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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
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.
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