Preserve Annapurna region

Tourism entrepreneurs on Annapurna trail have formed Annapurna Century Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Committee to work for the professional welfare of the entrepreneurs, develop tourism infrastructure and protect the nature and culture of the Annapurna region to attract more tourists.
Around 300 hotel entrepreneurs of Kaski and Myagdi along the world famous trail are affiliated with the committee.
The Annapurna trail is considered one of the top 10 best routes for trekking in the world. Trekking on the route can be completed within seven to nine days.
A two-day workshop held for tourism entrepreneurs by the committee in Dhampus concluded yesterday, by laying stress on infrastructure development, solving problems of tourism entrepreneurs, protecting the nature and culture of the region and investing at least 50 % of the revenue generated from the tourists for local development.
Committee president Kisam Gurung accused the Nepal Tourism Board of discrimination against rural tourism entrepreneurs. Advisor to the committee Tirtha Shrestha inaugurated the workshop. He too accused the authorities concerned of ignoring rural tourism.
The Rishing Nepal 31may,2008

Artworks to mark Sagarmatha Day: Images from Everest Base Camp

Korean photographer and poet Kim Hyanung Hyo in collaboration with Nepali artist B K Nar Bahadur have come up with an art and photography exhibition at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Exhibition Road from May 29. The exhibition is organized to mark the first International Sagarmatha Day, which will be observed every year on the same date.
The inauguration ceremony was preceded by poetry recitation by poet Manjul and artist and art writer Madan Chitrakar.
The exhibition displays twelve photos and paintings by Hyo and BK, respectively. “The mystique charm of Mt Everest, the highest peak of the world seems to remain perennially same in spite of the passage of time,” Madan Chitrakar remarked pensively after observing the paintings.
All the paintings by artist BK were created at Everest Base Camp itself.
As Chitrakar further comments, “The exhibition becomes more exciting and meaningful after discovering the fact that the exhibits remain the latest and the fresh images from there. They've just arrived with these images so as to make it possible to celebrate this day (First International Sagarmatha Day).”
The exhibition will run through June 1.

The Kathmandu Post 30 may, 2008

Govt marks Mt Everest Day

The government is celebrating Mt. Everest Day from this year for the first time on May 29 to commemorate the first step by humankind on the top of Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak.At a seminar on adventure tourism organised here today under the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on the occasion of the First International Mt. Everest Day, discussion was held on Nepal’s tourism potential and challenges.

On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Lilamani Poudel stressed on the need to establish Nepal as the adventure tourism destination in the international arena. NTB Executive Chief Prachandman Shrestha called for celebrating adventure tourism year in 2010 to make the ambitious plan of inviting one million tourists by that year.

Tourism expert Dr. Gyanendra Ratna Tuladhar shed light on various aspects of adventure tourism.Also speaking on the occasion were Joint Secretary of the Ministry Dinesh Hari Adhikari, NTB’s Senior Director Subhash Niraula, and tourism entrepreneur Deepak Mahat. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has lauded the courageous and challenging feat accomplished by 77-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan of Myagdi to set a new world record of the oldest man to scale the world’s highest mountain Mt. Sagarmatha or Everest.As a member of the Senior Citizen Everest Expedition Nepal-2008, Shercha had successfully scaled the world’s tallest peak on Sunday morning.I

n a statement issued here today, the Nepali Congress has also thanked and congratulated all those who played an important role in making Sherchan’s expedition successful.

The Rishing Nepal 29 may, 2008

Symposium on adventure tourism

A symposium on adventure tourism organised at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) here today deliberated on the ways and means to promote adventure tourism within and outside Nepal.
The workshop was part of the activities being organised by the tourism board in association with several tourism agencies to celebrate the Sagarmatha Diwas (Mt Everest Day) tomorrow. The day marks the heroic achievement of Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary who scaled the highest peak on May 29, 1953.
Today’s programme entailed a paper presentation on adventure tourism by noted intellectual Dr Gyanendra Ratna Tuladhar. It was followed by comments by Deepak Mahat former president Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Gyaneshwar Prasad Singh, project coordinator, MAST Nepal and a lively discussion by various stakeholders and members of the media.
The speakers emphasised on developing adventure tourism as a vital economic activity and outlined the need to give it a due share of importance while promoting tourism.
Nepal boasts of having the world’s best adventure tourism options based on mountains like bungee jumping, rafting, paragliding and mountain flight among others.
NTB chief Prachanda Man Shrestha, at the end, summed up the discussions like the need to increase resources by raising adventure tourism activities and creating more novelty in the existing ones; focus on service management; attention to risk mitigation and better management for a higher economic impact to attract high spending tourists.
A symposium on adven- ture tourism organised at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) here today deliber- ated on the ways and means to promote adven- ture tourism within and outside Nepal. The workshop was part of the activities being or- ganised by the tourism board in association with several tourism agencies to celebrate the Sagarmatha Diwas (Mt Everest Day) to- morrow. The day marks the heroic achievement of Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary who scaled the highest peak on May 29, 1953. Today’s programme en- tailed a paper presentation on adventure tourism by noted intellectual Dr Gya- nendra Ratna Tuladhar. It was followed by comments by Deepak Mahat former president Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Gyaneshwar Prasad Singh, project coor- dinator, MAST Nepal and a lively discussion by various stakeholders and mem- bers of the media. The speakers empha- sised on developing ad- venture tourism as a vital economic activity and out- lined the need to give it a due share of importance while promoting tourism. Nepal boasts of having the world’s best adventure tourism options based on mountains like bungee jumping, rafting, paraglid- ing and mountain flight among others. NTB chief Prachanda Man Shrestha, at the end, summed up the discus- sions like the need to in- crease resources by raising adventure tourism activi- ties and creating more novelty in the existing ones; focus on service management; attention to risk mitigation and better management for a higher economic impact to attract high spending tourists.

The Himalayan Times 29 may, 2008

Record participation in Everest Marathon

Everest Base Camp, May 28 - The much awaited Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is all set to flag off from the Everest Base Camp on Thursday with a record number of 136 participants including 48 internationals from 16 countries.
The 42.195 km race is held annually to commemorate the first Everest ascent by late Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29 and will pass through Gorakshep, Lubuche, Dingboche, Pangboche and will go around Khumjung en route to Namche, the ending point.
Two-time defending champion Deepak Rai, 27, who clocked 3hrs 57 mins and 3 hrs 28 mins in the last two editions respectively, is participating in the race for the third time.
Nevertheless, he is downplaying his chances, like he did the last time around, citing knee injury.
"Last year I had devoted a lot of time in training but this time I was in Manang to participate in the Manang Marathon. Manang Marathon and Everest Marathon are completely different with Everest being more difficult as it takes place in a higher altitude. However, I will give my best on the final day," said Rai.
Lok Bahadur Rokaya from Armed Police Force, runner-up of Everest Marathon 2006 and winner of Diana Pini Marathon 2007 held once in two years in the Khumbu region, is seen as a strong contender in this edition. Rokaya informed that he has been training every morning and evening for the last two months and is expecting to take the title.
He, however, will face tough competition from first time participant Hiroki Ishikawa, 33, from Japan. Ishikawa who is a trainer back home in trail marathons has a couple of international titles under his belt but he admitted the Everest Marathon is a great challenge for him being different from what he has been running in back home.
Though his specialty is long distance race he hopes to give his best in this high altitude marathon which takes place at an elevation of 5,360m coupled with the hardest trails.
"I caught cold here but I still managed to spare some time for training. I will give my best on the final day despite my illness," said Ishikawa.
Yangdi Sherpa, defending champion in the women's section and champion in 2005 and 2004 will be looking to finish ahead of 12 other participants including two Nepalis and retain the title.
The marathon being the highest in the world, this 21 year old, 12-grader, says it is an honor to win the title as it requires strength and speed.
Art Valdez, expedition leader of Philippines Mt Everest Expedition leader is leading a four-member group along with two Everest summiteers Erwin Pastour and Carina Dayondon, who is seen as a strong contender in the women's section.
A nine-member team from Tribhuvan Army Club is taking part in the event. Dr Marina Makovich, 56, from Austria and Miyano Katsuyosh, 63, from Japan are the oldest participants in the women's and men's sections respectively.
There are a total of three categories — open, international and women's — to be won in the event.

The Kathmandu Post 29 may, 2008

Tourists increase in Khumbu region

The number of tourists visiting the Khumbu region recorded a new high in 2007, owing largely to a ban in the movement of tourists in the Tibet side by China on the back Olympic game to be held after few months in Beijing.
According to the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) office, 26,000 visitors were recorded last year, up from 25,191 recorded in 1999, the previous record.
Local hoteliers said the number went up due tourist trekking and mountaineering groups shifted to Nepal from Tibet.
According to Ang Dorje Sherpa, proprietor of Namche Hotel, mountaineers outnumber the trekkers during spring season. He said the number of tourists shot up during the period due to forth coming Beijing Olympic which diverted mountaineers to Nepal from the Chinese autonomous region Tibet.
More than 10,000 visitors entered the Khumbu region, where the world's highest peak Mt. Everest lies- during the first four month of this year, said SNP's data. "Local hotels of the Khumbu region were fully occupied by foreign guests during the main season," said Neema Doma Sherpa, who runs Sherpa Land Hotel in the Khumbu Region.
With the number of visitors continuing to increase, new hotels are also on the rise in the area which is also one of the most preferred trekking and mountaineering routes in the world. According to local tourism entrepreneurs, almost half a dozen new hotels open along the route every year. Most of the tourists, who use the Tenzing-Hilary Airport, trek to the Mt Everest base camp, Kala Patthar, Mera Peak, Gyoko Renzola, and Tengboche areas.
Movement of tourists in the Khumbu region had begun from 1953 when Tenzing Sherpa and Edmond Hillary first conquered the tallest peak of the world.

The Kathmandu Post 29 may, 2008

Yeti Airlines donates to social organisations

Ang Tshiring Sherpa, managing director of Yeti Airlines handed the cheque of Rs 2,65,220, each to four organisations; Tewa, an organisation committed to the empowerment and advancement of women through regular grant making to women’s groups all across Nepal; OCCED that assists and improves the situation of the disorganised sector of communities and provides education to the under privileged children of the country; Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief that freely treats leprosy affected people in their hospital and government leprosarium, works for leprosy elimination and extends free medical care to the destitute and Nepal Glaucoma Eye Clinic (Tilganga Eye Centre) yesterday.
The total amount donated by Yeti Airlines is Rs 10,60,880, states a press release. Last fiscal year, for the same cause, Yeti Airlines had donated a total of Rs 17,42,036 that is Rs 4,35,509, each to Tewa, OCCED, Maiti Nepal and Nepal Leprosy Relief Association in two instalments.
Yeti Airlines’ biggest socio-economic contribution is the accessibility it provides to various remote areas like Bajhang, Simikot, Manang, Rukum, Dolpo, Bajura, Rara, Lukla, Phaplu, Rumjhatar. Yeti Airlines Domestic is the only means of transportation to some of these very remote areas in Nepal, , claims the company.
Yeti Airlines has played a vital role in providing a lifeline between the remote mountain regions and the rest of the worldpromoting tourism, environment conservation, preventing starvation by ferrying foodstuff, providing rescue mission for sick people in need of emergency medical care and by being the only reliable mode of transportation to and fro in the mountain regions of Nepal.
Ang Tshiring Sherpa, man- aging director of Yeti Air- lines handed the cheque of Rs 2,65,220, each to four organisations; Tewa, an or- ganisation committed to the empowerment and ad- vancement of women through regular grant making to women’s groups all across Nepal; OCCED that assists and improves the situation of the disor- ganised sector of commu- nities and provides educa- tion to the under privi- leged children of the coun- try; Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief that freely treats leprosy affected people in their hospital and gov- ernment leprosarium, works for leprosy elimina- tion and extends free med- ical care to the destitute and Nepal Glaucoma Eye Clinic (Tilganga Eye Cen- tre) yesterday. The total amount donat- ed by Yeti Airlines is Rs 10,60,880, states a press re- lease. Last fiscal year, for the same cause, Yeti Airlines had donated a total of Rs 17,42,036 that is Rs 4,35,509, each to Tewa, OCCED, Maiti Nepal and Nepal Leprosy Relief Association in two instalments. Yeti Airlines’ biggest so- cio-economic contribu- tion is the accessibility it provides to various remote areas like Bajhang, Simikot, Manang, Rukum, Dolpo, Bajura, Rara, Lukla, Phaplu, Rumjhatar. Yeti Airlines Domestic is the only means of transporta- tion to some of these very remote areas in Nepal, , claims the company. Yeti Airlines has played a vital role in providing a lifeline between the re- mote mountain regions and the rest of the world- promoting tourism, envi- ronment conservation, preventing starvation by ferrying foodstuff, provid- ing rescue mission for sick people in need of emer- gency medical care and by being the only reliable mode of transportation to and fro in the mountain re- gions of Nepal.

The Himalayan Times 28 may, 2008

Appa sherpa after Mt everest summit

75-yr-old Japanese climbs Mt Everest

A 75-year-old Japanese climber and five others scaled Mt Everest Monday on Monday.
Yuichiro Miura reached the summit with Miura Everest 2008 expedition this morning, according to Ramesh KC, an official at the Tourism Ministry. His ascent follows a record climb by 76-year Min Bahadur Serchan Sunday.
Miura has achieved this feat even though he has undergone two heart surgeries -- in 2006 and in 2007, according to Mainichi Daily News, Japan.
In 2003, he made it to the summit of Mt Everest at the age of 70. A doctor accompanied him on the climb and took care of his health, monitoring his heart with electrocardiograms.
A number of records have been set this spring season, as 32 mountaineering teams pushed for the summit.
The climbing season is coming to an end from May 30 when monsoon rain sets in. Nearly 2,200 mountaineers have set foot on the top of Everest from the Nepali side since 1953 when Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary first conquered it.

The Kathmandu Post 27may, 2008

Sherchan becomes oldest Everest summiteer

Seventy-six-year old Min Bahadur Sherchan of Nepal has set a record Sunday, becoming the oldest person to reach the summit of Mt Everest.
Sherchan got to the top of Everest at 8:40 am today with Senior Citizen Everest Expedition, said Ramesh KC, an official at the Tourism Ministry.
He beat the record held by Japanese mountaineer Katsusuke Yanagisawa. The retired school teacher was 71 years old when he reached the summit in 2007.
KC said Sherchan is descending to the base camp where he is expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday.
Born on June 20th, 1931, in Myagdi district, Sherchan had climbed smaller mountains before his Everest feat. The former soldier has been an active sportsman as well.
In a press conference held last January, prior to setting off for the Everest climb, he said his aim was to induce senior citizens to take up the challenge and that he wanted to be a source of inspiration for the youth. “I had a strong desire to put my feet on top of Everest since early childhood,” he said.
Even in his old age, he has made a string of adventurous journeys. He traveled 202 kilometers from Kathmandu to Pokhara in four days in 2003. Likewise, he covered a distance of 1028 kilometers from Mechi River to the Mahakali
River in 20 days in the same year. He scaled 5,844 meter Mt Nayakhanga Peak in 2006.
In a message posted on the website for Senior Citizen Everest Expedition, he said: “I want to galvanize the entire senile population in Nepal into enthusiasm and devotion to achieve a better life even in old age.”
“That is why I have commenced on the great mission with a great vision in a great season [spring season] to fight against the mighty Mt. Everest with the will-power of my mind and the clean energy of my heart,” he said.
KC said besides Sherchan, eight climbers, including Chunu Shrestha who was part of 10-member First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 reached atop Mt Everest today. Nine other members have already conquered the world’s tallest peak. At least 219 climbers have scaled the earth’s highest point this spring season only.

The Kathmandu Post may26, 2008

Another all-woman climbing first

Mom,daughter scale tallest peaks of all continents

A mother and daughter team from Sydney today scaled the world’s highest mountain, Mt Everest, becoming the first such pair to have climbed the tallest peaks in all the seven continents.
Cheryl Bart, chairwoman of the South Australian Film Commission, and her 23-year-old daughter Nikki began their ascent to the Everest summit on April 1.
They reached the top after several setbacks, including the temporary confiscation of their communications gear amid security for the Beijing Olympic torch.
Australian support team member Craig Middleton told the Australian Broad casting Corporation (ABC): “They only spent a very short time on the summit because of the oxygen deprivation at that height. So they now have to make their way down to one of the lower level camps.” Earlier, Cheryl radioed back to the base camp: “I’m on top of the world.
The sun is just rising and it’s just the most glorious spectacle ever, any time.” The pair has climbed to the top of South America’s Aconcagua mountain (6,962 metres), North America’s McKinley-Denali (6,195 metres), Africa’s Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres), Europe’s Elbrus (5,642 metres), Antarctica’s Vinson Massif (4,897 metres) and Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko mountain (2,228 metres).

The Himalayan Times 25 may, 2008

Rescue efforts on

Nepali and international mountaineers are making efforts to rescue a Spanish climber from the base camp of Mt Annapurna I. The climber is said to be in a critical condition. “We are making arrangements to rescue Inaki Ocho, who has been reportedly stranded at an altitude of 7400 m,” Nima Nuru Sherpa, managing director of the Cho-Yu Trekking Pvt Ltd, said. Nepali and international mountaineers are making efforts to rescue a Spanish climber from the base camp of Mt Annapurna I.
The climber is said to be in a critical condition.
“We are making arrangements to rescue Inaki Ocho, who has been reportedly stranded at an altitude of 7400 m,” Nima Nuru Sherpa, managing director of the Cho-Yu Trekking Pvt Ltd, said.
Sherpa said a person named Nancy had contacted him from the base camp and asked for rescue efforts, adding that details of the climber, his group and handling agencies were unknown.
He said the climber was suffering from high-altitude sickness, frostbite and chest infection.
“A helicopter has landed near the point where the climber has been stranded. The climbers will rescue the climber and fly him to the capital.” Three of the climbers left Kathmandu yesterday, but they have not been able to reach the base camp due to inclement weather conditions, he said. They are waiting for the weather to improve, Sherpa said. Though the government collects a huge sum of money from mountaineers while issuing climbing permits, it has not bothered to form a rescue team, he said.
The himalayantimes

Appa tops Everest record 18th time

Appa Sherpa, smashing his own world record, climbed Mt Everest for the 18th time Thursday, when 76 more climbers made it atop the highest peak on the planet. This is a single day record for the Nepali side.
Appa, along with his team member, scaled the 8,848 meter mountain early Thursday morning, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association. However, the Tourism Ministry is yet to confirm this.
A veteran guide, he is part of the Eco-Everest Expedition, which aims at highlighting the impact of glacial melt and global warming in the Himalayas.
Five Nepali women were also among today's climbers, the largest number of Nepali women to climb Everest at one time. Poojan Acharya, who scaled the peak with the First Inclusive Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 became the first Brahmin female to climb Everest. The other four women include Susmita Maskey, Maya Gurung and Nwang Phuti Sherpa. They were accompanied on the ascent by five altitude workers.
Ramesh KC, an official at the Tourism Ministry said the ascent by 74 climbers-- 45 Nepali and 29 foreigners-- has been confirmed. Another official at the Ministry said three more including Appa reached the top today.
Appa, 48, first scaled Everest on May 10, 1990 as a high altitude worker for the Kiwi-Everest Expedition. Since then, he has reached that summit every year except in 1996 and 2001. He ascended Everest two times each in 1992 and 1997.
After completing his 12th Everest ascent, Appa announced his retirement in 2002, citing family reasons.
But he abandoned his retirement plans and returned to mountaineering the next year. In 2006, Apa moved with his family to Utah, USA to ensure good education for his children.
Mt Everest has been ascended over 3,000 times since 1953 when Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary made it to the summit for the first time.

The kathmandu post

Balewa airport to reopen after 16 yrs

Sixteen years after the closure of its service, Balewa Narayansthan Airport is going to reopen soon.
With the purpose of resuming operation, the Civil Aviation Authority has recently started reparations and renovation of the airport infrastructure.
Flights to the airport were stopped after the Baglung district was connected with the Pokhara-Baglung highway 16 years ago.
Balewa Airport, the oldest in Dhaulagiri zone, remained neglected after the flights stopped landing at the place. No one has taken care of the airport area. Its tower and three buildings within the airport premises are on the verge of collapse. The installed equipment have all become useless due to lack of care.
The airport spreads across 24 ropanis of land at Narayansthan VDC. The central authority has signed a contract deal for its restructure works. Aviation officials in Pokhara informed that
works at the airport is in progress with a plan to bring it into operation soon.
The locals, who had been demanding resumption of the airport's operation, can now be found in a delightful mood. "Better late than never. The authorities have heard our voice and we are hopeful there will be revival of development works in this area," said Krishna Bahadur Khattri, former Chairman of Narayansthan VDC.
He stated that reopening of the air service will encourage tourists wanting to come to Kaligandaki river for rafting.
Following the decision to resume air service from the local airport, the district development committee has started construction of around 10-kilometers of road and building of a concrete bridge at Kathekhokha is in progress, according to local development officer Dirgha Narayan Poudel.

The Kathmandu Post

Yeti brings sixth Jetstream 41

Yeti Airlines Domestic Pvt Ltd’s sixth 30-seat Jetstream 41 landed here at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) at 11:10 am today. It is registered as 9N AIH.
“The British Aerospace manufactured aircraft is acquired on an outright purchase basis,” states a press release. Yeti Airlines is a privately owned carrier that started its operations in September 1998. It currently operates a fleet of five 19-seats DHC6-300 Twin Otters and five 30seats Jet-stream 41s.
The Airlines claims to have provided the most extensive domestic network in Nepal to various remote areas like Bajhang, Simikot, Manang, Rukum, Dolpo, Bajura, Rara, Phaplu, Rumjhatar, Lukla - the gate way to Mt Everest.
The newly-acquired Jetstream 41 is expected to be an additional advantage for flight reliability and flight frequency. The passengers of the Mt Everest sight-seeing and mountain flights and regional flights to trunk sector business destinations such as Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj will get more benefit from this addition, according to the company.

The himalayan times

Dozens ascend Mt Everest

Dozens of climbers Wednesday ascended Mt Everest, a day after a Nepali high altitude worker made the first summit of the world's tallest peak in this year's climbing season.
Namgyal Sherpa climbed the 8,848 meter peak at 3:27 pm Tuesday through Friendship Mt Everest Expedition, becoming the first one to summit this spring season, said Ramesh KC, an official at the Ministry of Tourism.
He said 26 additional mountaineers climbed Mt Everest today, including 13 high altitude Nepali workers and 13 foreigners. He said several more were expected to reach the top today, but this could not be confirmed.
Dibash KC, general secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association said several dozens of mountaineers scaled the earth's highest point Wednesday, but it was not verified due to adverse weather. "Dozens of other climbers who are preparing the summit ascent are expected to make it to the top Thursday morning," he said.
This year, the climbing has been delayed due to a ban imposed by the Nepali government.
Nepal had prohibited mountaineers climbing above base camp-II until May 10 to facilitate putting the Olympic flame atop Mt Everest. Last month, the government sent back an American national, William Brant, from Base camp for carrying a Free Tibet Banner.
A total of 32 expeditions were granted permission to take on the world's highest peak this spring season.
The spring season is considered best time for climbing before monsoon sets in the second week of June, making the route to Mt Everest almost impassable. Last year, 557 climbers, which include 254 from Nepal's side and 303 via Tibet reached the highest point on earth.
This year, the number will be lower as the Chinese government has banned expedition from the northern side to clear the way for the Olympic Torch.

The kathmandu Post

The government has announced that it would celebrate May 29 at 'International Everest Day' to mark the historic first ascent on the world's highest peak by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary.
The government, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), and the private sector would together celebrate the day, said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of NTB, speaking at a press conference Friday.
He said a number of events like the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, a wall-climbing competition, painting of the mountain, a quiz contest on mountaineering and a grand music show would be held to mark the day. The day would also be an opportunity to promote adventure tourism, he said.
Amelia Rose Hillary, Edmund Hillary's granddaughter, said the day would be an important day not only for the Hillary family and Nepalis, but all mountaineers.
Norgay and Hillary conquered Mt Everest on May 29, 1953.

The Kathmandu Post

Garment exports down by one-third

With the confidence of international buyers in Nepal's ability to fulfill orders shaken by constant labor stirs and a bad industrial climate, the export of Nepali garments to the US shrank by a third during the first four months of 2008.
The data of the Garment Association - Nepal (GAN) shows that Nepali readymade garment manufacturers exported a mere US$ 6.92 million worth of apparels to the US during this period. In the same period last year, exports amounted to US$ 10.29 million.
A month-wise breakdown of exports for this year reveals that shipments during January 2008 were up 2 percent compared to January 2007. However, exports declined by 14 percent in February, falling further in March and April by 66 and 49 percent respectively. In April, the value of readymade garment exports to the world's largest apparel market totaled a mere US$ 1.26 million, whereas in the same month last year, Nepal's exports amounted to US$ 2.48 million.
Exports spiraled downwards mainly after the tarai banda, which brought trade through tarai-based customs to a standstill for 16 days, said entrepreneurs. The banda prevented manufacturers from delivering their orders on time, making importers look elsewhere for their supplies, said entrepreneurs. GAN's data further shows that the export of the country's once largest exportable commodity has dwindled to one-eighth of what it was during 2003.
Nepal's readymade garment exports to the largest garment market had been floundering since 2002, when the US provided duty-free market access to Caribbean and Sub-Saharan countries - Nepal's main competitors for the American market.
While the phase-out of quotas in international apparel trading in 2005 landed another blow to the industry, political instability, labor stirs and falling competitiveness further weakened the base and drastically shrank the industry. 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.
As a result, the number of factories in operation has dropped to about a dozen from the more than 500 units that were humming fulltime a decade ago. This left some 80,000 people, half of them women, out of a job.
Entrepreneurs said that the industry could still bounce back if the political parties, the CPN-Maoist in particular, reined in their trade unions and asked them not to launch strikes in the manufacturing industry.
"Building a minimum understanding on a salary package and a no-strike commitment will instantly encourage entrepreneurs to reopen their factories, inject additional capital and bring back their international clients," said Uday Raj Pandey, vice president of GAN.

The Kathmandu Post

FlyYeti opens first sales shop

FlyYeti.com, Nepal's first low cost carrier, opened its first sales shop in Kathmandu on Wednesday. According to a press release, inaugurating the Sale Shop in Hattisaar, FlyYeti.com CEO David Henderson said that the main purpose of the shop would be to enhance the services offered by facilitating a mass of passengers for convenient buying as well as provide extra customer services for bookings and visa assistance.

FlyYeti.com, also known as Yeti Airlines International, is a joint venture between Air Arabia and Yeti Airlines of Nepal. Air Arabia, the major shareholder of FlyYeti.com, manages the airline. Henderson also said that since it started services in January, the airline had managed to increase its route network to four destinations, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Doha and had many destinations in the pipe line for this year covering the Indian sub continent, China, South East Asia and the Middle East

The Kathmandu Post

Is a new sort of thrill-seeker heading for Nepal?

I CAN only dance when I'm drunk,” confides Srijana, a 20-year-old employee of the Pussy Cat Bar and Shower, a tavern in Thamel, Kathmandu's main tourist hangout. A few slurps from a customer's glass later and she mounts a small stage. There, to whoops from a few tipsy locals, she sheds most of her clothes and gyrates to a Hindi pop tune. Dangling above her is the Damoclean sword included in the bar's name: a silver shower nozzle, positioned to spray flesh-revealing water on a dancer below.
Such gimmicks are common in Thamel's bars, where competition for lascivious males is fierce. Until a few years ago Nepal had no obvious sex industry. There are now an estimated 200 massage parlours and 35 “dance bars”, such as the Pussy Cat, in Thamel alone—with over 1,000 girls and women working in them. Many sell sex. In the Pussy Cat, another dancer admits to turning tricks, for 1,800 rupees ($28).
That is a tidy sum in Nepal, South Asia's poorest country. It is much more than Nepali women are paid in India's flesh-pots—to which over 5,000 are trafficked each year, according to the UN. But the dancers in Thamel are chasing a richer sort of Indian: tourists. And their government seems to be encouraging them. In an advertisement for “Wild Stag Weekends”, the Nepal Tourism Board offers this advice: “Don't forget to have a drink at one of the local dance bars, where beautiful Nepali belles will dance circles around your pals.”
In a country with a rich tradition of dance, where paying for sex is illegal, this might be harmless innuendo. But not everybody thinks so. During the recently-ended civil war, Nepal's Himalayan tourism industry collapsed. Some activists think that sex tourism is replacing it. According to John Frederick, an expert on South Asia's sex trade, “Ten years ago the sex industry was underground in Nepal. Now it's like Bangkok, it's like Phnom Penh.”

The war, which put much of rural Nepal under the control of Maoist insurgents, has increased the supply of sex workers. Srijana is from the poor and still violent district of Siraha in southern Nepal. She was widowed there two years ago, and left an infant son to come to the capital. Yet she is remarkably cheerful—perhaps because she is drunk, and the shower is not working

The economist

Nepal goes colorful in ATM Dubai- 2008

Nepal Tourism Board, along with four private companies participated in the ATM- 2008 held in Dubai, UAE during May 6-9, 2008. The fair was keenly observed and visited by the media, travel related agencies and the common public in the Gulf Region.

The Gulf region is the fastest growing region in the world and the ATM reflected that. The 14 year old international exhibition has doubled in size in the past four years with the space of 25,000 sqm; the success of the event reflects the growth of the region's travel industry. With 2,208 exhibitors from all aspects of industry from all corners of the world, the ATM is undoubtedly a special platform to showcase the tourism attractions and to meet with the travel related organizations.

Nepal was very well received in Dubai by the media and the travel industry. With many new airlines flying to UAE and connecting the Gulf region to Nepal, there seemed numerous queries, interests and attractions towards to Nepal. The Nepalese companies enjoyed unprecedented meetings and flow of the visitors; and Nepal seems to have great tourism potentials in the region. On May 8, Nepal organized a short presentation on Nepal to address the inquiries of the media, travel professionals and common people and to brief them on the current scenarios in Nepal.

The Nepal stand was visited by His Excellency Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa, the Nepalese Ambassador to UAE and by the Embassy officials. Yeti Travels, Flyyeti.com, Shangri-La Hotel and La Meridian Resort were the private companies that participated in the fair.Mr. Gahendra Rajbhandari – Officer participated the fair from Nepal Tourism Board.

NTB

Olympic flame glows atop Everest

Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame reached the summit of Mount Everest today, state television showed, in an historic moment for China exactly three months ahead of the Beijing Games.

Tibetan female climber Cering Wangmo reached the top of the world’s highest mountain bearing a special extreme-altitude torch, triggering celebrations in China but further criticism from Tibetan activists.

“Beijing welcomes you!” joyous team members said as they stood at the 8,848-metre summit, with the event broadcast on national television. Others shouted: “We are on top of the world!”, and “One World, One Dream!”, the official slogan of the Beijing Olympics.

The team halted just four metres below the summit to light the torch, with five climbers then relaying it the final metres to the top, where others had already gathered to unfurl small banners showing the Olympic rings.

The team had set out six hours earlier for a final push to the peak in an event that had been delayed for about two weeks due to adverse weather.

Taking the torch to Mount Everest was the most ambitious part of what has become the longest and most controversial Olympic torch relay in history.

Because of the unrest, China deployed huge security teams for the flame’s ascent, while climbing expeditions from both Everest’s Tibetan and Nepali sides were suspended to prevent any disturbances marring the summit attempt.

China has said it hopes the Everest leg of the relay will promote unity between Tibetans and the majority Han population of China.

But exiled Tibetan leaders and activist groups have said taking the torch through Tibet is a provocation that contradicts China’s own admonition, voiced amid the protestsduring the overseas relay, not to politicise the Games.

“By taking the torch up the Tibetan side of Everest during the domestic Chinese leg of the torch relay, China is clearly attempting to underscore its baseless claims to sovereignty over Tibet,” said Matt Whitticase, spokesman for the London-based Free Tibet Campaign. “This is clear politicisation of the Games by the host country itself.”

The special Everest torch is different from the one that arrived on the Chinese mainland at the weekend after its month-long trip across five continents.

Peak opens for summiteers on Sunday

Mount Everest will re-open for mountaineering expeditions from the south face from Sunday. The tallest peak in the world was closed for climbing following an April 2 Cabinet decision. The route to Mt Everest from Base Camp II upwards from Nepal’s side was closed on Chinese government’s request for smooth journey of Olympic torch to the Everest top. At least 41 expeditions are waiting at Base Camp II. Of them, 29 are on the way to scale Mt Everest while 12 are on the way to scale Mt Lhotse and Mt Choyu, said an official of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.

The Himalayan times 9 May, 2008

Tibet protest hurts Nepal tourism

BY KRISHNA REGMI
The Nepali tourism industry is feeling the pinch of travel restrictions imposed on foreigners in Tibet. Entrepreneurs said it has started taking a toll on the hard-achieved recovery process.
Trekking agencies said they were losing sizable business opportunities while hotels report a fall in room occupancy.
A huge number of tourists used to travel to Tibet through Kathmandu. March to November is said to be the ideal season for tourists visiting Nepal and Tibet.
It is these tourists who largely kept our tourism sector going even during the off-season - normally extending from May to September, said the tourism entrepreneurs.
For the first time in the past two years, however, Nepal experienced a fall in tourist arrivals in April, which tour operators attributed to the travel ban. The number of visitors declined by one percent to 32,665 individuals.
“We would not have seen a downturn in April had travel to Tibet not been banned,” said Suman Pandey, managing director of Explore Himalaya.
He said his company lost half a million dollars worth of business due to the closure. “Our tourism did not suffer as much as other countries experiencing political instability even during the decade-long insurgency because of the Tibet package tours,” he said.
China has closed the region to outsiders since anti-government riots broke out in the capital Lhasa in March. It has cited the need to secure safe passage for the Olympic torch to Mt Everest as the reason for the closure.
Pabitra Karki, managing director of Danphe Travels, public sales agent of Air China, said it was difficult getting tickets to fly to Lhasa last year. “But this time, demand has declined dramatically,”
he said.
Karki, who is also general secretary of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said the falloff in business because of the restriction is a blow to the tourism industry that was beginning to bounce back.
Several trekking agencies said they were deferring mixed package tours as it was still unclear when Tibet would be reopened.
Jyoti Adhikari, president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, said 80-90 percent of the trekking agencies were offering combined tours in Tibet and Nepal. “Nepali porters and guides are also involved in tours in Tibet, the restriction has caused them to lose work,” he said. Hotels have also been hit. Prakash Shrestha, president of the Hotel Association of Nepal, said, “Tourists on their way to Tibet contributed a substantial chunk of our business.”

The kathmandu post may 9, 2008

Vallejo climbs all 8,000-meter peaks

Ivan Vallejo, an Ecuadorian mountaineer, has become the 14th person in the world to climb all 14 mountains above 8,000 meters. He achieved this feat after recently climbing the 8,167-meter high Dhaulagiri. “This has become an unforgettable moment,” he said, speaking at a press conference held Tuesday. He ascended Dhaulagiri as part of the Spanish Dhaulagiri expedition. He has scaled the world's tallest summit Everest twice. He made an appeal for the protection of the peaks. “Climbers coming to Nepal must take care of the mountains,” he said. He began climbing at the age of 12.
Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that promoting mountaineering was necessary to boost tourism as Nepal's international image was tied with mountains.
The Kathmandu post

Shuklaphanta fair

A seven-day long Shuk laphanta Tour Festival-2065 is set to begin at Jhalari from Tuesday. The fair is organised by Nature Guides Association to promote internal and external tourism. During the festival, tourists will be taken to a guided-tour through the Shuklaphanta Wildlife reserve. The reserve is home to 665 species of plants belonging to 165 families, many vertebrates, 12 different kinds of reptiles, five kinds of amphibians, 25 species of fish and 349 species of birds. The reserve — spread over 205-sq-km of area was established 39 years ago as a hunting reserve and later converted into a wildlife reserve. —

A seven-day long Shuk- laphanta Tour Festival-2065 is set to begin at Jhalari from Tuesday. The fair is organised by Nature Guides Associ- ation to promote internal and exter- nal tourism. During the festival, tourists will be taken to a guided-tour through the Shuklaphanta Wildlife reserve. The reserve is home to 665 species of plants belonging to 165 families, many vertebrates, 12 differ- ent kinds of reptiles, five kinds of am- phibians, 25 species of fish and 349 species of birds. The reserve — spread over 205-sq-km of area was established 39 years ago as a hunting reserve and later converted into a wildlife reserve. —
The Himalayan times

TAAN participates in Beijing Olympic Countdown procession

TAAN participates in Beijing Olympic Countdown procession Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) participated in the Beijing Olympic Countdown Procession organized by National Sports Council and Nepal Olympic Committee in Kathmandu on April 30.
The procession was organized by National Sports Council and Nepal Olympic Committee to start the 100 day countdown for Beijing Olympics. The processions started from Dasharath Stadium and converged into a meet at the historic Basantapur Durbar Square.
Speaker Subash Chandra Nembang and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Zheng Xianglin also participated in the procession.
Members of TAAN executive committee, including president, vice-presidents, general secretary and members, along with staffs of TAAN secretariat participated in the rally organized to demonstrate solidarity for the biggest sporting event in the world.
TAAN

Visitors Arrival in April 2008 (by air only)

May 2, 208April Records a marginal decrease of 1% to last yearThe arrival figures released by Immigration Office, TIA indicate that visitors' arrivals to Nepal in April 2008 reached 32,665, which is a marginal decrease of 1% as compared to same month last year. However European Sector remains unchanged with almost the same figure as compared to the April 2007. France grew up by 21%, Austria with 20%, Netherland & Israel with 28%, Switzerland with 66%, Spain with 25%, but UK, Sweden & Germany decreased by 20%, 31%, & 20% respectively.
There are some significant growths recorded; Australia & New Zealand arrivals show a growth of 51%. Closely following the trend are Canada & USA with the growth of 25%. The arrival figure shows a decrease of 18% for the Asian countries. SAARC countries arrival is decreased by 14% where India has the share of 19% decrement. Bangladesh on the other hand shows an extraordinary growth of 60% which may be the positive impact of the recent Bangladesh Sales Mission program held vigorously. Taking the data into consideration, the main reason for the decrease in arrival might be the prediction of uncertainty in the minds of travelers due to our Constitutional Assembly (CA) Polls.
Analyzing the total number of arrivals in the first four months of this year, it shows 1,28,802 visitors to Nepal with an increment 11.15% than the total arrival of the same period of last year. Therefore, we are still hopeful of getting a healthy growth in days to come. The successful completion of the Constitutional Assembly Election with peace being reinstated in the country will definitely give a good message to the potent travelers and also to the travel trade fraternity of the world.
NTB

Indian fast-food joint to promote Nepal

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has entered a deal with India's fast-food joint, Nirula's, to promote Nepal's tourism products in India. Through this deal, NTB hopes to cash India's growing number of middle class that has high disposable income and a growing culture of eating out.

According to sources at NTB, Nirula's will promote Nepal through its ice-cream that promises 'Cool Offer Ke Saath Cool Holiday' (cool holiday with cool offer). As per the offer, the treat card that the buyer gets with the ice-cream will be eligible for lucky draw offering free eight holiday packages for 3 nights-4 days sponsored by NTB and 100 special discounted packages sponsored by various tour operators. Likewise, a ready information on Nepal as a fabulous destination for weekend breaks as well as soft adventure will also be printed on the treat card.

Similarly, over 40 the Nirula's joints in New Delhi will also display 'Naturally Nepal' logo and tagline 'Nepal: Holiday in the lap of Himalayas' through posters, standees, and tent cards.

The company will last till June 30. The lucky winners will be selected after the completion of campaign.

NTB hopes that the campaign would help bring in more Indian visitors to Nepal as a large number of Indians move out for vacations during the summer.

TAAN

Eco Everest Expedition 2008 launches from Everest Base Camp

Climate change is affecting people around the globe, and this is especially evident at the top of the world, around Mount Everest and other great peaks of the Himalayas. Glaciers are shrinking leaving behind glacial lakes with massive amounts of water threatening people and land downstream. The loss of ice and snow heralds water problems for the 1.45 billion people living in the great water basins of the Himalayan rivers. This is the message given by the 11 member climbing team of the Eco Everest Expedition 2008 when they met at Everest Base Camp on 18th April to mark the start of their climb with a traditional Buddhist religious ceremony, called puja. Dr Schild, Director General of ICIMOD, handed over the ICIMOD Silver Jubilee flag to Dawa Steven Sherpa, the leader of the climbing team, to take to the top of the world. A premier of a photo exhibition, 50 Years of Change – Glaciers, Landscapes, People and Resilience in the Mount Everest Region, Nepal is taking place at Base Camp at the same time. The exhibition includes a unique collection of repeat panoramas of mountains, valleys and glaciers taken in the 1950s, and retaken in the past few years. These photographs demonstrate the changes in the climatic, cultural and physical landscape of the Khumbu over the past half century. The exhibition will be unveiled at Everest Base Camp and will then tour several European countries.

The Eco Everest expedition is the brainchild of Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking, shocked by his own experience of ice collapse in the Khumbu ice fall, and the realisation of the impacts of climate change. Dawa Steven and Asian Trekking have joined with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development – ICIMOD – and the United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP – in a plan to use the climb to draw the world's attention to the problems resulting from climate change and the need to help the people of the region, and the world. ICIMOD has been working for 25 years for the mountains and people of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, 2008 marks its 'Silver Jubilee'. The Expedition is one of a number of events being held to celebrate this milestone. The expedition will also field test an ecofriendly approach to climbing, including a ten-point plan that could be used as a basis for international certification for environmentally friendly climbing expeditions. The expedition plans to bring down garbage left by other groups, and will encourage others to do the same. The climbing team is being supported by the renowned Japanese conservationist Ken Noguchi, who is expected to visit the Everest Base Camp. The expedition is endorsed by world renowned mountaineers including Reinhold Messner, Conrad Anker, and Peter Habelar, and is also supported by the Nepal Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tourism Board, and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and numerous local, regional, and international organisations.

Parallel to the climbing expedition, scientific research is being carried out to monitor glaciers and glacial lakes in the region and gather information to help communities and develop early warning systems. A six-member research team led by Basanta Shrestha of ICIMOD is already in Khumbu to start the work. A pilot early warning system will be implemented for Imja lake, one of the fastest growing lakes in the region, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Keio University of Japan. The scientists have already carried out investigations to assess the status of Dig Tsho glacial lake, which had a devastating impact when it burst in 1985.

A Trust Fund has been set up to support development of early warning systems, scientific investigations to help assess risks, monitoring of the melting glaciers, and removal and disposal of waste in eco friendly ways. Every climber on the expedition has contributed to the fund and contributions are now being solicited from interested individuals and organisations.

ICIMOD's new strategy focuses on understanding the impacts of climate change, and finding ways to strengthen people's resilience and support adaptation. Says Dr. Andreas Schild, Director General of ICIMOD: "The changes taking place currently are alarming, and the time to act is now." While climate change is mostly caused by the highly industrialised parts of the world, the effects are already taking their toll in the sensitive mountain areas. Climate change needs global measures of mitigation, regionally focused measures of adaptation, and targeted measures to strengthen the resilience of the mountain people. "We want to build up a system of early warning of risks from glacial lake outbursts. We want to discuss and prepare measures to strengthen the resilience and adaptation of people to climate change. This means livelihoods, conservation of biodiversity, and maintenance of the landscape as a global heritage. Conservation and management of water has the highest priority," concludes Dr Schild.

NTB

Govt slashes royalties on mountains

The government has decided to slash royalties on mountaineering expeditions during the off-seasons to promote season-based mountaineering round the year.
It has also exempted royalties for all mountains in the western and far-western regions for the next five years, said officials.

“Without changing the royalty for the spring season, we have deducted the royalty by 50 percent for autumn and 75 percent for winter and summer seasons,” said Prem Kumar Rai, joint secretary at the tourism ministry.

He said the decision was made to give incentive to climbers to take on mountains during the off-seasons. “We want to portray Nepal as a destination for all seasons,” he said.

The mountains remain virtually deserted in the autumn and winter seasons. The autumn climbing season runs between September and November and the winter season between December and January.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, said the decision should have been taken a long time back. “Indeed, it will help Nepal's Himalayas to compete with Pakistan and China,” he said, adding: “Higher royalties are still some of the obstacles to mountaineering promotion.”

Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, has more than 2,000 Himalayan peaks -- 326 of them open to foreign climbers. Trekkers and mountaineers make up around 20 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal.

Mountaineers are considered to be high-spending tourists, as they have to fork out huge royalties for climbing permits, and also stay longer. It is estimated that normally an expedition employs around 600 people as porters and 400 as guides, cooks and kitchen boys during the entire expedition, aside from business opportunities and indirect generation of employments.

Sherpa sees good prospects of arrival of mountaineers in the off-season as well. “Many mountaineers go to Pakistan to climb mountains in the winter and autumn seasons because of cheaper royalties. So, why can not we lure them?” he said

Kathmandu post