Nepal Tourism News

TAAN to hold 34th AGM on August 30
Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is holding its 34th annual general meeting (AGM) in Kathmandu on August 30. A recent meeting of TAAN executive committee decided to hold the AGM at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg. The meeting will hold discussion on annual progress report presented by General Secretary Mohan Lamsal and financial report presented by Treasurer Anjan Kumar Thapa for fiscal year 2068/69. Similarly, it will hold discussions and endorse policy and programs and estimated budget for fiscal year 2069/70. The meeting will also appoint auditor for the fiscal year 2069/70 and make amendment to the TAAN Statute as proposed by the executive committee.

Tanzania Safari Safaris Tanzania Safaris-intanzania.com offering travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari, Holidays Tours to Tanzania and African adventure to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous, Zanzibar beach, and Kilimanjaro Climbing.

Kenya Safari Tours Budget and luxury safari holidays in Kenya. Kenya camping and mountain climbing trips.
TAAN team completes Dolpo exploration
A team of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) returned to Kathmandu on August 8 after completing 24-day exploration of the Dolpo Region. The team led by TAAN President Mahendra Singh Thapa comprised of report writer, cartographer, videographer and photographer along with support staff. The team entered Dolpa via Jumla airport and progressed through Chharka, Phoksundo, Shey Gumba, Sallaghari, Kangla Pass, Saldang, Dho Tarap, Narpani, Tarako and Duani before flying by to Kathmandu from Juphal airport.

“This trip was focused more on studying the condition of existing trails rather than developing new routes,” President Thapa said, adding that they would recommend the government to lower permit fee to the area so that more trekkers visit the Dolpo region. “This will help uplift socio-economic status of people living in the area.” Thapa also said they had to enter Dolpo region via Jumla because flights to Juphal airstrip from Nepalgunj were cancelled due to bad weather. “Jumla can be the gateway to Dolpo because it has blacktopped airstrip that can be operated round the year. If it is not possible to fly to Dolpa, we can enter the region via Jumla,” added Thapa. He also said the dirt road between Jumla and Dolpa can be one of the best places in Nepal for mountain biking. According to Thapa, TAAN will prepare maps, updated itinerary and a documentary to promote trekking and adventure tourism in Dolpa.

TAAN together with SNV Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is planning to develop existing trails in Dolpo into GHT Cultural Circuit.

The association has been organizing exploration treks in different parts of the country over the past year. It has already explored Kanchanjunga Region, Lower Manaslu and Ganesh Himal Area. It is planning to organize similar exploration trip to Humla within a couple of months.

Tourist arrivals up 9% in July
Total tourist arrivals in Nepal via air increased by 9.2 percent in July, compared to arrival figures in the same period last year.

According to statistics compiled by Tribhuvan International Airport and released by Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 38,453 tourists entered the country through air route during the review month. Arrivals from the South Asia region gained overall positive growth of 18.3 percent with mixed performance. Number of visitors from India and Pakistan increased by 24.3 percent and 27.1 percent respectively, whereas arrivals from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka declined by 34.2 percent and 44.6 percent respectively.

Visitor arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia region) also recorded positive growth of 8.5 percent with China 27.2 percent, Japan 28.4 percent and Malaysia 19.4 percent posting healthy growth rates. However, arrivals from Singapore, South Korea and Thailand declined by 23.2 percent, 9.1 percent and 58 percent respectively.

From long-haul markets, Europe registered overall positive growth of 5 percent with major source markets showing positive trend. While visitor arrivals from Denmark (35.1 percent), Germany (43.7 percent), France (7.8 percent), the Netherlands (5.1 percent) and Spain (3.5 percent) recorded positive growth, number of visitors from the UK, Italy and Belgium were down by 5.6 percent, 14.9 percent and 2.1 percent respectively.

Likewise, arrivals from Canada and the US also registered positive growth of 9.2 percent and 4.5 percent respectively. Though number of visitors from Australia dropped by 5.4 percent, visitor arrivals from New Zealand grew by 50.6 percent during the month.
Total arrivals over the first seven months of 2012 increased by 18.5 percent to 332,472 compared to arrival figures in the same period of 2011.

Now support staff mandatory for trekkers
Tourists traveling to any trekking destination will have to take at least a support staff (porter or guide) with them from September. Government officials say the decision has been taken for the safety of tourists.

According to a recent policy decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, tourists, who want to trek solo in Nepal, must hire at least a porter or a guide. Trekkers traveling in groups are already required to take the service of government registered trekking agencies.

Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) has welcomed the decision and urged the government to include the decision in the Tourism Act for effective implementation. “The decision will help promote Nepal as a safe destination for tourists at a time when international media are questioning the safety of foreigners in Nepal,” Mohan Lamsal, general secretary of TAAN, said.

Recent murder of a Belgian trekker in Langtang National Park along with some other cases of disappearance of trekkers have created negative image of Nepal in international market, according to Lamsal. Rana Bahadur Khadka, first vice-president of TAAN, said the new policy decision means all trekkers will have to take the service of government registered trekking agencies. He said this will control illegal operation of trekking business.

According to trekking operators, the new policy change will increase budget of FITs by only around $10 per day. “This is a very nominal amount and it won´t affect tourist arrivals,” Anjan Thapa, treasurer of TAAN, said. The Ministry of Home Affairs had taken the decision earlier this month following mounting pressure from tourism entrepreneurs, diplomatic missions and kin of missing tourists.

Map reading training for trekking guides
Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) recently organized a two-day map reading training for trekking guides. A total of 25 participants from different member agencies of TAAN participated in the training. Theoretical class of the training was held at TAAN Secretariat, Maligaun while the practical classes were conducted at Kakani. Theoretical class was held at TAAN Secretariat and practical classes were taken in Kakani. The classes were taken by Kaji Thapa. According to Krishna Hari Khatri, coordinator of Human Resource & Training Department of TAAN, the training was organized to enhance knowledge of trekking guides. “I am hopeful that this training will be of great help to trekking guides who take groups to different rural areas in the country,” he added.

TAAN has been organizing various trainings and orientation programs trekking guides, support staff and staff members of members agencies in a bid to enhance their professionalism

One more Nepali peak in eight-thousander list

One more Nepali mountain has made it to the list of eight-thousander list if a study by Chinese scientists is anything to go by. A study carried out by Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences puts Annapurna East (8,013m) in the elite group of mountains. Two more mountains – Mount Center (8,011m) along the borders between China and Kashmir and Mount West Shishapangma (8,008m) in Tibet – have also made it to the eight-thousander list, according to the study. The new additions mean the number of mountains exceeding 8,000 meters has reached 17. According to Xinhua, Chinese scientists have completed mapping out all the 17 mountains with the height of more than 8,000 meters above the sea level. They are expected to publish their findings in a book "World Eight-thousander Snow Mountain Atlas" soon. The atlas, which includes seven 1:100000 maps, will be published both in Chinese and English. It will provide theoretical evidence to the glacier research and give detailed mapping materials to the mountaineers, said Mi Desheng, researcher at the institute.

Tourist arrivals grow 9.2 percent in May

Tourists arrivals to Nepal via air in the month of May recorded a growth of 9.2 percent, despite reported cancellation of bookings by tourists because of banda and political instability. According to statistics maintained by Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Immigration Office and disseminated by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 42,820 foreign tourists entered the country in May through TIA. South Asia maintained a sustained growth of 13.9 percent during the month due to growth from India, whose arrivals increased by 16.1 percent to 20,138 as compared to May, 2011. Arrivals from Sri Lanka increased by 6 percent, while number of Bangladeshi tourists increased nominally by 1.1 percent. However, arrivals from Pakistan declined by 32.5 percent. China – one of the fastest markets for Nepal – recorded a growth of 10.2 percent in May, compared to arrival figures recorded in the same month of 2011. Arrivals from Japan (26.8 percent) and Malaysia (31 percent) also increased during the month. But number of tourists from South Korea, Singapore and Thailand dropped during the review period. Number of European tourists recorded an overall positive growth of 8.3 percent during the month. Arrivals from UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Russia and Czech Republic increased by 9.2 percent, 17.9 percent, 11.2 percent, 8.5 percent, 5.1 percent, 104.1 percent, 24.8 percent and 41.2 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Switzerland, Italy, Norway and Austria have declined marginally as compared to the same month last year. Arrivals from US and Australia increased by 12.3 percent and 9 percent respectively during the month, according to Nepal Tourism Board

TAAN cleans up Langtang area

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) cleaned up two popular trekking trails in Langtang Region on the occasion of World Environment Day.

TAAN deployed two separate teams to clean up Dhunche to Goasainkunda trail and Dhunche to Kyanjin Gomba trail. Before deploying the team, TAAN conducted a press meet in Dhunche – the district headquarters of Rasuwa district – in the presence of CDO of Rasuwa and chiefs of other government offices, local clubs and media persons to inform them about the cleanup campaign.

The first team left for Kyanjin Gomba from Dhunche on June 5. The team that comprised of TAAN staff, representative of TAAN member agencies, students, journalists and porters reached Kanjin Gomba on June 7 via Thulo Syabru and Ghoda Tabela. The team collected plastic and glass bottles, wrappers of biscuits and chocolates and brought them back to Dhunche. Approximately three quintals of garbage have been brought to Kathmandu. The team also conducted awareness programs on cleanliness in coordination with local Aaama Samuha (women’s group)

The other team left for the holy Gosainkunda Lake on June 5. The team comprised of 21 persons including TAAN staff, representative of TAAN member agencies, students, and porters reached Gosainkunda on June 7 via Chandanbari and Lauri Bina. Though the team found the trails relatively cleaner, it found wrappers of biscuits, chocolates, cans, plastic and glass bottles, discarded undergarments in and around the holy lake. It has brought down around two quintals of garbage to Kathmandu.
TAAN will sort the garbage and manage bio-degradable garbage on its own. It plans to hand over non-degradable waste to Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Ganesh Himal Exploration Begins

A 30-member team led by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) embarked on the exploration of Ganesh Himal area in Dhading district on June 12.
The exploration began from Gatlang in Rasuwa and will head toward Somdang, Pansang Danda, Tipling, Shertung, Hindung, Bochyat and Chhumlo Danda before reaching Kalo-Seto Daha. From Kalo-Seto Daha, the trek descends to Bochyat, Tatopani, Lapa, Jharling and Darkha Phedi from where the team will take a bus to Dhading Besi – the ending point of the trek.

The team is jointly led by Rajendra Prasad Subedi and Saroj Neupane – the executive members of TAAN. The exploration is being supported by Dhading DDC and Ganesh Himal Tourism Development Committee (GHTDC). Along with trekking staff, the team has media persons, videographer/photographer, cartographer and representatives of GHTDC. The team will identify new trekking trails, and produce maps, brochures and promotional DVDs of the new trekking trail.

Before the team embarked on the exploration trip, TAAN on June organized an interaction on tourism development of Ganesh Himal area in Dhading besi. Dhading CDO Bed Prasad Sharma graced the interaction as chief guest. Chiefs of government offices, local representatives of all the political parties and media persons participated in the interaction. All the participants stressed the need to exploit tourism potentials of Ganesh Himal area to trigger socio-economic development in the northern reaches of the district. The interaction was chaired by Anjan Thapa, treasurer of TAAN.

NRB to issue NTY 2011 coins

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is issuing special commemorative coins for Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 campaign. The central bank will issue two coins of Rs 1,000 and Rs 50 denominations once its proposal is approved by the cabinet.

The coin of Rs 1,000 denomination will be of silver, while the Rs 50 coin will be of cupronickel (alloy of copper and silver).

The NRB is issuing 1,000 units of silver coins and 10,000 units of cupronickel coins as per the request of NTY Program Implementation Committee. The coins will bear the logo of NTY 2011 campaign.

NRB had issue coins of Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 10 denominations during Visit Nepal Year 1998. But the coins were published as per the regular minting procedures.

TAAN celebrates Lhosar with great fanfare

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) celebrated Lhosar festival – the New Year festival of different ethnic communities – by organizing TAAN Lhosar Dinner on March 17.

Cultural programs, comedy performance by Jire Khursani Group and performances by popular singers were the major attractions of the program. Participants of the program were seen exchanging Khadas and wishing their friends and families.

The program saw the participation of government officials, representatives of different travel trade associations and industry people, among others, executive committee members of TAAN and TAAN member agencies.

TAAN has been organizing the program every year.

TAAN delegation meets Tourism minister

A delegation of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) led by first vice president Bachhu Narayan Shrestha paid a courtesy call on newly appointed Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma.

The delegation congratulated Minister Bishwakarma for assuming the office at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and apprised him of the problems that Nepali tourism industry, especially the trekking sector, has been facing. Some of the issues raised by the delegation were mismanagement at Tribhuvan International Airport, especially the domestic terminal, restrictions on Upper Mustang and Manaslu, among others.

Shrestha also informed the Minister about different activities being carried out by TAAN for identification and promotion of new trekking areas. The delegation also solicited positive support and cooperation from the government in its programs and activities.

Second Vice President Mahendra Singh Thapa, Secretary Nima Dorjee Sherpa, Executive Member Ramesh Dhamala and Machhindra Acharya of TAAN Media Center were also in the delegation.

Four Nepali women to attempt Annapurna IV
Four Nepali women are planning to summit Mt Annapurna IV (7,525) this spring.The Nepali Women Annapurna Expedition 2001 will try to put Nirma Rai of Solukhumbu, Muna Gurung of Manang, Saraswati BK of Kaski and Shantikala Rai of Solukhumbu to the summit of Mt Annapurna IV.

The expedition is jointly organized by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara Chapter, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Annapurna Chapter and Pokhara-based Empowerment of Women Nepal (EWN).

At a press meet organized at TAAN Secretariat in Kathmandu on March 14, the women mountaineers said they were all prepared for the summit.

"All of us have been working as a trekking guide for the past many years. We've also taken rock climbing and ice climbing training at both home and abroad. We are all prepared for the summit," said Nirma Rai.
The expedition will begin from Manang in the second week of April and the women expect to reach the summit within 30 or 40 days.

"This expedition is not just a step ahead in empowerment of Nepalese women. It will also be crucial to increase the number of women trekkers and mountaineers to the Annapurna Region," said Dr Ganesh Gurung, former member of National Planning Commission and the coordinator of the expedition.

Tendi Sherpa, a mountaineering instructor and an accomplished mountaineer, will be the guide of the expedition.

The total budget of the expedition is estimated at around Rs 5.6 million. The expedition is supported by a number of national and international associations and leaders of different political parties.

Call to declare Bhotekoshi River a protected area,

Tourism entrepreneurs have demanded the government to develop Bhotekoshi River a protected area and promote it as a destination for water-based tourism activities. Bhotekoshi is regarded as one of the best destinations for water excursions.

Speaking at an interaction on ´Importance of Bhotekoshi River in the Development of Tourism´ organized recently in Sindhupalchowk district, they expressed concerns over construction of dams, haphazard sand excavations and pollution, and demanded that the government declare Bhotekoshi River a protected area.

Mahendra Singh Thapa, vice-president of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), said the river was fast getting polluted due to open sewage and uncontrolled sand mining at different places along the river. "Rafting and kayaking activities in the river will be affected if the river is polluted and distorted," he added.

Nanikaji Thapa, president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), Bhotekoshi River holds immense prospects for rafting and kayaking activities."We have to develop Bhotekoshi as a hub for water adventure with joint efforts from the government and private sector during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011," Thapa added.

Similarly, Megh Ale, president of Bhotekoshi Protection Campaign and a water tourism entrepreneur, stressed on the need to develop Bhotekoshi as a tourist destination as it can attract a lot of visitors, creating income opportunities for locals.

AOAN asks govt to review airfare,

Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has requested the government to increase fare on different air routes. Issuing a press statement on Jan 31, the association of private carriers in the country drew the attention of the concerned government authority to review airfare at the earliest.

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) reviews airfare every two years taking into consideration components like fuel cost and maintenance cost among others.

“Airline operators are facing financial burden as the airfare hasn´t been review for the last five years,” the statement added.

MoTCA had formed a taskforce to review airfare in the first week of November. It was asked to submit report within two months.

"The taskforce formed about 3 months ago has yet to submit its report to the government,” AOAN source said, adding, “Except for the fuel surcharge, there has been no increment in airfare in the last five years.” He further informed that fuel cost, cost of maintenance, insurance, landing and parking fees and lease tax have gone up remarkably during the period.

The government allows airlines to increase surcharge only if the price of aviation fuel increases by at least Rs 4 per liter.

Nepal to host PATA Adventure Travel Mart 2011,

Nepal is hosting the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Adventure Travel Mart and Responsible Tourism Conference 2011. Nepal was selected host for the event as the country is celebrating the year 2011 as Nepal Tourism Year.

The four-day event will be organized at Fulbari Resort & Spa in Pokhara from Feb 7.

The event is expected to bring together people involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism and create new opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability within the industry, PATA said in a statement.

"Located in the western region, in the lap of the magnificent 6993 m high Mt Machhapuchhre and with Lake Fewa serenely shining right in the middle of the city, Pokhara attracts thousands of tourists every year. The seven big and small lakes in the vicinity also give the name Lake City to Pokhara and serves to make it one of the most idyllic tourist destinations in Nepal," PATA has described Pokhara in the statement.

Nepal had also hosted PATA Adventure Travel Mart and Responsible Tourism Conference 2010.

China Southern doubles Nepal flights

China Southern Airlines has doubled its flights to and from Kathmandu amid increasing demands for air seats. The airline will now fly six times a week. The airline has added three more flights per week from Jan 23. The airline will now fly on Guangzhou-Kathmandu-Guangzhou route every day except on Tuesdays.

The increase in flight frequency is expected to bring more tourists to the country as a wide range of domestic network and also international network in countries like South Korea, Japan, Australia and various European nations.

Airline sources said rising demand for air tickets and Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign encouraged them to raise flight frequency.

Another Chinese carrier – China Eastern – resumed its Nepal flights a couple of weeks ago. The airline links Kathmandu with Chinese city of Kunming.

Air Arabia claims $1m compensation from govt

Air Arabia has sought $1million as compensation from the government to recoup loss that it incurred due to cancellation of its Kathmandu-Malaysia flights at the eleventh hour.

The government had allowed Air Arabia to enjoy fifth-freedom rights and operate flight on Kathmandu-Malaysia route. However, it directed the airline to postpone its flights due to mounting pressure from all quarters.

The UAE-based budget carrier sent a letter to Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation through its general sales agent (GSA) City Express International Travels on Jan 24, demanding $1 million in compensation.

The International Relations and Human Rights Committee of the parliament and Nepal Airlines Corporation had protested the decision to provide fifth freedom rights to the airline.

Mountain film festival from Dec 9

Himal Association is organizing the 8th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) in Kathmandu from December 9-13. A total of 62 films from 35 countries covering a wide array of issues, including conflict, culture, climbing, wildlife, environment, globalization, gender, development and lifestyle, will be screened at the City Hall and the Nepal Tourism Board, according to the association. Twenty films will be screened in the international competition category, 36 in the international non-competitive category, and six films in Nepal Panorama category.

The top three films in the international competitive category will receive cash awards of $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively. A three-member jury comprising British climber and author Terry Gifford, Chinese filmmaker Li Wenming and British climber David Durkan
will judge the best films.

The event will also feature other programs including a photo exhibition "Manang: 30 Years After" by Czech photographers Michal Thoma and Zdenek Thoma and slide presentation/lecture, film-making workshop, animation workshop and alternative book exhibition, among others.

Elephant Polo championship begins in Meghauli

The 29th Elephant Polo Chamionship 2010 kicked off at the Meghauli ground in Chitwan district on November 29. A total eight teams are particpating in the annual event.

The event was organised in Bardiya National Park last year after the government directed hotels and restaurants to vacate national parks due to widlife security problem.

The championship is organised every year by Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge and Weold Elephant Polo Association.

Participating teams this year are National Park Team Nepal, Tiger Tops, Tusker Iceland, Pokka Chukka, British Gurkhas and teams from Scotland, UAE and Afghanistan are participating in the event.

The final will be played on December 5, according to the organisers.

Buddha Air to begin Lucknow flights from Jan

Buddha Air is starting its flight to Indian city of Lucknow from January 7. It will be the airline's second international destination after Paro, Bhutan.

The airline will fly Lucknow three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Friday with 47-seater ATR-42 aircraft. But the airline will use 72-seater ATR aircraft depending on the demand. It has fixed Rs 5,600 (excluding tax) as the one way fare.

Buddha Air is also planning to introduce flights to other Indian cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, Patna, Varansi, Gorakhpur and Deharadun in the near future.

The revised Air Service Agreement (ASA) with INdia allows private carriers of both the countries to start cross-border flights to make air travel cheaper.

TAAN AGM on Sept 29

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is holding its 32nd Annual general meeting (AGM) in Kathmandu.

AGM holds discussions on burning issues in the trekking industry and endorse the annual progress report of general secretary and annual financial report of treasurer. TAAN – the umbrella organizations of over 750 trekking agencies in the country – has been working to create environment conducive for trekking industry for the last three decades.

Miss Nepal appointed brand ambassador for NTY 2011

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 National Coordination Committee has appointed Miss Nepal Sadichha Shrestha as the brand ambassador for Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign.

The 19-year-old lass from Kathmandu was crowned Miss Nepal 2010 on September 1. She will represent Nepal in Miss World 2010 pageant to be held in Sanya in December. She has also been appointed conservation ambassador of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal.

Shrestha will help promote Nepal and NTY 2011 campaign in international forums that she will participate, according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Spicejet starting Nepal flights from October

India’s budget carrier Spicejet is starting flights on New Delhi-Kathmandu route from October 7. Kathmandu will be Spicejet’s first international destination.

Zenith Travels, the general sales agents of Spicejet in Nepal, informed that Spicejet would be the first Indian budget carrier to spread its wings to the international sky. The airline is likely to fix Kathmandu-New Delhi airfare at IRs 1,499. It further informed that the airline will fly six times a week on the route.
Spicejet is also flying to Colombo of Sri Lanka from October 9. It will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft for the international flights. A few months ago, Spicejet placed order for 30 Boeing aircraft to increase
its fleet size to 58 aircraft.

Meanwhile, national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation is planning to restart flight on Kathmandu-New Delhi route after September 15. NAC has halted New Delhi flights after its aircraft was grounded due to its faulty gear last month.

Oman Air begins Nepal flights

Oman Air, the national flag carrier of Sultanate of Oman, started scheduled flights on Muscat-Kathmandu route from 2 September. Kathmandu is Oman Air’s 40th destination. The new flight is expected to bring more tourists from the Gulf countries along with expansion of trade and investment in Nepal.

The airline with operate Boeing 737-700 aircraft with business and economy class seat configuration. Apart from flight to Omani capital Muscat, the airline will offer easy connections to other destinations like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai in the UAE and other destinations in West Asia and Europe, according to Amarabati Travels – the GSA of Oman Air.

The airline currently operates direct flights between Muscat and major Gulf destinations like Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Kuwait. It has been flying to 10 destinations in India.

Arrivals up 24 pc in August

Tourist arrivals to Nepal via air in the month of August have increased by 24.3 percent compared to the arrival figures of same period last year.

According to the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport, a total of 34,415 tourists arrived in Nepal in August.

The arrivals from South Asian region have gained overall positive growth of 34.9 percent with Bangladesh (51.6 percent), India (35.1 percent) and Sri Lanka (57 percent), registering positive growth.

Visitor arrivals from Pakistan, however, declined by 20.2 percent. “The robust growth of 20 percent has been observed in the arrivals from South Asian region during the first eight months this year in comparison with the same period last year,” Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said in a statement.

The arrivals from Asian countries (other than South Asian region) have maintained the upward trend with the region recording double digit growth of 27.7 percent. The arrivals from China registered a
substantial growth of 68.3 percent.

Similarly, arrivals from Malaysia increased by 85.7 percent and South Korea by 28.6 percent. However, Japan, Singapore and Thailand have declined by 5.3 percent, 32.9 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.
Markets in Europe registered overall positive growth of 18.9 percent with the arrivals from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden and the UK increasing by 2.6 percent, 22.3
percent, 18.1 percent, 41 percent, 101.3 percent, 106.6 percent, 15 percent, 71 percent and 15.5 percent, respectively.

The figures also show increasing trend in the visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand with a growth of 16.8 percent and 28.1 percent. The arrivals from the US have registered positive growth of
16.8 percent while Canada posted negative growth of 17.8 percent.

TAAN Pokhara gets new panel

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara Chapter on August 1 unanimously elected a new executive body under the leadership of Som Bahadur Thapa of Trek & Climb.

Hira Bahadur KC of Sisne Rover Trekking, Bhoj Kumar Shrestha of Down in Nepal, Narayan Prasad Sapkota of Ridge Trail, Ram Chandra Sharma of Blue Planet and Dambar Adhikari of Line Up Trekking have been elected as 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, secretary, treasurer and joint secretary respectively.

The annual general meeting held at Kailash Mountain Resort elected Pasang G Sherpa of Himalaya Journeys, Dharmendra Kumar Bataju of Hillsway Trekking, Dharma Thapa of Harmony Trek, Hari Bhujel of Peace Eye Trek, Biswho Raj Adhikari of Amrit Trekking and Dikki Adhikari of 3 Sisters Trekking as members in the executive committee.

The new team will perform responsibilities for a period of two years.

Tanzania Safari Safaris Tanzania Safaris-intanzania.com offering travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari, Holidays Tours to Tanzania and African adventure to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous, Zanzibar beach, and Kilimanjaro Climbing.

Older Post in Blogs