SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 30 -
Travel agents are reporting an increase in outbound bookings as Nepalis get bitten by the travel bug during the Dashain holidays. In addition, tour packages have become more affordable and disposable incomes have swelled leading more Nepalis to seek adventure in faraway lands.
Most of the bookings are for tour packages to Bangkok followed by Malaysia and Singapore. However, tour operators said that bookings for trips to other destinations such as Dubai, Mauritius, Switzerland, Japan, Egypt, China and some European destination were growing.
Neeli Shah, outbound executive of Malla Travels and Treks, said that although Thailand was the most popular destination for Nepali fun seekers, enquiries for other new destinations were on the rise.
President Travel & Tours is also receiving inquiries for other destinations apart from Thailand and Malaysia, mainly due to simplification of visa procedures by European countries.
Sabina Nagarkoti, tour sales executive of President Travels, said that they had already sold more than 100 packages for Bangkok, more than 25 for Malaysia and more than 35 packages to Singapore for October. "Tour sales are encouraging this festive season compared to the last one," she added.
Marco Polo Travels that deals in tours to Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt and China has already sold 60 packages to Bangkok, 40 each to Malaysia and Singapore. "We have also sold five-six packages to Egypt for this Dashain," said Prajita Satyal, sales executive of Marco Polo Travels. Last year, the agency sold over 500 packages.
According to travel agencies, people want to get away from their daily routine here. Moreover, the packages offer what they want. A wide range of amusement available in different places are attracting Nepali travellers.
Amogh Shakya, chief executive officer of Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours, said that tour packages to China were encouraging this season. "We have sold 30-32 packages to China." The agency also sold 10 packages to Europe this season.
Lalit Mandap Travels has sold over 64 packages to Thailand, and over 20 combined packages to Malaysia and Singapore.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the number of Nepali holidaymakers visiting foreign countries increased by 26 percent to 27,679 in 2009 from 21,899 in 2008.
Changing lifestyles of the younger generation combined with simplified visa procedures and easy availability of tour packages have spurred Nepalis to travel and see the world, said travel agents.
An expanding middle class in Nepal is another reason for the growth in outbound. A recent report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) entitled "The Rise of Asia's Middle Class" said that there were 1.41 million people in Nepal earning US$ 4-10 per day. Similarly, 230,000 Nepalis earn US$ 10-20 per day and 100,000 people make more than US$ 20 per day.
Marco Polo Travels
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 10,252 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 15,884
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,440
Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours
Destination: Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (combined)
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 142,000 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 8 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 69,900 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Europe
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: deluxe three star
Price: Rs. 295,000 (all-inclusive)
Malla Travels &Treks
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 13,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Dubai
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,000 to 15,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Mauritius
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 16,245 (excluding airfare)
President Travel & Tours
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 11,999 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,500 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 2 nights 3 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 12,000 (excluding airfare)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Airlines add flights to handle Dashain rush
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 28 -
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and other domestic carriers are adding special flights during Dashain to cater to the increased number of travellers during the festive season.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), NAC has been permitted to operate 71 additional flights while Tara Air’s application to add 13 flights is being processed. A CAAN official said that airlines usually apply to increase their frequency during the Dashain and Tihar holidays.
“Long-haul routes have adequate surface transportation services, and the additional flights will fulfil the needs of travellers going to remote areas,” said Ram Dinesh Lal Karna, manager at the CAAN flights permission section.
Tara Air currently operates two flights weekly between Kathmandu and Lamidanda, Phaplu, Rumjatar and Ramechhap. The carrier has asked for two additional flights to each destination. Tara flies once a week between Nepalgunj and Simikot, Dolpa, Bajura, Rara and Jumla in the far west sector and has applied to double the frequency.
“CAAN will be closed during the festivals and Tribhuvan International Airport will deal with applications to operate extra flights,” Karna added. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air said that seats on the major trunk routes were almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
In response to the rush, Buddha Air said that it would be adding one flight on each sector. Yeti Airlines plans to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand.
Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain crowds. Guna Airlines has decided to add three flights
on the eastern sector for Dashain. The carrier also plans to start
operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. The major reason behind the scarcity of air seats is that a number of domestic airlines have been out of service for a couple of years.
KATHMANDU, SEP 28 -
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and other domestic carriers are adding special flights during Dashain to cater to the increased number of travellers during the festive season.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), NAC has been permitted to operate 71 additional flights while Tara Air’s application to add 13 flights is being processed. A CAAN official said that airlines usually apply to increase their frequency during the Dashain and Tihar holidays.
“Long-haul routes have adequate surface transportation services, and the additional flights will fulfil the needs of travellers going to remote areas,” said Ram Dinesh Lal Karna, manager at the CAAN flights permission section.
Tara Air currently operates two flights weekly between Kathmandu and Lamidanda, Phaplu, Rumjatar and Ramechhap. The carrier has asked for two additional flights to each destination. Tara flies once a week between Nepalgunj and Simikot, Dolpa, Bajura, Rara and Jumla in the far west sector and has applied to double the frequency.
“CAAN will be closed during the festivals and Tribhuvan International Airport will deal with applications to operate extra flights,” Karna added. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air said that seats on the major trunk routes were almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
In response to the rush, Buddha Air said that it would be adding one flight on each sector. Yeti Airlines plans to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand.
Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain crowds. Guna Airlines has decided to add three flights
on the eastern sector for Dashain. The carrier also plans to start
operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. The major reason behind the scarcity of air seats is that a number of domestic airlines have been out of service for a couple of years.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thailand, Malaysia potential markets for Jumla apples
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 23 -
Organic apples from Jumla may find a market in Thailand and Malaysia. With demand for Jumla’s A grade organic apples picking up in the domestic market, traders are now looking for export opportunities.
SNV, the Netherlands’s development organization which is running an improved apple production and marketing project in Jumla, said that Thailand and Malaysia were potential foreign markets for Nepali organic apples.
SNV Nepal, the District Agricultural Development Office in Jumla, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Vision are helping the farmers to improve production and marketing. In 2007, Jumla declared itself an organic district.
In 2007/08 apples were grown on 548 hectares and production was estimated at 5,425 tons. However, only about 100-150 tons were shipped out by air.
“Three apple cooperatives have already been organic certified according to the national organic guidelines; however, if they could get international certification, export opportunities would increase,” said Rik van Keulen, sector leader of Small Holder Cash Crops SNV Nepal.
Lack of transportation and marketing is the main reason why apple growers in Jumla have not been able to benefit as much as they could.
Presently, apples are being grown on 1,500 hectares. And although the harvest has just started, more than 2,000 tons of apples have been picked.
“Before 2009, these apples were hardly marketable due to various reasons,” Keulen said. Apple farmers were not organized, and they received the very low price of Rs. 10 per kg before. In 2009, three apple cooperatives united and bargained for better prices. All these efforts have increased price from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30 per kg.
Because of this success, nine apple cooperatives have united under the District Cooperative Federation and have signed a contract with a Kathmandu fruit company called B.H. Enterprises for the supply of 100 tons.
B.H Enterprises and organic wholesaler Organic World Fair Future are supplying Jumla organic apples in the domestic markets.
“We have started selling organic apples from Jumla for the first time, and within one month of the launch, we have been getting a good response,” said Govinda Shrestha, proprietor of Organic World Fair Future.
Shrestha added that they had supplied 200 kg and plan to increase the volume gradually. According to him, foreigners are the major customers of these apples.
KATHMANDU, SEP 23 -
Organic apples from Jumla may find a market in Thailand and Malaysia. With demand for Jumla’s A grade organic apples picking up in the domestic market, traders are now looking for export opportunities.
SNV, the Netherlands’s development organization which is running an improved apple production and marketing project in Jumla, said that Thailand and Malaysia were potential foreign markets for Nepali organic apples.
SNV Nepal, the District Agricultural Development Office in Jumla, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Vision are helping the farmers to improve production and marketing. In 2007, Jumla declared itself an organic district.
In 2007/08 apples were grown on 548 hectares and production was estimated at 5,425 tons. However, only about 100-150 tons were shipped out by air.
“Three apple cooperatives have already been organic certified according to the national organic guidelines; however, if they could get international certification, export opportunities would increase,” said Rik van Keulen, sector leader of Small Holder Cash Crops SNV Nepal.
Lack of transportation and marketing is the main reason why apple growers in Jumla have not been able to benefit as much as they could.
Presently, apples are being grown on 1,500 hectares. And although the harvest has just started, more than 2,000 tons of apples have been picked.
“Before 2009, these apples were hardly marketable due to various reasons,” Keulen said. Apple farmers were not organized, and they received the very low price of Rs. 10 per kg before. In 2009, three apple cooperatives united and bargained for better prices. All these efforts have increased price from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30 per kg.
Because of this success, nine apple cooperatives have united under the District Cooperative Federation and have signed a contract with a Kathmandu fruit company called B.H. Enterprises for the supply of 100 tons.
B.H Enterprises and organic wholesaler Organic World Fair Future are supplying Jumla organic apples in the domestic markets.
“We have started selling organic apples from Jumla for the first time, and within one month of the launch, we have been getting a good response,” said Govinda Shrestha, proprietor of Organic World Fair Future.
Shrestha added that they had supplied 200 kg and plan to increase the volume gradually. According to him, foreigners are the major customers of these apples.
50pc of tourists Indians: NTB
SANGAM PRASAIN
SEP 24 -
India not only sends the highest number of tourists to Nepal by air but also by land. A recent survey done by the Nepal Tourism Board shows that out of the 429,455 overland tourists who visited Nepal in 2009, Indian visitors numbered 298,821.
According to the study entitled “Indian Visitors Survey of Nepal by Land 2009”, most of the travellers entered Nepal through eight border points.
Nepal currently receives over half a million visitors annually among whom 20-23 percent are Indians. This figure does not include Indian travellers entering the country by land as they are not required to register and go through frontier formalities. Till date, Indian arrivals by land have not been included in the country’s tourism data.
“The aim of the NTB survey is to add to the current streams of data on Indian tourist arrivals and provide valuable support to policymakers and planners,” states the NTB report. Taking into account the NTB survey and the statistics of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the total arrivals in the country in 2009 can be put at 808,777, out of whom 48 percent were Indians.
“Until now, the country has only been counting the tourists who contribute dollars to the national economy. However, our opinion is that any visitor contributing a single penny to the economy should be considered as tourists,” said NTB spokesman Aditya Baral. Among the various border points, Belhiya (Bhairahawa) was found to be the most important in terms of Indian tourist arrivals by land with almost 33 percent of them entering Nepal through here.
Other major entry points were Vittamod (Janakpur) with 19 percent, Birgunj with 17 percent and Kakkarbhitta with 14 percent.
Nepal is targeting one million tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Among them, the country expects to host 265,000 visitors from the southern neighbour.
India is one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world. The statistics of the European Travel Commission show there were 10.87 million outbound trips by Indian nationals in 2008. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has predicted that by 2020 India will account for 50 million outbound visitors, continuing to maintain its growth momentum.
“Our aim is to attract high-end tourists from India during Nepal Tourism Year, however; the unaccounted Indian arrivals through the overland entry points are also a positive indication as it does not mean that Indian tourists coming by air only spend more compared to others,” Baral added.
Tourist entry from india to nepal
Border Points Total
Bhairahawa 140,744
Janakpur 80,217
Birgunj 72,290
Kakkarbhitta 60,847
Mahendranagar 43,567
Biratnagar 21,185
Dhangadhi 5,874
Nepalgunj 4,731
Total 429,455
Indian vehicles entering Nepal
Border Points Total
Bhairahawa 23,229
Janakpur 15,880
Kakkarbhitta 11,798
Birgunj 11,247
Mahendranagar 9,574
Biratnagar 5,420
Dhangadhi 1,569
Nepalgunj 999
Source: NTB Survey
SEP 24 -
India not only sends the highest number of tourists to Nepal by air but also by land. A recent survey done by the Nepal Tourism Board shows that out of the 429,455 overland tourists who visited Nepal in 2009, Indian visitors numbered 298,821.
According to the study entitled “Indian Visitors Survey of Nepal by Land 2009”, most of the travellers entered Nepal through eight border points.
Nepal currently receives over half a million visitors annually among whom 20-23 percent are Indians. This figure does not include Indian travellers entering the country by land as they are not required to register and go through frontier formalities. Till date, Indian arrivals by land have not been included in the country’s tourism data.
“The aim of the NTB survey is to add to the current streams of data on Indian tourist arrivals and provide valuable support to policymakers and planners,” states the NTB report. Taking into account the NTB survey and the statistics of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the total arrivals in the country in 2009 can be put at 808,777, out of whom 48 percent were Indians.
“Until now, the country has only been counting the tourists who contribute dollars to the national economy. However, our opinion is that any visitor contributing a single penny to the economy should be considered as tourists,” said NTB spokesman Aditya Baral. Among the various border points, Belhiya (Bhairahawa) was found to be the most important in terms of Indian tourist arrivals by land with almost 33 percent of them entering Nepal through here.
Other major entry points were Vittamod (Janakpur) with 19 percent, Birgunj with 17 percent and Kakkarbhitta with 14 percent.
Nepal is targeting one million tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Among them, the country expects to host 265,000 visitors from the southern neighbour.
India is one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world. The statistics of the European Travel Commission show there were 10.87 million outbound trips by Indian nationals in 2008. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has predicted that by 2020 India will account for 50 million outbound visitors, continuing to maintain its growth momentum.
“Our aim is to attract high-end tourists from India during Nepal Tourism Year, however; the unaccounted Indian arrivals through the overland entry points are also a positive indication as it does not mean that Indian tourists coming by air only spend more compared to others,” Baral added.
Tourist entry from india to nepal
Border Points Total
Bhairahawa 140,744
Janakpur 80,217
Birgunj 72,290
Kakkarbhitta 60,847
Mahendranagar 43,567
Biratnagar 21,185
Dhangadhi 5,874
Nepalgunj 4,731
Total 429,455
Indian vehicles entering Nepal
Border Points Total
Bhairahawa 23,229
Janakpur 15,880
Kakkarbhitta 11,798
Birgunj 11,247
Mahendranagar 9,574
Biratnagar 5,420
Dhangadhi 1,569
Nepalgunj 999
Source: NTB Survey
Little big man: Magar enlisted to push NTY
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 25 -
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has appointed Khagendra Thapa Magar, waiting to enter the Guinness World Records as the world’s shortest man, as a goodwill ambassador for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Magar will be taken to every international promotional campaign to draw attention to Nepal tourism and promote NTY.
Guinness World Records currently recognizes Magar as the world’s shortest teenager. He is 56 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. Guinness will award Magar the title of the shortest man in the world when he turns 18 in October. Similarly, Miss Nepal Sadiksha Shrestha has been named goodwill brand ambassador for the entire campaign. "We are launching the NTY 2011 promotional campaign in over 10-12 international destinations, and taking the shortest man in the world to every destination will draw attention to the national campaign," said NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha at an interaction programme on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is conducting various events to mark the 31st World Tourism Day 2010 on Sept. 27. World Tourism Day is being celebrated under the theme "Tourism and Biodiversity". As part of the celebrations, the ministry is laying out a welcome ceremony for tourists at tourism sites and entry points.
The Tara Gaon Development Board is offering 20 percent discount on food and 75 percent discount on accommodation at member hotels and restaurants from Sept. 23-27.
Hotel Association of Nepal is also providing 25 percent discount on food at its member hotels on Sept. 27. Likewise, various programme are being conducted by travel and trade entrepreneurs on the day.
KATHMANDU, SEP 25 -
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has appointed Khagendra Thapa Magar, waiting to enter the Guinness World Records as the world’s shortest man, as a goodwill ambassador for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Magar will be taken to every international promotional campaign to draw attention to Nepal tourism and promote NTY.
Guinness World Records currently recognizes Magar as the world’s shortest teenager. He is 56 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. Guinness will award Magar the title of the shortest man in the world when he turns 18 in October. Similarly, Miss Nepal Sadiksha Shrestha has been named goodwill brand ambassador for the entire campaign. "We are launching the NTY 2011 promotional campaign in over 10-12 international destinations, and taking the shortest man in the world to every destination will draw attention to the national campaign," said NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha at an interaction programme on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is conducting various events to mark the 31st World Tourism Day 2010 on Sept. 27. World Tourism Day is being celebrated under the theme "Tourism and Biodiversity". As part of the celebrations, the ministry is laying out a welcome ceremony for tourists at tourism sites and entry points.
The Tara Gaon Development Board is offering 20 percent discount on food and 75 percent discount on accommodation at member hotels and restaurants from Sept. 23-27.
Hotel Association of Nepal is also providing 25 percent discount on food at its member hotels on Sept. 27. Likewise, various programme are being conducted by travel and trade entrepreneurs on the day.
NTY-2011 promo pitch higher
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 28 -
As the world came together on Monday to celebrate World Tourism Day (WTD) with the theme, “Tourism and Biodiversity”, Nepal racked up its efforts in its mission to attract one million tourists next year as the much awaited Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) nears.
The growing number of hotels, increased hotel and international airlines bookings and rising number of international visitors in 2010 are positive indications that the country is likely to receive more tourists than ever.
However, doubts persist among the government authorities and travel trade entrepreneurs as to whether the country would achieve the target of bringing one million tourists at a time when the country is reeling under political uncertainty and the shaky peace process. The ambitious campaign was launched with the hope of attracting at least a million foreign tourists under the public-private-partnership and give a major boost to the country’s economy at a time when the country faces slackened tourism.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari is hopeful that the tourism year will give the desired boost to the country’s economy. “Even if the target is not met, the campaign will be a key driver in establishing Nepal as a prime destination,” he said at a programme on Monday.
There will be two major happenings on Jan 14, 2011—the campaign is slated to be
inaugurated the day the Maoist’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is integrated and UNMIN has been scheduled to go out the same day. “This will be a major achievement in leading the country towards economic prosperity,” said Minister Bhandari while addressing the 31st WTD.
Travel trade entrepreneurs said that they are fully ready to accommodate the numbers of targeted tourists. However, on the other hand, they are still skeptical about the level of international promotion due to budget constraints. The Ministry of Tourism and the Nepal Tourism Board, as the two main responsible government agencies spearheading the preparation, are being blamed for not doing enough as per the ambitious target set for the Indian and Chinese markets. Nepal has targeted 265,000 visitors from India and 100,000 from China during NTY 2011.
“We are ready in terms of preparation and planning and are confident of taking the campaign ahead,” said Ranjit Acharya, member of the NTY-2011 promotion committee.
“But, we are not getting enough budget on time,” he said. The government has allocated Rs. 230 million budget for the NTY-2011 promotion but delay in the full fledged budget has hit the campaign hard. Of the total allocated budget, Rs. 150 million is allocated to international promotion.
Given the fact that tourist arrival by air in 2009 was 378,712 in number, the 700,000 target to be brought by air may sound a little ambitious. Yet, at the same time the growing interest of international airlines connecting Nepal seems an encouraging factor.
As per the target set by the NTY-2011 working committee, next-door neighbors—China
and India—are the major focus. “We are exploring promotional partnership in India. Recently, we tied up with Dainik Jagaran Group, one of the largest circulated Indian dailies,” Acharya said.
As part of a pre-NTY marketing test, the promotional committee has launched a campaign ‘Garmi Se Behal, Chalo Nepal’ in India.
There will be constraints on budget to make a massive promotion in China. However, the NTY promotion committee has taken a different promotion strategy through public relation, events, internet and SMS
campaign. One reason that has kept many tourists from visiting Nepal is political instability and the air accessibility. But the NTY-2011 working committee major achievement aims to garner support from the political parties. The political parties have expressed commitment to shun bandas for the year 2011 but given the fluid political situation it is not completely certain.
In terms of air accessibility, Nepal has an Air Service Agreement with over 30
countries but there is no significant presence of the national flag carrier in the international arena. “Our tourism is getting more
dependent on international airlines which remain unpredictable,” said Rajendra Bajgai, general secretary of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal.
KATHMANDU, SEP 28 -
As the world came together on Monday to celebrate World Tourism Day (WTD) with the theme, “Tourism and Biodiversity”, Nepal racked up its efforts in its mission to attract one million tourists next year as the much awaited Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) nears.
The growing number of hotels, increased hotel and international airlines bookings and rising number of international visitors in 2010 are positive indications that the country is likely to receive more tourists than ever.
However, doubts persist among the government authorities and travel trade entrepreneurs as to whether the country would achieve the target of bringing one million tourists at a time when the country is reeling under political uncertainty and the shaky peace process. The ambitious campaign was launched with the hope of attracting at least a million foreign tourists under the public-private-partnership and give a major boost to the country’s economy at a time when the country faces slackened tourism.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari is hopeful that the tourism year will give the desired boost to the country’s economy. “Even if the target is not met, the campaign will be a key driver in establishing Nepal as a prime destination,” he said at a programme on Monday.
There will be two major happenings on Jan 14, 2011—the campaign is slated to be
inaugurated the day the Maoist’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is integrated and UNMIN has been scheduled to go out the same day. “This will be a major achievement in leading the country towards economic prosperity,” said Minister Bhandari while addressing the 31st WTD.
Travel trade entrepreneurs said that they are fully ready to accommodate the numbers of targeted tourists. However, on the other hand, they are still skeptical about the level of international promotion due to budget constraints. The Ministry of Tourism and the Nepal Tourism Board, as the two main responsible government agencies spearheading the preparation, are being blamed for not doing enough as per the ambitious target set for the Indian and Chinese markets. Nepal has targeted 265,000 visitors from India and 100,000 from China during NTY 2011.
“We are ready in terms of preparation and planning and are confident of taking the campaign ahead,” said Ranjit Acharya, member of the NTY-2011 promotion committee.
“But, we are not getting enough budget on time,” he said. The government has allocated Rs. 230 million budget for the NTY-2011 promotion but delay in the full fledged budget has hit the campaign hard. Of the total allocated budget, Rs. 150 million is allocated to international promotion.
Given the fact that tourist arrival by air in 2009 was 378,712 in number, the 700,000 target to be brought by air may sound a little ambitious. Yet, at the same time the growing interest of international airlines connecting Nepal seems an encouraging factor.
As per the target set by the NTY-2011 working committee, next-door neighbors—China
and India—are the major focus. “We are exploring promotional partnership in India. Recently, we tied up with Dainik Jagaran Group, one of the largest circulated Indian dailies,” Acharya said.
As part of a pre-NTY marketing test, the promotional committee has launched a campaign ‘Garmi Se Behal, Chalo Nepal’ in India.
There will be constraints on budget to make a massive promotion in China. However, the NTY promotion committee has taken a different promotion strategy through public relation, events, internet and SMS
campaign. One reason that has kept many tourists from visiting Nepal is political instability and the air accessibility. But the NTY-2011 working committee major achievement aims to garner support from the political parties. The political parties have expressed commitment to shun bandas for the year 2011 but given the fluid political situation it is not completely certain.
In terms of air accessibility, Nepal has an Air Service Agreement with over 30
countries but there is no significant presence of the national flag carrier in the international arena. “Our tourism is getting more
dependent on international airlines which remain unpredictable,” said Rajendra Bajgai, general secretary of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Adventure sports ease-up
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 21 -
Following complaints by the Tourism Ministry and travel traders about the red tape requiring adventure tourists to obtain permits from multiple ministries and pay multifarious charges, the regulations have been changed to create a one-window system.
The Tourism Ministry will henceforth issue permits to conduct adventure activities in protected forest areas. Formerly, the Forest Ministry gave out the licenses.
The Forest Ministry used to collect separate fees for 10 tourism activities in the Himalaya and high hills which contain biological diversity needing conservation.
According to the Forest Ministry’s old regulations, anyone wanting to go skydiving, skiing, paragliding, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, cannoning and abseiling, rock climbing and kayaking had to get a separate permit from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. “The new regulation has removed lengthy hassles and will give a boost to the tourism industry,” said Bikram Neupane, president of the Himalaya Rescue Association and coordinator of the ad hoc committee formed to lobby for simplification in the permit system.
Meanwhile, the proviso requiring a representative of the Department of National Parks to accompany tourists in the protected areas has also been scrapped. Similarly, government charges for adventure sports have been slashed in the revised regulations.
According to the new fee structure, the royalty for skydiving for tourists from the SAARC has been reduced to Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 6,000. The fee for other foreign tourists has been cut to US$ 100 from US$ 500. Charges for skiing, paragliding and para mountaineering have also been decreased to Rs. 1,000 from Rs. 6,000 for SAARC tourists and to US$ 50 from US$ 300 for other foreign visitors.
KATHMANDU, SEP 21 -
Following complaints by the Tourism Ministry and travel traders about the red tape requiring adventure tourists to obtain permits from multiple ministries and pay multifarious charges, the regulations have been changed to create a one-window system.
The Tourism Ministry will henceforth issue permits to conduct adventure activities in protected forest areas. Formerly, the Forest Ministry gave out the licenses.
The Forest Ministry used to collect separate fees for 10 tourism activities in the Himalaya and high hills which contain biological diversity needing conservation.
According to the Forest Ministry’s old regulations, anyone wanting to go skydiving, skiing, paragliding, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, cannoning and abseiling, rock climbing and kayaking had to get a separate permit from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. “The new regulation has removed lengthy hassles and will give a boost to the tourism industry,” said Bikram Neupane, president of the Himalaya Rescue Association and coordinator of the ad hoc committee formed to lobby for simplification in the permit system.
Meanwhile, the proviso requiring a representative of the Department of National Parks to accompany tourists in the protected areas has also been scrapped. Similarly, government charges for adventure sports have been slashed in the revised regulations.
According to the new fee structure, the royalty for skydiving for tourists from the SAARC has been reduced to Rs. 2,000 from Rs. 6,000. The fee for other foreign tourists has been cut to US$ 100 from US$ 500. Charges for skiing, paragliding and para mountaineering have also been decreased to Rs. 1,000 from Rs. 6,000 for SAARC tourists and to US$ 50 from US$ 300 for other foreign visitors.
Production rate of pulse crops expected to rise 3pc
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 22 -
Production of pulses is expected to increase this year by 3 percent to 262,000 tons. After two straight years of decline, the production has shown some improvement since last year.
Output had reached an all-time high in 2006-07 with 274,375 tons of pulses including lentil, pigeon pea, black gram, soybean and other varieties being produced. Though there was only marginal decline in the production area, the output shrunk by 1.67 percent and 5.33 percent in 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively, according to statistics of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
However, the overall yield has declined in the last four years. From 859 kg per hectare in 2006-07, it has declined to 821 kg per hectare in the last fiscal year. Agro entrepreneurs and analysts said Nepal was gradually losing out on pulse production as there had been no growth in cultivable area and productivity. Despite the growth in 2009-10, pulse production in Nepal witnessed a negative growth rate of 3.25 percent over the last five years.
Pulses (particularly lentils) are one of the high-value crops of the country that government is looking to substitute imports. According to exporters, Nepali pulses are in high demand in Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In fact, Bangladesh and Bhutan are the highest importers of Nepali pulses.
The fall in production and the government’s export ban last year for six months has resulted in a decline in the net export of pulses to India. Pulse exports dropped by 92.8 percent in 2009-10. The export of pulses to India amounted to Rs. 381.6 million in 2008-09, which nosedived to Rs. 27.6 million in 2009-10. Exports were worth Rs. 314.8 million in 2007-08, according to Nepal Rastra Bank statistics.
According to the central bank’s data, exports to third countries also declined by 36 percent to Rs. 3,952 million in 2009-10 from Rs. 6,247 million in 2008-09. Pulses exports to third countries had increased by 328 percent in 2008-09.
“Exports went down as the result of a government ban imposed last year in response to pressure that the country might face a food deficit after India stopped exports,” said Ajay Parajuli, executive secretary, Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry. However, after entrepreneurs assured the government that exports would not affect the country’s food supply, the government lifted the ban. Bangladesh is the major market for Nepali pulses, Parajuli said.
He said that production had been gradually declining for the last couple of years. “Farmers are attracted towards vegetables as they yield quick and handsome income as compared to pulses. Similarly, there are no incentives from the government to encourage pulses farming,” he said.
As pulses are not an important crop for human consumption in most of the major developed countries and some of the developing economies and are mainly used as animal feed, supplies to overseas markets are limited. Thus, if the production rate of the major pulse consuming countries declines, it becomes difficult for the global markets to fill up the gap.
Prakash Oli, deputy director of Agro Enterprise Centre at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) conducts research on pulses (especially lentils) and has 10 improved varieties until 2008 under the seed multiplication programme.
However, inadequate dissemination and research extension of the products has compelled farmers to use old and traditional seeds, which is the main reason that pulses production growth remained stagnant.
“Lentils hold huge export prospects and the FNCCI has recently discussed with the visiting Chinese delegation for the import of improved seeds,” he said. The Chinese were positive and asked for a product list of the seeds that Nepal wants to implement, he added.
“Pulse production growth rate is sluggish pace,” admitted Hari Dahal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Area, production and yield of pulse crops in Nepal
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Area 319,557 320,431 313,269 319,486
Production 274,375 269,776 255,384 262,000
Yield 859 842 815 821
(Area in hectares, production in tons and yield in kg per hectare) Source: MoAC
KATHMANDU, SEP 22 -
Production of pulses is expected to increase this year by 3 percent to 262,000 tons. After two straight years of decline, the production has shown some improvement since last year.
Output had reached an all-time high in 2006-07 with 274,375 tons of pulses including lentil, pigeon pea, black gram, soybean and other varieties being produced. Though there was only marginal decline in the production area, the output shrunk by 1.67 percent and 5.33 percent in 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively, according to statistics of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
However, the overall yield has declined in the last four years. From 859 kg per hectare in 2006-07, it has declined to 821 kg per hectare in the last fiscal year. Agro entrepreneurs and analysts said Nepal was gradually losing out on pulse production as there had been no growth in cultivable area and productivity. Despite the growth in 2009-10, pulse production in Nepal witnessed a negative growth rate of 3.25 percent over the last five years.
Pulses (particularly lentils) are one of the high-value crops of the country that government is looking to substitute imports. According to exporters, Nepali pulses are in high demand in Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In fact, Bangladesh and Bhutan are the highest importers of Nepali pulses.
The fall in production and the government’s export ban last year for six months has resulted in a decline in the net export of pulses to India. Pulse exports dropped by 92.8 percent in 2009-10. The export of pulses to India amounted to Rs. 381.6 million in 2008-09, which nosedived to Rs. 27.6 million in 2009-10. Exports were worth Rs. 314.8 million in 2007-08, according to Nepal Rastra Bank statistics.
According to the central bank’s data, exports to third countries also declined by 36 percent to Rs. 3,952 million in 2009-10 from Rs. 6,247 million in 2008-09. Pulses exports to third countries had increased by 328 percent in 2008-09.
“Exports went down as the result of a government ban imposed last year in response to pressure that the country might face a food deficit after India stopped exports,” said Ajay Parajuli, executive secretary, Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry. However, after entrepreneurs assured the government that exports would not affect the country’s food supply, the government lifted the ban. Bangladesh is the major market for Nepali pulses, Parajuli said.
He said that production had been gradually declining for the last couple of years. “Farmers are attracted towards vegetables as they yield quick and handsome income as compared to pulses. Similarly, there are no incentives from the government to encourage pulses farming,” he said.
As pulses are not an important crop for human consumption in most of the major developed countries and some of the developing economies and are mainly used as animal feed, supplies to overseas markets are limited. Thus, if the production rate of the major pulse consuming countries declines, it becomes difficult for the global markets to fill up the gap.
Prakash Oli, deputy director of Agro Enterprise Centre at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) conducts research on pulses (especially lentils) and has 10 improved varieties until 2008 under the seed multiplication programme.
However, inadequate dissemination and research extension of the products has compelled farmers to use old and traditional seeds, which is the main reason that pulses production growth remained stagnant.
“Lentils hold huge export prospects and the FNCCI has recently discussed with the visiting Chinese delegation for the import of improved seeds,” he said. The Chinese were positive and asked for a product list of the seeds that Nepal wants to implement, he added.
“Pulse production growth rate is sluggish pace,” admitted Hari Dahal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Area, production and yield of pulse crops in Nepal
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Area 319,557 320,431 313,269 319,486
Production 274,375 269,776 255,384 262,000
Yield 859 842 815 821
(Area in hectares, production in tons and yield in kg per hectare) Source: MoAC
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Nepal-China flights to be increased
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 17 -
China Southern and Tibetan Airlines will be flying to Nepal if things go as planned.
Officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) returning from the fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held in Lhasa said that the Nepal government would encourage these two airlines to link Nepal.
“China is positive about increasing the frequency of flights between Nepal and China,” said MoTCA spokesman Laxman Prasad Bhattarai who led the Nepali delegation in Lhasa.
Currently, China Airlines and China Eastern operate flights to Nepal. The country has targeted attracting 100,000 Chinese tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
“An increase in the number of carriers serving Nepal will make the airfares more competitive,” Bhattarai added.
Another major achievement of the meeting is the Chinese side agreeing to allow Nepali helicopter services to make rescue flights in the Manasarovar region of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As part of the mutual tourism development strategy, the Tibet Tourism Bureau gave the green signal to the request made by the Nepali delegation. However, it will take some time to get the final approval from the Chinese government.
The bureau will also consider the process to allow chartered helicopter services by Nepali tour operators and travel agencies.
Currently, a lengthy procedure is involved before Nepal can operate rescue flights in Tibet with the application needing to be forwarded to Beijing by the Tibet Tourism Centre.
Likewise, the Tibet Tourism Bureau has also agreed to provide visas to international visitors from Nepal.
“The country’s aim is to increase the number of tourists, so we will monitor and scrutinize all documents and process them properly before issuing visas to ensure that no unlawful activities take place,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the MoTCA.
KATHMANDU, SEP 17 -
China Southern and Tibetan Airlines will be flying to Nepal if things go as planned.
Officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) returning from the fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held in Lhasa said that the Nepal government would encourage these two airlines to link Nepal.
“China is positive about increasing the frequency of flights between Nepal and China,” said MoTCA spokesman Laxman Prasad Bhattarai who led the Nepali delegation in Lhasa.
Currently, China Airlines and China Eastern operate flights to Nepal. The country has targeted attracting 100,000 Chinese tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
“An increase in the number of carriers serving Nepal will make the airfares more competitive,” Bhattarai added.
Another major achievement of the meeting is the Chinese side agreeing to allow Nepali helicopter services to make rescue flights in the Manasarovar region of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As part of the mutual tourism development strategy, the Tibet Tourism Bureau gave the green signal to the request made by the Nepali delegation. However, it will take some time to get the final approval from the Chinese government.
The bureau will also consider the process to allow chartered helicopter services by Nepali tour operators and travel agencies.
Currently, a lengthy procedure is involved before Nepal can operate rescue flights in Tibet with the application needing to be forwarded to Beijing by the Tibet Tourism Centre.
Likewise, the Tibet Tourism Bureau has also agreed to provide visas to international visitors from Nepal.
“The country’s aim is to increase the number of tourists, so we will monitor and scrutinize all documents and process them properly before issuing visas to ensure that no unlawful activities take place,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the MoTCA.
The ticket rush
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 18 -
International airlines flying to Nepal have reported massive bookings for the next
two months as the tourism industry enters
the high season.
Major international carriers have received 85 percent bookings on flights into Nepal, said travel trade entrepreneurs. Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Etihad Airways have almost 100 percent bookings for October and November.
Ditto airlines from India. Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Spice Jet, Kingfisher and Indian Airlines have over 80 percent bookings from Sept. 29 to Nov. 20.
“Most of the airlines we deal with are overbooked,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. “This is the time when migrant workers also return to the country to celebrate Dashain, hence there is a huge demand for air tickets.”
Some of the international carriers don’t have tickets available for the next two months. “We have been informed that some of the carriers do not have tickets available for the next couple of months,” said Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travels Nepal. International passengers coming from Bangkok, Doha, Oman and Abu Dhabi are facing a seat crunch during the October-November season.
Higher bookings for autumn make a huge difference to the airline sector as it is the main tourist season along with April and May. Around 30 percent of the total tourist arrivals occur during this time.
“Inbound bookings for the coming two months have increased significantly compared to the same period last year,” said Alasdair Boyd, manager of Dragonair in Nepal. According to Boyd, Dragonair has a majority of bookings from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US. Poor air connectivity has been the major constraint of Nepali tourism with the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation in a sorry state. However, the arrival of more international airlines in Nepali skies has been a compensation. More than half a dozen international airlines have started their service to Nepal since 2009 with Oman Air being the latest entry. As of now, 27 international airlines are operating in Nepal. “The increment in flight movements has upped the overall inbound segment,” said Thapaliya.
The start of the new tourist season has also resulted in an increase in the frequency of flights to Nepal by international airlines. Hong Kong-based Dragonair has recently increased its Hong Kong-Kathmandu service to six flights per week from three flights. It is planning to operate seven days a week from November, subject to government approval.
Airlines with over 100 percent bookings
Thai Airways Booked from Sept. 25-Nov. 28
Qatar Airways Booked from Sept. 26-Dec. 17
Gulf Air Booked from Oct. 10-Dec. 9
Etihad Airways Booked from Oct. 8-Nov. 27
KATHMANDU, SEP 18 -
International airlines flying to Nepal have reported massive bookings for the next
two months as the tourism industry enters
the high season.
Major international carriers have received 85 percent bookings on flights into Nepal, said travel trade entrepreneurs. Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Etihad Airways have almost 100 percent bookings for October and November.
Ditto airlines from India. Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Spice Jet, Kingfisher and Indian Airlines have over 80 percent bookings from Sept. 29 to Nov. 20.
“Most of the airlines we deal with are overbooked,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. “This is the time when migrant workers also return to the country to celebrate Dashain, hence there is a huge demand for air tickets.”
Some of the international carriers don’t have tickets available for the next two months. “We have been informed that some of the carriers do not have tickets available for the next couple of months,” said Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travels Nepal. International passengers coming from Bangkok, Doha, Oman and Abu Dhabi are facing a seat crunch during the October-November season.
Higher bookings for autumn make a huge difference to the airline sector as it is the main tourist season along with April and May. Around 30 percent of the total tourist arrivals occur during this time.
“Inbound bookings for the coming two months have increased significantly compared to the same period last year,” said Alasdair Boyd, manager of Dragonair in Nepal. According to Boyd, Dragonair has a majority of bookings from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US. Poor air connectivity has been the major constraint of Nepali tourism with the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation in a sorry state. However, the arrival of more international airlines in Nepali skies has been a compensation. More than half a dozen international airlines have started their service to Nepal since 2009 with Oman Air being the latest entry. As of now, 27 international airlines are operating in Nepal. “The increment in flight movements has upped the overall inbound segment,” said Thapaliya.
The start of the new tourist season has also resulted in an increase in the frequency of flights to Nepal by international airlines. Hong Kong-based Dragonair has recently increased its Hong Kong-Kathmandu service to six flights per week from three flights. It is planning to operate seven days a week from November, subject to government approval.
Airlines with over 100 percent bookings
Thai Airways Booked from Sept. 25-Nov. 28
Qatar Airways Booked from Sept. 26-Dec. 17
Gulf Air Booked from Oct. 10-Dec. 9
Etihad Airways Booked from Oct. 8-Nov. 27
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kathmandu-Lhasa bus to run again
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 16 -
Nepal and China are trying to revive the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service which shut down four years ago to give a fillip to the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The two sides have agreed in principle to resume the service through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the recently concluded fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee.
Laxman Bhattarai, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry, and Ba Zhu, director general of the Tourism Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, signed the MoU. The service started on May 1, 2005 and was stopped in 2006. The two sides had planned to resume the service in 2008 but nothing came of it due to permit hassles.
State-owned Sajha Yatayat operated the twice-weekly Kathmandu-Lhasa service. China’s refusal to give visas to individuals caused the bus service to come to a complete halt. Attempts were also made to resume the service during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Nepal and China have agreed to promote NTY 2011 in Tibet through TV, radio and hoarding boards at major crossroads in Tibet. The two sides have also agreed to allow Nepali operators to conduct regular helicopter and charter services to Manasarovar, Tibet and provide Tibet visas to international tourists from Nepal.
The Tibetan side has assured its Nepali counterpart that it would do its best to achieve the target of NTY 2011.
Similarly, the two governments have agreed to work closely through their respective diplomatic channels to get more Chinese airlines to fly the Lhasa-Kathmandu route, states a press statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The members of the Nepali delegation have extended an invitation to their Tibetan counterparts for the next round of the meeting to be held in Kathmandu in November next year.
KATHMANDU, SEP 16 -
Nepal and China are trying to revive the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service which shut down four years ago to give a fillip to the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The two sides have agreed in principle to resume the service through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the recently concluded fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee.
Laxman Bhattarai, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry, and Ba Zhu, director general of the Tourism Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, signed the MoU. The service started on May 1, 2005 and was stopped in 2006. The two sides had planned to resume the service in 2008 but nothing came of it due to permit hassles.
State-owned Sajha Yatayat operated the twice-weekly Kathmandu-Lhasa service. China’s refusal to give visas to individuals caused the bus service to come to a complete halt. Attempts were also made to resume the service during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Nepal and China have agreed to promote NTY 2011 in Tibet through TV, radio and hoarding boards at major crossroads in Tibet. The two sides have also agreed to allow Nepali operators to conduct regular helicopter and charter services to Manasarovar, Tibet and provide Tibet visas to international tourists from Nepal.
The Tibetan side has assured its Nepali counterpart that it would do its best to achieve the target of NTY 2011.
Similarly, the two governments have agreed to work closely through their respective diplomatic channels to get more Chinese airlines to fly the Lhasa-Kathmandu route, states a press statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The members of the Nepali delegation have extended an invitation to their Tibetan counterparts for the next round of the meeting to be held in Kathmandu in November next year.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sold out flights
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
Planning to fly home this Dashain? Then hurry up and grab yourself a ticket. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings.
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air have said that seats on the major trunk routes are almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
Daily seat demand for the eastern region has doubled from the normal 350-400 to 800 seats as it is customary for people to celebrate Dashain with their families.
“Airlines are receiving unprecedented reservations as competition has brought down airfares making air travel affordable,” said Prajol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Carriers plan to double the frequency to the eastern region in response to the overwhelming demand. Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing manager of Buddha Air, said that there were no seats available on flights to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur. Buddha Air operates five flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We have added one flight on each sector to cater to the increased number of passengers,” Joshi said.
Pradip Shah, marketing manager of Yeti Airlines, said that they operate seven flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We are planning to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand,” he added. Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, also plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain rush.
“We have sold almost 80 percent of the tickets to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Pokhara,” said Pramod Pandey, marketing director of Agni Air. The airline operates three flights to Bhairahawa and two flights to Pokhara daily.
Guna Airlines said that 95 percent of the seats for 10 days had been booked. “In response to the mounting demand for tickets to Biratnagar, we have decided to add three flights on the sector during Dashain,” marketing manager Thapa said.
Guna flies to Biratnagar twice daily. The airline also plans to start operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. Airlines said that it was not viable to add flights to handle the festival rush as there are few passengers on the return trip. Nepal Airlines Corporation, the country’s grand old airline, has not opened bookings for any sector. “We open our Dashain booking only a week in advance,” said spokesperson Pradip Karki.
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
Planning to fly home this Dashain? Then hurry up and grab yourself a ticket. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings.
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air have said that seats on the major trunk routes are almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
Daily seat demand for the eastern region has doubled from the normal 350-400 to 800 seats as it is customary for people to celebrate Dashain with their families.
“Airlines are receiving unprecedented reservations as competition has brought down airfares making air travel affordable,” said Prajol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Carriers plan to double the frequency to the eastern region in response to the overwhelming demand. Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing manager of Buddha Air, said that there were no seats available on flights to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur. Buddha Air operates five flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We have added one flight on each sector to cater to the increased number of passengers,” Joshi said.
Pradip Shah, marketing manager of Yeti Airlines, said that they operate seven flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We are planning to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand,” he added. Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, also plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain rush.
“We have sold almost 80 percent of the tickets to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Pokhara,” said Pramod Pandey, marketing director of Agni Air. The airline operates three flights to Bhairahawa and two flights to Pokhara daily.
Guna Airlines said that 95 percent of the seats for 10 days had been booked. “In response to the mounting demand for tickets to Biratnagar, we have decided to add three flights on the sector during Dashain,” marketing manager Thapa said.
Guna flies to Biratnagar twice daily. The airline also plans to start operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. Airlines said that it was not viable to add flights to handle the festival rush as there are few passengers on the return trip. Nepal Airlines Corporation, the country’s grand old airline, has not opened bookings for any sector. “We open our Dashain booking only a week in advance,” said spokesperson Pradip Karki.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thamel shuts door on underage tipplers
The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
No one under 18 will be allowed to drink in a bar in Thamel under new regulations being planned by the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC).
Young people will be asked to produce ID as proof of age before being allowed entry into pubs or bars. Watering holes in the popular tourist hub will also be required to display a sign saying “Minors strictly prohibited from drinking” at the entrance.
The ban on under-age drinking is one of the moves TTDC has proposed in a bid to rejuvenate the business environment at Thamel that has been marred of late by bar fights and insecurity. The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The police have intensified surveillance at Thamel following incidents of prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal activities. Local traders said that the number of quality tourists visiting the area had plunged due to security concerns and unhealthy practices. They added that their earnings had dropped by as much as 50 percent.
“The closing time set by the government for night time entertainment could affect business during NTY 2011,” said Tejendra Shrestha,
president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal and past president of the TTDC. “Hence, we are making major reforms to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for revellers,”
he added. Another reform being planned by the TTDC is banning minors from performing in live entertainment shows at dance restaurants. “We are discussing this issue with the security authorities,” said Shrestha.
Controlling noise pollution is another improvement on the TTDC’s agenda. “We are discussing installing soundproofing systems in dance
bars and pubs which remain open
till the late hours,” said Shrestha.
The council is also mulling making Thamel a “horn free zone”.
With these improvements in place, the TTDC plans to extend the closing time for nightlife till 1 a.m. If things go well, the time limit may be extended further till 2 a.m.
Entrepreneurs have supported
the TTDC’s planned reforms. “Introducing the ID system at bars will be effective in controlling undesirable activities as it is mandatory all over the world,” said Ashok Pokhrel, owner of Rum Doodle Restaurant.
“The security personnel should also be more responsible while behaving with tourists,” Pokhrel added. “The government has set the closing time for bars and discotheques, but it does not mean that the police can come and create problems for tourists.” Rukma Kunwar, in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Sector, Sorhakhutte, said that they had had a discussion with entrepreneurs in this regard.
“The initiative will be effective in controlling criminal activities, however, implementation will be difficult.” He added that the police were positive to the TTDC’s proposals. There are more than 500 hotels, lodges and guesthouses and nearly 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops and agencies in Thamel.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
No one under 18 will be allowed to drink in a bar in Thamel under new regulations being planned by the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC).
Young people will be asked to produce ID as proof of age before being allowed entry into pubs or bars. Watering holes in the popular tourist hub will also be required to display a sign saying “Minors strictly prohibited from drinking” at the entrance.
The ban on under-age drinking is one of the moves TTDC has proposed in a bid to rejuvenate the business environment at Thamel that has been marred of late by bar fights and insecurity. The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The police have intensified surveillance at Thamel following incidents of prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal activities. Local traders said that the number of quality tourists visiting the area had plunged due to security concerns and unhealthy practices. They added that their earnings had dropped by as much as 50 percent.
“The closing time set by the government for night time entertainment could affect business during NTY 2011,” said Tejendra Shrestha,
president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal and past president of the TTDC. “Hence, we are making major reforms to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for revellers,”
he added. Another reform being planned by the TTDC is banning minors from performing in live entertainment shows at dance restaurants. “We are discussing this issue with the security authorities,” said Shrestha.
Controlling noise pollution is another improvement on the TTDC’s agenda. “We are discussing installing soundproofing systems in dance
bars and pubs which remain open
till the late hours,” said Shrestha.
The council is also mulling making Thamel a “horn free zone”.
With these improvements in place, the TTDC plans to extend the closing time for nightlife till 1 a.m. If things go well, the time limit may be extended further till 2 a.m.
Entrepreneurs have supported
the TTDC’s planned reforms. “Introducing the ID system at bars will be effective in controlling undesirable activities as it is mandatory all over the world,” said Ashok Pokhrel, owner of Rum Doodle Restaurant.
“The security personnel should also be more responsible while behaving with tourists,” Pokhrel added. “The government has set the closing time for bars and discotheques, but it does not mean that the police can come and create problems for tourists.” Rukma Kunwar, in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Sector, Sorhakhutte, said that they had had a discussion with entrepreneurs in this regard.
“The initiative will be effective in controlling criminal activities, however, implementation will be difficult.” He added that the police were positive to the TTDC’s proposals. There are more than 500 hotels, lodges and guesthouses and nearly 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops and agencies in Thamel.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
NOC plans Euro III standard fuel from Oct 1
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is distributing high-octane petrol of Euro III standard across the country from Oct. 1. The fuel is considered environment friendly as compared to the existing fuels of Euro II standard.
The Corporation said the product would give vehicles better mileage, increase engine efficiency and it contains substantially lower emissions of particulate matter. The NOC has been distributing the Euro III product in some select gasoline stations.
“We will be distributing the Euro III to all stations from Oct. 1,” said Digambar Jha, general manager of NOC. The Euro III petrol contains 91 percent octane, which is believed to relieve vehicle owners of regular engine problems they are having to facing with. Due to high octane, the fuel also gives better mileage. Existing Euro II products have only 2.87 percent octane.
The new product being highly explosive as compared to Euro II, the NOC is also improving the standard of the tankers that would carry them. Tankers are being taken to Raxual for repair and maintenence, Jha said. With the improved standard of oil, the price
of Euro III petroleum products will be around Rs 1 more a litre.
As the NOC is on the move to supply high standard petroleum products, it has curtailed the petroleum supply to clean up the storage tanks in Raxual and Birgunj. This has resulted in the shortage of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley for some days, said NOC officials. Raxual has three vertical fuel tanks that the NOC is cleaning up to replace the existing Euro II petroleum products with the new product. Raxual and Barauni are major petroleum storage centres of the country.
“Petroleum supply in the valley was also curtailed due to excess sulfur found in the imported raw diesel than the limit fixed for the Euro III standard,” said Jha.
The Euro III diesel contains 0.15-PPM sulfur while the Euro II contains 0.5 PPM, according to petroleum experts.
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is distributing high-octane petrol of Euro III standard across the country from Oct. 1. The fuel is considered environment friendly as compared to the existing fuels of Euro II standard.
The Corporation said the product would give vehicles better mileage, increase engine efficiency and it contains substantially lower emissions of particulate matter. The NOC has been distributing the Euro III product in some select gasoline stations.
“We will be distributing the Euro III to all stations from Oct. 1,” said Digambar Jha, general manager of NOC. The Euro III petrol contains 91 percent octane, which is believed to relieve vehicle owners of regular engine problems they are having to facing with. Due to high octane, the fuel also gives better mileage. Existing Euro II products have only 2.87 percent octane.
The new product being highly explosive as compared to Euro II, the NOC is also improving the standard of the tankers that would carry them. Tankers are being taken to Raxual for repair and maintenence, Jha said. With the improved standard of oil, the price
of Euro III petroleum products will be around Rs 1 more a litre.
As the NOC is on the move to supply high standard petroleum products, it has curtailed the petroleum supply to clean up the storage tanks in Raxual and Birgunj. This has resulted in the shortage of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley for some days, said NOC officials. Raxual has three vertical fuel tanks that the NOC is cleaning up to replace the existing Euro II petroleum products with the new product. Raxual and Barauni are major petroleum storage centres of the country.
“Petroleum supply in the valley was also curtailed due to excess sulfur found in the imported raw diesel than the limit fixed for the Euro III standard,” said Jha.
The Euro III diesel contains 0.15-PPM sulfur while the Euro II contains 0.5 PPM, according to petroleum experts.
NTY spurs hotel biz into expansion drive
NTY spurs hotel biz into expansion drive
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
Massive investments are being made in refurbishing existing hotels and establishing new ones with Nepal Tourism Year 2011 round the corner.
The Hotel Himalaya, a four-star property, is upgrading to five-star rating while three new four-star hotels are coming up. This is first time such large investments are being made in the hospitality industry after the opening of the Hyatt Regency 10 years ago. The Implementing Expert Group (IEG), a consortium of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, is coming up with two four-star hotels in the capital. The group has invested over Rs. 1 billion in the Airport Hotel at Sinamangal and Red Rose Apartment in Pulchok. It plans to open the two properties by December.
One more four-star hotel is being planned in the country. The tourism industry division at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said it had received an application from the Hotel Siddhartha View to open a four-star hotel in Nepalgunj. It plans to invest Rs. 290 million in the project.
“We have received applications from the Airport Hotel and the Hotel Siddhartha View for a four-star operating certificate,” said Nirajan Ghimire, section officer at the ministry. The ministry said it would grant permission to these hotels if they meet the required specifications. A four-star hotel needs to have a swimming pool, sprinkler system and central air conditioning among other amenities.
The existing four-star hotels are also busy upgrading themselves adding more rooms and comforts. The Hotel Himalaya is adding 25 rooms and plans to have them operational by mid-October. After the addition, it will have 125 rooms (100 standard and 25 executive rooms). Hotel sources said they would go for five-star service from January next year.
The Radisson Hotel, a five-star property, is adding 100 rooms. “We’re at the planning stage,” said general manager Abhinav Rana.
According to Rana, the new rooms will be spacious and have contemporary looks, modern lighting and furniture. The hotel is planning to complete the expansion work by the first half of next year.
Two hotels at Thamel have applied to upgrade themselves. The Kumari Hotel has applied for three-star status while the Fuji has applied for a two-star rating.
The Hotel Woodlands, which was closed in 2007, has applied to reopen. Managing director Harihar Lal Shrestha said that the request had been submitted to the Tourism Ministry.
Five-star hotels the Yak & Yeti and the Soaltee Crowne Plaza are also improving their facilities. The upcoming Tourism Year has also attracted foreign investment in the hotel industry. The Lumbini Hotel Kasai, a three-star property in Lumbini, has started operations. The Kasai Group of Japan has invested Rs. 500 million in the 46-room hotel. “The investor has leased the land for 99 years from the Lumbini Development Trust,” said Ghimire.
Meanwhile, The Sneha Hotel in Nepalgunj has recently been upgraded to three stars from one star. The Opera Hotel in Kanchanpur and the Ratna Hotel in Biratnagar have been raised to three-star status.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
Massive investments are being made in refurbishing existing hotels and establishing new ones with Nepal Tourism Year 2011 round the corner.
The Hotel Himalaya, a four-star property, is upgrading to five-star rating while three new four-star hotels are coming up. This is first time such large investments are being made in the hospitality industry after the opening of the Hyatt Regency 10 years ago. The Implementing Expert Group (IEG), a consortium of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, is coming up with two four-star hotels in the capital. The group has invested over Rs. 1 billion in the Airport Hotel at Sinamangal and Red Rose Apartment in Pulchok. It plans to open the two properties by December.
One more four-star hotel is being planned in the country. The tourism industry division at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said it had received an application from the Hotel Siddhartha View to open a four-star hotel in Nepalgunj. It plans to invest Rs. 290 million in the project.
“We have received applications from the Airport Hotel and the Hotel Siddhartha View for a four-star operating certificate,” said Nirajan Ghimire, section officer at the ministry. The ministry said it would grant permission to these hotels if they meet the required specifications. A four-star hotel needs to have a swimming pool, sprinkler system and central air conditioning among other amenities.
The existing four-star hotels are also busy upgrading themselves adding more rooms and comforts. The Hotel Himalaya is adding 25 rooms and plans to have them operational by mid-October. After the addition, it will have 125 rooms (100 standard and 25 executive rooms). Hotel sources said they would go for five-star service from January next year.
The Radisson Hotel, a five-star property, is adding 100 rooms. “We’re at the planning stage,” said general manager Abhinav Rana.
According to Rana, the new rooms will be spacious and have contemporary looks, modern lighting and furniture. The hotel is planning to complete the expansion work by the first half of next year.
Two hotels at Thamel have applied to upgrade themselves. The Kumari Hotel has applied for three-star status while the Fuji has applied for a two-star rating.
The Hotel Woodlands, which was closed in 2007, has applied to reopen. Managing director Harihar Lal Shrestha said that the request had been submitted to the Tourism Ministry.
Five-star hotels the Yak & Yeti and the Soaltee Crowne Plaza are also improving their facilities. The upcoming Tourism Year has also attracted foreign investment in the hotel industry. The Lumbini Hotel Kasai, a three-star property in Lumbini, has started operations. The Kasai Group of Japan has invested Rs. 500 million in the 46-room hotel. “The investor has leased the land for 99 years from the Lumbini Development Trust,” said Ghimire.
Meanwhile, The Sneha Hotel in Nepalgunj has recently been upgraded to three stars from one star. The Opera Hotel in Kanchanpur and the Ratna Hotel in Biratnagar have been raised to three-star status.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Nepal to host IFATCA conference in 2012
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 06 -
The Nepal Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) is hosting
the 51st conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) from March 12-16, 2012.
NATCA has won the bid to host the conference, which is the biggest international event being held in Nepal. More than 600 participants from 136 member countries of IFATCA will be participating, said NATCA president Pratap Babu Tiwari.
NATCA has formed an organizing committee, sub-committees and an advisory panel to make the preparations for the event. The Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari has been named coordinator of the conference.
IFATCA holds annual conferences attended by its member associations to focus on its own particular concerns. The Jordanian Air Traffic Controllers Association is holding the 50th annual conference from April 11-15, 2011 in Amman, Jordan.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has pledged to manage the necessary resources while Tribhuvan International Airport will arrange the conference hall, Tiwari said. On the second day of the meet, there will be an exhibition of aircraft control equipment and the latest technologies related to aviation.
Nepal hosted the IFATCA Asia Pacific chapter conference in 2004. NATCA was established in 1991. It later affiliated with IFATCA and became a member association in 1992.
NATCA has been participating in the annual and regional conferences of IFATCA and supporting its various initiatives and activities.
Due to circumstances and lack of proper policies, NATCA remained inactive for several years. In 1998, NATCA was revived with the spirit of professionalism of air traffic controllers. NATCA is the only national professional organization of Nepali Air Traffic Controllers, dedicated to protecting and safeguarding the interests and rights of Air Traffic Control (ATC) professionals.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 06 -
The Nepal Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) is hosting
the 51st conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) from March 12-16, 2012.
NATCA has won the bid to host the conference, which is the biggest international event being held in Nepal. More than 600 participants from 136 member countries of IFATCA will be participating, said NATCA president Pratap Babu Tiwari.
NATCA has formed an organizing committee, sub-committees and an advisory panel to make the preparations for the event. The Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari has been named coordinator of the conference.
IFATCA holds annual conferences attended by its member associations to focus on its own particular concerns. The Jordanian Air Traffic Controllers Association is holding the 50th annual conference from April 11-15, 2011 in Amman, Jordan.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has pledged to manage the necessary resources while Tribhuvan International Airport will arrange the conference hall, Tiwari said. On the second day of the meet, there will be an exhibition of aircraft control equipment and the latest technologies related to aviation.
Nepal hosted the IFATCA Asia Pacific chapter conference in 2004. NATCA was established in 1991. It later affiliated with IFATCA and became a member association in 1992.
NATCA has been participating in the annual and regional conferences of IFATCA and supporting its various initiatives and activities.
Due to circumstances and lack of proper policies, NATCA remained inactive for several years. In 1998, NATCA was revived with the spirit of professionalism of air traffic controllers. NATCA is the only national professional organization of Nepali Air Traffic Controllers, dedicated to protecting and safeguarding the interests and rights of Air Traffic Control (ATC) professionals.
Pre-Dashain Import Curse
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 06 -
The government is importing 20,000 tons of rice, 50,000 tons of wheat and 25,000 tons of sugar from India to meet the increased demand during the Dashain festival.
Demand for foodstuffs usually doubles during festivals with shortages leading to price hikes.
“The move is to intervene in the market with the private players who have a monopoly role in supply, as during the festive time there is high chances of creating an artificial shortage to increase the price,” said Ganesh Dhakal spokesman at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS).
According to him, government distribution will be a hedge against the monopoly of private distributors and also to ensure the real price and quality of food items,” Dhakal added.
Although the government has 19,000 tons of food as a buffer stock, the import is to make the supply side smooth as the festive period requires big chunk of foodstuffs, he said.
As a buffer stock, 15,000 tons are reserved for domestic consumption while 4,000 tons are for the SAARC Food Bank that could be distributed to any neighbouring country if a food crisis occurs there.
Of the total food import, wheat and sugar delivery will be on time, however, due to some procedures to follow regarding the price and quality of rice, shipment of rice will take some time, he said. Distribution of wheat and sugar will be entrusted to Salt Trading Corporation while distribution of rice will be assigned to Nepal Food Corporation. Earlier, the private sector used to import food items, however, after the Indian government banned export of food (except basmati rice), the Nepal government started the shipment process through a diplomatic channel, he said.
Nepal had requested the Indian government to provide 200,000 tons of food grain to Nepal from Indian state entities during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s New Delhi visit.
Following the request, the Indian government had approved the supply of 50,000 tons of wheat and 25,000 tons of rice at the market price for Nepal for 2010. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) estimates that the food deficit in Nepal mounted to 500,000 tons in 2009/10 from its earlier deficit estimate of 316,000 tons. The MoAC’s last fiscal year’s production report revealed
that overall grain production
dropped to 7.76 million tons. In the previous fiscal year, overall grain output was recorded at 8.11 million tons. Paddy production declined by about 11 percent to 4.02 million tons. In the previous year, paddy production was 4.52 million tons.
However, wheat output has increased by 16 percent in the last fiscal year compared to the previous year. Wheat production was about 1.56 million tons in 2009/10 compared to 1.34 million tons in 2008/09. The share of paddy production in the total grain output is 45 percent, followed by wheat (24 percent), maize (26 percent), millet (5 percent) and barley (1 percent). With the estimated deficit, over 1.7 million people are estimated to face food unavailability, according to the ministry. The fall in grain production has been attributed to lack of modern irrigation facilities, increasing plotting of productive land for housing
construction and traditional agricultural methods.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 06 -
The government is importing 20,000 tons of rice, 50,000 tons of wheat and 25,000 tons of sugar from India to meet the increased demand during the Dashain festival.
Demand for foodstuffs usually doubles during festivals with shortages leading to price hikes.
“The move is to intervene in the market with the private players who have a monopoly role in supply, as during the festive time there is high chances of creating an artificial shortage to increase the price,” said Ganesh Dhakal spokesman at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS).
According to him, government distribution will be a hedge against the monopoly of private distributors and also to ensure the real price and quality of food items,” Dhakal added.
Although the government has 19,000 tons of food as a buffer stock, the import is to make the supply side smooth as the festive period requires big chunk of foodstuffs, he said.
As a buffer stock, 15,000 tons are reserved for domestic consumption while 4,000 tons are for the SAARC Food Bank that could be distributed to any neighbouring country if a food crisis occurs there.
Of the total food import, wheat and sugar delivery will be on time, however, due to some procedures to follow regarding the price and quality of rice, shipment of rice will take some time, he said. Distribution of wheat and sugar will be entrusted to Salt Trading Corporation while distribution of rice will be assigned to Nepal Food Corporation. Earlier, the private sector used to import food items, however, after the Indian government banned export of food (except basmati rice), the Nepal government started the shipment process through a diplomatic channel, he said.
Nepal had requested the Indian government to provide 200,000 tons of food grain to Nepal from Indian state entities during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s New Delhi visit.
Following the request, the Indian government had approved the supply of 50,000 tons of wheat and 25,000 tons of rice at the market price for Nepal for 2010. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) estimates that the food deficit in Nepal mounted to 500,000 tons in 2009/10 from its earlier deficit estimate of 316,000 tons. The MoAC’s last fiscal year’s production report revealed
that overall grain production
dropped to 7.76 million tons. In the previous fiscal year, overall grain output was recorded at 8.11 million tons. Paddy production declined by about 11 percent to 4.02 million tons. In the previous year, paddy production was 4.52 million tons.
However, wheat output has increased by 16 percent in the last fiscal year compared to the previous year. Wheat production was about 1.56 million tons in 2009/10 compared to 1.34 million tons in 2008/09. The share of paddy production in the total grain output is 45 percent, followed by wheat (24 percent), maize (26 percent), millet (5 percent) and barley (1 percent). With the estimated deficit, over 1.7 million people are estimated to face food unavailability, according to the ministry. The fall in grain production has been attributed to lack of modern irrigation facilities, increasing plotting of productive land for housing
construction and traditional agricultural methods.
NFC’s brave Dashain bid
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 07 -
Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) is planning to supply 4,000 goats during Dashain in the Kathmandu Valley in view of the usual jump in demand for meat during the festival. According to an NFC official, last year’s requirement amounted to 17,000 animals which is likely to soar to 30,000 this year due to a rise in the population. Last year, NFC sold about 2,716 goats in the capital.
“If NFC does not intervene in the market, there are high chances that traders will gain a monopoly and control prices,” said deputy general manager Bijaya Dhoj Thapa. He added that it was NFC’s duty to provide an alternative supply so that traders cannot increase the market prices.
Last year, the corporation had sold goats at Rs. 240 to Rs. 250 per kg. Although there won’t be much difference between NFC’s subsidized rates and the prices charged by private traders, the move will help keep possible price hikes in check, Thapa said.
NFC could not collect as many goats as it had planned to last year, and so this year it is sending its people to new places on a
procurement mission. Last year, the goats came from Dang, Nepalgunj and Lahan.
Until a few years ago, NFC used to import mountain goats from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Imports ceased due to high transportation costs.
Thapa said NFC aimed to have the goats in Kathmandu before Ghatasthapana, which marks the beginning of the festival of Bada Dashain. Unlike in the past, NFC will not be selling edible oil for the festival. The corporation used to sell edible oil at a subsidized rate. “We need to call a tender for the purchase process which takes a long time. And as the festival is very near, we will not be able to supply edible oil this year,” he said.
With respect to rice, NFC is selling sona mansuli at Rs. 34 per kg, jira masino at Rs. 50 per kg, basmati at Rs. 66 per kg and Japanese rice at Rs. 50 per kg.
NFC maintains sales outlets at Thapathali in Kathmandu, Nakhu in Lalitpur and Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur. From Ghatasthapana, they will remain open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Thapa said.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 07 -
Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) is planning to supply 4,000 goats during Dashain in the Kathmandu Valley in view of the usual jump in demand for meat during the festival. According to an NFC official, last year’s requirement amounted to 17,000 animals which is likely to soar to 30,000 this year due to a rise in the population. Last year, NFC sold about 2,716 goats in the capital.
“If NFC does not intervene in the market, there are high chances that traders will gain a monopoly and control prices,” said deputy general manager Bijaya Dhoj Thapa. He added that it was NFC’s duty to provide an alternative supply so that traders cannot increase the market prices.
Last year, the corporation had sold goats at Rs. 240 to Rs. 250 per kg. Although there won’t be much difference between NFC’s subsidized rates and the prices charged by private traders, the move will help keep possible price hikes in check, Thapa said.
NFC could not collect as many goats as it had planned to last year, and so this year it is sending its people to new places on a
procurement mission. Last year, the goats came from Dang, Nepalgunj and Lahan.
Until a few years ago, NFC used to import mountain goats from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Imports ceased due to high transportation costs.
Thapa said NFC aimed to have the goats in Kathmandu before Ghatasthapana, which marks the beginning of the festival of Bada Dashain. Unlike in the past, NFC will not be selling edible oil for the festival. The corporation used to sell edible oil at a subsidized rate. “We need to call a tender for the purchase process which takes a long time. And as the festival is very near, we will not be able to supply edible oil this year,” he said.
With respect to rice, NFC is selling sona mansuli at Rs. 34 per kg, jira masino at Rs. 50 per kg, basmati at Rs. 66 per kg and Japanese rice at Rs. 50 per kg.
NFC maintains sales outlets at Thapathali in Kathmandu, Nakhu in Lalitpur and Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur. From Ghatasthapana, they will remain open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Thapa said.
CAAN cap on CPL issue
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 09 -
In the wake of an increasing number of pilots being unemployed every year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has revised its Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issuance rule aiming to limit new license holders to some extent.
As per the new rule, now onwards, the CAAN will conduct only three-scheduled CPL tests each year as against the existing four tests.
The CPL is a qualification certificate that permits the holder to act as the Pilot-in-command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.
Students, who have accomplished their examination and training in pilot course are authorized by the CPL from their respective institutions after they complete the relevant written exams and tests.
After the course completion abroad, the pilot graduates need to pass a separate CPL test in their home country, conducted under CAAN to hold a Private Pilot certificate. The move by CAAN, the regulatory body of the aviation sector in Nepal, came after the recent concern raised by the Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN) that the country has 194 pilots grounded as the domestic aviation industry was unable to adjust the supply of the pilots each year.
“Our initiative is to teach the pilot aspirants that the country’s aviation sector was unable to create employment opportunity in line with the increasing trend of students looking for the course abroad,” said Binod Giri, director, Aviation Safety Department, CAAN.
According to CAAN, about 200 pilots who have passed the CPL test recently are waiting for employment while around 150 students are pursuing the course abroad.
“There was no fixed schedule of conducting the CPL test before. The CAAN used to act in response to the pilot groups before. However, now onwards, there will be managed and fixed schedule to issue the license,” said Ram Prasad Neupane, Director General at CAAN.
According to data of the AOAN, from May 2008 May to July 2010 194 pilots qualified for the commercial pilot license (CPL) conducted by the CAAN.
Recently, the AOAN had said that pilot aspirants were spending big amounts of money, with no result. Over the last two years, more than Rs. 540 million flew off to foreign countries for the pilot course. One student’s minimum expense comprises Rs. 3 million as tuitions fee only.
Until now, CAAN has conducted the examination for the 44th pilot batch. “Some 650 pilots attended the CPL, and 413 qualified for the license.
The craze for the pilot course has risen significantly since two years. According to AOAN, jobs shortfall for the pilots started since the 36 batch.
Before this, there was demand for Nepali pilots in both domestic and international aviation sector. Over 27 pilots are working in Indian aviation. On July 16, after the Indian government announced giving priority to Indians, Nepali pilots have started returning from India.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 09 -
In the wake of an increasing number of pilots being unemployed every year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has revised its Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issuance rule aiming to limit new license holders to some extent.
As per the new rule, now onwards, the CAAN will conduct only three-scheduled CPL tests each year as against the existing four tests.
The CPL is a qualification certificate that permits the holder to act as the Pilot-in-command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.
Students, who have accomplished their examination and training in pilot course are authorized by the CPL from their respective institutions after they complete the relevant written exams and tests.
After the course completion abroad, the pilot graduates need to pass a separate CPL test in their home country, conducted under CAAN to hold a Private Pilot certificate. The move by CAAN, the regulatory body of the aviation sector in Nepal, came after the recent concern raised by the Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN) that the country has 194 pilots grounded as the domestic aviation industry was unable to adjust the supply of the pilots each year.
“Our initiative is to teach the pilot aspirants that the country’s aviation sector was unable to create employment opportunity in line with the increasing trend of students looking for the course abroad,” said Binod Giri, director, Aviation Safety Department, CAAN.
According to CAAN, about 200 pilots who have passed the CPL test recently are waiting for employment while around 150 students are pursuing the course abroad.
“There was no fixed schedule of conducting the CPL test before. The CAAN used to act in response to the pilot groups before. However, now onwards, there will be managed and fixed schedule to issue the license,” said Ram Prasad Neupane, Director General at CAAN.
According to data of the AOAN, from May 2008 May to July 2010 194 pilots qualified for the commercial pilot license (CPL) conducted by the CAAN.
Recently, the AOAN had said that pilot aspirants were spending big amounts of money, with no result. Over the last two years, more than Rs. 540 million flew off to foreign countries for the pilot course. One student’s minimum expense comprises Rs. 3 million as tuitions fee only.
Until now, CAAN has conducted the examination for the 44th pilot batch. “Some 650 pilots attended the CPL, and 413 qualified for the license.
The craze for the pilot course has risen significantly since two years. According to AOAN, jobs shortfall for the pilots started since the 36 batch.
Before this, there was demand for Nepali pilots in both domestic and international aviation sector. Over 27 pilots are working in Indian aviation. On July 16, after the Indian government announced giving priority to Indians, Nepali pilots have started returning from India.
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Great Himalaya Trail
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 03 -
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), the longest and highest alpine walking track in the world, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Jan. 14, 2011 in Kathmandu.
The Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY 2011) implementing committee announced the launching of the trail as a new product aimed at attracting trekkers from around the world.
Currently, 95 percent of the 120,000 trekkers visiting Nepal annually do not go beyond the Annapurna, Langtang or Everest regions. Only around 6,200 trekkers venture off the beaten track.
“The long-term aim is to connect the six Asian countries of Pakistan, China (Tibet Autonomous Region), India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar via a route covering more than 4,500 km of the Great Himalaya range,” said Lisa Choegyal, consultant to the project and Honorary Consul designate for New Zealand in Nepal. The westernmost point of the GHT is the world’s ninth highest peak, Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, and it winds past the sacred headwaters of the Ganges in India, the entire length of Nepal beneath Annapurna, Everest and Kanchenjunga, through Sikkim then Bhutan and eventually to India’s remote Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and Namche Barwa in Tibet. Spectacular views include all of the world’s 14 eight-thousander peaks. Robin Boustead documented Nepal’s part of the trail in detail in 2008. He completed an upper route of about 1,700 km, which offers high-altitude adventure visitors unparalleled trekking, mixing high passes and alpine valleys, she said. The GHT spans the length of Nepal from Darchula and Humla in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. Few hardy souls would tackle the full length of the trail in Nepal at one go, taking some 150 days. The concept of the GHT emerged in the late 1990s in Nepal. In 2008, SNV conducted the GHT first phase pilot project in Humla and Dolpa financed by the UK Department for International Development. The project aims to provide a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry, the idea is to channel more tourists and pro-poor tourism investment to under-developed districts, stimulating a range of private sector business, employment and production opportunities for poor mountain communities, Choegyal told the Post.
According to her, the twin concepts of marketing and development were first pulled together in the Asian Development Bank’s Nepal Ecotourism Project in 2000.
The GHT also featured in Nepal Tourism Board’s National Ecotourism Strategy and Marketing Programme of Nepal the following year. However, implementation was constrained by the insurgency that made it impossible for tourists or development workers to visit many parts of Nepal.
In 2004, the GHT was adopted as a pro-poor tourism initiative in the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation’s Tourism Development Plan, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank in Nepal, Bhutan and India (Sikkim, Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh). With Nepal having the most to gain due to its geography, SNV and ICIMOD took up the concept in 2006.
“Nepal’s three main trekking routes, Everest, Annapurna and Langtang, attract thousands of visitors every year. However, with the visitors preferring new trekking destinations and the country’s strategy to diversify tourism products to other regions, this concept has been implemented,” said Kashi Raj Bhandari, director, research, planning and monitoring, Nepal Tourism Board.
The GHT is not a new product, it is the same trekking route that has been elegantly connected with the itineraries combining old and new routes. The route not only offers incredible bio-diversity but is also associated with the objective to transform untouched wilderness in the remotest districts into economic assets, Bhandari said.
After the project is accomplished, its ownership will be entrusted to the government of Nepal. SNV has been holding discussions with the government in this regard.
Murari Bahadur Karki, joint secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that talks were in progress. “We are forming a committee under which discussions will be held to finalize ownership,” he said. The committee will study every itinerary and district through which the GHT passes to make sure that the project incorporates responsible environment practices and potential opportunities. “After taking ownership, the project will be handed over to the private sector for branding and promotion,” he said. “This new potential product can make a real difference for people living at barely subsistence level, and boost incomes in rural areas that have been untouched by the government’s development projects,” said Bachchu Narayan, first vice president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN).
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 03 -
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), the longest and highest alpine walking track in the world, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Jan. 14, 2011 in Kathmandu.
The Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY 2011) implementing committee announced the launching of the trail as a new product aimed at attracting trekkers from around the world.
Currently, 95 percent of the 120,000 trekkers visiting Nepal annually do not go beyond the Annapurna, Langtang or Everest regions. Only around 6,200 trekkers venture off the beaten track.
“The long-term aim is to connect the six Asian countries of Pakistan, China (Tibet Autonomous Region), India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar via a route covering more than 4,500 km of the Great Himalaya range,” said Lisa Choegyal, consultant to the project and Honorary Consul designate for New Zealand in Nepal. The westernmost point of the GHT is the world’s ninth highest peak, Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, and it winds past the sacred headwaters of the Ganges in India, the entire length of Nepal beneath Annapurna, Everest and Kanchenjunga, through Sikkim then Bhutan and eventually to India’s remote Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and Namche Barwa in Tibet. Spectacular views include all of the world’s 14 eight-thousander peaks. Robin Boustead documented Nepal’s part of the trail in detail in 2008. He completed an upper route of about 1,700 km, which offers high-altitude adventure visitors unparalleled trekking, mixing high passes and alpine valleys, she said. The GHT spans the length of Nepal from Darchula and Humla in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. Few hardy souls would tackle the full length of the trail in Nepal at one go, taking some 150 days. The concept of the GHT emerged in the late 1990s in Nepal. In 2008, SNV conducted the GHT first phase pilot project in Humla and Dolpa financed by the UK Department for International Development. The project aims to provide a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry, the idea is to channel more tourists and pro-poor tourism investment to under-developed districts, stimulating a range of private sector business, employment and production opportunities for poor mountain communities, Choegyal told the Post.
According to her, the twin concepts of marketing and development were first pulled together in the Asian Development Bank’s Nepal Ecotourism Project in 2000.
The GHT also featured in Nepal Tourism Board’s National Ecotourism Strategy and Marketing Programme of Nepal the following year. However, implementation was constrained by the insurgency that made it impossible for tourists or development workers to visit many parts of Nepal.
In 2004, the GHT was adopted as a pro-poor tourism initiative in the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation’s Tourism Development Plan, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank in Nepal, Bhutan and India (Sikkim, Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh). With Nepal having the most to gain due to its geography, SNV and ICIMOD took up the concept in 2006.
“Nepal’s three main trekking routes, Everest, Annapurna and Langtang, attract thousands of visitors every year. However, with the visitors preferring new trekking destinations and the country’s strategy to diversify tourism products to other regions, this concept has been implemented,” said Kashi Raj Bhandari, director, research, planning and monitoring, Nepal Tourism Board.
The GHT is not a new product, it is the same trekking route that has been elegantly connected with the itineraries combining old and new routes. The route not only offers incredible bio-diversity but is also associated with the objective to transform untouched wilderness in the remotest districts into economic assets, Bhandari said.
After the project is accomplished, its ownership will be entrusted to the government of Nepal. SNV has been holding discussions with the government in this regard.
Murari Bahadur Karki, joint secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that talks were in progress. “We are forming a committee under which discussions will be held to finalize ownership,” he said. The committee will study every itinerary and district through which the GHT passes to make sure that the project incorporates responsible environment practices and potential opportunities. “After taking ownership, the project will be handed over to the private sector for branding and promotion,” he said. “This new potential product can make a real difference for people living at barely subsistence level, and boost incomes in rural areas that have been untouched by the government’s development projects,” said Bachchu Narayan, first vice president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Aug arrivals herald busy tourist season
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 02 -
Tourist arrivals in August have surged by 24.3 percent giving an encouraging outlook for the upcoming tourist season. All the major five-star hotels in the country have over 90 percent bookings for autumn.
The latest statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) show that 34,415 tourists arrived in the country via air in August. A significant surge in arrivals from South Asia (up 34.9 percent), Asia including China and Europe has contributed to the growth.
As per NTB statistics, tourist arrivals in August from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh jumped by 35.1 percent, 57 percent and 51.6 percent respectively. A robust growth of 20 percent has been observed in arrivals from the South Asian region during the first eight months of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
Arrivals from China, one of the fastest growing tourist markets for Nepal, soared 68.3 percent. Malaysia (up 85.7 percent) and South Korea (up 28.6 percent) were other growth markets. However, the number of visitors from Japan, Singapore and Thailand has declined by 5.3 percent, 32.9 percent and 9.7 percent respectively.
A healthy growth has been recorded in tourist arrivals from major European countries. According to the NTB, Europe registered a positive growth of 18.9 percent.
The first eight months (January-August) of 2010 saw overall tourist arrivals going up by 20 percent. A total of 260,072 tourists arrived in Nepal during this period compared to 217,242 last year.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 02 -
Tourist arrivals in August have surged by 24.3 percent giving an encouraging outlook for the upcoming tourist season. All the major five-star hotels in the country have over 90 percent bookings for autumn.
The latest statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) show that 34,415 tourists arrived in the country via air in August. A significant surge in arrivals from South Asia (up 34.9 percent), Asia including China and Europe has contributed to the growth.
As per NTB statistics, tourist arrivals in August from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh jumped by 35.1 percent, 57 percent and 51.6 percent respectively. A robust growth of 20 percent has been observed in arrivals from the South Asian region during the first eight months of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
Arrivals from China, one of the fastest growing tourist markets for Nepal, soared 68.3 percent. Malaysia (up 85.7 percent) and South Korea (up 28.6 percent) were other growth markets. However, the number of visitors from Japan, Singapore and Thailand has declined by 5.3 percent, 32.9 percent and 9.7 percent respectively.
A healthy growth has been recorded in tourist arrivals from major European countries. According to the NTB, Europe registered a positive growth of 18.9 percent.
The first eight months (January-August) of 2010 saw overall tourist arrivals going up by 20 percent. A total of 260,072 tourists arrived in Nepal during this period compared to 217,242 last year.
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