Interaction of tourism development and promotion in Pokhara
Press ReleaseDecember 23, 2008An interaction programme was organised at Nepal Tourism Board Office in Pokhara on December 22 & 23, 2008 to discuss various issues related with on development and promotion of tourism and civil aviation in Pokhara and its surrounding. Organised by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the programme was attended prominent tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara and its surrounding areas, tourism and civil aviation experts, high government officials and other stakeholders.Addressing the programme, Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami said she was here to do feasible study of regional airport in Pokhara which would connect Pokhara with other Indian cities. "As a commitment of government for the development of tourism, the government has already allocated Rs. 280 million for the tourism infrastructure. Homework has already been started to address the issues raised in this interaction," she said. She further elaborated about Nepal Visit Year 2011 and asked all stakeholders to join hand together to make it successful. She also informed about the New Tourism Policy which being in the final stage.Responding the various issues raised during the interaction, tourism experts, government officials suggested following way out to mitigate the problems and suggestion for successful planning and implementation of Nepal Tourism Year 2011:1. To make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 successful, it has been requested to Pokhara Tourism Council to take lead in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board Office Pokhara and various stakeholders to form different sub committee for tourism product development, tourism publicity and marketing, human resource and others. Within three years, Pokhara will be developed and promoted as adventure, holiday, pilgrimage and aviation sports hub.2. To run shuttle bus during the bandh or chakkajam in Pokhra, Nepal Tourism Board is agreed to run the bus in coordination with Tourism Police on basis of 50% cost share with concerned party.3. Request has been made to local community to take initiative to declare Pokhara 'Bandha Free Zone'. 4. In regard to allow Nepalese tourists to travel in tourist plated vehicles (green plate), Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation will coordinate with other lining ministry to make necessary change in the Transport Act.5. Request has been made to REBAN Pokhara Chapter to make promotional announcement about Nepal Tourism Year 2011 at the mid-night of December 31, 2008 during Pokhara Street Festival.6. Adhering the principle of decentralisation, Nepal Tourism Board Pokhara Office has upgraded as Regional Office for the tourism development and promotion of Pokhara and its surrounding areas.7. Pokhara will be considered as domestic air hub linking with other small airports in Western and Far Western Region.8. Nepal Tourism Board will support events and festivals as promoter.9. Initiative will be taken for the improvement of trekking trails and finding out alternative trekking trails in coordination with local stakeholder.10. For conservation and promotion of lake as a tourist attraction, Lake Conservation Board has already been institutionalised.11. Initiation will be taken to build new airport in new place as an International Regional Airport in partnership with private sector under the Build Operate Own Transfer (BOOT) model.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Interaction on lake conservation organized
Interaction on lake conservation organized
Press ReleaseDecember 16, 2008An expert team of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC)- Japan is in a visit to Nepal from December 14 to 20, 2008 to do a rapid assessment of lakes conservation in Nepal building rapport with government, non-governmental organizations and institutions related to sustainable lakes and wetlands management in Nepal. In this connection, an interaction programme was organized at Nepal Tourism Board on December 16, 2008 to share Integrated Lake Base Management (ILBM) approaches and strategies among the Nepalese scientists and experts and to share the experience of International and Nepalese Non Governmental Organisations which are involved in conservation in Nepal. In the programme, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami said that once Kathmandu valley was full of lakes but all had gone due to urbanization and lack of conservation. She further said, "Although nature has given us plenty of lakes, I wonder why we are lagged behind in conserving them." Since there is a direct relation between bio-diversity, eco-system, lake and Ramsar, it has become imperative to conserve all lakes to address climate change in Nepal, she further said.Prof. Masahisa Nakamura, Chairman, Scientific Committee, ILEC, Sigha University, Japan made a presentation on the activities of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation and its possible support in conserving lakes in Nepal. Prof. Udea Throu of Japan shared the initiatives of International Lake Environment Committee and Integrated Lake Base Management taken in Japan where as Prof. Kodarkar Mohan, a member of Scientific Committee, International Lake Environment Committee shared his experience about the initiative taken by ILEC in India. Representatives of The Mountain Institute, ICIMOD, WWF, IUCN, Nepal Tourism Board and other donor agencies also interacted with Japanese team and shared their experience. It is believed that the visit of ILEC team would be a comparative advantage in accessing technical inputs for the initial preparation of recommending the lake-cluster of the Kaski district into the Ramsar List. Apart from this, the visit of ILEC team would accelerate opportunities for HR development through training, workshop and conservation education with regards to the ILBM applicable to the Nepalese context.The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) was formed in 1986 as an international non-governmental organization (NGO), and given legal status in 1987 by the Japanese Environment Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ILEC aims in promoting environmentally sound management of natural and man-made lakes and their environments consistent with sustainable development policies by promoting international research and investigation, and by facilitating the exchange of findings and knowledge among the experts throughout the world.
Press ReleaseDecember 16, 2008An expert team of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC)- Japan is in a visit to Nepal from December 14 to 20, 2008 to do a rapid assessment of lakes conservation in Nepal building rapport with government, non-governmental organizations and institutions related to sustainable lakes and wetlands management in Nepal. In this connection, an interaction programme was organized at Nepal Tourism Board on December 16, 2008 to share Integrated Lake Base Management (ILBM) approaches and strategies among the Nepalese scientists and experts and to share the experience of International and Nepalese Non Governmental Organisations which are involved in conservation in Nepal. In the programme, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami said that once Kathmandu valley was full of lakes but all had gone due to urbanization and lack of conservation. She further said, "Although nature has given us plenty of lakes, I wonder why we are lagged behind in conserving them." Since there is a direct relation between bio-diversity, eco-system, lake and Ramsar, it has become imperative to conserve all lakes to address climate change in Nepal, she further said.Prof. Masahisa Nakamura, Chairman, Scientific Committee, ILEC, Sigha University, Japan made a presentation on the activities of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation and its possible support in conserving lakes in Nepal. Prof. Udea Throu of Japan shared the initiatives of International Lake Environment Committee and Integrated Lake Base Management taken in Japan where as Prof. Kodarkar Mohan, a member of Scientific Committee, International Lake Environment Committee shared his experience about the initiative taken by ILEC in India. Representatives of The Mountain Institute, ICIMOD, WWF, IUCN, Nepal Tourism Board and other donor agencies also interacted with Japanese team and shared their experience. It is believed that the visit of ILEC team would be a comparative advantage in accessing technical inputs for the initial preparation of recommending the lake-cluster of the Kaski district into the Ramsar List. Apart from this, the visit of ILEC team would accelerate opportunities for HR development through training, workshop and conservation education with regards to the ILBM applicable to the Nepalese context.The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) was formed in 1986 as an international non-governmental organization (NGO), and given legal status in 1987 by the Japanese Environment Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ILEC aims in promoting environmentally sound management of natural and man-made lakes and their environments consistent with sustainable development policies by promoting international research and investigation, and by facilitating the exchange of findings and knowledge among the experts throughout the world.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Interactions on draft Tourism Policy 2065 organized Press Release
Interactions on draft Tourism Policy 2065 organized Press Release
December 4, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation organized a series of comprehensive interaction programs on draft Tourism Policy 2065 on November 25, December 1 and December 3, 2008 with diverse tourism stakeholders at Nepal Tourism Board. Chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ms. Hisila Yami and actively participated by travel trade entrepreneurs, foreign expatriates, tourism experts and academicians and trade unions, the programs aimed to incorporate issues, ideas, challenges and present status of tourism in the new tourism policy of Nepal.
During the interaction program, Hon'ble Minister focused on the need of people-centric new tourism policy and pointed at the government's greater concerns on real value of tourism and its contribution to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country. "Co-operation and partnerships between public and private sector are important for the further development in tourism and civil aviation to make tourism vibrant and dynamic", she added.
The trade sector emphasized the urgent need to declare Tourism Industry as a "National Industry" and also requested for promulgation of Road Accident Act, provision of insurance and a separate labor policy for tourism sector. The foreign expatriates suggested that tourist friendly environment should be created and expressed their views that the unique sales proposition of Nepal was none other than its unique natural and cultural beauties. Everyone agreed that the main focus of new tourism policy should be on expanding the tourism to the interior parts of the country which helps generate employment, minimize leakages, and promote equitable development. The participants at the interaction programs unanimously articulated the fact that there is a tremendous scope of ecotourism in Nepal and thus upcoming tourism policy should highlight it. The tourism stakeholders and representatives of trade union stressed on urgent need for separate "Tourism Labor Policy". The trade unions equally emphasized the instrumental role they have played in ensuring safety and security of the human resources in the hospitality industry.
"The more pragmatic the policy, the more effective the implementation", underlined all the participants in the interactions.
December 4, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation organized a series of comprehensive interaction programs on draft Tourism Policy 2065 on November 25, December 1 and December 3, 2008 with diverse tourism stakeholders at Nepal Tourism Board. Chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ms. Hisila Yami and actively participated by travel trade entrepreneurs, foreign expatriates, tourism experts and academicians and trade unions, the programs aimed to incorporate issues, ideas, challenges and present status of tourism in the new tourism policy of Nepal.
During the interaction program, Hon'ble Minister focused on the need of people-centric new tourism policy and pointed at the government's greater concerns on real value of tourism and its contribution to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country. "Co-operation and partnerships between public and private sector are important for the further development in tourism and civil aviation to make tourism vibrant and dynamic", she added.
The trade sector emphasized the urgent need to declare Tourism Industry as a "National Industry" and also requested for promulgation of Road Accident Act, provision of insurance and a separate labor policy for tourism sector. The foreign expatriates suggested that tourist friendly environment should be created and expressed their views that the unique sales proposition of Nepal was none other than its unique natural and cultural beauties. Everyone agreed that the main focus of new tourism policy should be on expanding the tourism to the interior parts of the country which helps generate employment, minimize leakages, and promote equitable development. The participants at the interaction programs unanimously articulated the fact that there is a tremendous scope of ecotourism in Nepal and thus upcoming tourism policy should highlight it. The tourism stakeholders and representatives of trade union stressed on urgent need for separate "Tourism Labor Policy". The trade unions equally emphasized the instrumental role they have played in ensuring safety and security of the human resources in the hospitality industry.
"The more pragmatic the policy, the more effective the implementation", underlined all the participants in the interactions.
Nepal Tempts Indian Travelers Yet Again Press Release
Nepal Tempts Indian Travelers Yet Again Press Release
December 5, 2008
All geared up with exciting travel ideas for the upcoming holiday season, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized roadshows all over Uttar Pradesh from November 24 to 28, 2008 to entice the Indian traveler and help them plan their next holiday.
With roadshows organized in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Nepal Tourism Board team showcased several exciting options under its promotion campaign Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough and showcased Weekend Breaks, Adventure Holidays and Lifetime Experiences for UP holiday makers.
This is the second consecutive year of Border Town Sales Mission by Nepal Tourism Board in these four cities of North India, this tour is organized mainly to feel the presence of New Nepal as destination among tour operators as it solicits strong bond cooperation or some new venture from all the players to revive the tourism at least to foothold strongly for the upcoming years. In this team 8 private companies form Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi, has been participated.
The 4 City Uttar Pradesh Sales Mission witnessed a keen interest of prominent tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Carlson Waganlit Cox & Kings, Le passage to India etc. who wished to further explore opportunities to tie up with Nepalese travel agents and hoteliers, visiting from cities like Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa , Pohkara etc.
The B2B Session was a great success as it gave the local tour operators a common platform to strengthen the ties between Indian and Nepalese travel trade and also discuss new tour packages for the Indian markets.
During the roadshow, Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Manger, Nepal Tourism Board informed that the Government of Nepal recently announced a major promotion to launch "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" and plans to promote Nepal as the most spectacular destination in tourism world.
December 5, 2008
All geared up with exciting travel ideas for the upcoming holiday season, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized roadshows all over Uttar Pradesh from November 24 to 28, 2008 to entice the Indian traveler and help them plan their next holiday.
With roadshows organized in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Nepal Tourism Board team showcased several exciting options under its promotion campaign Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough and showcased Weekend Breaks, Adventure Holidays and Lifetime Experiences for UP holiday makers.
This is the second consecutive year of Border Town Sales Mission by Nepal Tourism Board in these four cities of North India, this tour is organized mainly to feel the presence of New Nepal as destination among tour operators as it solicits strong bond cooperation or some new venture from all the players to revive the tourism at least to foothold strongly for the upcoming years. In this team 8 private companies form Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi, has been participated.
The 4 City Uttar Pradesh Sales Mission witnessed a keen interest of prominent tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Carlson Waganlit Cox & Kings, Le passage to India etc. who wished to further explore opportunities to tie up with Nepalese travel agents and hoteliers, visiting from cities like Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa , Pohkara etc.
The B2B Session was a great success as it gave the local tour operators a common platform to strengthen the ties between Indian and Nepalese travel trade and also discuss new tour packages for the Indian markets.
During the roadshow, Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Manger, Nepal Tourism Board informed that the Government of Nepal recently announced a major promotion to launch "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" and plans to promote Nepal as the most spectacular destination in tourism world.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Interactions on draft Tourism Policy 2065 organised Press Release
Interactions on draft Tourism Policy 2065 organised Press Release
December 4, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation organized a series of comprehensive interaction programs on draft Tourism Policy 2065 on November 25, December 1 and December 3, 2008 with diverse tourism stakeholders at Nepal Tourism Board. Chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ms. Hisila Yami and actively participated by travel trade entrepreneurs, foreign expatriates, tourism experts and academicians and trade unions, the programs aimed to incorporate issues, ideas, challenges and present status of tourism in the new tourism policy of Nepal.
During the interaction program, Hon'ble Minister focused on the need of people-centric new tourism policy and pointed at the government's greater concerns on real value of tourism and its contribution to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country. "Co-operation and partnerships between public and private sector are important for the further development in tourism and civil aviation to make tourism vibrant and dynamic", she added.
The trade sector emphasized the urgent need to declare Tourism Industry as a "National Industry" and also requested for promulgation of Road Accident Act, provision of insurance and a separate labor policy for tourism sector. The foreign expatriates suggested that tourist friendly environment should be created and expressed their views that the unique sales proposition of Nepal was none other than its unique natural and cultural beauties. Everyone agreed that the main focus of new tourism policy should be on expanding the tourism to the interior parts of the country which helps generate employment, minimize leakages, and promote equitable development. The participants at the interaction programs unanimously articulated the fact that there is a tremendous scope of ecotourism in Nepal and thus upcoming tourism policy should highlight it. The tourism stakeholders and representatives of trade union stressed on urgent need for separate "Tourism Labor Policy". The trade unions equally emphasized the instrumental role they have played in ensuring safety and security of the human resources in the hospitality industry.
"The more pragmatic the policy, the more effective the implementation", underlined all the participants in the interactions.
December 4, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation organized a series of comprehensive interaction programs on draft Tourism Policy 2065 on November 25, December 1 and December 3, 2008 with diverse tourism stakeholders at Nepal Tourism Board. Chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ms. Hisila Yami and actively participated by travel trade entrepreneurs, foreign expatriates, tourism experts and academicians and trade unions, the programs aimed to incorporate issues, ideas, challenges and present status of tourism in the new tourism policy of Nepal.
During the interaction program, Hon'ble Minister focused on the need of people-centric new tourism policy and pointed at the government's greater concerns on real value of tourism and its contribution to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country. "Co-operation and partnerships between public and private sector are important for the further development in tourism and civil aviation to make tourism vibrant and dynamic", she added.
The trade sector emphasized the urgent need to declare Tourism Industry as a "National Industry" and also requested for promulgation of Road Accident Act, provision of insurance and a separate labor policy for tourism sector. The foreign expatriates suggested that tourist friendly environment should be created and expressed their views that the unique sales proposition of Nepal was none other than its unique natural and cultural beauties. Everyone agreed that the main focus of new tourism policy should be on expanding the tourism to the interior parts of the country which helps generate employment, minimize leakages, and promote equitable development. The participants at the interaction programs unanimously articulated the fact that there is a tremendous scope of ecotourism in Nepal and thus upcoming tourism policy should highlight it. The tourism stakeholders and representatives of trade union stressed on urgent need for separate "Tourism Labor Policy". The trade unions equally emphasized the instrumental role they have played in ensuring safety and security of the human resources in the hospitality industry.
"The more pragmatic the policy, the more effective the implementation", underlined all the participants in the interactions.
Nepal Tempts Indian Travelers Yet Again Press Release
Nepal Tempts Indian Travelers Yet Again Press Release
December 5, 2008
All geared up with exciting travel ideas for the upcoming holiday season, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized roadshows all over Uttar Pradesh from November 24 to 28, 2008 to entice the Indian traveler and help them plan their next holiday.
With roadshows organized in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Nepal Tourism Board team showcased several exciting options under its promotion campaign Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough and showcased Weekend Breaks, Adventure Holidays and Lifetime Experiences for UP holiday makers.
This is the second consecutive year of Border Town Sales Mission by Nepal Tourism Board in these four cities of North India, this tour is organized mainly to feel the presence of New Nepal as destination among tour operators as it solicits strong bond cooperation or some new venture from all the players to revive the tourism at least to foothold strongly for the upcoming years. In this team 8 private companies form Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi, has been participated.
The 4 City Uttar Pradesh Sales Mission witnessed a keen interest of prominent tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Carlson Waganlit Cox & Kings, Le passage to India etc. who wished to further explore opportunities to tie up with Nepalese travel agents and hoteliers, visiting from cities like Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa , Pohkara etc.
The B2B Session was a great success as it gave the local tour operators a common platform to strengthen the ties between Indian and Nepalese travel trade and also discuss new tour packages for the Indian markets.
During the roadshow, Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Manger, Nepal Tourism Board informed that the Government of Nepal recently announced a major promotion to launch "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" and plans to promote Nepal as the most spectacular destination in tourism world.
December 5, 2008
All geared up with exciting travel ideas for the upcoming holiday season, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized roadshows all over Uttar Pradesh from November 24 to 28, 2008 to entice the Indian traveler and help them plan their next holiday.
With roadshows organized in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Nepal Tourism Board team showcased several exciting options under its promotion campaign Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough and showcased Weekend Breaks, Adventure Holidays and Lifetime Experiences for UP holiday makers.
This is the second consecutive year of Border Town Sales Mission by Nepal Tourism Board in these four cities of North India, this tour is organized mainly to feel the presence of New Nepal as destination among tour operators as it solicits strong bond cooperation or some new venture from all the players to revive the tourism at least to foothold strongly for the upcoming years. In this team 8 private companies form Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi, has been participated.
The 4 City Uttar Pradesh Sales Mission witnessed a keen interest of prominent tour operators such as Thomas Cook, Carlson Waganlit Cox & Kings, Le passage to India etc. who wished to further explore opportunities to tie up with Nepalese travel agents and hoteliers, visiting from cities like Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa , Pohkara etc.
The B2B Session was a great success as it gave the local tour operators a common platform to strengthen the ties between Indian and Nepalese travel trade and also discuss new tour packages for the Indian markets.
During the roadshow, Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Manger, Nepal Tourism Board informed that the Government of Nepal recently announced a major promotion to launch "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" and plans to promote Nepal as the most spectacular destination in tourism world.
Visitor Arrivals in November 2008 (by air only)
Visitor Arrivals in November 2008 (by air only) The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that arrival figures in the month of November 2008, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 6.6% to 36,851. The total number of visitors till November 2008 has reached 344,599, representing an increase of 4.3% in comparison to the same period last year.
The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth except for arrivals from India. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have registered growth by 81.3%, 59.1% and 29.5% respectively. India witnessed negative growth of 9.5% in the current month.
Similarly, other Asian countries: Thailand and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 45.7% and 34.5% of growth respectively. However, arrivals from Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China witnessed negative growth in the arrival figures by 2%, 15.5%, 14.3%, and 4.6% respectively.
UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures. Arrivals from the United States of America and Canada have also increased in November in comparison to the same month last year. However, Germany, Italy and Spain have registered negative growth.
The global recession in the advanced economies, which are also the major tourist generating markets, has not heavily affected the travel trade industry of Nepal.
A total of 51,498 foreign tourists departed from TIA in November 2008. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 38,288 while 48,462 Nepalese departed from TIA in November 2008.
The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth except for arrivals from India. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have registered growth by 81.3%, 59.1% and 29.5% respectively. India witnessed negative growth of 9.5% in the current month.
Similarly, other Asian countries: Thailand and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 45.7% and 34.5% of growth respectively. However, arrivals from Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China witnessed negative growth in the arrival figures by 2%, 15.5%, 14.3%, and 4.6% respectively.
UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures. Arrivals from the United States of America and Canada have also increased in November in comparison to the same month last year. However, Germany, Italy and Spain have registered negative growth.
The global recession in the advanced economies, which are also the major tourist generating markets, has not heavily affected the travel trade industry of Nepal.
A total of 51,498 foreign tourists departed from TIA in November 2008. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 38,288 while 48,462 Nepalese departed from TIA in November 2008.
Minisiter Yami inaugurates Mithila Sanskritik Utsav Press Release
Minisiter Yami inaugurates Mithila Sanskritik Utsav Press Release
December 1, 2008
A two-day Mithila Cultural Festival( Mithila Sanskritik Utsav) began in Janakpur on December 1, 2008 with fanfare coinciding with the Bhivah Panchami- a festival of marriage of Ram with Sita. Inaugurating the festival, Chief Guest of the festival, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami outlined the historical relation of Mithila with Malla kingdom of Newar in Kathmandu saying that bhajans are still being sung in Maithali in Ason as a person from Mithila was an advisor of Malla King.
Minister Yami further said that Government has already announced Nepal Visit Year 2011 which will incorporate development of Terai region including Janakpur in this campaign. " Our Ministry is working with Indian counterpart to extend the regional air service from Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Nepaljung and Janakpur to different parts of India like Patna, Gaya, Vanarasi, Lucknow, Kolkatta. We believe that it would promote tourism in these areas," she added. She also informed the government has already allocated the budget for extension of Janakpur -Jainagar railway to Bardibas and feasible study of East West Railways road is being carried out. Investment in tourism development of Tarai has just started with the development of Gadhimai in Bara district and it will extend further to other parts of Tarai, she said.
The inaugural function attended by large number of people from Janakpur and bordering town of India like Madhubani, Sitamari was chaired Mr. Ram Chandra Mandal, Chairperson, Greater Janakpur Area Development Project. Mr. Shital Jha from UML, Mr. Dev Sagar Das from CPN( Maoist), Mr. Ram Gobinda Yadav from Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Mr. Parmeswore Shah from Terai Madhes Democratic Party also addressed the function. Folk dance and music, drama will be staged during the festival as a part of reviving Mithila culture.
Earlier, Minister Yami also attened the Matkor ceremony which takes place a day before the Bhivah Panchami at Janaki Mandir. The festival of Bhiwa Panchami will take place tomorrow at Janaki mandir.
December 1, 2008
A two-day Mithila Cultural Festival( Mithila Sanskritik Utsav) began in Janakpur on December 1, 2008 with fanfare coinciding with the Bhivah Panchami- a festival of marriage of Ram with Sita. Inaugurating the festival, Chief Guest of the festival, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami outlined the historical relation of Mithila with Malla kingdom of Newar in Kathmandu saying that bhajans are still being sung in Maithali in Ason as a person from Mithila was an advisor of Malla King.
Minister Yami further said that Government has already announced Nepal Visit Year 2011 which will incorporate development of Terai region including Janakpur in this campaign. " Our Ministry is working with Indian counterpart to extend the regional air service from Bhairawa, Biratnagar, Nepaljung and Janakpur to different parts of India like Patna, Gaya, Vanarasi, Lucknow, Kolkatta. We believe that it would promote tourism in these areas," she added. She also informed the government has already allocated the budget for extension of Janakpur -Jainagar railway to Bardibas and feasible study of East West Railways road is being carried out. Investment in tourism development of Tarai has just started with the development of Gadhimai in Bara district and it will extend further to other parts of Tarai, she said.
The inaugural function attended by large number of people from Janakpur and bordering town of India like Madhubani, Sitamari was chaired Mr. Ram Chandra Mandal, Chairperson, Greater Janakpur Area Development Project. Mr. Shital Jha from UML, Mr. Dev Sagar Das from CPN( Maoist), Mr. Ram Gobinda Yadav from Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Mr. Parmeswore Shah from Terai Madhes Democratic Party also addressed the function. Folk dance and music, drama will be staged during the festival as a part of reviving Mithila culture.
Earlier, Minister Yami also attened the Matkor ceremony which takes place a day before the Bhivah Panchami at Janaki Mandir. The festival of Bhiwa Panchami will take place tomorrow at Janaki mandir.
Himalaya - Changing Landscapes outdoor Photo Exhibition at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square
| Himalaya - Changing Landscapes outdoor Photo Exhibition at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square |
| 2-8 December 2008 The Himalaya - Changing Landscapes photo exhibition is taking place from 2 – 8 December 2008 at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square as part of ICIMOD's 25th anniversary celebrations. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the impact of global climate change in the fragile environment of the Himalayas. On display will be a collection of repeat panoramas of mountains and glaciers in the Khumbu region taken in the 1950s, and retaken in the exact same locations in 2007; photos of scientific teams conducting research in the 1950s; and portraits of Himalayan people. These photographs provide a striking visual impression of how climate change and glacial melting are affecting the region. The exhibition also emphasises the resilience of the mountain people in coping with these circumstances. The Himalaya – Changing Landscapes photo exhibition was exhibited in Stockholm, Sweden in August 2008 and in Barcelona, Spain in October 2008. Further European locations will follow in 2009. The Kathmandu exhibition is endorsed by the Nepal Tourism Board. |
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Notice for Participation in Travel Trade Fairs 2009
Notice for Participation in Travel Trade Fairs 2009
S.N
| Fair/Mart | Date | Participation Fee (Nrs) | Deadline for | No. of | Contact |
1 | Vakantiebeurs, Utrecht, The Netherlands | 14 – 18 January 2009 | 80,000/- | 21 November,08 | Four | |
2 | Nordic Travel Fair ( MATKA ), Helsinki, Finland | 15-18 January 2009 | 65,000/- | 21 November,08 | Three | |
3 | CMT- Stuttgart, Germany | 17-25 January 2009 |
| 21 November,08 | Five | Nepal German Chamber of Commerce & Industries |
4 | FITUR, Madrid, Spain | Jan. 28- Feb. 1, 2009 | 75,000/- | 21 November, 08 | Seventeen | Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents |
5 | BIT , Milan , Italy | 19-22 February 2009 | 80,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Six | Trekking Agents Association of Nepal ( TAAN) |
6 | Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo., Melbourne , Australia | Melbourne ( 21-22 Feb. '09 ) | 65,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Four | |
7 | Tour Operators' Meet & Press Conference in Melbourne & Sydney, Australia | Melbourne- 19 Feb. '09 Sydney- 24 Feb. '09
| 15, 000/- | 28 November, 08 | Four | |
8 | *ITB-Berlin, Germany | 11-15 March 2009
| 160,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Fifteen | |
9 | Europe Sales Mission, Prague, Vienna & Budapest | 16-21 March 2009
| 60,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Six | |
10 | MITT- Moscow, Russia | 18-21 March 2009 | 85,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Four | |
11 | Sales Mission in Beijing, Shanghai, Guanzhau, China | 30 March-7 April '09 | 60,000/- | 28 November, 08 | Four |
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are encouraged to apply and participate. Application form for participation is available with Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our website)
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit, Corporate Services Department, NTB, along with full participation fees before the deadline. Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served basis.
* Rs. 160,000.00 is for individual table. Cost for staying in common area will be Rs.70, 000.00 (max. four first time participating companies and other conditions apply)
welcome back after so long time
welcome back to my travel news blog after so long time.... we are back...thank you for your patient..
All Nepal Information TM
All Nepal Information TM
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Yeti Airlines crashes, Nepal Tourism Board expresses its condolence
Yeti Airlines crashes, Nepal Tourism Board expresses its condolence
It is a big shock for us to know about the tragic incident of aircrash at Lukla in the morning of October 8, 2008. Nepal Tourism Board expresses its heartfelt condolence to all bereaved family members of deceased persons. May their souls rest in peace.
A twin Ottor plane of Yeti Airlines carrying 16 passenger and three crew members crashed on landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla in Nepal's Everest region, at 7:21 am on October 8, 2008, says Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in a press release issued here today.
The aircraft, flying from the capital Kathmandu to Lukla in eastern Nepal, burst into flames after crash-landing on the sloping airstrip. The airport is 140 kilometres (90 miles) north east of Kathmandu and it is a gateway to Everest Region, Nepal's most popular trekking destination.
According to press release of CAAN, despite bad weather, a rescue helicopter has been dispatched at 10:21 am. A rescue operation is being undertaken by army at the airport. Meanwhile, issuing a press release, Yeti Airlines confirmed the death of 16 passengers and 2 crew members. Nepalese Pilot Mr. Surendra Kumar Kunwar is miraculously survived. Of the 19 passengers on the plane, 14 were foreigners and five were Nepalese.
Nepal Tourism Board is coordinating with Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in regard to rescue operation and obtaining detail information about the crash and deceased persons. It will provide up-to-date information as soon as it gets it.
Name of deceased persons are as follows:
Name - Nationality
1. Mr. A. Frick - Australian
2. Ms. C. Katc - Australian
3. Ms. Monika Wiess - German
4. Mr. Harry Wiess - German
5. Ms. Andrea Thiele - German
6. Mr. Thomas Krause - German
7. Ms. Silke Krause - German
8. Mr. Uwe Thiele - German
9. Mr. Thorsten Berger - German
10. Mr. Andreas Blomke - German
11. Ms. Sabine Blomke - German
12. Ms. Nadine Jankoster - German
13. Ms. Annelotte Langanke - German
14. Mr. Johannes Sauter - German
15. Mr. Santosh Adhikari - Nepali
16. Mr. Gobinda Sharma - Nepali
17. F/O Bikash Pant - Crew Member
18. Ms. Sunita Shrestha - Air hostess.
It is a big shock for us to know about the tragic incident of aircrash at Lukla in the morning of October 8, 2008. Nepal Tourism Board expresses its heartfelt condolence to all bereaved family members of deceased persons. May their souls rest in peace.
A twin Ottor plane of Yeti Airlines carrying 16 passenger and three crew members crashed on landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla in Nepal's Everest region, at 7:21 am on October 8, 2008, says Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in a press release issued here today.
The aircraft, flying from the capital Kathmandu to Lukla in eastern Nepal, burst into flames after crash-landing on the sloping airstrip. The airport is 140 kilometres (90 miles) north east of Kathmandu and it is a gateway to Everest Region, Nepal's most popular trekking destination.
According to press release of CAAN, despite bad weather, a rescue helicopter has been dispatched at 10:21 am. A rescue operation is being undertaken by army at the airport. Meanwhile, issuing a press release, Yeti Airlines confirmed the death of 16 passengers and 2 crew members. Nepalese Pilot Mr. Surendra Kumar Kunwar is miraculously survived. Of the 19 passengers on the plane, 14 were foreigners and five were Nepalese.
Nepal Tourism Board is coordinating with Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in regard to rescue operation and obtaining detail information about the crash and deceased persons. It will provide up-to-date information as soon as it gets it.
Name of deceased persons are as follows:
Name - Nationality
1. Mr. A. Frick - Australian
2. Ms. C. Katc - Australian
3. Ms. Monika Wiess - German
4. Mr. Harry Wiess - German
5. Ms. Andrea Thiele - German
6. Mr. Thomas Krause - German
7. Ms. Silke Krause - German
8. Mr. Uwe Thiele - German
9. Mr. Thorsten Berger - German
10. Mr. Andreas Blomke - German
11. Ms. Sabine Blomke - German
12. Ms. Nadine Jankoster - German
13. Ms. Annelotte Langanke - German
14. Mr. Johannes Sauter - German
15. Mr. Santosh Adhikari - Nepali
16. Mr. Gobinda Sharma - Nepali
17. F/O Bikash Pant - Crew Member
18. Ms. Sunita Shrestha - Air hostess.
Nepal participates in JATA World Travel Fair 2008 in Tokyo
Nepal participates in JATA World Travel Fair 2008 in Tokyo
News Release
September 23, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in co-ordination with the Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo participated in the JATA World Travel Fair 2008 in Tokyo from 19-21 September 2008. Other participant was The Malla Hotel Pvt. Ltd. The JATA World Travel Fair is the largest annual travel show being organized by Japan Association of Travel Agents. National Tourism Organizations, Travel Tour Operators, Airlines, Hoteliers and Resorts, Cruise Liners and Transport Operators from around the world exhibited their products and services in the fair.
Nepal stall was decorated with flex posters picturing Mt. Everest, Lumbini and other various natural and cultural attractions of Nepal. JATA World Travel Fair 2008 was a very effective platform for Nepal to interact with Japanese outbound travel trade companies and other visitors for gaining their confidence for travelling to Nepal. Along with the restoration of peace in Nepal, the confidence of Japanese travellers towards Nepal is increasing. The Japanese tour operators seemed very keen to generate tourism business in Nepal. Nepali souvenirs and other various Nepal promotional collaterals were distributed to the Japanese travel trade, media and public visitors at the stall.
Japan having 18 million outbound travellers annually aims at increasing Japanese outbound travellers to 20 m by 2010 with visit world campaign. Japan with total number of 10684 registered travel agencies has always remained as a major tourist generating value market for Nepalese tourism. Currently there has been a major shift from group tour to FIT among the Japanese travellers.
The major concern of the Japanese visitors to Nepal stall was about the lack of direct flight connectivity between Nepal and Japan and lack of air seats to Kathmandu sector. Nepali Diaspora living in Japan also expressed their sincere enthusiasm and commitment to promote Nepalese tourism in Japan.
News Release
September 23, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board in co-ordination with the Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo participated in the JATA World Travel Fair 2008 in Tokyo from 19-21 September 2008. Other participant was The Malla Hotel Pvt. Ltd. The JATA World Travel Fair is the largest annual travel show being organized by Japan Association of Travel Agents. National Tourism Organizations, Travel Tour Operators, Airlines, Hoteliers and Resorts, Cruise Liners and Transport Operators from around the world exhibited their products and services in the fair.
Nepal stall was decorated with flex posters picturing Mt. Everest, Lumbini and other various natural and cultural attractions of Nepal. JATA World Travel Fair 2008 was a very effective platform for Nepal to interact with Japanese outbound travel trade companies and other visitors for gaining their confidence for travelling to Nepal. Along with the restoration of peace in Nepal, the confidence of Japanese travellers towards Nepal is increasing. The Japanese tour operators seemed very keen to generate tourism business in Nepal. Nepali souvenirs and other various Nepal promotional collaterals were distributed to the Japanese travel trade, media and public visitors at the stall.
Japan having 18 million outbound travellers annually aims at increasing Japanese outbound travellers to 20 m by 2010 with visit world campaign. Japan with total number of 10684 registered travel agencies has always remained as a major tourist generating value market for Nepalese tourism. Currently there has been a major shift from group tour to FIT among the Japanese travellers.
The major concern of the Japanese visitors to Nepal stall was about the lack of direct flight connectivity between Nepal and Japan and lack of air seats to Kathmandu sector. Nepali Diaspora living in Japan also expressed their sincere enthusiasm and commitment to promote Nepalese tourism in Japan.
World Tourism Day observed with various programmes On the occasion of World Tourism Day which is being observed with the theme "Tourism Responding to
World Tourism Day observed with various programmes
On the occasion of World Tourism Day which is being observed with the theme "Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change", Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisilan Yami planted the first sapling of Mulberry(kimbu) at Jalbinayak, Chobhar. The sapling was planted as a part of Climate Neutral Planet Fund being set up by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) and Nepal Tourism Board to mitigate the impact of climate change. Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Leela Mani Poudyal and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha along with others also planted the sapling. The tree plantation programme was being coordinated by Jalabinayaka Community Forest Users' Group.
The fund was launched with Rs 100,000 contributed jointly by MoTCA and NTB. The contribution of tourists sponsoring trees will go into this fund. The fund will be used for tree plantation by community forest users' groups in all 75 districts and will also help contribute to sustainable development.
In process of celebrating the World Tourism Day, 15 tourists coming from Qatar Airways flight which was first flight to Tribhuvan International Airport were honoured with Khada, T-shirt and garland by the members of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal and Everest Summitters' Association. Similarly, a cycle rally was organized in Kathmandu by Nepal Cycle Association. It was started from Nepal Tourism Board and went around Putalisadak, Thapathali, New Road, Basantapur. Around 40 cyclists participated in the rally. In the Pashupathi area, first tourists visiting the area were greeted with Newari music, tika and garland.
In Sunauli, nine Indian tourists and five foreign tourists who entered Nepal in the morning were felicitated with Nepali cap and garland. A procession was also taken out by the tourism entrepreneurs, the government officials, local development officials to mark the occasion.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day which is being observed with the theme "Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change", Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisilan Yami planted the first sapling of Mulberry(kimbu) at Jalbinayak, Chobhar. The sapling was planted as a part of Climate Neutral Planet Fund being set up by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) and Nepal Tourism Board to mitigate the impact of climate change. Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Leela Mani Poudyal and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha along with others also planted the sapling. The tree plantation programme was being coordinated by Jalabinayaka Community Forest Users' Group.
The fund was launched with Rs 100,000 contributed jointly by MoTCA and NTB. The contribution of tourists sponsoring trees will go into this fund. The fund will be used for tree plantation by community forest users' groups in all 75 districts and will also help contribute to sustainable development.
In process of celebrating the World Tourism Day, 15 tourists coming from Qatar Airways flight which was first flight to Tribhuvan International Airport were honoured with Khada, T-shirt and garland by the members of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal and Everest Summitters' Association. Similarly, a cycle rally was organized in Kathmandu by Nepal Cycle Association. It was started from Nepal Tourism Board and went around Putalisadak, Thapathali, New Road, Basantapur. Around 40 cyclists participated in the rally. In the Pashupathi area, first tourists visiting the area were greeted with Newari music, tika and garland.
In Sunauli, nine Indian tourists and five foreign tourists who entered Nepal in the morning were felicitated with Nepali cap and garland. A procession was also taken out by the tourism entrepreneurs, the government officials, local development officials to mark the occasion.
"Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change"
"Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change"
A call for Action to a Climate Neutral Planet
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and all tourism related stakeholders have expressed their solidarity to help to achieve this noble objective by creating a special fund "Climate Neutral Planet Fund- Nepal" on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
You can also be a part of this campaign by becoming a Responsible Tourist & donating any amount of support in this fund:
A/C No: 6219200 (Current Account)
Nepal Investment Bank
Durbarmarg Branch
Kathmandu
A call for Action to a Climate Neutral Planet
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and all tourism related stakeholders have expressed their solidarity to help to achieve this noble objective by creating a special fund "Climate Neutral Planet Fund- Nepal" on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
You can also be a part of this campaign by becoming a Responsible Tourist & donating any amount of support in this fund:
A/C No: 6219200 (Current Account)
Nepal Investment Bank
Durbarmarg Branch
Kathmandu
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Happy vijaya dashami - 065
HAPPY VIJAYA DASHAMI - 2065 MAY HIS DEVINE CONSORT DURGA VAWANI BLESS ALL OF US WITH PEACE AND PROSPERITY... WITH NEW NEPAL...
ALLNEPALINFO.BLOGSPOT.COM TM
ALLNEPALINFO.BLOGSPOT.COM TM
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Visitor Arrivals in August 2008 (by air only)
Visitor Arrivals in August 2008 (by air only)
September 1, 2008
News Release
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport revealed that the total visitor arrivals till August 2008 have reached to 224,679. The figures represent an increase of 2% in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures in the month of August, 2008 compared to the same month last year have decreased by 2% to 26,313. On the other hand, the tourism industry has shown some signs of revival in the form of softening in decline as compared to 19% decrease in July 2008.
India, the largest tourist generating market for Nepal, bounced back with a remarkable growth of 13%. The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth of 16% with Bangladesh (48%), Pakistan (45%) and Sri Lanka(31%).
Similarly, other Asian countries Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 77%, 59% and 16% of growth respectively in each market. The figures also reflect the revival in the visitors' arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of the major source markets for Nepal with a notable growth of 35%. Australia and Norway have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures.
However, other major markets such as Japan, China, and South Korea witnessed decrease by 9%, 35% and 13% respectively. European arrivals also suffered a significant decline with Italy (44 %), Germany (37%) and Spain (28%).
It is interesting to note that a total of 28082 tourists departed from TIA in August 2008, which is higher than the total arrivals.
September 1, 2008
News Release
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport revealed that the total visitor arrivals till August 2008 have reached to 224,679. The figures represent an increase of 2% in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures in the month of August, 2008 compared to the same month last year have decreased by 2% to 26,313. On the other hand, the tourism industry has shown some signs of revival in the form of softening in decline as compared to 19% decrease in July 2008.
India, the largest tourist generating market for Nepal, bounced back with a remarkable growth of 13%. The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth of 16% with Bangladesh (48%), Pakistan (45%) and Sri Lanka(31%).
Similarly, other Asian countries Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 77%, 59% and 16% of growth respectively in each market. The figures also reflect the revival in the visitors' arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of the major source markets for Nepal with a notable growth of 35%. Australia and Norway have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures.
However, other major markets such as Japan, China, and South Korea witnessed decrease by 9%, 35% and 13% respectively. European arrivals also suffered a significant decline with Italy (44 %), Germany (37%) and Spain (28%).
It is interesting to note that a total of 28082 tourists departed from TIA in August 2008, which is higher than the total arrivals.
NTB installs Tourist Information Board to disseminate information
NTB installs Tourist Information Board to disseminate information
Access to authentic information plays a significant role in organizing today's world. If furbished with sufficient and precise information, it becomes easier to accomplish tasks easily and in less time.
Foreseeing the role it could play in bringing a revolution in the tourism industry, the Ticker Board or the Satellite Control Board installed at NTB is the first of its kind to be introduced in the country. The board was inaugurated amidst a function by Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board on August 30, 2008. Mr. Shrestha highlighting the need of such technology in today's world said the ticker board installed at the NTB premises is the collective property of the tourism industry of Nepal. Prior to this, Mr. Subash Nirola, Senior Director of NTB welcoming the guests said the installation of board would be helpful in information dissemination.
It helps to disseminate authentic information to domestic as well as international tourists in a visible and organized manner. The instant access of information to every passerby will also be an advantage. Today, being the era of media, news and reliable authentic information; its use will further enhance the self confidence of recipients in managing their daily life in a constructive manner.
Its size is 28X204 inches and has memory of 15,000 characters. This is the only board of its kind in Nepal with day and night visibility though installed outdoor.
Access to authentic information plays a significant role in organizing today's world. If furbished with sufficient and precise information, it becomes easier to accomplish tasks easily and in less time.
Foreseeing the role it could play in bringing a revolution in the tourism industry, the Ticker Board or the Satellite Control Board installed at NTB is the first of its kind to be introduced in the country. The board was inaugurated amidst a function by Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board on August 30, 2008. Mr. Shrestha highlighting the need of such technology in today's world said the ticker board installed at the NTB premises is the collective property of the tourism industry of Nepal. Prior to this, Mr. Subash Nirola, Senior Director of NTB welcoming the guests said the installation of board would be helpful in information dissemination.
It helps to disseminate authentic information to domestic as well as international tourists in a visible and organized manner. The instant access of information to every passerby will also be an advantage. Today, being the era of media, news and reliable authentic information; its use will further enhance the self confidence of recipients in managing their daily life in a constructive manner.
Its size is 28X204 inches and has memory of 15,000 characters. This is the only board of its kind in Nepal with day and night visibility though installed outdoor.
Online Consular Registration(LOCATE) available for British Travellers
Online Consular Registration(LOCATE) available for British Travellers
The British Embassy Kathmandu has requested all the British travellers visiting Nepal to register online on its new system called LOCATE. They can register at www.britishembassy.gov.uk/nepal and follow the link for the online registration.
The British Embassy Kathmandu has requested all the British travellers visiting Nepal to register online on its new system called LOCATE. They can register at www.britishembassy.gov.uk/nepal and follow the link for the online registration.
Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 )
| Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 ) | ||||||||||||
| Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa. Entry Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal: >>Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu >>Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal) >>Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal) >>Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border) >>Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal) >>Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal) >>Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal) >>Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal) b. Tourist Visa
Tourist Visa Extension >>Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day >>Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December). Gratis (Free) Visa Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal. Transit Visa Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency. For further information, please contact: Department of Immigration Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmand Tel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453 web site: www.immi.gov.np | ||||||||||||
|
ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal
ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 30 July 2008) The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) announces the launching of a web portal on 'Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge'. Accessible at http://www.icimod.org/abs/, the portal contains information about Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms and processes being carried out as well as the development and implementation of ABS regimes in countries of the Himalayan region. The portal provides links related to the subject and aims to serve as a regional clearing house mechanism on ABS. Through this facility, ICIMOD hopes to encourage, enable, and support learning and foster multi-stakeholder discussions and sharing of the ongoing debates and dialogues at international, regional, and national levels on the subject.
Background
In simple terms, access and benefit sharing means that one person or entity (the user) obtains biological or genetic resources and or knowledge from another person, entity, or country (the provider) in exchange for benefits. The CBD aims to achieve the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge by facilitating access through prior informed consent of the provider. Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a framework for the implementation of ABS. All the countries in the Himalayan region are party to the Convention and are implementing ABS regimes.
Implementing the framework in practical and legal terms is complex and has raised concerns amongst stakeholders. The portal thus aims to raise awareness as well as provide a platform for sharing and discussing various options in dealing with ABS issues. ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Kathmandu, Nepal, recently launched the portal as part of a project to promote ABS in the eastern Himalayan countries. The Centre has been working with 13 partners in four Eastern Himalayan countries - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – in seven project sites since 2005, to promote the ABS process. Plans are underway to expand the project's coverage over the long term to the entire Himalayan region, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – ICIMOD's regional member countries.
Supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the BMZ, the programme reaches out to marginalised groups from grassroots-based mountain women, Dalits, indigenous peoples (Janajatis and ethnic minorities), to policy and decision makers to raise awareness and build the capacity of local institutions and individuals belonging to these groups. The aim is to implement sustainable ABS regimes. Through this programme which is part of a broader Biodiversity Conservation and Management Programme, ICIMOD aims to develop the competence of partner organisations by supporting activities such as capacity building, documenting and evaluating traditional knowledge, assisting in developing regulatory instruments, and a variety of information sharing platforms. The capacity of stakeholders and partners in the government and nongovernmental organizations is being enhanced who are imparting knowledge and skills related to ABS mechanism among the indigenous people and marginalized communities. Through this process, the ABS mechanism is gradually internalised among the communities as an opportunity for poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.
Regional Context
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region, and more specifically the Eastern Himalayas, is one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots – a treasure house of genetic biodiversity and natural resources managed with rich base of traditional knowledge and skills. These resources provide the basis for building livelihoods for mountain communities.
ICIMOD believes that local communities and stakeholders can protect and manage their genetic resources and biological diversity. This will only be possible if the people who take care of the resources also get benefits from them and get full support from the local and national governments, civil society organisations and the international community.
For further information contact:
Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Regional Coordinator, ABS – EH
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services, ICIMOD
Tel: 5003222, Email: koli@icimod.org, www.icimod.org
Ms. Nira Gurung
Communications Officer
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-5003222, Ext. 115
Fax: 977-1-5003277
Email: ngurung@icimod.org, info@icimod.org
www.icimod.org
ICIMOD publications on-line -- download or order direct at http://www.books.icimod.org
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 30 July 2008) The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) announces the launching of a web portal on 'Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge'. Accessible at http://www.icimod.org/abs/, the portal contains information about Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms and processes being carried out as well as the development and implementation of ABS regimes in countries of the Himalayan region. The portal provides links related to the subject and aims to serve as a regional clearing house mechanism on ABS. Through this facility, ICIMOD hopes to encourage, enable, and support learning and foster multi-stakeholder discussions and sharing of the ongoing debates and dialogues at international, regional, and national levels on the subject.
Background
In simple terms, access and benefit sharing means that one person or entity (the user) obtains biological or genetic resources and or knowledge from another person, entity, or country (the provider) in exchange for benefits. The CBD aims to achieve the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge by facilitating access through prior informed consent of the provider. Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a framework for the implementation of ABS. All the countries in the Himalayan region are party to the Convention and are implementing ABS regimes.
Implementing the framework in practical and legal terms is complex and has raised concerns amongst stakeholders. The portal thus aims to raise awareness as well as provide a platform for sharing and discussing various options in dealing with ABS issues. ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Kathmandu, Nepal, recently launched the portal as part of a project to promote ABS in the eastern Himalayan countries. The Centre has been working with 13 partners in four Eastern Himalayan countries - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – in seven project sites since 2005, to promote the ABS process. Plans are underway to expand the project's coverage over the long term to the entire Himalayan region, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – ICIMOD's regional member countries.
Supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the BMZ, the programme reaches out to marginalised groups from grassroots-based mountain women, Dalits, indigenous peoples (Janajatis and ethnic minorities), to policy and decision makers to raise awareness and build the capacity of local institutions and individuals belonging to these groups. The aim is to implement sustainable ABS regimes. Through this programme which is part of a broader Biodiversity Conservation and Management Programme, ICIMOD aims to develop the competence of partner organisations by supporting activities such as capacity building, documenting and evaluating traditional knowledge, assisting in developing regulatory instruments, and a variety of information sharing platforms. The capacity of stakeholders and partners in the government and nongovernmental organizations is being enhanced who are imparting knowledge and skills related to ABS mechanism among the indigenous people and marginalized communities. Through this process, the ABS mechanism is gradually internalised among the communities as an opportunity for poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.
Regional Context
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region, and more specifically the Eastern Himalayas, is one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots – a treasure house of genetic biodiversity and natural resources managed with rich base of traditional knowledge and skills. These resources provide the basis for building livelihoods for mountain communities.
ICIMOD believes that local communities and stakeholders can protect and manage their genetic resources and biological diversity. This will only be possible if the people who take care of the resources also get benefits from them and get full support from the local and national governments, civil society organisations and the international community.
For further information contact:
Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Regional Coordinator, ABS – EH
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services, ICIMOD
Tel: 5003222, Email: koli@icimod.org, www.icimod.org
Ms. Nira Gurung
Communications Officer
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-5003222, Ext. 115
Fax: 977-1-5003277
Email: ngurung@icimod.org, info@icimod.org
www.icimod.org
ICIMOD publications on-line -- download or order direct at http://www.books.icimod.org
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Two minor blasts in Pokhara
Two minor blasts in Pokhara
Two minor blasts in Pokhara, six persons were injured in two minor blasts that took place in Sabhagriha Chowk, Pokhara in the evening of August 6, 2008, reports Pokhara Office of Nepal Tourism Board.
This place is far from Lakeside and Damsite- two prominent tourist district of Pokhara and, tourists don't frequent to this place for any kind of activities.
All injured persons are local residents of Pokhara. Security has been tight in the area and Pokhara is as safe to travel as before and daily life has not been affected by it, says the government officials in Pokhara. Pokhara Office of Nepal Tourism Board is trying to get more information about it and will update you as soon as we get it.
For further information, you may contact:Ms. Shraddha Shrestha,Incharge, Pokhara Office, Nepal Tourism Boardat pntb@wlink.com.np, or at telephone number: 977-61-535292.
Two minor blasts in Pokhara, six persons were injured in two minor blasts that took place in Sabhagriha Chowk, Pokhara in the evening of August 6, 2008, reports Pokhara Office of Nepal Tourism Board.
This place is far from Lakeside and Damsite- two prominent tourist district of Pokhara and, tourists don't frequent to this place for any kind of activities.
All injured persons are local residents of Pokhara. Security has been tight in the area and Pokhara is as safe to travel as before and daily life has not been affected by it, says the government officials in Pokhara. Pokhara Office of Nepal Tourism Board is trying to get more information about it and will update you as soon as we get it.
For further information, you may contact:Ms. Shraddha Shrestha,Incharge, Pokhara Office, Nepal Tourism Boardat pntb@wlink.com.np, or at telephone number: 977-61-535292.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Visitor Arrivals in July 2008 (by air only)
Visitor Arrivals in July 2008 (by air only)
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport shows that visitor arrivals to Nepal increased by 3% with total 198,366 visitors till July 2008 in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures of July, 2008 compared to the same month last year has decreased by 19% to 21,203.
Asian countries Singapore and Malaysia maintained the positive trend with 13% growth in the each market. The other countries with positive growth are Pakistan (53%) and Sri Lanka (18%).
India, which is the largest tourist generating market, registered a decline of 24%. Similarly other major markets such as USA, Japan, and UK also witnessed decrease by 15%, 12% and 2% respectively. Furthermore, China, South Korea, and Thailand also recorded negative growth.
European arrivals also suffered a significant decline in the visitor arrivals from major generating markets such as Italy (44 %), France (32%), Germany (39%) and Spain (25%). Only Austria (35%) and Norway (66%) maintained the incremental trend in the arrival figures.
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport shows that visitor arrivals to Nepal increased by 3% with total 198,366 visitors till July 2008 in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures of July, 2008 compared to the same month last year has decreased by 19% to 21,203.
Asian countries Singapore and Malaysia maintained the positive trend with 13% growth in the each market. The other countries with positive growth are Pakistan (53%) and Sri Lanka (18%).
India, which is the largest tourist generating market, registered a decline of 24%. Similarly other major markets such as USA, Japan, and UK also witnessed decrease by 15%, 12% and 2% respectively. Furthermore, China, South Korea, and Thailand also recorded negative growth.
European arrivals also suffered a significant decline in the visitor arrivals from major generating markets such as Italy (44 %), France (32%), Germany (39%) and Spain (25%). Only Austria (35%) and Norway (66%) maintained the incremental trend in the arrival figures.
Friday, August 1, 2008
ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal
ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 30 July 2008) The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) announces the launching of a web portal on 'Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge'. Accessible at http://www.icimod.org/abs/, the portal contains information about Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms and processes being carried out as well as the development and implementation of ABS regimes in countries of the Himalayan region. The portal provides links related to the subject and aims to serve as a regional clearing house mechanism on ABS. Through this facility, ICIMOD hopes to encourage, enable, and support learning and foster multi-stakeholder discussions and sharing of the ongoing debates and dialogues at international, regional, and national levels on the subject.BackgroundIn simple terms, access and benefit sharing means that one person or entity (the user) obtains biological or genetic resources and or knowledge from another person, entity, or country (the provider) in exchange for benefits. The CBD aims to achieve the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge by facilitating access through prior informed consent of the provider. Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a framework for the implementation of ABS. All the countries in the Himalayan region are party to the Convention and are implementing ABS regimes.Implementing the framework in practical and legal terms is complex and has raised concerns amongst stakeholders. The portal thus aims to raise awareness as well as provide a platform for sharing and discussing various options in dealing with ABS issues. ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Kathmandu, Nepal, recently launched the portal as part of a project to promote ABS in the eastern Himalayan countries. The Centre has been working with 13 partners in four Eastern Himalayan countries - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – in seven project sites since 2005, to promote the ABS process. Plans are underway to expand the project's coverage over the long term to the entire Himalayan region, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – ICIMOD's regional member countries.Supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the BMZ, the programme reaches out to marginalised groups from grassroots-based mountain women, Dalits, indigenous peoples (Janajatis and ethnic minorities), to policy and decision makers to raise awareness and build the capacity of local institutions and individuals belonging to these groups. The aim is to implement sustainable ABS regimes. Through this programme which is part of a broader Biodiversity Conservation and Management Programme, ICIMOD aims to develop the competence of partner organisations by supporting activities such as capacity building, documenting and evaluating traditional knowledge, assisting in developing regulatory instruments, and a variety of information sharing platforms. The capacity of stakeholders and partners in the government and nongovernmental organizations is being enhanced who are imparting knowledge and skills related to ABS mechanism among the indigenous people and marginalized communities. Through this process, the ABS mechanism is gradually internalised among the communities as an opportunity for poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.Regional ContextThe Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region, and more specifically the Eastern Himalayas, is one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots – a treasure house of genetic biodiversity and natural resources managed with rich base of traditional knowledge and skills. These resources provide the basis for building livelihoods for mountain communities.ICIMOD believes that local communities and stakeholders can protect and manage their genetic resources and biological diversity. This will only be possible if the people who take care of the resources also get benefits from them and get full support from the local and national governments, civil society organisations and the international community.For further information contact: Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Regional Coordinator, ABS – EHBiodiversity Conservation and ManagementEnvironmental Change and Ecosystem Services, ICIMODTel: 5003222, Email: koli@icimod.org, www.icimod.org Ms. Nira GurungCommunications OfficerInternational Centre for Integrated Mountain DevelopmentKhumaltar, LalitpurGPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, NepalTel: 977-1-5003222, Ext. 115Fax: 977-1-5003277Email: ngurung@icimod.org, info@icimod.orgwww.icimod.orgICIMOD publications on-line -- download or order direct at http://www.books.icimod.org
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 30 July 2008) The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) announces the launching of a web portal on 'Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge'. Accessible at http://www.icimod.org/abs/, the portal contains information about Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms and processes being carried out as well as the development and implementation of ABS regimes in countries of the Himalayan region. The portal provides links related to the subject and aims to serve as a regional clearing house mechanism on ABS. Through this facility, ICIMOD hopes to encourage, enable, and support learning and foster multi-stakeholder discussions and sharing of the ongoing debates and dialogues at international, regional, and national levels on the subject.BackgroundIn simple terms, access and benefit sharing means that one person or entity (the user) obtains biological or genetic resources and or knowledge from another person, entity, or country (the provider) in exchange for benefits. The CBD aims to achieve the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge by facilitating access through prior informed consent of the provider. Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a framework for the implementation of ABS. All the countries in the Himalayan region are party to the Convention and are implementing ABS regimes.Implementing the framework in practical and legal terms is complex and has raised concerns amongst stakeholders. The portal thus aims to raise awareness as well as provide a platform for sharing and discussing various options in dealing with ABS issues. ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Kathmandu, Nepal, recently launched the portal as part of a project to promote ABS in the eastern Himalayan countries. The Centre has been working with 13 partners in four Eastern Himalayan countries - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – in seven project sites since 2005, to promote the ABS process. Plans are underway to expand the project's coverage over the long term to the entire Himalayan region, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – ICIMOD's regional member countries.Supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the BMZ, the programme reaches out to marginalised groups from grassroots-based mountain women, Dalits, indigenous peoples (Janajatis and ethnic minorities), to policy and decision makers to raise awareness and build the capacity of local institutions and individuals belonging to these groups. The aim is to implement sustainable ABS regimes. Through this programme which is part of a broader Biodiversity Conservation and Management Programme, ICIMOD aims to develop the competence of partner organisations by supporting activities such as capacity building, documenting and evaluating traditional knowledge, assisting in developing regulatory instruments, and a variety of information sharing platforms. The capacity of stakeholders and partners in the government and nongovernmental organizations is being enhanced who are imparting knowledge and skills related to ABS mechanism among the indigenous people and marginalized communities. Through this process, the ABS mechanism is gradually internalised among the communities as an opportunity for poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.Regional ContextThe Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region, and more specifically the Eastern Himalayas, is one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots – a treasure house of genetic biodiversity and natural resources managed with rich base of traditional knowledge and skills. These resources provide the basis for building livelihoods for mountain communities.ICIMOD believes that local communities and stakeholders can protect and manage their genetic resources and biological diversity. This will only be possible if the people who take care of the resources also get benefits from them and get full support from the local and national governments, civil society organisations and the international community.For further information contact: Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Regional Coordinator, ABS – EHBiodiversity Conservation and ManagementEnvironmental Change and Ecosystem Services, ICIMODTel: 5003222, Email: koli@icimod.org, www.icimod.org Ms. Nira GurungCommunications OfficerInternational Centre for Integrated Mountain DevelopmentKhumaltar, LalitpurGPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, NepalTel: 977-1-5003222, Ext. 115Fax: 977-1-5003277Email: ngurung@icimod.org, info@icimod.orgwww.icimod.orgICIMOD publications on-line -- download or order direct at http://www.books.icimod.org
Notice for Participation in Travel Trade Fairs 2008
Notice for Participation in Travel Trade Fairs 2008
S.N
Fair/Mart
Date
Participation Fee (Nrs)
Deadline forApplication
No. ofCompanies
Contact
1
TTF, Ahmedabad
Aug. 22-24, 2008
40,000/-
Aug. 10, 2008
4
jbhattarai@ntb.org.np
2
TTF, Surat
Aug. 29-31, 2008
40,000/-
Aug. 10, 2008
4
jbhattarai@ntb.org.np
3
JATA World Travel Fair
Sept. 18-21, 2008
1,25,000/-
Aug. 08, 2008
5
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
4
China Sales Mission
Sept. End
70,000/-
Aug. 08, 2008
8
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
5
ITB Asia
Oct. 22-24, 2008
70,000/-
Aug.10, 2008
5
udali@ntb.org.np
6
WTM 2008
Nov. 10-13, 2008
1,50,000/-*
Aug. 15, 2008
18
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
7
CITM2008
Nov. 20-23, 2008
60,000/-
Aug. 22, 2008
5
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are encouraged to apply and participate. Application form for participation is available with Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our website)
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit, Corporate Services Department, NTB, along with full participation fees before the deadline. Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served basis.
* Rs 1,50,000 is for individual table. Cost for staying in common area will be Rs 69,000 (max. four first time participating companies and other conditions apply)
Note: Travel, hotel and visa arrangements will have to be made by the participants themselves.
S.N
Fair/Mart
Date
Participation Fee (Nrs)
Deadline forApplication
No. ofCompanies
Contact
1
TTF, Ahmedabad
Aug. 22-24, 2008
40,000/-
Aug. 10, 2008
4
jbhattarai@ntb.org.np
2
TTF, Surat
Aug. 29-31, 2008
40,000/-
Aug. 10, 2008
4
jbhattarai@ntb.org.np
3
JATA World Travel Fair
Sept. 18-21, 2008
1,25,000/-
Aug. 08, 2008
5
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
4
China Sales Mission
Sept. End
70,000/-
Aug. 08, 2008
8
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
5
ITB Asia
Oct. 22-24, 2008
70,000/-
Aug.10, 2008
5
udali@ntb.org.np
6
WTM 2008
Nov. 10-13, 2008
1,50,000/-*
Aug. 15, 2008
18
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
7
CITM2008
Nov. 20-23, 2008
60,000/-
Aug. 22, 2008
5
rkhanal@ntb.org.np
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are encouraged to apply and participate. Application form for participation is available with Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our website)
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit, Corporate Services Department, NTB, along with full participation fees before the deadline. Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served basis.
* Rs 1,50,000 is for individual table. Cost for staying in common area will be Rs 69,000 (max. four first time participating companies and other conditions apply)
Note: Travel, hotel and visa arrangements will have to be made by the participants themselves.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Fewer visitors entered Nepal in September
Fewer visitors entered Nepal in September
Number of visitors coming to Nepal by air in September 2006 fell down by 7.4% reaching a total of 25,484, compared to the same month last year. The decline was observed in both market segments, Indian (-17.4%) and non-Indian (-2.6%). This was stated in the figures released by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation quoting Immigration Office Tribhuvan International Airport.
In terms of various originating markets, visitors coming from SAARC and Asia suffered losses during the month as arrivals from Bangladesh plummeted by 54.5% while Chinese arrivals went down by 13.8%. Except South Korea, which went up by 48.1%, rest of the Asian markets declined, viz., Japan (-0.6%), Malaysia (-11.5%), Singapore (-44.3%), Taiwan (-53%) and Thailand (45.6%).
Arrivals from the European generating markets showed marginal loss of 2.8%. The major contributors French, German and Spanish markets remained positive with gains of 4.3%, 2.2% and 19.5% respectively. The other major contributor from Europe, UK, however declined by 14.5% along with Italy (-9.9%) and the Netherlands (-5.5%).
The Australian arrivals on the other hand went up by 38.9% while the US market continued to perform positively showing an increase of 22.6%.
September 2006 marked a mixed performance in terms of arrival numbers to Nepal. Interestingly the long haul markets have gained substantially like US, Australia and Spain while the neighboring regional markets have registered negative growth. The mark up in long-haul segment is a clear indication of returning consumer confidence towards the destination. This is certainly contributed by the improvement of security and safety image of the country as well as absence of negative stories about Nepal. And despite the apparent fall in numbers hotels and airlines have reported high occupancy for the services and tourism attractions within Nepal have observed an influx of tourist after a long spell.
Number of visitors coming to Nepal by air in September 2006 fell down by 7.4% reaching a total of 25,484, compared to the same month last year. The decline was observed in both market segments, Indian (-17.4%) and non-Indian (-2.6%). This was stated in the figures released by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation quoting Immigration Office Tribhuvan International Airport.
In terms of various originating markets, visitors coming from SAARC and Asia suffered losses during the month as arrivals from Bangladesh plummeted by 54.5% while Chinese arrivals went down by 13.8%. Except South Korea, which went up by 48.1%, rest of the Asian markets declined, viz., Japan (-0.6%), Malaysia (-11.5%), Singapore (-44.3%), Taiwan (-53%) and Thailand (45.6%).
Arrivals from the European generating markets showed marginal loss of 2.8%. The major contributors French, German and Spanish markets remained positive with gains of 4.3%, 2.2% and 19.5% respectively. The other major contributor from Europe, UK, however declined by 14.5% along with Italy (-9.9%) and the Netherlands (-5.5%).
The Australian arrivals on the other hand went up by 38.9% while the US market continued to perform positively showing an increase of 22.6%.
September 2006 marked a mixed performance in terms of arrival numbers to Nepal. Interestingly the long haul markets have gained substantially like US, Australia and Spain while the neighboring regional markets have registered negative growth. The mark up in long-haul segment is a clear indication of returning consumer confidence towards the destination. This is certainly contributed by the improvement of security and safety image of the country as well as absence of negative stories about Nepal. And despite the apparent fall in numbers hotels and airlines have reported high occupancy for the services and tourism attractions within Nepal have observed an influx of tourist after a long spell.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Presidential run-off begins with Dr Yadav in a stronger position
Presidential run-off begins with Dr Yadav in a stronger position
First time in Country the run-off election for president has started from 8 am, Monday morning, to elect the first president of the republic Nepal.
Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, general secretary of Nepali Congress (NC), who has been supported by Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), appears in a stronger position compared with his rival Maoist-nominee Ram Raja Prasad Singh.
As per the latest alliance mark-sheet by Kantipur daily, Dr.Yadav has been promised of support from CPN-ML (9 members), CPN-United (5), RPP (8), RJP (3), Rastriya Jana Morcha (4), Jana Morcha (1), NSP-Anandidevi (1), Chure Bhawar (1), Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal (1) and Independent (2). These support are in addition to NC (113), UML (108) and MJF (52) members. This puts the total number of pledged support to 308 – which is more than enough for Dr. Yadav to be elected.
On Monday morning, the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) also decided to throw its weight of 5 members in favour of Dr. Yadav. This takes the number of his supporters to 313.
A candidate needs to bag at least 298 to win the election with comfortable majority. There are 594 voters – the existing Constituent Assembly (CA) members.
In the first phase of the presidential election on Saturday, Dr. Yadav had garnered 283 votes against 270 by Singh. Since neither could bag comfortable majority, the run-off polls are being held on Monday.
First time in Country the run-off election for president has started from 8 am, Monday morning, to elect the first president of the republic Nepal.
Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, general secretary of Nepali Congress (NC), who has been supported by Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), appears in a stronger position compared with his rival Maoist-nominee Ram Raja Prasad Singh.
As per the latest alliance mark-sheet by Kantipur daily, Dr.Yadav has been promised of support from CPN-ML (9 members), CPN-United (5), RPP (8), RJP (3), Rastriya Jana Morcha (4), Jana Morcha (1), NSP-Anandidevi (1), Chure Bhawar (1), Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal (1) and Independent (2). These support are in addition to NC (113), UML (108) and MJF (52) members. This puts the total number of pledged support to 308 – which is more than enough for Dr. Yadav to be elected.
On Monday morning, the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) also decided to throw its weight of 5 members in favour of Dr. Yadav. This takes the number of his supporters to 313.
A candidate needs to bag at least 298 to win the election with comfortable majority. There are 594 voters – the existing Constituent Assembly (CA) members.
In the first phase of the presidential election on Saturday, Dr. Yadav had garnered 283 votes against 270 by Singh. Since neither could bag comfortable majority, the run-off polls are being held on Monday.
Nepal's tourism promotion programme in Germany
Nepal's tourism promotion programme in Germany
As part of the ongoing annual activities of the Embassy of Nepal in Germany in connection to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany, the Embassy in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Nepal in Frankfurt, organised an interactive luncheon programme on the theme of Nepal's tourism potentials in the light of political and security transformation in Nepal at the Frankfurt Press Club in Frankfurt on 9th of July 2008. About forty travel/tour operators, travel writers, Airlines representatives and journalists were present during the occasion. Ambassador of Nepal to Germany Dr. Madan Kumar Bhattarai welcomed the participants and dwelt on extremely cordial and excellent relations so happily existing between Nepal and Germany.
The Ambassador emphasized that tourism was one of the most promising areas for further strengthening bilateral co-operation between Nepal and Germany. German trekkers, mountaineers and other kinds of tourists visit Nepal and have been instrumental in promoting the country through repeated visits and propagation of Nepal as a safe, durable and unique destination, Ambassador Bhattarai added. He further said that the Nepal Tourism Board had launched a new brand, 'Naturally Nepal: Once is not Enough' to invite both new and old travellers to Nepal. He invited the journalists and travel writers to personally visit Nepal and make their own judgment on the peaceful and exclusive natural paradise as Nepal is justly known throughout the world.
The Ambassador informed the participants that the Nepal Tourism Board has launched 'Send Home a Friend' programme taking into account the presence of a significant number of Nepalese people in various parts of the world to further enhance the growth of international tourism of Nepal.
Speaking on the occasion, Honorary Consul of Nepal for Frankfurt and President of German-Asian Business Circle Mr. Bodo Krueger spoke on the tourism potentials of Nepal and requested German travel and tour operators to cooperate for the promotion of tourism between Nepal and Germany.
On the occasion, power point presentation highlighting the tourism potentials of Nepal as prepared by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) was shown. The Honorary Consulate also showed a film on Nepal that was prepared by a team of German journalists that was in Nepal in November 2007 to highlight the tourism potentials of Nepal as a unique and safe destination. The film covered the places of scenic, historical, archaeological and cultural interest of Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini.
The Ambassador and the Honorary Consul answered various queries from the participants regarding the security and political situation in Nepal, necessity of diversification of Nepalese tourism products, need to focus more on cultural richness of Nepal rather than merely depending on nature-related promotion, direct air connectivity.
As part of the ongoing annual activities of the Embassy of Nepal in Germany in connection to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany, the Embassy in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Nepal in Frankfurt, organised an interactive luncheon programme on the theme of Nepal's tourism potentials in the light of political and security transformation in Nepal at the Frankfurt Press Club in Frankfurt on 9th of July 2008. About forty travel/tour operators, travel writers, Airlines representatives and journalists were present during the occasion. Ambassador of Nepal to Germany Dr. Madan Kumar Bhattarai welcomed the participants and dwelt on extremely cordial and excellent relations so happily existing between Nepal and Germany.
The Ambassador emphasized that tourism was one of the most promising areas for further strengthening bilateral co-operation between Nepal and Germany. German trekkers, mountaineers and other kinds of tourists visit Nepal and have been instrumental in promoting the country through repeated visits and propagation of Nepal as a safe, durable and unique destination, Ambassador Bhattarai added. He further said that the Nepal Tourism Board had launched a new brand, 'Naturally Nepal: Once is not Enough' to invite both new and old travellers to Nepal. He invited the journalists and travel writers to personally visit Nepal and make their own judgment on the peaceful and exclusive natural paradise as Nepal is justly known throughout the world.
The Ambassador informed the participants that the Nepal Tourism Board has launched 'Send Home a Friend' programme taking into account the presence of a significant number of Nepalese people in various parts of the world to further enhance the growth of international tourism of Nepal.
Speaking on the occasion, Honorary Consul of Nepal for Frankfurt and President of German-Asian Business Circle Mr. Bodo Krueger spoke on the tourism potentials of Nepal and requested German travel and tour operators to cooperate for the promotion of tourism between Nepal and Germany.
On the occasion, power point presentation highlighting the tourism potentials of Nepal as prepared by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) was shown. The Honorary Consulate also showed a film on Nepal that was prepared by a team of German journalists that was in Nepal in November 2007 to highlight the tourism potentials of Nepal as a unique and safe destination. The film covered the places of scenic, historical, archaeological and cultural interest of Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini.
The Ambassador and the Honorary Consul answered various queries from the participants regarding the security and political situation in Nepal, necessity of diversification of Nepalese tourism products, need to focus more on cultural richness of Nepal rather than merely depending on nature-related promotion, direct air connectivity.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tourist Visa Extension
Tourist Visa Extension
Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 )
Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.Entry Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal: >>Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu>>Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)>>Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)>>Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)>>Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)>>Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)>>Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)>>Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal) b. Tourist Visa
Visa Facility
Duration
Fee
Multiple entry
15 days
US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry
30 days
US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry
90 days
US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currencyTourist Visa Extension>>Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day>>Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).Gratis (Free) VisaGratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal. Transit VisaTransit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency. For further information, please contact:Department of Immigration Maitighar, Impact Building, KathmandTel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453 web site: www.immi.gov.np
Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 )
Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.Entry Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal: >>Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu>>Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)>>Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)>>Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)>>Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)>>Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)>>Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)>>Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal) b. Tourist Visa
Visa Facility
Duration
Fee
Multiple entry
15 days
US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry
30 days
US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry
90 days
US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currencyTourist Visa Extension>>Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day>>Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).Gratis (Free) VisaGratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal. Transit VisaTransit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency. For further information, please contact:Department of Immigration Maitighar, Impact Building, KathmandTel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453 web site: www.immi.gov.np
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Australia a focus for the future of Nepalese tourism
Australia a focus for the future of Nepalese tourism
The first week of July saw the beginning of Nepal Tourism Board's Sales Mission to East Coast Australia. In recognition of the importance of tourism to Nepal's economy the Nepal Tourism Board has undertaken a series of international sales missions to various countries identified as either key or emerging markets for Nepal.. Australia generating approximately 10,000 visitors per annum has been identified as having potential for market expansion. Travel from Australia to Nepal has been steadily growing over the last few years, with astounding 42% in 2007, and by broadening the product offering in the market, Nepal is confident of sustained growth.
In support of this belief, was recent tourism market research which indicated that Australian travellers are seeking new experiences and new destinations when they travel One of their key requirements is that the destination is real and the travel experience authentic. The main segments of outbound travellers from Australia are Backpacker/Youth and "Baby Boomers. Travel and enjoyment of life is a key motivation for this sector. To attract these segments the sales mission was an endeavour to explain the Australian agents just what Nepal has to offer their clients.
Famous for its iconic Mt. Everest and the Himalayas, the sales mission stressed that Nepal is more than that and has a plethora of experiences for the visitor:· Chitwan National Park· Birthplace of Budha - more than a 1000 monasteries· The Snow Leopard· The legendary Gurkha warriors.
The culture, history, wildlife and golfing were all highlighted as activities appealing to Australians. The lucrative (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) MICE market was also promoted where, in an endeavour to source new and exciting MICE experiences to a jaded corporate community, agents should consider Nepal.
The Sales Mission ran over one week 30th June - 4th July commencing in Melbourne where some 75 agents and media attended the workshop to meet with the participating Nepalese operators who represented Nepal's private sector. The participants were:Mr. Ravi Chandra Hamal - AmaDablam AdventuresMr. Shree Man Singh- Insight Nepal Tours & TravelMr. Gyalgin Sherpa - South Asian HolidaysThe evening was opened by the newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Australia Mr. Yogendra Dhakal who welcomed attendees and stressed the value of tourism to Nepal. This welcome was followed by an address by the Tourism Secretary of Nepal, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, presenting an overview of the government's vision for tourism in the future. Mr. Aditya Baral, Director of Nepal Tourism Board ( now on deputation as Advisor- Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister), reassured the attendees of the commitment to safety and security for the valued tourist from Australia.
In Sydney the Sales Mission attracted in excess of 140 people wanting to learn about Nepal and the week concluded in Brisbane with 45 agents attending a breakfast workshop where the Mr Michael Wille from Nepal Consulate in Brisbane offered his assistance to the industry in helping to secure group business for Nepal through providing talks on Nepal, advice and information on the destination. This was particularly relevant as several of the agents attending were specifically at the breakfast because they had travellers for 2009.
At each Workshop there were two lucky draws, the first an 8 day trip for two to Nepal and the second a gift voucher of $200 from the Kathmandu store. The Winners of the 8 day trip to Nepal were:Melbourne Nathan Ward - Agent Sales Peregrine & Gecko's AdventuresSydney Beth Farrugia, Special Groups Consultant, Wendy Wu ToursBrisbane Guy Clothier,Travel Consultant, Student Flights.
As an inaugural event, all participating felt that it was time and effort well spent. The receipt of emailed thanks from various agents who attended the Workshops also attested to the value they perceived they gained from hearing about Nepal. It is hoped that these tourism initiatives will be an annual event.
The first week of July saw the beginning of Nepal Tourism Board's Sales Mission to East Coast Australia. In recognition of the importance of tourism to Nepal's economy the Nepal Tourism Board has undertaken a series of international sales missions to various countries identified as either key or emerging markets for Nepal.. Australia generating approximately 10,000 visitors per annum has been identified as having potential for market expansion. Travel from Australia to Nepal has been steadily growing over the last few years, with astounding 42% in 2007, and by broadening the product offering in the market, Nepal is confident of sustained growth.
In support of this belief, was recent tourism market research which indicated that Australian travellers are seeking new experiences and new destinations when they travel One of their key requirements is that the destination is real and the travel experience authentic. The main segments of outbound travellers from Australia are Backpacker/Youth and "Baby Boomers. Travel and enjoyment of life is a key motivation for this sector. To attract these segments the sales mission was an endeavour to explain the Australian agents just what Nepal has to offer their clients.
Famous for its iconic Mt. Everest and the Himalayas, the sales mission stressed that Nepal is more than that and has a plethora of experiences for the visitor:· Chitwan National Park· Birthplace of Budha - more than a 1000 monasteries· The Snow Leopard· The legendary Gurkha warriors.
The culture, history, wildlife and golfing were all highlighted as activities appealing to Australians. The lucrative (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) MICE market was also promoted where, in an endeavour to source new and exciting MICE experiences to a jaded corporate community, agents should consider Nepal.
The Sales Mission ran over one week 30th June - 4th July commencing in Melbourne where some 75 agents and media attended the workshop to meet with the participating Nepalese operators who represented Nepal's private sector. The participants were:Mr. Ravi Chandra Hamal - AmaDablam AdventuresMr. Shree Man Singh- Insight Nepal Tours & TravelMr. Gyalgin Sherpa - South Asian HolidaysThe evening was opened by the newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Australia Mr. Yogendra Dhakal who welcomed attendees and stressed the value of tourism to Nepal. This welcome was followed by an address by the Tourism Secretary of Nepal, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, presenting an overview of the government's vision for tourism in the future. Mr. Aditya Baral, Director of Nepal Tourism Board ( now on deputation as Advisor- Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister), reassured the attendees of the commitment to safety and security for the valued tourist from Australia.
In Sydney the Sales Mission attracted in excess of 140 people wanting to learn about Nepal and the week concluded in Brisbane with 45 agents attending a breakfast workshop where the Mr Michael Wille from Nepal Consulate in Brisbane offered his assistance to the industry in helping to secure group business for Nepal through providing talks on Nepal, advice and information on the destination. This was particularly relevant as several of the agents attending were specifically at the breakfast because they had travellers for 2009.
At each Workshop there were two lucky draws, the first an 8 day trip for two to Nepal and the second a gift voucher of $200 from the Kathmandu store. The Winners of the 8 day trip to Nepal were:Melbourne Nathan Ward - Agent Sales Peregrine & Gecko's AdventuresSydney Beth Farrugia, Special Groups Consultant, Wendy Wu ToursBrisbane Guy Clothier,Travel Consultant, Student Flights.
As an inaugural event, all participating felt that it was time and effort well spent. The receipt of emailed thanks from various agents who attended the Workshops also attested to the value they perceived they gained from hearing about Nepal. It is hoped that these tourism initiatives will be an annual event.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Visitors Arrival in June 2008 (by air only)
Visitors Arrival in June 2008 (by air only)
July 2, 2008
Marginal decrease in tourist arrivals in JuneThe 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.
July 2, 2008
Marginal decrease in tourist arrivals in JuneThe 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.
Nepal's Sales Mission to the US completed successfully
Nepal's Sales Mission to the US completed successfully
June 29, 2008
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
June 29, 2008
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
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Shuttle Bus Service - Transport strike impect
Shuttle Bus Service - Transport strike impect
June 22, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board has arranged shuttle bus service for the national and international air passengers from airport to various hotels and vice versa on June 22, 2008. Passengers can contact directly to the concerned Police Officer assigned in each bus or Tourist Police. The shuttle bus will operate in three different routes as follows.
Route 1
Airport -NAC -Newroad -Hotel Annapurna -Hotel Yak & Yeti-Thamel Chowk -Lainchour Chowk- Hotel Shanker Hotel- Ambassador -Airport
Bus No: Ba 1 Pa 539Duty Officer: Sub Inspector Mr. Dipak Babu K.C. Mobile No 9841576114
Route 2
Airport -Hotel Radisson -Hotel Shangrila -Narayan Gopal Chowk -Maharajganj Chowk -Hyatt Regency -Chabahil Chowk -Hotel Dwarika- Airport
Bus No: Na 1 Pa 128Duty Officer: Asst. Sub Inspector Mr. Bodhraj Karki Mobile No 9841312454
Route 3
Airport- Tinkune Chowk -Hotel Everest- Maitighar Chowk- Hotel Himalaya - Hotel Soaltee- Hotel Grand - Airport
Bus No: Ba 1 Pa 538Duty Officer: Sub Inspector Mr. Suman Thapa Mobile No 9841257444
Tourist Police: 4247041, 01 6213591
Vehicle Service Provider: Kantipur Vehicle, Mr. Durga Dhakal 9851038403, 4223143, 2220593(o), 4229870 (R)
Media Center: Hotline No: 4225709, 9851087744
June 22, 2008
Nepal Tourism Board has arranged shuttle bus service for the national and international air passengers from airport to various hotels and vice versa on June 22, 2008. Passengers can contact directly to the concerned Police Officer assigned in each bus or Tourist Police. The shuttle bus will operate in three different routes as follows.
Route 1
Airport -NAC -Newroad -Hotel Annapurna -Hotel Yak & Yeti-Thamel Chowk -Lainchour Chowk- Hotel Shanker Hotel- Ambassador -Airport
Bus No: Ba 1 Pa 539Duty Officer: Sub Inspector Mr. Dipak Babu K.C. Mobile No 9841576114
Route 2
Airport -Hotel Radisson -Hotel Shangrila -Narayan Gopal Chowk -Maharajganj Chowk -Hyatt Regency -Chabahil Chowk -Hotel Dwarika- Airport
Bus No: Na 1 Pa 128Duty Officer: Asst. Sub Inspector Mr. Bodhraj Karki Mobile No 9841312454
Route 3
Airport- Tinkune Chowk -Hotel Everest- Maitighar Chowk- Hotel Himalaya - Hotel Soaltee- Hotel Grand - Airport
Bus No: Ba 1 Pa 538Duty Officer: Sub Inspector Mr. Suman Thapa Mobile No 9841257444
Tourist Police: 4247041, 01 6213591
Vehicle Service Provider: Kantipur Vehicle, Mr. Durga Dhakal 9851038403, 4223143, 2220593(o), 4229870 (R)
Media Center: Hotline No: 4225709, 9851087744
Friday, June 20, 2008
Nepal promotes Lifetime Experiences and Amazing adventures to South East Asia
Nepal promotes Lifetime Experiences and Amazing adventures to South East Asia
June 20, 2008
Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia, one of the annual events jointly organized Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines Corporation, PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Association of Tour Operators concluded successfully on 16th June at Penang, a new target market for promotion this year.
NTB has been targeting SEA as a developing market with long term potential. Direct connectivity from these sectors to the capital has kept the steady growth of passengers growing from this region. The economic growth of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore has been highly encouraging for the past decade. Keeping in mind the increased accessibility to South East Asia region with the operation of Silk Air on Sin/KTM route as well as of Fly Yeti. com on KUL/KTM route in addition to the regular flights of Nepal Airlines Corporation and Thai Airways, the Sales Mission was thus organized in the three countries from 9th June to 16th June 2008.
In addition to the capital cities of Bangkok and Kualalumpur this time, the growing cities in terms of outbound travelers, Chiang Mai and Penang were specially chosen for the tourism promotion. The tourism promotion event consisted of a B2B session with the prominent tour operators of each city followed by a formal program of Naturally Nepal presentation for the travel trade as a well as the local media.
Chiang Mai the first in the itinerary of Nepal Sales Mission, on 9th June, received a very good response from both travel trade and the media. The interest shown by the tour operators along with a very positive support towards the destination has definitely paved way for Nepalese tour operators to increase their business potential from this city.
H.E.Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah,Amabassdor of Nepal for Thailand, in his welcome address at both Chiang Mai and Bangkok briefed the audience about Nepal's improved political stability after the Constituent Asembly elections which sent across the message of Nepal's enhanced safety and security conditions.
Nepal Tourism Board was represented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali – Manager, Tourism Marketing & Promotion and Mr Anil Das – Sr. Asst. Manager, Corporate. The power point presentation on Nepal's tourism attractions was presented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali to familiarize the travel trade and media with varied tourism products of Nepal. The presentation also focused on Lumbini of Nepal as the special attraction for South East Asia market, highlighting the same as the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Apart from the religious/pilgrimage products for Buddhist as well as for Hindu segments of Malaysia, a special thrust was also given on the soft adventure products such as ultra light, para gliding, hiking, rafting etc. for Singaporean market.
The Sales Mission then traveled to Singapore on the 12th of June and the event held at Hotel Traders was once again received with great enthusiasm by Singaporean Tour operators. Honorary Consul of Nepal Mr.M. N. Swami gave his welcome remarks and emphasized on the fact that Nepal has everything that a tourist seeks. Singapore is a popular destination in South East Asia region round-the-year promotional program could attract not only Singaporean but also the spill over tourists.
Last events of Sales Mission were held in Malaysia where H.E. Mr. Rishi Raj Adhikari, Ambassador of Nepal for Malaysia addressed the functions both in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. In his welcome remarks he informed the media that the political transformation in Nepal following the free and fair Constituent assembly has ushered in a new era in Nepal and that the Government of Nepal has accorded top priority for the development of tourism sector by encouraging private sector investment.
Nepal Airlines Corporation was represented by Mr. Pradeep Karki- Deputy Director, Coprorate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai whereas Mr. Raju K.C – Director, Commercial representated NAC in Kula Lumpur and Penang to interact with the local tour operators and to brief them about the flight operations to BKK and KL.
Mr. Ashok Pokhrel while representing NATO and PATA Nepal Chapter thanked the travel trade for their active participation in the B2B session and appreciated their support in promoting Nepal with interest and great enthusiasm.
Followed by the power point presentation highlighting the tourism attractions of Nepal the gathering also had a glimpse of Nepal through the audio visual presentation of Brand montage. Total 8 companies from the travel trade sector participated in the Sales Mission namely: My Nepal Adventure, Shangri-La Tours, Dharma Adventure, Specialized Treks, Fly Yeti.com, Divine International Services and Hotel Lumbini Garden New Crystal.
Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia 2008 thus symbolized Nepal's commitment to develop partnership with SEA tourism entrepreneurs who took the opportunity to establish and renew their business relationship with the visiting Nepali delegates. At all the cities B2B session has definitely helped to identify the interests and needs of the traveler from each particular city. The session has also been very fruitful in terms of knowing the market potential and the travel patterns of South East Asian traveler
June 20, 2008
Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia, one of the annual events jointly organized Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines Corporation, PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Association of Tour Operators concluded successfully on 16th June at Penang, a new target market for promotion this year.
NTB has been targeting SEA as a developing market with long term potential. Direct connectivity from these sectors to the capital has kept the steady growth of passengers growing from this region. The economic growth of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore has been highly encouraging for the past decade. Keeping in mind the increased accessibility to South East Asia region with the operation of Silk Air on Sin/KTM route as well as of Fly Yeti. com on KUL/KTM route in addition to the regular flights of Nepal Airlines Corporation and Thai Airways, the Sales Mission was thus organized in the three countries from 9th June to 16th June 2008.
In addition to the capital cities of Bangkok and Kualalumpur this time, the growing cities in terms of outbound travelers, Chiang Mai and Penang were specially chosen for the tourism promotion. The tourism promotion event consisted of a B2B session with the prominent tour operators of each city followed by a formal program of Naturally Nepal presentation for the travel trade as a well as the local media.
Chiang Mai the first in the itinerary of Nepal Sales Mission, on 9th June, received a very good response from both travel trade and the media. The interest shown by the tour operators along with a very positive support towards the destination has definitely paved way for Nepalese tour operators to increase their business potential from this city.
H.E.Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah,Amabassdor of Nepal for Thailand, in his welcome address at both Chiang Mai and Bangkok briefed the audience about Nepal's improved political stability after the Constituent Asembly elections which sent across the message of Nepal's enhanced safety and security conditions.
Nepal Tourism Board was represented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali – Manager, Tourism Marketing & Promotion and Mr Anil Das – Sr. Asst. Manager, Corporate. The power point presentation on Nepal's tourism attractions was presented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali to familiarize the travel trade and media with varied tourism products of Nepal. The presentation also focused on Lumbini of Nepal as the special attraction for South East Asia market, highlighting the same as the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Apart from the religious/pilgrimage products for Buddhist as well as for Hindu segments of Malaysia, a special thrust was also given on the soft adventure products such as ultra light, para gliding, hiking, rafting etc. for Singaporean market.
The Sales Mission then traveled to Singapore on the 12th of June and the event held at Hotel Traders was once again received with great enthusiasm by Singaporean Tour operators. Honorary Consul of Nepal Mr.M. N. Swami gave his welcome remarks and emphasized on the fact that Nepal has everything that a tourist seeks. Singapore is a popular destination in South East Asia region round-the-year promotional program could attract not only Singaporean but also the spill over tourists.
Last events of Sales Mission were held in Malaysia where H.E. Mr. Rishi Raj Adhikari, Ambassador of Nepal for Malaysia addressed the functions both in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. In his welcome remarks he informed the media that the political transformation in Nepal following the free and fair Constituent assembly has ushered in a new era in Nepal and that the Government of Nepal has accorded top priority for the development of tourism sector by encouraging private sector investment.
Nepal Airlines Corporation was represented by Mr. Pradeep Karki- Deputy Director, Coprorate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai whereas Mr. Raju K.C – Director, Commercial representated NAC in Kula Lumpur and Penang to interact with the local tour operators and to brief them about the flight operations to BKK and KL.
Mr. Ashok Pokhrel while representing NATO and PATA Nepal Chapter thanked the travel trade for their active participation in the B2B session and appreciated their support in promoting Nepal with interest and great enthusiasm.
Followed by the power point presentation highlighting the tourism attractions of Nepal the gathering also had a glimpse of Nepal through the audio visual presentation of Brand montage. Total 8 companies from the travel trade sector participated in the Sales Mission namely: My Nepal Adventure, Shangri-La Tours, Dharma Adventure, Specialized Treks, Fly Yeti.com, Divine International Services and Hotel Lumbini Garden New Crystal.
Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia 2008 thus symbolized Nepal's commitment to develop partnership with SEA tourism entrepreneurs who took the opportunity to establish and renew their business relationship with the visiting Nepali delegates. At all the cities B2B session has definitely helped to identify the interests and needs of the traveler from each particular city. The session has also been very fruitful in terms of knowing the market potential and the travel patterns of South East Asian traveler
Nepalese Tourism Promoted in Japan
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.
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.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
3 Sisters Adventure Trekking wins Geotourism Challenge
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.
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.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Nepal Promotion Program in South Korea
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.
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
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.
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.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Appa atop for 18th times, 5 Nepali women scale Everest together
Appa atop for 18th times, 5 Nepali women scale Everest together
Appa Sherpa, smashing his own world record, climbed Mt Everest for the 18th time on May 22, 2008 when 75 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 morning, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association. 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.
For the first time in Nepal's mountaineering history, five Members of First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 have suscessfully climbed the Mt. Everest on May 22, 2008, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on May 22, 2008. Ms. Susmita Maskey, Ms. Maya Gurung, Ms. Nwang Phuti Sherpa, Ms. Pemba Diki Sherpa and Ms. Poojan Acharya are among the 10 members who climbed the Mt. Everest today. Five High Altitude Workers from the team: Mr. Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Mr. Kaji Sherpa, Mr. Phurba Tenzing Sherpa, Mr. Ang Gelu Sherpa and Mr. Karma Gyelije Sherpa also climbed the Mt. Everest on May 22, 2008 along with the team.
The 10 Inclusive Women Members First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 Team was permitted to climb the Mt. Everest from Normal Route for the period of 75 days from April 16, 2008 under the leadership of Ms. Susmita Maskey. The Government of Nepal waived all royalties equivalent to US$ 100,000(One Hundred Thousand and has granted financial assistance of Nrs. 10,00,000( Ten Hundred Thousand) to this team.
Also on May 22, 2008, 75 persons from seven expeditions scaled the peak. They are: Five-member team of David C Morton (USA), seven-member team of David Allen Hahn (USA), three-member team of Gu Hyung Jun (Korea), 18-member team of Ashok Abbay (India), eight-member team of James S Mc-Guinness (New Zealand), 12-member team of Vididnan Rojanapnich (Thailand), 22-member team of Atul Karwar and Shridhar Pokhariyal (India).
Appa Sherpa, smashing his own world record, climbed Mt Everest for the 18th time on May 22, 2008 when 75 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 morning, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association. 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.
For the first time in Nepal's mountaineering history, five Members of First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 have suscessfully climbed the Mt. Everest on May 22, 2008, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on May 22, 2008. Ms. Susmita Maskey, Ms. Maya Gurung, Ms. Nwang Phuti Sherpa, Ms. Pemba Diki Sherpa and Ms. Poojan Acharya are among the 10 members who climbed the Mt. Everest today. Five High Altitude Workers from the team: Mr. Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Mr. Kaji Sherpa, Mr. Phurba Tenzing Sherpa, Mr. Ang Gelu Sherpa and Mr. Karma Gyelije Sherpa also climbed the Mt. Everest on May 22, 2008 along with the team.
The 10 Inclusive Women Members First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 Team was permitted to climb the Mt. Everest from Normal Route for the period of 75 days from April 16, 2008 under the leadership of Ms. Susmita Maskey. The Government of Nepal waived all royalties equivalent to US$ 100,000(One Hundred Thousand and has granted financial assistance of Nrs. 10,00,000( Ten Hundred Thousand) to this team.
Also on May 22, 2008, 75 persons from seven expeditions scaled the peak. They are: Five-member team of David C Morton (USA), seven-member team of David Allen Hahn (USA), three-member team of Gu Hyung Jun (Korea), 18-member team of Ashok Abbay (India), eight-member team of James S Mc-Guinness (New Zealand), 12-member team of Vididnan Rojanapnich (Thailand), 22-member team of Atul Karwar and Shridhar Pokhariyal (India).
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Mt. Everest (mount everest ascent)
Mt. Everest
The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma (ཇོ་མོ་གླིང་མ, translated as "Mother of the Universe" or "Goddess Mother of the Earth"), and the related Chinese name is Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰; traditional Chinese: 珠穆朗瑪峰) or Shèngmǔ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 圣母峰; traditional Chinese: 聖母峰, The Tibetan name, Chomolungma, gets a mention in the 2008 American film The Bucket List, in which one of the dying wishes of the two lead characters is to see the mountain. According to English accounts of the mid-19th century, the local name in Darjeeling for Mount Everest was Deodungha, or "Holy Mountain." In the 1960s, the Government of Nepal gave the mountain the official Nepali name of Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा), meaning "Goddess of the Sky
In 1865, the mountain was given its English name by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India. With both Nepal and Tibet closed to foreign travel, he wrote:
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
Waugh chose to name the mountain after George Everest, first using the spelling Mont Everest, and then Mount Everest. However, the modern pronunciation of Everest (IPA: /ɛvərɪst/ (EV-er-est)) is in fact different from Sir George's own pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɪst/ (EAVE-rest).[citation needed]
In the late 19th century many European cartographers incorrectly believed that a native name for the mountain was "Gaurisankar". This was a result of confusion of Mount Everest with the actual Gauri Sankar, which, when viewed from Kathmandu, stands almost directly in front of Everest.[citation needed]
In the early 1960s, the Nepalese government realized that Mount Everest had no Nepalese name.[citation needed] This was because the mountain was not known and named in ethnic Nepal (that is, the Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas).[citation needed] The government set out to find a name for the mountain (the Sherpa/Tibetan name Chomolangma was not acceptable, as it would have been against the idea of unification (Nepalization) of the country. The name Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा) was thus invented by Baburam Acharya.[citation needed]
In 2002, the Chinese People's Daily newspaper published an article making a case against the continued use of the English name for the mountain in the Western world, insisting that it should be referred to by its Tibetan name. The newspaper argued that the Chinese (in nature a Tibetan) name preceded the English one, as Mount Qomolangma was marked on a Chinese map more than 280 years ago.
EVEREST FACTS
Age of Everest:
Everest was formed about 60 million years ago
Elevation:
29,035 (8850m)-found to be 6' higher in 1999
Name in Nepal:
Sagarmatha (means: goddess of the sky)
In Tibet:
Chomolungma: (means: mother goddess of the universe)
Named after:
Sir George Everest in 1865 ,the British surveyor-general of India. Once known as Peak 15
Location:
Latitude 27° 59' N.....Longitude 86° 56' E It's summit ridge seperates Nepal and Tibet
First Ascent:
May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary, NZ and Tenzing Norgay, NP, via the South Col Route
First Solo Ascent:
Aug. 20,1980, Reinhold Messner, IT, via the NE Ridge to North Face
First winter Ascent:
Feb. 17,1980 -L.Cichy and K. Wielicki, POL
First Ascent by an American:
May 1,1963, James Whittaker, via the South-Col
Mt. Everest rises a few milimeters each year due to geological forces
Everest Name:
Sir George Everest was the first person to record the height and location of Mt. Everest, this is where Mt."Everest" got its name from(In american language)
First Ascent by a Woman:
May 16,1975, Junko Tabei, JAP, via the South-Col
First Ascent by an American Woman:
Sep.29,1988, Stacey Allison, Portland, OR via the South-East Ridge
First Oxygenless Ascent:
May 8, 1978- Reinhold Messner, IT, and Peter Habeler, AUT, via the South-East Ridge
First woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both north & south sides:
Cathy O'Dowd (S.A.) South May 25,1996/North '99
Fastest Ascent from South:
Babu Chhiri Sherpa 34, NP-16 hours and 56 minutes (5-21-2000)
Fastest Ascent (north side):
Hans Kammerlander (IT) May,24,1996, via the standard North Col Ridge Route, 16 hours 45 minutes from base camp
Youngest person:
Temba Tsheri (NP) 15 on May,22,2001
Oldest Person:
Sherman Bull May,25,2001 -64 yrs
First Legally Blind Person:
Erik Weihenmeyer May,25,2001
Most Ascents:
Eleven, 24th May 2000 Appa Sherpa became the first person to climb Everest 11 times-Ten, Ang Rita Sherpa, Babu Chiri Sherpa all ascents were oxygen-less.
Best and Worst Years on Everest:
1993, 129 summitted and eight died (a ratio of 16:1); in 1996, 98 summitted and 15 died (a ratio of 6½:1)
Highest cause cause of death:
Avalanches-about a (2:1) ratio over falls
Country with most deaths on mountain:
Nepal-46
Most dangerous area on mountain:
Khumbu Ice Fall-19 deaths
First ski descent:
Davo Karnicar (Slovenia) 10-7-2000
Last year without ascent:
1974
Last year without ascent:
1977
Corpses remaining on Everest:
about 120
Longest stay on top:
Babu Chiri Sherpa stayed at the summit full 21 hours and a half
Largest team:
In 1975, China tackled Everest with a 410-member team.
Fastest descent:
In 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France descended from the top in just 11 minutes, paragliding.
Only climber to climb all 4 sides of Everest:
Kushang Sherpa, now an instructor with Himlayan Mountaineering Institute
First person to hike from sea level to summit, no oxygen.:
11th May 1990,Tim Macartney-Snape, Australian
Largest number to reach the top in one day:
40, on May 10, 1993
First person to summit Everest twice:
Nawang Gombu-Nepal(once with Whitaker in '63,and again two years later in '65)Gombu now works for the Himalayan mountaineering institute
The oldest woman to summit
Anna Czerwinska May 22, 2000.
Everest from Kala Patthar in Nepal
Mount Everest Location within Nepal on the Nepal-Tibet border
Elevation 8,848 metres (29,029 ft)
Ranked 1st
Location Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal
Tibet, China
Range Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya
Prominence 8,848 m (29,029 ft)
Coordinates 27°59′17″N 86°55′31″E / 27.98806, 86.92528[3]
First ascent May 29, 1953
Edmund Hillary
Tenzing Norgay
Easiest route South Col (Nepal)
Mt. Everest
Location on Nepal/China border
Mount Everest relief mapMount Everest, also called Chomolungma, Qomolangma or Zhumulangma (in Tibetan: ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ, in Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰 Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng) or Sagarmatha (Nepali: सगरमाथाmeaning Ocean Head) is the highest mountain on Earth, as measured by the height of its summit above sea level, which is 8,848 metres or 29,029 feet. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal and China.
The Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest in 1856 at 29,002 ft (8,840 m), although at the time Everest was known as Peak XV. The mountain was given its official English name in 1865 by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Survey General of India at the time. Waugh was unable to propose an established local name due to Nepal and Tibet being closed to foreigners at the time although Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries.
By the end of the 2007 climbing season, there had been 3,679 ascents to the summit by 2,436 individuals. There have been 210 deaths on the mountain, where conditions are so difficult that most corpses have been left where they fell; some are visible from standard climbing routes.[4] Climbers range from experienced mountaineers to relative novices who count on their paid guides to get them to the top. This means climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to $25,000 (USD) per person.
Contents
1 Discovery of the highest mountain
2 Naming
3 Measurement
3.1 Comparisons
4 Climbing routes
4.1 Southeast ridge
4.2 Northeast ridge
5 Ascents
5.1 Early expeditions
5.2 First successful ascent by Tenzing and Hillary
5.3 First ascents without supplemental oxygen
5.4 1996 disaster
5.5 2003 - 50th Anniversary of First Ascent
5.6 2005 - Helicopter landing
5.7 2006 - David Sharp controversy
5.8 Various records
6 Death zone
7 Bottled oxygen controversy
8 Life-threatening thefts
9 Flora and fauna
10 Geology
11 Image gallery
12 See also
13 References
14 External links
Discovery of the highest mountain
The Great Trigonometric Survey of India was begun by the British in 1808 to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains. Starting in southern India, the survey teams gradually moved northward using giant 1100 pound theodolites (each requiring 12 men to carry) to measure heights as accurately as possible. They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but Nepal was unwilling to allow the British to enter the country due to suspicions of political aggression and possible annexation. Several requests by the surveyors to enter Nepal were turned down. The British were forced to continue their observations from Terai, a region south of Nepal which is parallel to the Himalayas. Conditions in Terai were difficult due to torrential rains and malaria — three survey officers died from malaria while two others had to retire due to failing health. The British pressed on though and began detailed observations of the Himalayan peaks in 1847 from observation stations up to 150 mi (240 km) away. Weather restricted work to the last three months of the year and in November, Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India made a number of observations from Sawajpore station located in the eastern end of the Himalayas. At the time, Kangchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world and with interest he noted a peak beyond it, some 140 mi (230 km) away. John Armstrong, one of Waugh's officials, also saw the peak from a location further west and called it peak 'b'. Waugh would later write that the observations indicated that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga, but due to the great distance of the observations, closer observations were required for verification. The following year, Waugh sent a survey official back to Terai to make closer observations of peak 'b' but clouds thwarted all attempts. In 1849, Waugh dispatched James Nicolson to the area who was able to make two observations from Jirol, 118 mi (190 km) away. Nicolson then took the largest theolodite and headed east, obtaining over 30 observations from five different locations, with the closest being 108 mi (174 km) away from the peak.
Unknown to Nicolson, he had just completed the observations that would establish peak 'b' as the highest peak on Earth. Nicolson retreated to Patna on the Ganges to perform the necessary calculations based on his observations. His raw data gave an average height of 30,200 ft (9,200 m) for peak 'b' but this did not take into account light refraction which distorts heights. The number though was clearly higher than Kangchenjunga. Nicolson, however, also came down with malaria and was forced to return home, calculations unfinished. Michael Hennessy, one of Waugh's assistants, had begun designating peaks based on Roman Numerals, with Kangchenjunga named Peak IX while peak 'b' now became known as Peak XV.
Stationed at the survey's headquarters in Dehradun, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor from Bengal, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak in 1852, using trigonometric calculations based on Nicolson's measurements. An official announcement that Peak XV was the highest was delayed for several years as the calculations were repeatedly verified. Waugh began work on Nicolson's data in 1854 and along with his staff spent almost two years working on the calculations, having to deal with the problems of light refraction, barometric pressure and temperature over the vast distances of the observations. Finally, in March 1856 he announced his findings in a letter to his deputy in Calcutta. Kangchenjunga was declared to be 28,156 ft (8,582 m) while Peak XV was given the height of 29,002 ft (8,840 m). Waugh concluded that Peak XV was "most probably the highest in the world".[6] Peak XV was found to be exactly 29,000 feet (8,839 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,840 m). The arbitrary addition of 2 feet (0.6 m) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet was nothing more than a rounded estimate.
With the height now established, what to name the peak was clearly the next challenge. While the survey was anxious to preserve local names if possible (e.g. Kangchenjunga and Dhaulagiri were local names), Waugh argued that he was unable to find any commonly used local name. Waugh's search for a local name was hampered by Nepal and Tibet being closed to foreigners at the time. Many local names existed, perhaps the most well known in Tibet for several centuries was Chomolungma and which had appeared on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville. However, Waugh argued that with the plethora of local names, it would be difficult to favour one specific name over all others. So, he decided that Peak XV should be named after George Everest, his predecessor as Surveyor General of India. He wrote: I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
George Everest opposed the name suggested by Waugh and told the Royal Geographical Society in 1857 that Everest could not be written in Hindi nor pronounced by "the native of India". Waughm's proposed name prevailed despite the objections and in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.
Naming
The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma (ཇོ་མོ་གླིང་མ, which means "Saint Mother"), and the Chinese transliteration is Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰; traditional Chinese: 珠穆朗瑪峰); the Chinese translation is Shèngmǔ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 圣母峰; traditional Chinese: 聖母峰), but this name is seldom used. According to English accounts of the mid-19th century, the local name in Darjeeling for Mount Everest was Deodungha, or "Holy Mountain".[10] In the 1960s, the Government of Nepal gave the mountain the official Nepali name of Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा), meaning "Goddess of the Sky".
In 1865, the mountain was officially given its English name by the Royal Geographical Society after being proposed by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India.Waugh chose to name the mountain after George Everest, first using the spelling Mont Everest, and then Mount Everest. However, the modern pronunciation of Everest IPA: /ˈɛvərɪst, ˈɛvrɪst/[12] is in fact different from Sir George's own pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɪst/.
In the late 19th century many European cartographers incorrectly believed that a native name for the mountain was "Gaurisankar".[14] This was a result of confusion of Mount Everest with the actual Gauri Sankar, which, when viewed from Kathmandu, stands almost directly in front of Everest.
In the early 1960s, the Nepalese government gave Mount Everest the official name Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा). This name had not previously been used; the local inhabitants knew the mountain as Chomolungma.[11] The mountain was not known and named in ethnic Nepal (that is, the Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas).[citation needed] The government set out to find a Nepalese name for the mountain because the Sherpa/Tibetan name Chomolangma was not acceptable, as it would have been against the idea of unification (Nepalization) of the country.
In 2002, the Chinese People's Daily newspaper published an article making a case against the continued use of the English name for the mountain in the Western world, insisting that it should be referred to by its Tibetan name. The newspaper argued that the Chinese (in nature a Tibetan) name preceded the English one, as Mount Qomolangma was marked on a Chinese map more than 280 years ago.
Aerial view of Mount Everest from the south
Measurement
Mount Everest north face from Rongbuk in Tibet
Another aerial view of Mount Everest from the south, with Lhotse in front and Nuptse on the leftIn 1856, Andrew Waugh announced Everest (then known as Peak XV) as 29,002 feet (8,840 m) high, after several years of calculations based on observations made by the Great Trigonometric Survey.
More recently, the mountain has been found to be 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) high, although there is some variation in the measurements. On May 22, 2005, the People's Republic of China's Everest Expedition Team ascended to the top of the mountain. After several months' measurement and calculation, on October 9, 2005, the PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m ± 0.21 m (29,017.16 ± 0.69 ft). They claimed it was the most accurate measurement to date.[16] This height is based on the actual highest point of rock and not on the snow and ice covering it. The Chinese team also measured a snow/ice depth of 3.5 m,[17] which is in agreement with a net elevation of 8,848 m. The snow and ice thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine.
The elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) was first determined by an Indian survey in 1955, made closer to the mountain, also using theodolites. It was subsequently reaffirmed by a 1975 Chinese measurement.[18] In both cases the snow cap, not the rock head, was measured. In May 1999 an American Everest Expedition, directed by Bradford Washburn, anchored a GPS unit into the highest bedrock. A rock head elevation of 8,850 m (29,035 ft), and a snow/ice elevation 1 m (3 ft) higher, were obtained via this device.[19] Although it has not been officially recognized by Nepal,[20] this figure is widely quoted. Geoid uncertainty casts doubt upon the accuracy claimed by both the 1999 and 2005 surveys.
A detailed photogrammetric map (at a scale of 1:50,000) of the Khumbu region, including the south side of Mount Everest, was made by Erwin Schneider as part of the 1955 International Himalayan Expedition, which also attempted Lhotse. An even more detailed topographic map of the Everest area was made in the late 1980s under the direction of Bradford Washburn, using extensive aerial photography.
It is thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding to the height and moving the summit north-eastwards. Two accounts[19][22] suggest the rates of change are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3-6 mm (0.12-0.25 in) per year (northeastwards), but another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in),[23] and even shrinkage has been suggested.
The Mount Everest region, and the Himalayas in general, are thought to be experiencing ice-melt due to global warming.
Comparisons
Everest is the mountain whose summit attains the greatest distance above sea level. Several other mountains are sometimes claimed as alternative "tallest mountains on Earth". Mauna Kea in Hawaii is tallest when measured from its base; it rises over 10,200 m (6.3 mi) when measured from its base on the mid-ocean floor, but only attains 4,205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level.
By the same measure of base[26] to summit, Denali, in Alaska, is also taller than Everest. Despite its height above sea level of only 6,193.6 m (20,320 ft), Denali sits atop a sloping plain with elevations from 300-900 m (1,000-3,000 ft), yielding a height above base in the range of 5,300-5,900 m (17,300-19,300 ft); a commonly quoted figure is 5,600 m (18,400 ft). By comparison, reasonable base elevations for Everest range from 4,200 m (13,800 ft) on the south side to 5,200 m (17,100 ft) on the Tibetan Plateau, yielding a height above base in the range of 3,650 m (12,000 ft) to 4,650 m (15,300 ft).
The summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is 2,168 m (7,113 ft) farther from the Earth's centre (6,384.4 km or 3,967.1 mi) than that of Everest (6,382.3 km or 3,965.8 mi), because the Earth bulges at the Equator. However, Chimborazo attains a height of only 6,267 m (20,561 ft) above sea level, and by this criterion it is not even the highest peak of the Andes.
Measured from sea level, the mountain K2 is ranked second in height with 8,611 m (28,251 ft) high.
The deepest spot in the ocean is deeper than Everest is high: the Challenger Deep off the Mariana Islands, is so deep that if Everest could be placed into it there would be more than 2 km (more than 1.3 mi) of water covering it.
Climbing routes
Southern and northern climbing routes as seen from the International Space Station.Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes. Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the route used by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the first recognised of fifteen routes to the top by 1996. This was, however, a route decision dictated more by politics than by design as the Chinese border was closed to western world in 1950s after the Communist China took over the control Tibet from the Republic of China.
View from space showing South Col route and North Col/Ridge routeMost attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream at this time pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (tail end of the monsoon) makes climbing more difficult.
Southeast ridge
The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent altitude sickness. Climbing equipment and supplies are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. When Hillary and Tenzing climbed Everest in 1953, they started from Kathmandu Valley, as there were no roads further east at that time.
Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall one of the most dangerous sections of the route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice blocks in place. Above the icefall is Camp I at 6,065 metres (19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). The Western Cwm is a relatively flat, gently rising glacial valley, marked by huge lateral crevasses in the centre which prevent direct access to the upper reaches of the Cwm. Climbers are forced to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". The Western Cwm is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). From Camp III to Camp IV, climbers are faced with two additional challenges: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition. Fixed ropes assist climbers in scrambling over this snow covered rock band. The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it.
On the South Col, climbers enter the death zone. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days they can endure at this altitude for making summit bids. Clear weather and low winds are critical factors in deciding whether to make a summit attempt. If weather does not cooperate within these short few days, climbers are forced to descend, many all the way back down to Base Camp.
A view of Everest southeast ridge base camp. The Khumbu Icefall can be seen in the left. In the center are the remains of a helicopter that crashed in 2003.From Camp IV, climbers will begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1,000 metres above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 8,400 m (27,600 ft), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early dawn light. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which usually forces them to the east into waist deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 8,750 m (28,700 ft), a small table-sized dome of ice and snow marks the South Summit.
From the South Summit, climbers follow the knife-edge southeast ridge along what is known as the "Cornice traverse" where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb as a misstep to the left would send one 2,400 m (8,000 ft) down the southwest face while to the immediate right is the 3,050 m (10,000 ft) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 12 m (40 ft) rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 8,760 m (28,740 ft).
Hillary and Tenzing were the first climbers to ascend this step and they did it with primitive ice climbing equipment and without fixed ropes. Nowadays, climbers will ascend this step using fixed ropes previously set up by Sherpas. Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes - though the exposure on the ridge is extreme especially while traversing very large cornices of snow. With increasing numbers of people climbing the mountain in recent years, the Step has frequently become a bottleneck, with climbers forced to wait significant amounts of time for their turn on the ropes, leading to problems in getting climbers efficiently up and down the mountain. After the Hillary Step, climbers also must traverse a very loose and rocky section that has a very large entanglement of fixed ropes that can be troublesome in bad weather. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour on "top of the world" as they realize the need to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in, afternoon weather becomes a serious problem, or supplemental oxygen tanks run out.
Northeast ridge
Everest North Face, TibetThe northeast ridge route begins from the north side of Everest in Tibet. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V at around 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route goes up the north face through a series of gullies and steepens into downsloping slabby terrain before reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers must first make their way through three rock bands known as First Step: 27,890 feet - 28,000 feet, Second Step: 28,140 feet - 28,300 feet, and Third Step: 28,510 feet - 28,870 feet. (The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in place since, and is used by virtually all climbers on the route.) Once above these steps, the final summit slopes (50 to 60 degrees) to the top.
China is paving a 130 km (81 mi) dirt road from Tingri County to its Base Camp in order to accommodate growing numbers of climbers on their side of the mountain. It will become the highest asphalt-paved road in the world. Construction began on June 18, 2007, at a cost of 150 million yuan (US$19.7 million). China also routed the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay over Everest, going up the South Col route and back down the North Col route, on the way to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Ascents
Mount Everest as seen from the Rongbuk Monastery.Main article: Timeline of climbing Mount Everest
Early expeditions
In 1885, Clinton Thomas Dent, president of the Alpine Club, suggests that climbing Mount Everest is possible in his book Above the Snow Line.
On June 8, 1924, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, both of the United Kingdom, made an attempt on the summit via the north col/north ridge route from which they never returned. On May 1, 1999, the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition found Mallory's body in the predicted search area near the old Chinese camp. Controversy has raged in the mountaineering community as to whether or not one or both of them reached the summit 29 years before the confirmed ascent (and of course, safe descent) of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. The general consensus among climbers has been that they did not.
Mallory had gone on a speaking tour of the United States the year before in 1923; it was then that he exasperatedly gave the famous reply, "Because it is there," to a New York journalist in response to hearing the question, "Why climb Everest?" for seemingly the thousandth time.
In 1933, Lady Houston, a British millionaire ex-showgirl, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of aircraft led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Flag at the top.
Early expeditions – such as Bruce's in the 1920s and Hugh Ruttledge's two unsuccessful attempts in 1933 and 1936 – tried to make an ascent of the mountain from Tibet, via the north face. Access was closed from the north to western expeditions in 1950, after the Chinese reasserted control over Tibet. However, in 1950, Bill Tilman and a small party which included Charles Houston, Oscar Houston and Betsy Cowles undertook an exploratory expedition to Everest through Nepal along the route which has now become the standard approach to Everest from the south.
First successful ascent by Tenzing and Hillary
In 1953, a ninth British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. Hunt selected two climbing pairs to attempt to reach the summit. The first pair (Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans) came within 100 m (300 feet) of the summit on 26 May, but turned back after becoming exhausted. As planned, their work in route finding and breaking trail and their caches of extra oxygen were of great aid to the following pair. Two days later, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its second climbing pair, the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal. They reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. local time on May 29, 1953 via the South Col Route. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit to take photographs and buried a few sweets and a small cross in the snow before descending.
News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Returning to Kathmandu a few days later, Hunt (a Briton) and Hillary (a subject of Elizabeth, through her role as head of state of New Zealand) discovered that they had been promptly knighted in the Order of the British Empire, a KBE, for the ascent. Tenzing (a subject of the King of Nepal) was granted the George Medal by the UK. Hunt was ultimately made a life peer in Britain, while Hillary became a founding member of the Order of New Zealand.
First ascents without supplemental oxygen
On May 8, 1978, Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria) made the first ascent without supplemental oxygen, using the southeast ridge route. On August 20, 1980, Messner reached the summit of the mountain solo for the first time, without supplementary oxygen or support, on the more difficult Northwest route via the North Col to the North Face and the Great Couloir. He climbed for three days entirely alone from his base camp at 6,500 metres (21,300 ft). This route has been noted as the 8th climbing route to the summit.
1996 disaster
Main article: 1996 Everest Disaster
During the 1996 climbing season, fifteen people died trying to come down from the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Everest history. Eight of them died on May 11 alone. The disaster gained wide publicity and raised questions about the commercialization of Everest.
Journalist Jon Krakauer, on assignment from Outside magazine, was in one of the affected parties, and afterwards published the bestseller Into Thin Air which related his experience. Anatoli Boukreev, a guide who felt impugned by Krakauer's book, co-authored a rebuttal book called The Climb. The dispute sparked a large debate within the climbing community. In May 2004, Kent Moore, a physicist, and John L. Semple, a surgeon, both researchers from the University of Toronto, told New Scientist magazine that an analysis of weather conditions on May 11 suggested that freak weather caused oxygen levels to plunge approximately 14%.
The storm's impact on climbers on the mountain's other side, the North Ridge, where several climbers also died, was detailed in a first hand account by British filmmaker and writer Matt Dickinson in his book The Other Side of Everest.
2003 - 50th Anniversary of First Ascent
2003 marked the 50th anniversary of the first ascent, and a record number of teams, including some very distinguished climbers, climbed or attempted to climb the mountain.
2005 - Helicopter landing
On 14 May 2005, pilot Didier Delsalle of France landed a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter on the summit of Mount Everest[43] (without any witness) and took off after about four minutes. (His rotors were continually engaged, constituting a "hover landing", and avoiding the risks of relying on the snow to support the aircraft.) He thereby set rotorcraft world records, for highest of both landing (de facto) and take-off (formally).
Delsalle had also performed, two days earlier, a take-off from the South Col; some press reports suggested that the report of the summit landing was a misunderstanding of a South Col one.
2006 - David Sharp controversy
Double-amputee climber Mark Inglis revealed in an interview with the press on May 23, 2006[46], that his climbing party, and many others, had passed a distressed climber, David Sharp, on May 15, sheltering under a rock overhang 450 metres below the summit, without attempting a rescue. The revelation sparked wide debate on climbing ethics, especially as applied to Everest. The climbers who left him said that the rescue efforts would be useless and only cause more deaths because of how many people it would have taken to pull him off.
Much of this controversy was captured by the Discovery Channel while filming the television program Everest: Beyond the Limit. A crucial decision affecting the fate of Sharp is shown in the program, where an early returning climber (Max Chaya) is descending and radios to his base camp manager (Russell Brice) that he has found a climber in distress. He is unable to identify Sharp, and Sharp had chosen to climb solo without any support, so he did not identify himself to other climbers. The base camp manager assumes that Sharp is part of a group that has abandoned him, and informs his climber that there is no chance of him being able to help Sharp [at 8000+ meters in altitude, barely anyone has the strength to help another man who is only semi conscious, and Max Chaya is only an amateur mountaineer]. As Sharp's condition deteriorates through the day and other descending climbers pass him, his opportunities for rescue diminish: his legs and feet curl from frost-bite, preventing him from walking; the later descending climbers are lower on oxygen and lack the strength to offer aid; time runs out for any Sherpas to return and rescue him. Most importantly, Sharp's decision to forgo all support leaves him with no margin for recovery.
As this debate raged, on May 26, Australian climber Lincoln Hall was found alive, after being declared dead the day before. He was found by a party of four climbers (Dan Mazur, Andrew Brash, Myles Osborne and Jangbu Sherpa) who, giving up their own summit attempt, stayed with Hall and descended with him and a party of 11 Sherpas sent up to carry him down. Hall later fully recovered. Similar actions have been recorded since, including on May 21, 2007, when Canadian climber Meagan McGrath initiated the successful high-altitude rescue of Nepali Usha Bista.
Various records on everest
According to the Nepalese government, the youngest person to climb Mount Everest was a 15-year-old Sherpa girl, and the youngest foreigner was 18-year-old Californian Samantha Larson in 2007.
The fastest ascent over the northeast ridge was accomplished in 2007 by Austrian climber Christian Stangl, who needed 16h 42min for the 10km distance from Camp III to the summit, just barely beating Italian Hans Kammerlander's record of 17 hours, accomplished in 1996. Both men climbed alone and without supplementary oxygen. The fastest oxygen-supported ascent over the southeast ridge was Nepalese Pemba Dorjie Sherpa's 2004 climb, using 8h 10min for the 17km route. The fastest ascent without supplementary oxygen over the southeast ridge was accomplished by French Marc Batard who needed 22h 30min in 1988.
The oldest climber to successfully reach Mt. Everest's summit was 76-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan, who did so May 25, 2008.
Death zone on everest
Main article: Death zone
While conditions for any area classified as a death zone apply to Mount Everest (altitudes higher than 8,000 m/26,246 ft), it is significantly more difficult for a climber to survive at the death zone on Mount Everest. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Because temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death by slipping and falling can also occur. High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also a potential threat to climbers. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, meaning there is about a third as much oxygen available to breathe as at sea level.
In May 2007 the Caudwell Xtreme Everest undertook a medical study of oxygen levels in human blood at extreme altitude. Over 200 volunteers climbed to Everest Base Camp where various medical tests were performed to examine blood oxygen levels. A small team also performed tests on the way to the summit.
Even at base camp the low level of available oxygen had direct effect on blood oxygen saturation levels. At sea level these are usually 98% to 99%, but at base camp this fell to between 85% and 87%. Blood samples taken at the summit indicated very low levels of oxygen present. A side effect of this is a vastly increased breathing rate, from 20-30[citation needed] breaths per minute to 80-90 breaths, leading to exhaustion just trying to breathe.
Lack of oxygen, exhaustion, extreme cold and the dangers of the climb all contribute to the death toll.
People who die during the climb are typically left behind. About 150 bodies have never been recovered. It is not uncommon that corpses are visible from the standard climbing routes.
One sometimes deadly phenomenon, however, does not plague climbers — lightning. Lightning does not strike Mount Everest. NASA's lightning detection system does record significant lightning in the Tibet plateau, but none along the high Tibetan mountains, from about 2000 m (7,000 feet) and above.
Bottled oxygen controversy
Most expeditions use oxygen masks and tanks[54] above 8,000 m (26,246 ft). Everest can be climbed without supplementary oxygen but this increases the risk to the climber. Humans do not think clearly with low oxygen, and the combination of severe weather, low temperatures, and steep slopes often require quick, accurate decisions.
The use of bottled oxygen to ascend Mount Everest has been controversial. George Mallory himself described the use of such oxygen as unsportsmanlike, but he later concluded that it would be impossible to summit without it and consequently used it.[55] When Tenzing and Hillary made the first successful summit in 1953, they used bottled oxygen. For the next twenty-five years, bottled oxygen was considered standard for any successful summit.
Reinhold Messner was the first climber to break the bottled oxygen tradition and in 1978, with Peter Habeler, made the first successful climb without it. Although critics alleged that he sucked mini-bottles of oxygen - a claim that Messner denied - Messner silenced them when he summited the mountain, without supplemental oxygen or support, on the more difficult northwest route, in 1980. In the aftermath of Messner's two successful ascents, the debate on bottled oxygen usage continued.
The aftermath of the 1996 disaster further intensified the debate. Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air (1997) expressed the author's personal criticisms of the use of bottled oxygen. Krakauer wrote that the use of bottled oxygen allowed otherwise unqualified climbers to attempt to summit, leading to dangerous situations and more deaths. The May 11, 1996 disaster was partially caused by the sheer number of climbers (33 on that day) attempting to ascend, causing bottlenecks at the Hillary Step and delaying many climbers, most of whom summited after the usual 2 p.m. turnaround time. He proposed banning bottled oxygen except for emergency cases, arguing that this would both decrease the growing pollution on Everest—many bottles have accumulated on its slopes—and keep marginally qualified climbers off the mountain. The 1996 disaster also introduced the issue of the guide's role in using bottled oxygen.[56] Guide Anatoli Boukreev's decision not to use bottled oxygen was sharply criticized by Jon Krakauer. Boukreev's supporters (who include G. Weston DeWalt, who co-wrote The Climb) state that using bottled oxygen gives a false sense of security.[57] Krakauer and his supporters point out that, without bottled oxygen, Boukreev was unable to directly help his clients descend.[58] They state that Boukreev said that he was going down with client Martin Adams,[58] but just below the South Summit, Boukreev determines that Adams was doing fine on the descent and so descends at a faster pace, leaving Adams behind. Adams states in The Climb: "For me, it was business as usual, Anatoli's going by, and I had no problems with that."
Life-threatening thefts
Other climbers have reported life-threatening thefts from supply caches. Vitor Negrete, the first Brazilian to climb Everest without oxygen and part of David Sharp's party, died during his descent, and theft from his high-altitude camp may have contributed.
Flora and fauna
Euophrys omnisuperstes, a minute black jumping spider, has been found at elevations as high as 6,700 metres (22,000 ft), possibly making it the highest confirmed permanent resident on Earth. They lurk in crevices and possibly feed on frozen insects that have been blown there by the wind. It should be noted that there is a high likelihood of microscopic life at even higher altitudes. [61] Birds, such as the bar-headed goose, have been seen flying at the higher altitudes of the mountain, while others such as the Chough have been spotted as high as the South Col (7,920 m), scavenging on food, or even corpses, left over by climbing expeditions.
Geology
Geologists have subdivided the rocks comprising Mount Everest into three units called “formations”. Each of these formations are separated from each other by low-angle faults, called “detachments”, along which they have been thrust over each other. From the summit of Mount Everest to its base these rock units are the Qomolangma Formation, the North Col Formation, and the Rongbuk Formation.
From its summit to the top of the Yellow Band, about 8,600 m above sea level, the top of Mount Everest consists of the Qomolangma Formation, which has also been designated as either the Everest Formation or Jolmo Lungama Formation. It consists of grayish to dark gray or white, parallel laminated and bedded limestone interlayered with subordinate beds of recrystallized dolomite with argillaceous laminae and siltstone. Gansser[65] reported finding visible fragments of crinoids in these limestones. Petrographic analysis of samples of this Ordovician limestone from near the summit revealed them to be composed of carbonate pellets and finely fragmented remains of trilobites, crinoids, and ostracods. Other samples were so badly sheared and recrystallized that their original constituents could not be determined. The Qomolangma Formation is broken up by several high-angle faults that terminate at the low angle thrust fault, the Qomolangma Detachment. This detachment separates it from the underlying Yellow Band. The lower five metres of the Qomolangma Formation overlying this detachment are very highly deformed.
The bulk of Mount Everest, between 7,000 and 8,600 m, consists of the North Col Formation, of which the Yellow Band forms its upper part between 8,200 to 8,600 m. The Yellow Band consists of intercalated beds of diopsite-epidote-bearing marble, which weathers a distinctive yellowish brown, and muscovite-biotite phyllite and semischist. Petrographic analysis of marble collected from about 8,300 m found it to consist as much as five percent of the ghosts of recrystallized crinoid ossicles. The upper five metres of the Yellow Band lying adjacent to the Qomolangma Detachment is badly deformed. A 5–40 cm thick fault breccia separates it from the overlying Qomolangma Formation.
The remainder of the North Col Formation, exposed between 7,000 to 8,200 m on Mount Everest, consists of interlayered and deformed schist, phyllite, and minor marble. Between 7,600 and 8,200 m, the North Col Formation consists chiefly of biotite-quartz phyllite and chlorite-biotite phyllite intercalated with minor amounts of biotite-sericite-quartz schist. Between 7,000 and 7,600 m, the lower part of the North Col Formation consists of biotite-quartz schist intercalated with epidote-quartz schist, biotite-calcite-quartz schist, and thin layers of quartzose marble. These metamorphic rocks appear to the result of the metamorphism of deep sea flysch composed of interbedded, mudstone, shale, clayey sandstone, calcareous sandstone, graywacke, and sandy limestone. The base of the North Col Formation is a regional thrust fault called the “Lhotse detachment”.
Below 7,000 m, the Rongbuk Formation underlies the North Col Formation and forms the base of Mount Everest. It consists of sillminite-K-feldspar grade schist and gneiss intruded by numerous sills and dikes of leucogranite ranging in thickness from one cm to 1,500 m.
The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma (ཇོ་མོ་གླིང་མ, translated as "Mother of the Universe" or "Goddess Mother of the Earth"), and the related Chinese name is Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰; traditional Chinese: 珠穆朗瑪峰) or Shèngmǔ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 圣母峰; traditional Chinese: 聖母峰, The Tibetan name, Chomolungma, gets a mention in the 2008 American film The Bucket List, in which one of the dying wishes of the two lead characters is to see the mountain. According to English accounts of the mid-19th century, the local name in Darjeeling for Mount Everest was Deodungha, or "Holy Mountain." In the 1960s, the Government of Nepal gave the mountain the official Nepali name of Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा), meaning "Goddess of the Sky
In 1865, the mountain was given its English name by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India. With both Nepal and Tibet closed to foreign travel, he wrote:
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
Waugh chose to name the mountain after George Everest, first using the spelling Mont Everest, and then Mount Everest. However, the modern pronunciation of Everest (IPA: /ɛvərɪst/ (EV-er-est)) is in fact different from Sir George's own pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɪst/ (EAVE-rest).[citation needed]
In the late 19th century many European cartographers incorrectly believed that a native name for the mountain was "Gaurisankar". This was a result of confusion of Mount Everest with the actual Gauri Sankar, which, when viewed from Kathmandu, stands almost directly in front of Everest.[citation needed]
In the early 1960s, the Nepalese government realized that Mount Everest had no Nepalese name.[citation needed] This was because the mountain was not known and named in ethnic Nepal (that is, the Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas).[citation needed] The government set out to find a name for the mountain (the Sherpa/Tibetan name Chomolangma was not acceptable, as it would have been against the idea of unification (Nepalization) of the country. The name Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा) was thus invented by Baburam Acharya.[citation needed]
In 2002, the Chinese People's Daily newspaper published an article making a case against the continued use of the English name for the mountain in the Western world, insisting that it should be referred to by its Tibetan name. The newspaper argued that the Chinese (in nature a Tibetan) name preceded the English one, as Mount Qomolangma was marked on a Chinese map more than 280 years ago.
EVEREST FACTS
Age of Everest:
Everest was formed about 60 million years ago
Elevation:
29,035 (8850m)-found to be 6' higher in 1999
Name in Nepal:
Sagarmatha (means: goddess of the sky)
In Tibet:
Chomolungma: (means: mother goddess of the universe)
Named after:
Sir George Everest in 1865 ,the British surveyor-general of India. Once known as Peak 15
Location:
Latitude 27° 59' N.....Longitude 86° 56' E It's summit ridge seperates Nepal and Tibet
First Ascent:
May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary, NZ and Tenzing Norgay, NP, via the South Col Route
First Solo Ascent:
Aug. 20,1980, Reinhold Messner, IT, via the NE Ridge to North Face
First winter Ascent:
Feb. 17,1980 -L.Cichy and K. Wielicki, POL
First Ascent by an American:
May 1,1963, James Whittaker, via the South-Col
Mt. Everest rises a few milimeters each year due to geological forces
Everest Name:
Sir George Everest was the first person to record the height and location of Mt. Everest, this is where Mt."Everest" got its name from(In american language)
First Ascent by a Woman:
May 16,1975, Junko Tabei, JAP, via the South-Col
First Ascent by an American Woman:
Sep.29,1988, Stacey Allison, Portland, OR via the South-East Ridge
First Oxygenless Ascent:
May 8, 1978- Reinhold Messner, IT, and Peter Habeler, AUT, via the South-East Ridge
First woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both north & south sides:
Cathy O'Dowd (S.A.) South May 25,1996/North '99
Fastest Ascent from South:
Babu Chhiri Sherpa 34, NP-16 hours and 56 minutes (5-21-2000)
Fastest Ascent (north side):
Hans Kammerlander (IT) May,24,1996, via the standard North Col Ridge Route, 16 hours 45 minutes from base camp
Youngest person:
Temba Tsheri (NP) 15 on May,22,2001
Oldest Person:
Sherman Bull May,25,2001 -64 yrs
First Legally Blind Person:
Erik Weihenmeyer May,25,2001
Most Ascents:
Eleven, 24th May 2000 Appa Sherpa became the first person to climb Everest 11 times-Ten, Ang Rita Sherpa, Babu Chiri Sherpa all ascents were oxygen-less.
Best and Worst Years on Everest:
1993, 129 summitted and eight died (a ratio of 16:1); in 1996, 98 summitted and 15 died (a ratio of 6½:1)
Highest cause cause of death:
Avalanches-about a (2:1) ratio over falls
Country with most deaths on mountain:
Nepal-46
Most dangerous area on mountain:
Khumbu Ice Fall-19 deaths
First ski descent:
Davo Karnicar (Slovenia) 10-7-2000
Last year without ascent:
1974
Last year without ascent:
1977
Corpses remaining on Everest:
about 120
Longest stay on top:
Babu Chiri Sherpa stayed at the summit full 21 hours and a half
Largest team:
In 1975, China tackled Everest with a 410-member team.
Fastest descent:
In 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France descended from the top in just 11 minutes, paragliding.
Only climber to climb all 4 sides of Everest:
Kushang Sherpa, now an instructor with Himlayan Mountaineering Institute
First person to hike from sea level to summit, no oxygen.:
11th May 1990,Tim Macartney-Snape, Australian
Largest number to reach the top in one day:
40, on May 10, 1993
First person to summit Everest twice:
Nawang Gombu-Nepal(once with Whitaker in '63,and again two years later in '65)Gombu now works for the Himalayan mountaineering institute
The oldest woman to summit
Anna Czerwinska May 22, 2000.
Everest from Kala Patthar in Nepal
Mount Everest Location within Nepal on the Nepal-Tibet border
Elevation 8,848 metres (29,029 ft)
Ranked 1st
Location Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal
Tibet, China
Range Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya
Prominence 8,848 m (29,029 ft)
Coordinates 27°59′17″N 86°55′31″E / 27.98806, 86.92528[3]
First ascent May 29, 1953
Edmund Hillary
Tenzing Norgay
Easiest route South Col (Nepal)
Mt. Everest
Location on Nepal/China border
Mount Everest relief mapMount Everest, also called Chomolungma, Qomolangma or Zhumulangma (in Tibetan: ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ, in Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰 Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng) or Sagarmatha (Nepali: सगरमाथाmeaning Ocean Head) is the highest mountain on Earth, as measured by the height of its summit above sea level, which is 8,848 metres or 29,029 feet. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal and China.
The Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest in 1856 at 29,002 ft (8,840 m), although at the time Everest was known as Peak XV. The mountain was given its official English name in 1865 by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Survey General of India at the time. Waugh was unable to propose an established local name due to Nepal and Tibet being closed to foreigners at the time although Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries.
By the end of the 2007 climbing season, there had been 3,679 ascents to the summit by 2,436 individuals. There have been 210 deaths on the mountain, where conditions are so difficult that most corpses have been left where they fell; some are visible from standard climbing routes.[4] Climbers range from experienced mountaineers to relative novices who count on their paid guides to get them to the top. This means climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to $25,000 (USD) per person.
Contents
1 Discovery of the highest mountain
2 Naming
3 Measurement
3.1 Comparisons
4 Climbing routes
4.1 Southeast ridge
4.2 Northeast ridge
5 Ascents
5.1 Early expeditions
5.2 First successful ascent by Tenzing and Hillary
5.3 First ascents without supplemental oxygen
5.4 1996 disaster
5.5 2003 - 50th Anniversary of First Ascent
5.6 2005 - Helicopter landing
5.7 2006 - David Sharp controversy
5.8 Various records
6 Death zone
7 Bottled oxygen controversy
8 Life-threatening thefts
9 Flora and fauna
10 Geology
11 Image gallery
12 See also
13 References
14 External links
Discovery of the highest mountain
The Great Trigonometric Survey of India was begun by the British in 1808 to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains. Starting in southern India, the survey teams gradually moved northward using giant 1100 pound theodolites (each requiring 12 men to carry) to measure heights as accurately as possible. They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but Nepal was unwilling to allow the British to enter the country due to suspicions of political aggression and possible annexation. Several requests by the surveyors to enter Nepal were turned down. The British were forced to continue their observations from Terai, a region south of Nepal which is parallel to the Himalayas. Conditions in Terai were difficult due to torrential rains and malaria — three survey officers died from malaria while two others had to retire due to failing health. The British pressed on though and began detailed observations of the Himalayan peaks in 1847 from observation stations up to 150 mi (240 km) away. Weather restricted work to the last three months of the year and in November, Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India made a number of observations from Sawajpore station located in the eastern end of the Himalayas. At the time, Kangchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world and with interest he noted a peak beyond it, some 140 mi (230 km) away. John Armstrong, one of Waugh's officials, also saw the peak from a location further west and called it peak 'b'. Waugh would later write that the observations indicated that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga, but due to the great distance of the observations, closer observations were required for verification. The following year, Waugh sent a survey official back to Terai to make closer observations of peak 'b' but clouds thwarted all attempts. In 1849, Waugh dispatched James Nicolson to the area who was able to make two observations from Jirol, 118 mi (190 km) away. Nicolson then took the largest theolodite and headed east, obtaining over 30 observations from five different locations, with the closest being 108 mi (174 km) away from the peak.
Unknown to Nicolson, he had just completed the observations that would establish peak 'b' as the highest peak on Earth. Nicolson retreated to Patna on the Ganges to perform the necessary calculations based on his observations. His raw data gave an average height of 30,200 ft (9,200 m) for peak 'b' but this did not take into account light refraction which distorts heights. The number though was clearly higher than Kangchenjunga. Nicolson, however, also came down with malaria and was forced to return home, calculations unfinished. Michael Hennessy, one of Waugh's assistants, had begun designating peaks based on Roman Numerals, with Kangchenjunga named Peak IX while peak 'b' now became known as Peak XV.
Stationed at the survey's headquarters in Dehradun, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor from Bengal, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak in 1852, using trigonometric calculations based on Nicolson's measurements. An official announcement that Peak XV was the highest was delayed for several years as the calculations were repeatedly verified. Waugh began work on Nicolson's data in 1854 and along with his staff spent almost two years working on the calculations, having to deal with the problems of light refraction, barometric pressure and temperature over the vast distances of the observations. Finally, in March 1856 he announced his findings in a letter to his deputy in Calcutta. Kangchenjunga was declared to be 28,156 ft (8,582 m) while Peak XV was given the height of 29,002 ft (8,840 m). Waugh concluded that Peak XV was "most probably the highest in the world".[6] Peak XV was found to be exactly 29,000 feet (8,839 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,840 m). The arbitrary addition of 2 feet (0.6 m) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet was nothing more than a rounded estimate.
With the height now established, what to name the peak was clearly the next challenge. While the survey was anxious to preserve local names if possible (e.g. Kangchenjunga and Dhaulagiri were local names), Waugh argued that he was unable to find any commonly used local name. Waugh's search for a local name was hampered by Nepal and Tibet being closed to foreigners at the time. Many local names existed, perhaps the most well known in Tibet for several centuries was Chomolungma and which had appeared on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville. However, Waugh argued that with the plethora of local names, it would be difficult to favour one specific name over all others. So, he decided that Peak XV should be named after George Everest, his predecessor as Surveyor General of India. He wrote: I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.
George Everest opposed the name suggested by Waugh and told the Royal Geographical Society in 1857 that Everest could not be written in Hindi nor pronounced by "the native of India". Waughm's proposed name prevailed despite the objections and in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.
Naming
The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma or Qomolangma (ཇོ་མོ་གླིང་མ, which means "Saint Mother"), and the Chinese transliteration is Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰; traditional Chinese: 珠穆朗瑪峰); the Chinese translation is Shèngmǔ Fēng (simplified Chinese: 圣母峰; traditional Chinese: 聖母峰), but this name is seldom used. According to English accounts of the mid-19th century, the local name in Darjeeling for Mount Everest was Deodungha, or "Holy Mountain".[10] In the 1960s, the Government of Nepal gave the mountain the official Nepali name of Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा), meaning "Goddess of the Sky".
In 1865, the mountain was officially given its English name by the Royal Geographical Society after being proposed by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India.Waugh chose to name the mountain after George Everest, first using the spelling Mont Everest, and then Mount Everest. However, the modern pronunciation of Everest IPA: /ˈɛvərɪst, ˈɛvrɪst/[12] is in fact different from Sir George's own pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɪst/.
In the late 19th century many European cartographers incorrectly believed that a native name for the mountain was "Gaurisankar".[14] This was a result of confusion of Mount Everest with the actual Gauri Sankar, which, when viewed from Kathmandu, stands almost directly in front of Everest.
In the early 1960s, the Nepalese government gave Mount Everest the official name Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा). This name had not previously been used; the local inhabitants knew the mountain as Chomolungma.[11] The mountain was not known and named in ethnic Nepal (that is, the Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas).[citation needed] The government set out to find a Nepalese name for the mountain because the Sherpa/Tibetan name Chomolangma was not acceptable, as it would have been against the idea of unification (Nepalization) of the country.
In 2002, the Chinese People's Daily newspaper published an article making a case against the continued use of the English name for the mountain in the Western world, insisting that it should be referred to by its Tibetan name. The newspaper argued that the Chinese (in nature a Tibetan) name preceded the English one, as Mount Qomolangma was marked on a Chinese map more than 280 years ago.
Aerial view of Mount Everest from the south
Measurement
Mount Everest north face from Rongbuk in Tibet
Another aerial view of Mount Everest from the south, with Lhotse in front and Nuptse on the leftIn 1856, Andrew Waugh announced Everest (then known as Peak XV) as 29,002 feet (8,840 m) high, after several years of calculations based on observations made by the Great Trigonometric Survey.
More recently, the mountain has been found to be 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) high, although there is some variation in the measurements. On May 22, 2005, the People's Republic of China's Everest Expedition Team ascended to the top of the mountain. After several months' measurement and calculation, on October 9, 2005, the PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m ± 0.21 m (29,017.16 ± 0.69 ft). They claimed it was the most accurate measurement to date.[16] This height is based on the actual highest point of rock and not on the snow and ice covering it. The Chinese team also measured a snow/ice depth of 3.5 m,[17] which is in agreement with a net elevation of 8,848 m. The snow and ice thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine.
The elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) was first determined by an Indian survey in 1955, made closer to the mountain, also using theodolites. It was subsequently reaffirmed by a 1975 Chinese measurement.[18] In both cases the snow cap, not the rock head, was measured. In May 1999 an American Everest Expedition, directed by Bradford Washburn, anchored a GPS unit into the highest bedrock. A rock head elevation of 8,850 m (29,035 ft), and a snow/ice elevation 1 m (3 ft) higher, were obtained via this device.[19] Although it has not been officially recognized by Nepal,[20] this figure is widely quoted. Geoid uncertainty casts doubt upon the accuracy claimed by both the 1999 and 2005 surveys.
A detailed photogrammetric map (at a scale of 1:50,000) of the Khumbu region, including the south side of Mount Everest, was made by Erwin Schneider as part of the 1955 International Himalayan Expedition, which also attempted Lhotse. An even more detailed topographic map of the Everest area was made in the late 1980s under the direction of Bradford Washburn, using extensive aerial photography.
It is thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding to the height and moving the summit north-eastwards. Two accounts[19][22] suggest the rates of change are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3-6 mm (0.12-0.25 in) per year (northeastwards), but another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in),[23] and even shrinkage has been suggested.
The Mount Everest region, and the Himalayas in general, are thought to be experiencing ice-melt due to global warming.
Comparisons
Everest is the mountain whose summit attains the greatest distance above sea level. Several other mountains are sometimes claimed as alternative "tallest mountains on Earth". Mauna Kea in Hawaii is tallest when measured from its base; it rises over 10,200 m (6.3 mi) when measured from its base on the mid-ocean floor, but only attains 4,205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level.
By the same measure of base[26] to summit, Denali, in Alaska, is also taller than Everest. Despite its height above sea level of only 6,193.6 m (20,320 ft), Denali sits atop a sloping plain with elevations from 300-900 m (1,000-3,000 ft), yielding a height above base in the range of 5,300-5,900 m (17,300-19,300 ft); a commonly quoted figure is 5,600 m (18,400 ft). By comparison, reasonable base elevations for Everest range from 4,200 m (13,800 ft) on the south side to 5,200 m (17,100 ft) on the Tibetan Plateau, yielding a height above base in the range of 3,650 m (12,000 ft) to 4,650 m (15,300 ft).
The summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is 2,168 m (7,113 ft) farther from the Earth's centre (6,384.4 km or 3,967.1 mi) than that of Everest (6,382.3 km or 3,965.8 mi), because the Earth bulges at the Equator. However, Chimborazo attains a height of only 6,267 m (20,561 ft) above sea level, and by this criterion it is not even the highest peak of the Andes.
Measured from sea level, the mountain K2 is ranked second in height with 8,611 m (28,251 ft) high.
The deepest spot in the ocean is deeper than Everest is high: the Challenger Deep off the Mariana Islands, is so deep that if Everest could be placed into it there would be more than 2 km (more than 1.3 mi) of water covering it.
Climbing routes
Southern and northern climbing routes as seen from the International Space Station.Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes. Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the route used by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the first recognised of fifteen routes to the top by 1996. This was, however, a route decision dictated more by politics than by design as the Chinese border was closed to western world in 1950s after the Communist China took over the control Tibet from the Republic of China.
View from space showing South Col route and North Col/Ridge routeMost attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream at this time pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (tail end of the monsoon) makes climbing more difficult.
Southeast ridge
The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent altitude sickness. Climbing equipment and supplies are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. When Hillary and Tenzing climbed Everest in 1953, they started from Kathmandu Valley, as there were no roads further east at that time.
Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall one of the most dangerous sections of the route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice blocks in place. Above the icefall is Camp I at 6,065 metres (19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). The Western Cwm is a relatively flat, gently rising glacial valley, marked by huge lateral crevasses in the centre which prevent direct access to the upper reaches of the Cwm. Climbers are forced to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". The Western Cwm is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). From Camp III to Camp IV, climbers are faced with two additional challenges: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition. Fixed ropes assist climbers in scrambling over this snow covered rock band. The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it.
On the South Col, climbers enter the death zone. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days they can endure at this altitude for making summit bids. Clear weather and low winds are critical factors in deciding whether to make a summit attempt. If weather does not cooperate within these short few days, climbers are forced to descend, many all the way back down to Base Camp.
A view of Everest southeast ridge base camp. The Khumbu Icefall can be seen in the left. In the center are the remains of a helicopter that crashed in 2003.From Camp IV, climbers will begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1,000 metres above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 8,400 m (27,600 ft), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early dawn light. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which usually forces them to the east into waist deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 8,750 m (28,700 ft), a small table-sized dome of ice and snow marks the South Summit.
From the South Summit, climbers follow the knife-edge southeast ridge along what is known as the "Cornice traverse" where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb as a misstep to the left would send one 2,400 m (8,000 ft) down the southwest face while to the immediate right is the 3,050 m (10,000 ft) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 12 m (40 ft) rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 8,760 m (28,740 ft).
Hillary and Tenzing were the first climbers to ascend this step and they did it with primitive ice climbing equipment and without fixed ropes. Nowadays, climbers will ascend this step using fixed ropes previously set up by Sherpas. Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes - though the exposure on the ridge is extreme especially while traversing very large cornices of snow. With increasing numbers of people climbing the mountain in recent years, the Step has frequently become a bottleneck, with climbers forced to wait significant amounts of time for their turn on the ropes, leading to problems in getting climbers efficiently up and down the mountain. After the Hillary Step, climbers also must traverse a very loose and rocky section that has a very large entanglement of fixed ropes that can be troublesome in bad weather. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour on "top of the world" as they realize the need to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in, afternoon weather becomes a serious problem, or supplemental oxygen tanks run out.
Northeast ridge
Everest North Face, TibetThe northeast ridge route begins from the north side of Everest in Tibet. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V at around 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route goes up the north face through a series of gullies and steepens into downsloping slabby terrain before reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers must first make their way through three rock bands known as First Step: 27,890 feet - 28,000 feet, Second Step: 28,140 feet - 28,300 feet, and Third Step: 28,510 feet - 28,870 feet. (The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in place since, and is used by virtually all climbers on the route.) Once above these steps, the final summit slopes (50 to 60 degrees) to the top.
China is paving a 130 km (81 mi) dirt road from Tingri County to its Base Camp in order to accommodate growing numbers of climbers on their side of the mountain. It will become the highest asphalt-paved road in the world. Construction began on June 18, 2007, at a cost of 150 million yuan (US$19.7 million). China also routed the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay over Everest, going up the South Col route and back down the North Col route, on the way to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Ascents
Mount Everest as seen from the Rongbuk Monastery.Main article: Timeline of climbing Mount Everest
Early expeditions
In 1885, Clinton Thomas Dent, president of the Alpine Club, suggests that climbing Mount Everest is possible in his book Above the Snow Line.
On June 8, 1924, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, both of the United Kingdom, made an attempt on the summit via the north col/north ridge route from which they never returned. On May 1, 1999, the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition found Mallory's body in the predicted search area near the old Chinese camp. Controversy has raged in the mountaineering community as to whether or not one or both of them reached the summit 29 years before the confirmed ascent (and of course, safe descent) of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. The general consensus among climbers has been that they did not.
Mallory had gone on a speaking tour of the United States the year before in 1923; it was then that he exasperatedly gave the famous reply, "Because it is there," to a New York journalist in response to hearing the question, "Why climb Everest?" for seemingly the thousandth time.
In 1933, Lady Houston, a British millionaire ex-showgirl, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of aircraft led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Flag at the top.
Early expeditions – such as Bruce's in the 1920s and Hugh Ruttledge's two unsuccessful attempts in 1933 and 1936 – tried to make an ascent of the mountain from Tibet, via the north face. Access was closed from the north to western expeditions in 1950, after the Chinese reasserted control over Tibet. However, in 1950, Bill Tilman and a small party which included Charles Houston, Oscar Houston and Betsy Cowles undertook an exploratory expedition to Everest through Nepal along the route which has now become the standard approach to Everest from the south.
First successful ascent by Tenzing and Hillary
In 1953, a ninth British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. Hunt selected two climbing pairs to attempt to reach the summit. The first pair (Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans) came within 100 m (300 feet) of the summit on 26 May, but turned back after becoming exhausted. As planned, their work in route finding and breaking trail and their caches of extra oxygen were of great aid to the following pair. Two days later, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its second climbing pair, the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal. They reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. local time on May 29, 1953 via the South Col Route. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit to take photographs and buried a few sweets and a small cross in the snow before descending.
News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Returning to Kathmandu a few days later, Hunt (a Briton) and Hillary (a subject of Elizabeth, through her role as head of state of New Zealand) discovered that they had been promptly knighted in the Order of the British Empire, a KBE, for the ascent. Tenzing (a subject of the King of Nepal) was granted the George Medal by the UK. Hunt was ultimately made a life peer in Britain, while Hillary became a founding member of the Order of New Zealand.
First ascents without supplemental oxygen
On May 8, 1978, Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria) made the first ascent without supplemental oxygen, using the southeast ridge route. On August 20, 1980, Messner reached the summit of the mountain solo for the first time, without supplementary oxygen or support, on the more difficult Northwest route via the North Col to the North Face and the Great Couloir. He climbed for three days entirely alone from his base camp at 6,500 metres (21,300 ft). This route has been noted as the 8th climbing route to the summit.
1996 disaster
Main article: 1996 Everest Disaster
During the 1996 climbing season, fifteen people died trying to come down from the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Everest history. Eight of them died on May 11 alone. The disaster gained wide publicity and raised questions about the commercialization of Everest.
Journalist Jon Krakauer, on assignment from Outside magazine, was in one of the affected parties, and afterwards published the bestseller Into Thin Air which related his experience. Anatoli Boukreev, a guide who felt impugned by Krakauer's book, co-authored a rebuttal book called The Climb. The dispute sparked a large debate within the climbing community. In May 2004, Kent Moore, a physicist, and John L. Semple, a surgeon, both researchers from the University of Toronto, told New Scientist magazine that an analysis of weather conditions on May 11 suggested that freak weather caused oxygen levels to plunge approximately 14%.
The storm's impact on climbers on the mountain's other side, the North Ridge, where several climbers also died, was detailed in a first hand account by British filmmaker and writer Matt Dickinson in his book The Other Side of Everest.
2003 - 50th Anniversary of First Ascent
2003 marked the 50th anniversary of the first ascent, and a record number of teams, including some very distinguished climbers, climbed or attempted to climb the mountain.
2005 - Helicopter landing
On 14 May 2005, pilot Didier Delsalle of France landed a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter on the summit of Mount Everest[43] (without any witness) and took off after about four minutes. (His rotors were continually engaged, constituting a "hover landing", and avoiding the risks of relying on the snow to support the aircraft.) He thereby set rotorcraft world records, for highest of both landing (de facto) and take-off (formally).
Delsalle had also performed, two days earlier, a take-off from the South Col; some press reports suggested that the report of the summit landing was a misunderstanding of a South Col one.
2006 - David Sharp controversy
Double-amputee climber Mark Inglis revealed in an interview with the press on May 23, 2006[46], that his climbing party, and many others, had passed a distressed climber, David Sharp, on May 15, sheltering under a rock overhang 450 metres below the summit, without attempting a rescue. The revelation sparked wide debate on climbing ethics, especially as applied to Everest. The climbers who left him said that the rescue efforts would be useless and only cause more deaths because of how many people it would have taken to pull him off.
Much of this controversy was captured by the Discovery Channel while filming the television program Everest: Beyond the Limit. A crucial decision affecting the fate of Sharp is shown in the program, where an early returning climber (Max Chaya) is descending and radios to his base camp manager (Russell Brice) that he has found a climber in distress. He is unable to identify Sharp, and Sharp had chosen to climb solo without any support, so he did not identify himself to other climbers. The base camp manager assumes that Sharp is part of a group that has abandoned him, and informs his climber that there is no chance of him being able to help Sharp [at 8000+ meters in altitude, barely anyone has the strength to help another man who is only semi conscious, and Max Chaya is only an amateur mountaineer]. As Sharp's condition deteriorates through the day and other descending climbers pass him, his opportunities for rescue diminish: his legs and feet curl from frost-bite, preventing him from walking; the later descending climbers are lower on oxygen and lack the strength to offer aid; time runs out for any Sherpas to return and rescue him. Most importantly, Sharp's decision to forgo all support leaves him with no margin for recovery.
As this debate raged, on May 26, Australian climber Lincoln Hall was found alive, after being declared dead the day before. He was found by a party of four climbers (Dan Mazur, Andrew Brash, Myles Osborne and Jangbu Sherpa) who, giving up their own summit attempt, stayed with Hall and descended with him and a party of 11 Sherpas sent up to carry him down. Hall later fully recovered. Similar actions have been recorded since, including on May 21, 2007, when Canadian climber Meagan McGrath initiated the successful high-altitude rescue of Nepali Usha Bista.
Various records on everest
According to the Nepalese government, the youngest person to climb Mount Everest was a 15-year-old Sherpa girl, and the youngest foreigner was 18-year-old Californian Samantha Larson in 2007.
The fastest ascent over the northeast ridge was accomplished in 2007 by Austrian climber Christian Stangl, who needed 16h 42min for the 10km distance from Camp III to the summit, just barely beating Italian Hans Kammerlander's record of 17 hours, accomplished in 1996. Both men climbed alone and without supplementary oxygen. The fastest oxygen-supported ascent over the southeast ridge was Nepalese Pemba Dorjie Sherpa's 2004 climb, using 8h 10min for the 17km route. The fastest ascent without supplementary oxygen over the southeast ridge was accomplished by French Marc Batard who needed 22h 30min in 1988.
The oldest climber to successfully reach Mt. Everest's summit was 76-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan, who did so May 25, 2008.
Death zone on everest
Main article: Death zone
While conditions for any area classified as a death zone apply to Mount Everest (altitudes higher than 8,000 m/26,246 ft), it is significantly more difficult for a climber to survive at the death zone on Mount Everest. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Because temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death by slipping and falling can also occur. High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also a potential threat to climbers. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level pressure, meaning there is about a third as much oxygen available to breathe as at sea level.
In May 2007 the Caudwell Xtreme Everest undertook a medical study of oxygen levels in human blood at extreme altitude. Over 200 volunteers climbed to Everest Base Camp where various medical tests were performed to examine blood oxygen levels. A small team also performed tests on the way to the summit.
Even at base camp the low level of available oxygen had direct effect on blood oxygen saturation levels. At sea level these are usually 98% to 99%, but at base camp this fell to between 85% and 87%. Blood samples taken at the summit indicated very low levels of oxygen present. A side effect of this is a vastly increased breathing rate, from 20-30[citation needed] breaths per minute to 80-90 breaths, leading to exhaustion just trying to breathe.
Lack of oxygen, exhaustion, extreme cold and the dangers of the climb all contribute to the death toll.
People who die during the climb are typically left behind. About 150 bodies have never been recovered. It is not uncommon that corpses are visible from the standard climbing routes.
One sometimes deadly phenomenon, however, does not plague climbers — lightning. Lightning does not strike Mount Everest. NASA's lightning detection system does record significant lightning in the Tibet plateau, but none along the high Tibetan mountains, from about 2000 m (7,000 feet) and above.
Bottled oxygen controversy
Most expeditions use oxygen masks and tanks[54] above 8,000 m (26,246 ft). Everest can be climbed without supplementary oxygen but this increases the risk to the climber. Humans do not think clearly with low oxygen, and the combination of severe weather, low temperatures, and steep slopes often require quick, accurate decisions.
The use of bottled oxygen to ascend Mount Everest has been controversial. George Mallory himself described the use of such oxygen as unsportsmanlike, but he later concluded that it would be impossible to summit without it and consequently used it.[55] When Tenzing and Hillary made the first successful summit in 1953, they used bottled oxygen. For the next twenty-five years, bottled oxygen was considered standard for any successful summit.
Reinhold Messner was the first climber to break the bottled oxygen tradition and in 1978, with Peter Habeler, made the first successful climb without it. Although critics alleged that he sucked mini-bottles of oxygen - a claim that Messner denied - Messner silenced them when he summited the mountain, without supplemental oxygen or support, on the more difficult northwest route, in 1980. In the aftermath of Messner's two successful ascents, the debate on bottled oxygen usage continued.
The aftermath of the 1996 disaster further intensified the debate. Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air (1997) expressed the author's personal criticisms of the use of bottled oxygen. Krakauer wrote that the use of bottled oxygen allowed otherwise unqualified climbers to attempt to summit, leading to dangerous situations and more deaths. The May 11, 1996 disaster was partially caused by the sheer number of climbers (33 on that day) attempting to ascend, causing bottlenecks at the Hillary Step and delaying many climbers, most of whom summited after the usual 2 p.m. turnaround time. He proposed banning bottled oxygen except for emergency cases, arguing that this would both decrease the growing pollution on Everest—many bottles have accumulated on its slopes—and keep marginally qualified climbers off the mountain. The 1996 disaster also introduced the issue of the guide's role in using bottled oxygen.[56] Guide Anatoli Boukreev's decision not to use bottled oxygen was sharply criticized by Jon Krakauer. Boukreev's supporters (who include G. Weston DeWalt, who co-wrote The Climb) state that using bottled oxygen gives a false sense of security.[57] Krakauer and his supporters point out that, without bottled oxygen, Boukreev was unable to directly help his clients descend.[58] They state that Boukreev said that he was going down with client Martin Adams,[58] but just below the South Summit, Boukreev determines that Adams was doing fine on the descent and so descends at a faster pace, leaving Adams behind. Adams states in The Climb: "For me, it was business as usual, Anatoli's going by, and I had no problems with that."
Life-threatening thefts
Other climbers have reported life-threatening thefts from supply caches. Vitor Negrete, the first Brazilian to climb Everest without oxygen and part of David Sharp's party, died during his descent, and theft from his high-altitude camp may have contributed.
Flora and fauna
Euophrys omnisuperstes, a minute black jumping spider, has been found at elevations as high as 6,700 metres (22,000 ft), possibly making it the highest confirmed permanent resident on Earth. They lurk in crevices and possibly feed on frozen insects that have been blown there by the wind. It should be noted that there is a high likelihood of microscopic life at even higher altitudes. [61] Birds, such as the bar-headed goose, have been seen flying at the higher altitudes of the mountain, while others such as the Chough have been spotted as high as the South Col (7,920 m), scavenging on food, or even corpses, left over by climbing expeditions.
Geology
Geologists have subdivided the rocks comprising Mount Everest into three units called “formations”. Each of these formations are separated from each other by low-angle faults, called “detachments”, along which they have been thrust over each other. From the summit of Mount Everest to its base these rock units are the Qomolangma Formation, the North Col Formation, and the Rongbuk Formation.
From its summit to the top of the Yellow Band, about 8,600 m above sea level, the top of Mount Everest consists of the Qomolangma Formation, which has also been designated as either the Everest Formation or Jolmo Lungama Formation. It consists of grayish to dark gray or white, parallel laminated and bedded limestone interlayered with subordinate beds of recrystallized dolomite with argillaceous laminae and siltstone. Gansser[65] reported finding visible fragments of crinoids in these limestones. Petrographic analysis of samples of this Ordovician limestone from near the summit revealed them to be composed of carbonate pellets and finely fragmented remains of trilobites, crinoids, and ostracods. Other samples were so badly sheared and recrystallized that their original constituents could not be determined. The Qomolangma Formation is broken up by several high-angle faults that terminate at the low angle thrust fault, the Qomolangma Detachment. This detachment separates it from the underlying Yellow Band. The lower five metres of the Qomolangma Formation overlying this detachment are very highly deformed.
The bulk of Mount Everest, between 7,000 and 8,600 m, consists of the North Col Formation, of which the Yellow Band forms its upper part between 8,200 to 8,600 m. The Yellow Band consists of intercalated beds of diopsite-epidote-bearing marble, which weathers a distinctive yellowish brown, and muscovite-biotite phyllite and semischist. Petrographic analysis of marble collected from about 8,300 m found it to consist as much as five percent of the ghosts of recrystallized crinoid ossicles. The upper five metres of the Yellow Band lying adjacent to the Qomolangma Detachment is badly deformed. A 5–40 cm thick fault breccia separates it from the overlying Qomolangma Formation.
The remainder of the North Col Formation, exposed between 7,000 to 8,200 m on Mount Everest, consists of interlayered and deformed schist, phyllite, and minor marble. Between 7,600 and 8,200 m, the North Col Formation consists chiefly of biotite-quartz phyllite and chlorite-biotite phyllite intercalated with minor amounts of biotite-sericite-quartz schist. Between 7,000 and 7,600 m, the lower part of the North Col Formation consists of biotite-quartz schist intercalated with epidote-quartz schist, biotite-calcite-quartz schist, and thin layers of quartzose marble. These metamorphic rocks appear to the result of the metamorphism of deep sea flysch composed of interbedded, mudstone, shale, clayey sandstone, calcareous sandstone, graywacke, and sandy limestone. The base of the North Col Formation is a regional thrust fault called the “Lhotse detachment”.
Below 7,000 m, the Rongbuk Formation underlies the North Col Formation and forms the base of Mount Everest. It consists of sillminite-K-feldspar grade schist and gneiss intruded by numerous sills and dikes of leucogranite ranging in thickness from one cm to 1,500 m.
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