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

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

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.

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 "€Ĺ“ecopreneurs" 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.

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.

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).

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