NEWS AND EVENTS

Kosh R. Koirala Reporting from Nepal

Kathmandu, 16 November, (Asiantribune.com):

Nepal government has decided to confer highest medal on Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal in order to further strengthen the cordial relationship subsisting between Nepal and Saudi Arabia.

Though the decision to confer Mahaujjwal Rastradeep medal on Prince Talal was made through a cabinet meeting on Monday morning, the medal decoration ceremony will take place only later as the government lacked necessary preparation on time.

Prince Talal, who was on a three-day private visit to Nepal, returned home on Tuesday after holding meeting with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and other cabinet ministers.

Government officials said Prince Talal will visit sometime later to receive the medal from President Dr Yadav.

There are three orders of government awards, namely Nepal Ratna, Rastra Gaurab and Rastradeep. Mahaujjwal Rastradeep medal is the highest honor any foreign national can receive from Nepal government.

The medal is meant for honoring both Nepali and foreign national for their contribution to promoting Nepal´s image, dignity and interests in international arena.

During the meeting with ministers on Monday, Prince Talal, who was described as the 19th richest person in the world by Forbes Magazine, has shown his interests to invest in tourism and civil aviation sectors in Nepal. “Hopefully, we will be able to have investment in the pipeline,” said Prince Talal after the joint meeting with several cabinet ministers on Monday.

Among other things, the Saudi royal said that he would study the possibility of connecting Saudi Arabia with Nepal by his own airline – Nas Air – a young fleet offering affordable fare.

Source: http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/11/16/nepal-govt-confer-highest-medal-saudi-arabian-prince-talal

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The expedition team that lighted the eternal torch at Mt Amadablam as a part of the inauguration ceremony of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 on January 14 were felicitated today in Kathmandu.

The eleven-member expedition team lighted the torch with the fire of Lumbini’s Eternal Lamp at the mountain’s peak in synchronisation with President lighting the torch in stadium where formal inauguration was being held for NTY 2011.

The team was led by experienced climber Zima Zangbu Sherpa who is also the president of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).

“We set out for the expedition thinking if we can promote NTY from the very mountains for which Nepal is famous for, we can get more international attention,” Pemba Dorjee Sherpa, climbing leader and the expedition coordinator, said, explaining how the idea for expedition was conceived. He is Guinness World Record holder for scaling Mt Everest in eight hours ten minutes and also a goodwill ambassador for NTY 2011. He said there is a need to promote NTY 2011 domestically as well.

NTY & beyond

KATHMANDU: Sharad Singh Bhandari, minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said the participation of all sectors to make NTY successful is overwhelming. With the end of 2011, tourism year for Nepal will not end and bringing in one million tourists will not be enough. NTY will be successful when Nepal will welcome as many tourists as its population. NTY will start the wave of tourism in Nepal,” he said.

 Source: The Himalayan Times 3 Feb 2011

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Nepal is featured in the ‘Ten places you never thought you could afford’ in USA Today travel site.

The other places include Dubai, Cook Islands, Hawaii, Istanbul, Barbados, New York City, Ecuador, Shanghai and Morocco.

The site has selected 10 hand-picked destinations that may be far-flung, but also offer unexpected values. “With the arrival of 2011, you may be dreaming of a big, once-in-a-lifetime trip, but are concerned about how to pay for it,” the site said, adding that Nepal has declared the year 2011 as ‘Nepal Tourism Year’, with the country’s 16 political groups uniting to welcome tourists throughout the year.

“This means all strikes, demonstrations, or other impediments resulting from political differences will be put on hold for the duration of 2011, to ensure visitors feel safe and free to explore all that Nepal has to offer,” it said

He added that one hopes the goodwill will last into the coming years, tourists may want to take advantage of the special agreement, when touring conditions are as close to ideal as possible.

“If you’re planning to trek, familiarise yourself with the regulations on the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA),” it has suggested. “Other adventure activities are only limited by your imagination, with paragliding, rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and bird- and butterfly-watching representing just a few possible activities.”

It further writes that per-diem costs are remarkably inexpensive, as Frommer’s reports three-star hotels can be had for as low as $43 per night, double occupancy. “By spending so little on accommodations and other day-to-day costs, tourists may have plenty left over in your budget for adventure tours and excursions.”

The site has also suggested finding the best vacation package that suits budget by checking the listings on the Nepal tourism website.

The number one destination, the site has referred is Dubai, followed by Cook Islands and Hawaii.

Istanbul comes fourth and Barbados the fifth destination, according to the site worth visiting in 2011.

New York City, Ecuador, Shanghai and Morocco are also referred to visit this year for the new experience seekers.

Source: The Himalayan Times  3 Feb 2011

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is organising its Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (AT&RTCM) in Pokhara on February 7-11.

Under the theme ‘Social Give Back: Doing Well by Doing Good’, the four-day event brings together people involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism to discuss new opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability within the industry.

Delegates will be able to attend interactive breakout sessions on ‘baby boomers, indigenous tourism and youth travel, according to the organisers.

At the AT&RTC Youth Travel session, a panel of leading professionals will explore youth market travel trends and how to create sustainable programmes of excellence to meet the growing demand for new diverse youth travel experiences.

“Youth travel makes a unique contribution to our shared objective of promoting sustainability and responsible travel as they travel to explore, engage, and learn,” David Jones, former director general, WYSE Travel Confederation, said, adding that they ‘travel with purpose’ and a respect for the cultures and environments they visit.

“Young travellers are the best ambassadors for tourism destinations and set the travel trends that will define the future shape of our industry,” he added. “Aware, socially concerned and linked to vast social networks, they seek sustainable travel experiences and are early adopters of responsible travel habits.”

“Sustainability in tourism and sustainability of its product is crucial. It can be achieved through community-based tourism, which is one of the best available alternatives for sustainable tourism development,” Dr Siddhartha Bajra Bajracharya, executive officer, National Trust for Nature Conservation and speaker from the interactive breakout session on indigenous tourism, said. “Delegates must visit some key destinations to see community-based tourism, for instance, Ghandruk in the Annapurna Conservation Area.”

“Nowadays, tourism development is important economically to all countries in the world, and the developing countries in particular,” said Dr Zhang Guangrui, director and professor, Tourism Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who will participate in the ‘baby boomers’ session.

“However, to keep tourism development sustainable is more important and crucial for the long run,” he said.

The event is hosted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) with support from the PATA Nepal Chapter and endorsed by Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Sustainable Travel International.

PATA 2011 Grand, Gold Award

KATHMANDU: PATA has announced the winners of 2011 PATA Gold Awards. The awards recognise the achievements of 21 separate organisations and individuals. The year 2011 will see 26 PATA Grand and Gold Awards presented, with multiple awards going to Kerala Tourism as well as the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Tourism Australia. The awards ceremony will take place on April 11 at China World Hotel during PATA’s 60th Anniversary and Conference, at Beijing, China. PATA Grand Awards are presented to outstanding entries in four categories: Marketing, Education and Training, Environment, and Heritage. This year, the Grand Awards go to Accor Asia Pacific, Singapore, for Education and Training; Kerala Tourism, India, for Environment; Galle Face Hotel, Sri Lanka, for Heritage, and Tourism Australia for Marketing.

Source: THE HIMALAYAN TIMES 3 FEB 2011

The management committee of Gurkha Encounters have decided to revise all the treks and tours package rates for Autumn season 2010 for all categories.

We happily announce the introduction of Budget Tour Package on our tour and trek package list to cater to the needs of all the travellers on budget to TRAVEL CHEAP. Have a look on all of our revised prices and let us know of which trip you want to take.

We are very considerate enough to give you the value of what you pay in terms of excellent services no matter which category of package you choose.  See you soon in our office!

Students of Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) are organizing ‘Arambha Food Fiesta 2010’ at NATHM premises on 28 August.

Apart from national and international cuisines, the day-long event will also showcase Nepali cultural dances, games and music and a photo exhibition on Nepal’s tourism products.

The event is being organized with the theme of ‘United for Tourism’ to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign. The students plant to organize the event in the most eco-friendly way to raise awareness about environment conservation.

“An alfresco party with variety of delicious dishes and live music from different bands like Robin & The New Revolution, Cobweb and Stem Injuns among others will enthrall the crowd and make them feel refreshed,” NATH said in a statement.

TAAN E-news 23 Aug 2010

Oman Air has announced that it will start direct flights between Muscat and Kathmandu from September 2. The airlines hope that the flights would benefit Nepali workers who have been working in Oman. The airlines will fly four times a week to Kathmandu on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Apart from direct flights to Muscat, the airline will also offer connecting flight to other destinations like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai in the UAE as well as other destinations in the Gulf and Europe. The airline plans to operate B737-700 aircraft on the route.

TAAN E-news 23 Aug 2010

Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airlines in the country, is expanding its wings to international skies with its maiden international flight to Paro in Bhutan from August 23. The airline will initially operate four flights a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday using an 18-seater Beech 1900D aircraft. Buddha Air plans to gradually increase the frequency to seven flights a week. The existing Air Service Agreement between Nepal and Bhutan allows both sides to have a maximum of seven flights a week between Kathmandu and Paro.

After launching flights to Bhutan, Buddha Air will also start preparations to fly to Indian cities of Patna, Lucknow and Kolkata. The airline is in the process of receiving a letter of designation from India's Ministry of External Affairs. The existing Air Service Agreement between Nepal and India allows Nepali airlines to operate flights to 26 destinations in India.

TAAN E-news 23 Aug 2010

Bhaktapur Municipality has decided to increase entry fee for foreign tourists visiting the country from the very first day of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Municipality sources say the entry fee is almost 100 percent higher than what the municipality has been collecting at present. The municipality will charge Rs 100 as entry fee for visitors from SAARC countries and Rs 1,000 from visitors from other countries from January 2011.

Bhaktapur, one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, is popular among foreign visitors for historic temples, palace complexes and ancient art, culture and tradition.

TAAN E-news 23 Aug 2010

After the presentation, various speakers criticized the government for neglecting Rolwaling region which was the gateway to Mt Everest in the early years.

Similarly, Lal Prasad Gurung, director of Annapurna Conservation Area, made a presentation on Sustainable Tourism Development in the Annapurna Conservation Area. "As the advent of roads is shortening trekking routes in the region, we are identifying and developing alternative routes in coordination with Trekking Agencies' of Association Nepal (TAAN)," he added. Making a presentation on 'Manaslu: A Unique Mountain Tourism Destination', Madhu Chhetri, chief of Manaslu Conservation Area, said new trekking routes like Tsum Valley have been developed in the region to attract more visitors to the region. "Organisations like TAAN have been supporting us to develop new routes in the region," Chhetri added.

Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, said Nepal nature-based tourism is Npeal's unique selling point and that Nepal has been successfully taking conservation and tourism hand in hand.

TAAN E-news 23 Aug 2010