Dolpa - At A Glance !

Dolpa - At A Glance !

The district lies completely on the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal and borders Mustang on the east, Myagdi, Rukum and Jajarkot in the south and Jumla and Mugu districts on the west, and the Tibet region of China on the north.
The district spans an altitudinal range of over 5,000 meters from a little over 1,500 meters at Tribeni in Kalika VDC to 7,381 meters at the summit of Churen Himal. Kanjiroba (6221m), Mukot (6638m) and Putha Hiunchuli (7246m) are other noted peaks. Physiographically the lesser ranges of the Great Himalayas constitute the southern border of the district. Between these and the border mountain ranges of Gautam Himal and Kanti Himal to the north Dolpa district is a maze of often wide glacial valleys and ridges. Kanjiroba Himal and Kagmara Lekh running north-west to south-east separate the valleys of the Jagdula in the west with the rest of the district.

Area: 7889 sq. km.

District Headquarters: Dunai

Population: 29545

Ethnicity: Hindu 60%, Buddhist 40% (including 5.5% ancient Bonpo Religion)

Altitude: 1525m from sea level upto 7754m variation

Climate: Himalayan; above the snow line, Alpine; found in Bhot region and high
mountain in the south; Cold temperature between 7000 and 13000 feet and sub temperate climate below 7000 feet.

Religion: Buddhists, Hindu, Bon and Shamanistic

Language: Nepali, Dolpo (Analogous to Tibetan with native dialects), Kaike (indigenous to the Tichurong valley of Dolpa)

Economic Occupations: 79.5% agriculture, 2% service

Nepal Captured Central Stage in TTF Chennai

Nepal Captured Central Stage in TTF Chennai

Nepal's participation in TTF 2008, India's largest Travel and Tourism Fair, in Chennai, received very cheering response amongst Indian visitors. The Fair, held on 18-20 January 2008, registered more than 10000 general visitors and about 650 travel trade.

Like TTF in Banglore, Nepal was projected as a partner country in Chennai too. With the participation of 8 Travel companies, Nepal was center of attraction in the Fair. Visitors had interestingly inquired the pilgrimage packages of Muktinath, Pashupatiunath, and Mt. Kailash and other soft adventure, leisure, and honeymoon offers. The local media were also briefed about special attractions of Nepalese Tourism and safety and security situation in Nepal by NTB Officials.

The fair was inaugurated on 18 January 2007 at Raja Muthiah and Rani Meyyammai Halls in the presence of Sr. Rajaram, Director Tourism of Tamilnadu .

TTF had provided a single roof opportunity to the visitors to make their travel plans, with options to gather information on various national and international destinations, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, adventure attractions, pilgrimage tours etc. A total of 140 inter/national exhibitors had showcased and sold their travel offers. With showcasing national and international destinations and giving a platform for customized packages on offer, TTF now is the largest Travel and Tourism fair of India.

Nepal's first time participation in Nordic Travel Fair MATKA 2008

Nepal's first time participation in Nordic Travel Fair MATKA 2008

Nepal Tourism Board along with four Nepalese private travel companies namely Mountain Adventure Trekking, Snowland Travel and Tours, Makalu Adventure and Sahara Worldwide Travels and Tours actively participated for the first time in Nordic Travel Fair Matka 2008, the biggest travel event in Nordic and Baltic region, held from January 17 to 20, 2008 in Helsinki, Finland.

Inaugurated by Dr. Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Government of Finland, the fair had good response from the tour operators and professionals on the first day specially those from nearby Estonia and St. Petersberg. The next three days were aimed at consumers, considering the trend of the Finnish travelers who normally shop around for the holiday destinations during winter. There were 1,100 exhibitors from 77 countries occupying the space of 16,000 sq. meters. Visited by 9178 tour operators and 85000 consumers, the fair showed an encouraging prospect of Nepalese tourism in Finnish as well as North European market.

A long feature article on Himalayas of Nepal and cultural heritage in the MATKA issue of Panorama magazine, written and edited by Mr. Reijo Harkonen, Honorary PRR for NTB, fetched good interest from quite a number of visitors in the Fair. In addition to that, another beautiful article published in "Helsingin Sanomat"- popular daily newspaper with the circulation of 450,000 - on the third day of the fair, January 19, 2008 about Annapurna trekking made the visitors even more curious about Nepal in general and trekking in particular. Inquiries about Nepal by the visitors were tremendous. According to the response of the visitors, they seemed more interested in trekking. Yet, other natural and cultural products have not lost any charm among the Finnish people.

There are more than 10 Nepalese Restaurants, very much well known among the locals, in Helsinki. Their observation about the Finnish people's interest about Nepal shows a great hope and prospect of the growth of Nepalese tourism in Finland. In fact, they can be very good platforms to increase the awareness about Nepal's diverse tourism attractions. The active Nepali diaspora in Finland have played a significant role in generating public awareness about Nepal and cultivating interests in them to visit Nepal.

Finland's national carrier Finn Air has published special fares for Helsinki/Delhi & Helsinki/Mumbai sectors for MATKA 2008 making it "Fast & Easy" travel to Nepal as well. Very soon they are going to come out with a special Pro Rata basis fare for Helsinki/KTM via Delhi. This definitely is a positive sign that supports NTB's first ever participation in Finland along with the Nepalese travel trade.

Nepal also take participate in TTF (Travel Tourism Fare)

Nepal also take participate in TTF (Travel Tourism Fare)

Chennai, Jan. 18 The Fairfest Media Limited today launched the 60th Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF)--'TTF Chennai 2008'-- in the city to provide 'single roof' opportunity to make travel plans across the globe.

Talking to newspersons here, Fairfest Media Limited Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Agarwal said "the three-day event will also provide the people with options to gather information on various national and international destinations, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, adventure tourism, theme parks, tour operators, travel agents, finance, insurance, airlines and railways and make bookings on the spot".

"It will also help prospective business and leisure travelers to discuss and finalise customised plans, tailored to suit their budget and individual needs and interests," he added.

He said the event would also provide an opportunity for the travel trade visitors from the city and the state to meet and do business with over 140 exhibitors from India and abroad.

TTF had participation from six countries, including partner country Nepal, feature countries such as Egypt, Malaysia and Hong Kong, also including Dubai and Thailand as the other participants. Most of the state government departments were participating along with private sector hoteliers and operators from their respective states.

Mr Agarwal pointed out that among the new additions in the TTF was the first time participation by Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra.

"TTF 2008 Chennai is about 20 per cent bigger than last year in terms of exhibition space and the number of exhibitors," he said, adding "about 1,000 travel trade and 10,000 general visitors are expected to visit the exhibition."

Air Arabia sets up new hub in Nepal

Air Arabia sets up new hub in Nepal

Air Arabia, a major low-cost carrier (LCC), will establish a new hub in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.

The new hub will provide the Sharjah-based LCC with a platform from which to serve markets stretching across South and Central Asia, the Far East, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, it said.

This announcement follows the signing of a joint venture agreement between Air Arabia and Yeti Airlines, the market leader in domestic air travel in Nepal and approval from Nepal Government’s Department of Industries (DOI).

Under the terms of the agreement, Air Arabia and Yeti Airlines will jointly establish a new low-cost carrier, based in Kathmandu that will provide affordable and convenient service to a broad range of international destinations.

Air Arabia, a major shareholder in the new company, will apply its successful low-cost business model to the management of Nepal’s first international LCC. The new carrier is expected to begin operations with Inaugural flight taking off to Sharjah before the end of this month (January 2008), followed by operations to selected destinations in India as well as to Doha and Kuala Lampur in Malaysia.

“This is an enormously significant agreement for Air Arabia, and an extremely timely one,” said Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia.

“As we set our sights on global expansion, we remain focused on youthful, fast-growing markets where the opportunities for growth are greatest. Nepal, with a population of 29 million and a median age of just 20, is clearly among them. In this regard, we are especially pleased to join efforts with Yeti Airlines, which has nearly a decade of experience serving this market and unmatched management expertise.

“With this new hub in Nepal, Air Arabia will cover a new niche market, while continuing to offer the level of superior service that has made us one of the premier airlines in the Middle East,” he added. “From Sharjah to Kathmandu, Air Arabia offers unmatched reach, and is now positioned to become one of the leading low-cost carriers in the world. – TradeArabia News Service

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sindhuli Festival
Date: 9-15 Jan, 08
Venue: Sindhulimadi, Sindhuli
Organizer: Sindhuli Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact: 977-47-520609

Barun Festival
Date: 13-15 Jan, 08
Venue: Hatiya, Sankhuwasabha
Organizer: District Development Committee, Sankhuwasabha
Contact: 977-29-560144

Industrial Exhibition & Tourism Festival
Date: 27 Dec 07-6 Jan 08
Venue: Butwal
Organizer: Rupandehi Industry Association
Contact: 977-71-540046
Website: www.rianepal.org.np

Gorkha Festival
Date: 4-8 Jan, 08
Venue: Gorkha
Organizer: Gorkha Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact: 977-64-420156

Ratnanagar Festival
Date: 11-19 Jan, 08
Venue: Ratnanagar, Chitwan
Organizer: Ratnanagar Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact: 977-56-560448
Website: www.rcci.org.np

Tharu Maghi Festival
Date: 15 Jan, 08
Venue: Terai Region of Nepal
Organizer: Tharu Community

Makar Sankranti Utsav
Date: 15 Jan, 08
Venue: Baidhyanathkshetra, Achham
Organizer: Baidhyanathkshetra Bikas Sastha, Achham

Ruru Festival
Date: 15-21 Jan, 08
Venue: Ridibazar, Gulmi
Organizer: Ruru Friends Club, Ridi, Gulmi
Contact:977-71-694602

Paragliding Championship
Date: 19-21 Jan, 08
Venue: Pokhara
Organizer: Trekking Agents Association of Nepal-Western Regional Chapter
Contact: 977-61-527033

Urlabari Festival
Date: 23 Jan-2 Feb, 08
Venue: Urlabari, Morang
Organizer: Urlabari Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact:977-21-540107

Banke Festival
Date: 25 Jan-3 Feb, 08
Venue: Nepalgunj
Organizer: Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact: 977-81-520365