Sunday, March 8, 2009

Visitor Arrivals in February 2009 (by air only) March 2, 2009

Visitor Arrivals in February 2009 (by air only) March 2, 2009
News Release

The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that arrival figures in the month of February 2009, compared to the same month last year, have decreased by 16.2% to 25,181.

In South Asia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have registered growth by 40.1% and 78.6% respectively, however, India and Bangladesh witnessed negative growth of 4.6% and 18.1% respectively in the current month.

Similarly, other Asian countries Thailand and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 1.5% and 24.2% of growth respectively. However, arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore have witnessed negative growth in the arrival figures by 45.5%, 24%, 26.1% and 28.1% respectively.

The European markets except for Denmark (6.7%), Switzerland (8.6%) and Sweden (3.3 %) registered negative growth in comparison to the same month last year.

A total of 25,166 foreign tourists departed from TIA in February 2009. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 43,448 while 41,579 Nepalese departed from TIA in February 2009.

Nepal's tourism promotion initiative captivates Australians News Release

Nepal's tourism promotion initiative captivates Australians News Release
February 26, 2009

Nepal, the land of unique cultures and amazing adventures, captured center stage among Australian Visitors in a Nepal Tourism Board's promotional programs in Australia. In the quest of increasing adventure travel trend and special interest in diverse Nepalese culture and adventure attractions of Australians, NTB participated in the Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo in Melbourne from 21-22 February 2009. Nepal's myriad adventure attractions, its brand 'naturally Nepal ..once is not enough, and Nepal Tourism Year 2011 were highlighted in the Expo.

The awareness about Nepal is quite high and travel response is quite encouraging. A very positive sign was the absolute lack of queries about the safety and security situation. Mr. Deepak. Raj Joshi, Sr officer, NTB, made destination presentation to the Expo visitors in separate talk programs.

The Nepal Sales Mission targeting the media and travel trade in Sydney was held on 25 February 2009 in cooperation with the Embassy of Nepal, Canberra to Australia. Addressing the packed audience of Australian travel trade and media fraternity, the Ambassador H. E Mr. Yogendra Dhakal highlighted the positive environment in Nepal for the holidaying tourist in the changed socio political context. He also emphasized the commitment of the Government of Nepal to facilitate and encourage more Australian Travelers to visit Nepal.

Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Director of Tourism Marketing-Nepal Tourism Board, made a destination presentation on Nepalese tourism attractions and the NTY2011. Queries raised by the audience were answered by HE Dhakal and Ms. Thapa. Mr. Peter Council, a representative of Amadablam P.Ltd. presented about his company products and tour packages to the Australian tour operators.

The Sales Mission was supported by Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. Accessibility between the two countries has improved through a number of airlines like Singapore/Silk Air, Thai Airways, Cathy/Dragon Air, etc.

After the very successful CA elections, declaration of a new Republic and the announcement of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 by the Government of Nepal, the Nepal Tourism Board is focusing on key tourism markets to reestablish the image of Nepal as an ideal and memorable holiday destination.

'Nepal Evening in Bangkok' for tourism promotion

'Nepal Evening in Bangkok' for tourism promotion
News Release
February 25, 2009

As a part of tourism promotional campaign in Thailand, Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) in coordination with the Nepal Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Nepal Airlines and Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents(NATTA) organized the Nepal Evening program on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Nepal Embassy in Bangkok Thailand. The program was attended by more than 50 prominent Thai travel trade and media persons and a delegation of Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents. The prime objective of the event was to update Thai travel trade and media on Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and current travel and tourism situations in Nepal.

Welcoming the invitees on the occasion, His Excellency Nepal's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Prof. Nabin Prakash Jung Shah appraised the present general scenario in Nepal. He assured the Thai invitees that subsequent to the peace agreement among the political forces and the election of Constituent Assembly, the environment is conducive for tourism activities and urged the Thai tour operators to promote Nepal and sell tour packages of Nepal to the potential Thai tourists. He pledged his personal as well as Nepal Embassy's full support and commitment in promoting Nepal as a tourist destination in Thailand.

During the program, Mr. Ram Kaji Koney, President of NATTA and head of the NATTA delegation, thanked the Thai counterparts and shed lights on the new packages and tourism products being offered by Nepali tour operators. He reiterated NATTA's conviction in making the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success and requested the Thai travel trade fraternity and media to pledge their support.

Speaking during program, Mr. Kashi Raj Bhandari, Director of Research, Planning and Monitoring the Department of Nepal Tourism Board updated the Thai invitees on the overall tourism scenario and Nepali tourism products. He highlighted the new initiatives in the tourism sector and stated that Nepal Tourism Board is geared to realize the target and objectives of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and urged the gathering to be part of the campaign. A destination presentation was made during the event with special focus on Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Similarly, Mr. Saroj Kasaju, Deputy Director of Nepal Airlines updated on their future fleet plan and asked the Nepali and Thai agents to support them in their effort to bring back its lost goodwill into the fore.

The Nepal Evening was co-ordinated by Mr. Sutham, Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board in Thailand. Mr. Arjun Kanta Mainali- Minister Counsellor at Nepal Embassy in Bangkok; Mr. Pradeep Karki and Mr. Upendra Khadka-Officials of Nepal Airlines and Nepal; Ms. Ranu Shah and Archana K.C. Rana-Officials of Nepal Tourism Board were also present at the occasion.

Interaction on Role of Women in Tourism organized in Pokhara Press Release

Interaction on Role of Women in Tourism organized in Pokhara Press Release
February 18, 2009

An interaction on 'Women mainstreaming in Tourism' was organized in Pokhara on February 18, 2009 to discuss the role of women in the tourism industry of Nepal commemorating the forthcoming Women's Day. Organised by Nepal Tourism Board, women from different walks of life coming from Kashi, Gorkha and Lamjung actively participated the interaction and sought their role in tourism in the present context.

Addressing the interaction Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami said that the women are the base of tourism industry in Nepal and their role should be redefined in the new Nepal. "Involvement of women in tourism will create sustainability in tourism and there should be good coordination among old and new women tourism entrepreneurs to increase the participation of women in tourism and to exchange their ideas and experience ", she said. Minister Yami further said that effort has been there to put tourism in Special Economic Zone which would help develop and promote tourism in places like Pokhara because it would provide special leverage to conduct business in that area. " History has given women an opportunity to improve their status and tourism industry is the where there is good opportunity and we should not miss it out."

Mrs. Ambika Shrestha, senior woman tourism entrepreneurs and managing director of Hotel Dwarika's, in her address, said that women must not ask for reservation but for equal right and opportunity. Sharing her four decade long experience in tourism, she said women have now become successful in many areas and told the participants to be the employer of the tourism business, not employee. Ms. Lucky Chettri of Three Sister Adventure Trekking said that there are exploitation of women in tourism but tourism could be a tool of poverty alleviation if women are given role to play in tourism. Giving the examples of a few successful women in Nepalese tourism, she said women do not need sympathy, they need education and opportunity. Another paper presenter, Ms. Jagan Gurung of Annapurna Conservation Area Project(ACAP)shared her two decade long experience in ACAP saying that women are still not the owner of tourism business despite their hard work running tea shop and house in trekking areas.

Ms. Brinda Hada, Secretary of Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare summing up the whole papers presented in the interaction said that over the last few years, many reforms were made to involve women in different strata of government machinery and other areas but in reality only 25% was implemented. She further said women must come out to get the benefit that system has given to them. "Tourism is one of the few areas that has good scope for women to develop," she said.

Mr. Agni Kandel, Board Member, Nepal Tourism Board and Mr. Bacchu Ram Tiwari, Presdisent of Pokhara Tourism Council also made comment on the role of women in tourism. Women participants requested Minister Yami to create favourable environment for women in tourism industry so that they could free compete with men.

In a press meet organized just after the interaction, Minister for Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami explained about role of women in new tourism policy. She also requested media to lobby for the promotion and development of Pokhara from their side.

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