour operators and the mass media.

They should also act immediately if misleading information about Nepal is carried by the local media,” he said.

The Himalayan Times July 13,2008

Changing skyline threatening Pokhara tourism

BY KULCHANDRA NEUPANE

Tourism entrepreneurs said they were worried about the future of billion of rupees of investment in the sector due to deteriorating condition of local heritages.

They said the huge amount of money injected into the sector has been put at risk because of road construction leading to Jomsom as an alternative to trekking, squeezing the area of the Fewa Lake and increasing construction works blocking the view of the Himalayas from Pokhara, are threatening the local tourism industry.

“Natural and tourist heritages are continuously being encroached and destroyed. We need to be serious about this increasing threat on tourism,” said Kali Bahadur Adhikari, former member of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), at a function organized to mark the 14th convention of the Regional Hotel Association, Pokhara, on Saturday.

“Pokhara is becoming a concrete city due to rapid construction works that have been blocking the view of Mount Machhapuchhre from Pokhara. Tourism in Pokhara will suffer a huge setback if we fail to stop such activities to preserve local heritages,” Adhikari added.

As per the existing regulations, buildings higher than two storeys are not allowed, to ensure a clear view of Mt Machhapuchhre from all sides of Pokhara. But the rampant violation of the code is also seen as an another challenge. Public platforms and ponds are being destructed in the course of road expansion and due to encroachment.

The Fewa Lake, a popular tourist hang out in Pokhara, is also under increasing threat as water hyacinth is invading a wider area of the lake which has been also facing mounting pollution in the recent years. Pokhara is located in the popular Annapurna trekking region. Tourism entrepreneurs are worried about the threat posed by road constructions along the trekking route. According NTB, 70 percent of the total 112,000 tourists visiting Pokhara in 2007, went trekking in this route.

“Billions of rupees have been invested here and all this is in serious threat. So measures to preserve, identify, develop and promote the natural heritages should be taken urgently,” Shrikant Sharma Khatiwada, a tourism expert, said. An estimated 29 billion rupees has been invested in Pokhara, the second largest tourist destination in Nepal.

Bachchuram Tiwari, president of Hotel Association of Nepal - Pokhara chapter, said a collective effort from all sectors is necessary for an economic revolution and for increasing employment by saving the huge investment from sinking.

President of HAN Prakash Shrestha also stressed on the need to peruse a policy of economic revolution to increase employment opportunities within the country.


The Kathmandu Post 13 July, 2008

BUDGET WATCH - Economic diplomacy required

Jyoti Adhikari, president, TAAN
With the declaration of a Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, people’s expectations of the new government are very high. The new budget should truly reflect people’s need for change. Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is hopeful that the government will incorporate its demands in the upcoming budget. Since tourism is the mainstay of the national economy, the government’s main focus should be on encouraging more international airlines to fly to Nepal.

It should immediately initiate measures to control mayhem and disorder in our only international airport. Realising adventure tourism as an important aspect of our tourism industry, the government should develop effective rescue mechanisms and allot separate adequate fund to carry out rescue operations.

This will help make our mountains and trekking areas safe. Since many years, we have been asking the government to give industry status to the tourism sector and provide due facilities. The government should allow duty-free import of vehicles for tourism industry. It should also allow unhindered movement of tourist vehicles throughout the country even during bandhs and strikes.

This will help portray Nepal as a tourist friendly nation in the international arena. At a time when the need for responsible tourism is being felt throughout the world, the government should come up with pro grammes to ensure safety and security of porters and trekking staffs.

Similarly, the government should give due emphasis to economic diplomacy to promote trade and tourism sector of the country. It should provide separate fund to our embassies and consulates for tourism promotion.

To materialize the concept of ‘Nepal for All Seasons’, the government should offer special incentives to visitors coming during the off-season.

The Himalayan Times july 12, 2008

Swiss company on Nepali tourism bandwagon

Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has recently given membership to Kuoni Destination Management, a strategic business unit of Kuoni Group — a multi-billion Swiss company.

Kuoni’s move in joining the NATO shows growing interest of foreign tour operators in Nepal as the tourism industry begins to bounce back with a vengeance. Many foreign tour operators are eying the Nepali market and trying to enter in a big way.

“This is an overwhelmingly positive development for the tourism industry to see foreign tour operators jockeying for selling Nepali tourism products,” states a press release. In the past, a huge number of tour operators erased Nepal from the roster of destinations and stopped promoting it.

In the meantime, the NATO and Kuoni have agreed to hold frequent familiarisation trips of tour operators to Nepal. This would help shore up confidence of international tour operators and boost the Nepali tourism industry.

Kuoni arranges and operates services throughout Europe, North America, India, eastern and southern Africa and China for and on behalf of some of the most esteemed tour operators and travel companies. It manages 1,45,000 travellers to the Indian sub-continent annually.

In addition, three more Nepali tour operators have received NATO membership: Vista Travels and Tours, a leading Spanish tourists handling company, Peace International Tours & Travels, a leading Italian tourists handling company and Fewa Tours & Travels.

The Himalayan Times

Visitors Arrival in June 2008 (by air only)

Marginal decrease in tourist arrivals in June
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that visitor arrivals to Nepal increased by 6 % with total 177163 visitors till June 2008. However, the arrival figure in June has been decreased by 7% to 21900. In the European market, Netherlands and Denmark recorded a strong increase by 20% and 35 % respectively.

Among the major tourist generating markets UK and France registered a growth of 2% and 8% whereas USA and Spain had a negative growth of 7% each and Germany 31%. Indian market recorded a negative growth of 8%, nevertheless this market alone contributed 52 % in the total arrivals for this month. Overall, the Asian market registered a commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of 64% from Bangladesh, 73 % from Pakistan, 46% from Sri Lanka and 42 % from Singapore
NTB

NAC vanishing into the blue

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Tuesday celebrated its golden jubilee against a backdrop of falling performance.
Inaugurating the celebration, chief secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire said the airline lay on its deathbed. “A new dose of life has to be injected into it if it is to survive,” he said.
The troubled corporation is operating one single aircraft on international routes as its management could not get its other plane maintained on time while it “scouted for commission”.
The craft has been stuck in Brunei for the last 11 months as its return to Kathmandu kept getting postponed.
“In the history of NAC, I have never seen such frequent cancellations of international flights like during this year,” Shishir Sharma, a NAC captain, said.
The corporation is fast losing out on bookings to other airlines. Average occupancy during the past month was around 50 percent, said a NAC official.
In the mid-1990s, NAC owned four Boeings and 12 other aircraft including Twin Otters and Avros that were used on domestic flights. The fleet has been slashed to one operational Boeing and two to three Twin Otters.
Speaking at the celebration, NAC managing director K B Limbu said there was enough market and manpower, but it was unable to provide service because of lack
of aircraft. We are working on rearranging our routes on the basis of profitability, he added.
He said the airline carried 105,091 passengers in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.
The Kathmandu Post 02 july 2008

Flight suspension to hit tourism

The temporary suspension of flyyeti.com's flights might hit the tourism sector. The suspension of flyyeti.com, a Low Cost Carrier (LCC), will hit the tourism industry that has just started picking up, say a tourism entrepreneurs.
Yeti Airlines, Nepal's leading domestic carrier and Air Arabia, the first and the largest LCC in the Middle East and North Africa, had entered into a joint venture (JV) to start a new budget airline, under the brand name flyyeti.com.
The suspension of flyyeti.com's flights from July 16 is a unilateral decision of Air Arabia team of management of the JV airline, due to high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price.
"Nepal has possibly highest ATF price in the world.
The JV airline pays $1.5 per litre of ATF in Nepal whereas on all routes that it operates the price is somewhere around $0.90," according to Ang Tshiring Sherpa, chairman, Yeti Airlines International Pvt Ltd.
"We pay about 67 per cent more for ATF in Nepal than elsewhere. With the rising price, operating flights was becoming economically challenging. The 10 per cent lease tax levied by the government on all leased air crafts is an additionally large burden to bear," the press note stated.
Though, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had a good profit margin in sales of the aviation fuel, it increased the price of ATF. Immediately, Airline operators have asked the government to roll back the decision of hiking ATF prices.
Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has also strongly condemned NOC's move to hike ATF prices. However, NOC didnot roll back the price.
It had hiked the ATF prices by Rs 10 per litre or 12.5 per cent for domestic use and $230 per 1000 litre or 21 per cent for interna tional operations.
Yeti Airlines International Pvt Ltd, under the brand name flyyeti.com had commenced its international flight from Kathmandu on January 22.
Nepali aviation laws are inflexible and should be modified to become more industry friendly, say the entrepreneurs. "If the government wants to see local airlines to grow in the international service, it should encourage them through flexible rules and tax exemptions."
Nepal had the all time record tourist arrivals last year and there are 19 foreign airlines operating air services to/from Nepal.
The temporary suspension of flyyeti.com's flights might hit the tourism sector. The suspension of flyyeti.com, a Low Cost Carrier (LCC), will hit the tourism industry that has just started picking up, say a tourism entrepre- neurs. Yeti Airlines, Nepal's lead- ing domestic carrier and Air Arabia, the first and the largest LCC in the Middle East and North Africa, had entered into a joint venture (JV) to start a new budget airline, under the brand name flyyeti.com. The suspension of fly- yeti.com's flights from July 16 is a unilateral decision of Air Arabia team of man- agement of the JV airline, due to high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price. "Nepal has possibly high- est ATF price in the world. The JV airline pays $1.5 per litre of ATF in Nepal whereas on all routes that it operates the price is some- where around $0.90," ac- cording to Ang Tshiring Sherpa, chairman, Yeti Air- lines International Pvt Ltd. "We pay about 67 per cent more for ATF in Nepal than elsewhere. With the rising price, operating flights was becoming economically challenging. The 10 per cent lease tax levied by the gov- ernment on all leased air- crafts is an additionally large burden to bear," the press note stated. Though, Nepal Oil Corpo- ration (NOC) had a good profit margin in sales of the aviation fuel, it increased the price of ATF. Immediate- ly, Airline operators have asked the government to roll back the decision of hik- ing ATF prices. Airlines Operators Associ- ation of Nepal (AOAN) has also strongly condemned NOC's move to hike ATF prices. However, NOC did- not roll back the price. It had hiked the ATF prices by Rs 10 per litre or 12.5 per cent for domestic use and $230 per 1000 litre or 21 per cent for interna- tional operations. Yeti Airlines International Pvt Ltd, under the brand name flyyeti.com had com- menced its international flight from Kathmandu on January 22. Nepali aviation laws are inflexible and should be modified to become more industry friendly, say the entrepreneurs. "If the gov- ernment wants to see local airlines to grow in the inter- national service, it should encourage them through flexible rules and tax ex- emptions." Nepal had the all time record tourist arrivals last year and there are 19 foreign airlines operating air ser- vices to/from Nepal.
The Himalayan Times 02 july 2008

Nepal's Sales Mission to the US completed successfully

As Nepal has recently ushered into one of the most important political changes in its recent history, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) the national tourism organization of the country organized a Sales Mission in the key cities of the United States of America from June 20 to 27, 2008.

After the successful completion of the Constitutional Assembly elections and declaration of Nepal as a Republic, the Nepalese delegation met and interacted with the US media, travel agencies and tour operators in the key outbound cities of Los Angeles (June 20), San Francisco (June 23), Denver (June 24), Washington DC (June 26) and New York city (June 27) during the Sales Mission programs.

The Nepalese delegation comprising of five private sector tourism companies was led by the Chief Executive Officer of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha and supported by the Nepal Embassy in Washington DC and the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York.

CEO of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha informed the US media and trade that with Nepal being declared the youngest republic, the Nepalese travel trade industry was ready to take up the challenge to institutionalize the new system. Saying that tourism in Nepal was not a choice but a compulsion, Mr. Shrestha explained the vital role that the tourism industry played in the socio-economic sector of the country.

Explaining the segmentation of the "Naturally Nepal – Once is not Enough" brand under Weekend Breaks, Experience of a Lifetime and Amazing Adventures, Mr. Shrestha elaborated the unmatchable tourism products, attractions and the services that Nepal has to offer to the visitors from the US. As arrivals from the US had already shown upward trend, he was confident that the Sales Mission would help in disseminating the positive information on Nepal and further boosting tourist arrivals in the days ahead.

Speaking at the programs in Washington DC and New York respectively, Excellencies Dr. Suresh Raj Chalise, Ambassador of Nepal to US and Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations stressed that since safely and security were no longer any issues, the Nepali tourism industry was all geared up to welcome the visitors from the US. They emphasized on the key role of tourism in the new Republic and the importance that the Government had given to the tourism industry. They assured all present that the Embassy and the Permanent Mission would extend all possible cooperation to the outbound operators and media in the US as well as cooperate fully with NTB in destination promotion.

NTB under its brand "Naturally Nepal – Once is not Enough" has been focusing in the US market with various once in a life time adventure packages. The drive of the new tourism brand is reinventing Nepal's natural and cultural diversity while stressing on sustainability and environmental tourism efforts. The Nepal brand focuses on sharing the warm Nepalese hospitality, friendly culture and rich history.

This year till May 2008, the total tourist arrival has shown an increase of 8% as compared to the same period in 2007. The increase in the US arrival is a robust 25% compared to the same period in 2007.

The five private sector companies taking part in the Sales Mission were: Cho-Oyu Trekking, Royal Mt. Trekking, Shangrila Tours, Sherpa Brother Treks & Expeditions and Yeti Travels.

Phewa Lake


ANNOYING INVASION: A scene of Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Saturday. Eichhornia crassips, popularly known as jalakumbi, has covered larger sections of the lake-one of the major tourist attractions of Pokhara Valley. Invasion by the water hyacinth has badly clogged waterways.

( Photo : Kul Chandra Neupane )


Life style of Nepalese Women


Life style of Nepalese Women
Carring vegetable for sales in Kathmandu

Photo The Himalayan Times

Nepalese Tourism Promoted in Japan

Nepal Tourism Board, in cooperation with the Nepal Embassy in Japan,organized the Nepal Sales Mission in the two major cities of Tokyo and Osaka in Japan on 17 and 18 June 2008 respectively. As Nepal has witnessed one of the most important political changes in its recent history, NTB promoted the Nepalese tourism in key cities of Japan to encourage travelers to come visit this new Republic.

Addressing the audience of Japanese travel trade and media fraternity on both occasions, the Ambassador to Japan H. E Dr. Ganesh Yonjan Tamang highlighted the positive environment in Nepal for the holidaying tourist in the changed socio political context. He also expressed the commitment of the Government of Nepal to help facilitate and enourrage the Japanese Travelers to visit Nepal from all fronts.

Ms. Nandini L Thapa, Director of Tourism Marketing-Nepal Tourism Board, made a presentation on Nepalese tourism attractions amidst the august gatherings. She further reiterated about the Nepal Tourism Brand and the Tourism Product Clusters. Queries raised by the audience were answered by HE Yonjan and Ms. Thapa. The participants of the program raised the concern about NAC Flight and safety security situation.

A B2B (Business to Business) session was also organized during the program where the meeting of Japanese tour operators with their Nepali counterparts was arranged. Yeti Travels, Shangrila Tours, and Cho Oyo Trekking were the participants in the B2B session. Nepalese Cultural Performances were organized in both the cities during the program.

The year 2007 has shown substantial growth of 27.1% in the total number of tourists as compared to 2006. In 2007, tourist arrivals from Japan increased by 18.4% compared to 2006 and has grown 25% till May 2008. Accessibility between the two countries has improved through a number of airlines like China Southern Airlines, Thai Airways, Silk air, Korean Air although Nepal Airlines(after resumption of flights)will remain the most a top choice due to its good connections. After the very successful CA elections and declaration of a new Republic, the Nepal Tourism Board is visiting key tourism markets to reestablish the image of Nepal as an ideal and memorable holiday destination.
NTB

3 Sisters Adventure Trekking wins Geotourism Challenge

3 Sisters Adventure Trekking of Nepal has won the first-ever Geotourism Challenge! National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations and Ashoka's Changemakers sought out the most innovative, authentic, and successful tourism initiatives from around the world for the contest and received over 320 entries from 83 countries. Along with it, Rainforest Restoration and Sustainable Community Development (Costa Rica) and Yachana: Geotourism Lodge and School, Yachana Foundation (Ecuador) won this award for their innovative ideas. It is stated in a press release issued at www. intelligenttravel.typepad.com on June 19, 2008. After a panel of experts winnowed down the field to 15, the public voted and three excellent groups will each receive $5,000 dollars to support their efforts. The three winners are:

3 Sisters Adventure Trekking (Nepal) uses the positive aspects of tourism to create equity for local women and bring revenue to the poorest areas of Nepal. Women train to become adventure professionals and acquire the skills to earn money, interact with the world and discover their own strengths, critical in a culture where women have been consistently marginalized.

Rainforest Restoration and Sustainable Community Development (Costa Rica) Ri­os Tropicales Lodge protects the Costa Rican rain forest by empowering and engaging local communities of native Cabecar Indians, hiring them to manage its eco-lodge and sustainable farming projects. Ri­os Tropicales helps their best guides turn into "€œecopreneurs" and start their own businesses.

Yachana: Geotourism Lodge and School, Yachana Foundation (Ecuador) is providing practical, hands-on education for Ecuadoran youth in the Amazon. As the country'€™s only school offering a degree in ecotourism and sustainable development, it is deeply involved in cultural programs, the newest being the Amazon Culinary Tour, where guests and students harvest and prepare Amazonian foods together.

"These three winners, as well as the other 12 finalists, are blazing pathways for the mainstream tourism industry to follow," said Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the Center for Sustainable Destinations, and the Geotourism Editor here at Traveler. "The future of tourism depends on protecting the quality of the world's destinations by fully engaging the people who live in them." All fifteen finalists will attend a geotourism summit here at National Geographic in the fall.
NTB

British journalists share their Nepal experiences

Two British journalists, who were on a fam-trip to Nepal, recently shared their experiences with Nepalese media people at an interaction with Nepalese journalists. 'Nepal is one of the best destinations for tourism,' they univocally asserted.
Mr. Padaric Falagan, news reporter of Daily Express, and Mr. Raymond Whittaker, foreign editor of The Independent, were invited by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for a 7-day fam-trip that ended on June 11, 2008.
'We don't know the current political situation of Nepal in detail. But the situation here has changed a lot. As compared to the insurgency period, the situation in the country has really improved,' said Mr. Whittaker.
Similarly, Mr. Flanagan said that they would recommend British visitors to visit Nepal through their articles and write-ups. 'Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Many visitors prefer to visit it. If political situation is stable here, tourism will flourish,' he added.
The journalists visited different sites in Kathmandu and Pokhara throughout their stay in Nepal.
'If you want to promote tourism here, you most inform the rest of the world that peace has been restored here,' they both said.
The fam-trip was supported by Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and Gulf Air.
TAAN

view Of Mt Ama Dablam and Koungtenga

Trekkers and high-altitude porters rest at a memorial cairn (left) and view Mt Ama Dablam and Koungtenga (right small) at the Babuchhiri Memorial Park atop 4,900 meter-high Thukla Hill some 30 kilometers from Namchebazaar in the Everest region, recently. A cairn has been erected in the park for every mountaineer who died in the Everest region.
( Photo : Bikash Karki )


Hunting in Dhorpatan catching on

After remaining dormant for more than a decade due to the insurgency, a hunter's paradise is once again gaining popularity after the government permitted hunting licenses this year.

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in the country, was opened for licensed hunting in fiscal year 2007/2008.

According to Surya Bahadur Pandey, management officer at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), with the issuing of hunting licenses, interested parties are very keen to come to Nepal for hunting at DHR.

"We have already received more than 10 names for hunting license," he said.

Pandey said, since the announcement of hunting licenses in February, three licenses have already been taken. Similarly, two other interested parties including Tracks and Trail and Nepal Wildlife Adventure have submitted candidates' names for hunting licenses.

"Most of the licenses sought are for hunters are from Austria and America," he said.

According to Pandey, government gave permission for licensed hunting after finding a healthy population of game including the blue sheep, also known as jharal, which is prized by hunters. The government has issued a hunting quota of 24 for this fiscal year.

A survey done between May 25 and June 12, 2007 found a total of 852 blue sheep in six specified hunting blocks at DHR. The six hunting blocks in the reserve include Sundaha, Seng, Dogadi, Phagune, Barse and Gustang.

Out of the 852 blue sheep counted, 126 were termed trophy rams, 92 medium rams and 45 young rams. The trophy rams are ideal for hunting but the government can permit the hunting of all rams above 10 years of age.

According to DNPWC sources, hunting is allowed in the reserve under strict monitoring by officials and licensed guides who accompany the hunters. Hunting licenses are provided during periods from February to April and August to October.

The kathmandu Post 18 june, 2008

Nepal Promotion Program in South Korea

Nepal Tourism Board participated in Korean Travel Fair, KOTFA 2008 from 5th-8th June 2008 in Seoul, Korea. It is the second time that Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) and private sector have participated in this fair targeting the Koran tourists. A private trekking company Stairway to Heaven treks and Expedition has also participated in the event. The historical, social, cultural ties and Buddhism, a common religious bond between the two countries has remained very strong for years. Taking this fact in account Nepal was highlighted as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites and other cultural attractions of Nepal. Likewise, being also a pioneer country in adventure activities, Nepal has focused Mt. Everest as an icon for mountaineers and other soft adventure attractions like trekking, hiking, rafting, jungle safari, paragliding, etc. too. During the fair, NTB has showcased the various other tourism attractions and activities of Nepal.. Nepal Tourism Board had also organized a grand cultural show during the fair at the main stage of the exhibition hall.. The show highlighting the Nepalese cultural attractions had gathered a huge number of audience.
Following the KOTFA fair, with purpose of promoting Nepal through Korean tour operator and Korean media, a presentation on Nepal's tourism was organized amidst prominent tour operators and press in Busan city on 9th June 2008. Total of seventy tour operators based in Busan and ten local media personnel were present in the program. His Excellency Nepalese Ambassador to Korea Mr. Kamal Prasad Koirala highlighted the Nepal Korean relationship and requested Korean media and Korean tour operator to promote Nepal. Likewise Mr. Lee Keun Hoo, Chairman Busan Tourism Association, Mr. Chung, Hae-Moon, Ambassador for International Relations, Busan Metropolitan City and Professor Mr. Park Jae Sup of Inje University, Busan described the beauty and attraction of Nepal. They focused on regular promotional efforts needed in Korean market to boost the Korean inbound in Nepal. The presence of Senior Buddhist monk Ven. A San / Jung Woo of Tongdosa Temple of Yangsan – City had exhilarated the program. Earlier, Mr. Binay Prakash Shrestha, Director NTB had welcomed guests and summarized the Nepal's tourism attractions and Nepal Tourism Board's efforts in promoting tourism in Korea and urged Korean tourists to visit Nepal. NTB honorary PRR Mr. KP Sitoula had made a special presentation on Nepal and addressed the various queries of the tour operator and media persons together with director Mr. Shrestha. A few Nepalese representing local organizations from Busan and Seoul were also present in the program.
The positive trend in international visitors' arrival figure to Nepal continued on a robust growth of 11 % in the main season of January-April 2008. Among the South Korean visitors, the number is increased by 8% in this period. The total number of Korean traveler visiting Nepal by air in 2006 was 7002 and in 2007 it was 12,513 adding the increment of 78 % . The Korean arrival during the first five-month of 2008 is 6,537. The direct connection between Seoul and Kathmandu by Korean air has facilitated the Korean travelers to come to Nepal. Currently, Korean Air is flying once in a week on Seoul-KTM-Seoul sector.

Nepali tourism night organized in Egypt

June 11, 2008 The Embassy of Nepal in Egypt, in close cooperation with Ismailia Chamber of Commerce, organized "Nepal Tourism Night" in Ismailia, Egypt on June 8, 2008 with the aim of promoting Nepalese tourism, trade and foreign investment in Nepal. The program was inaugurated by H. E. General Salah Khatab, Secretary General of Ismailia Governorate of Egypt. Adressing the function he expressed his hope that the program would contribute to the promotion of Nepalese tourism in Egypt as well as open opportunities of more bilateral trade and investment.Delivering welcome speech on the occasion, H. E. Dr. Rambhakta P. B. Thakur, Ambassador of Nepal to the Arab republic of Egypt, highlighted different aspects of Nepalese tourism, trade and investment as well as incentives available there. Terming Nepal as an incomparable meeting point of tourism, culture and natural excellence, he called on the Egyptians to explore them.At the program, an audio visual presentation on various aspects of Nepalese tourism, trade and investment opportunities was also made. The program attended by distinguished personalities, government officials, businessmen, journalists, media representatives, travel agents and tour operators was followed by the screening of Nepalese touristic films and a dinner.

Fishtail Air adds chopper

Fishtail Air has acquired a Bell 206B III Jet Ranger helicopter.In a statement, the helicopter operator said the helicopter arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday. The airline recently completed a year of operations after a re-launch with an AS 350B helicopter. “With the new scenario in the country and the increase in the influx of tourists, helicopters will play a major role towards more tourist activities,” said the operator. It said the new Bell 206B III Jet ranger helicopter is one of the most popular and versatile helicopters. The main features of the helicopter are superior autorotation characteristics, collective mounted throttles, rupture resistance fuel cells, and the ability to fly up to an altitude of 16,000 feet, said the operator, adding that it also has comfortable seats for up to four passengers.

Etihad links with MA

Etihad Airways is set to forge closer links with Malaysia Airlines (MA), following the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The airline said in a statement that this would potentially see the two national airlines add destinations in their international networks and offer frequent flyer benefits offered to their respective customers. James Hogan, Etihad's chief executive and Malaysia Airlines' managing director and chief executive Idris Jala, signed the agreement.
The Kathmandu Post 15june, 2008

Min Bahadur Sherchan

Mountaineer Min Bahadur Sherchan, 77, who is
planning to scale Mt Everest in May this year points at the summit at his office in Kathmandu on Sunday. If successful, Sherchan will be the world's oldest person to scale the highest mountain. In September 2006, Sherchan climbed Mt Naya Khanga (5,844m). Currently, 71-year-old Japanese Katsusuke Yanagisawa holds the record as eldest man to summit Everest.
The Kathmandu Post 14 June, 2008

Freefall of garment export to US continues

Nepal's garment shipments to the US have shrunk by 36 percent over the first five months of 2008 as labor unrest, fading buyer confidence and eroding competitiveness continued to take a toll on the country's major export industry.

According to the statistics released by the Garment Association - Nepal (GAN), Nepali readymade garment manufacturers exported a mere US$ 8.03 million worth of products to the US during the period. During the same period last year, their shipments had amounted to US$ 12.54 million.

A study of the monthly export figures reveals that March, April and May were the worst months for the garment industry with deliveries down 66, 49 and 51 percent respectively.

“Exports in May were a meager US$ 1.1 million. This was a drastic drop from May 2007 when US$ 2.25 million worth of garments were sold abroad,” a GAN official informed the Post.

Exports went into a downward spiral after the tarai banda a few months ago, which crippled trade through tarai-based customs for 16 days, said entrepreneurs. The banda prevented manufacturers from delivering their orders on time resulting in their losing out on new orders to other countries. GAN's data further shows that the export of the country's once largest exportable commodity is just one-eighth of what it was during the same period in 2003.

Nepal's readymade garment exports to the world's largest market had been floundering since 2002 when the US provided duty-free market access to Caribbean and Sub-Saharan countries, Nepal's main competitors in the US.

While the phase-out of quotas in international apparel trading in 2005 came as another blow to Nepal's exporters, political instability, labor troubles and falling competitiveness only added to their woes.

GAN's year-wise export data reveals that Nepal's exports to the US plummeted 30 percent in 2004, 41 percent in 2005, 6 percent in 2006 and 48 percent in 2007 compared to the preceding year.

As a result, the number of factories in operation has dropped to about a dozen from over 500 units operating a decade ago. This has left some 80,000 people, half of them women, out of a job.

Entrepreneurs said that the industry could still bounce back if trade unions reached a minimum understanding with producers and pledged not to strike for the next two years.

They underscored the need to establish a garment processing zone at the earliest to reduce transit transportation costs and other components of the cost of production.

“The government should also make stronger efforts to obtain duty-free market access to the US,” said entrepreneurs. According to them, the facility would free Nepali garment exports of the 18 percent customs duty which is now being imposed on them, thereby raising their competitiveness in the world's largest apparel market.

The Kathmandu Post 13 june, 2008

Agni Air brings new aircraft

Agni Air has bought Dornier 228 aircraft that will provide service on Pokhara and Jomson sector from next month. Agni Air has been providing service to Lukla, Tumlingtar, Phaplu, Janakpur and other charter flight by two Dornier 228 aircraft since March 16, 2006.

According to Ganesh Chandra Baniya, CEO of the company, ‘it was initially from Germany but Agni has brought it from Malaysian government.’

The Himalayan Times 10 june, 2008

male rhino

male rhino
OUTRAGE: A male rhino with its horn hacked off found in Bardiya National Park in April PHOTO: RAMESWOR BOHARA

Travels & Tour Company

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