SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 07 -
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is preparing to auction old aircraft that have lain abandoned at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for scrap.
The TIA management has passed a proposal to get rid of these unserviceable planes that have been an eyesore at the airport besides posing a safety hazard. “As per the TIA proposal, the ministry will form a valuation committee for these aircraft,” said TIA general manager Dinesh Shrestha. After the valuation is done, the process of auctioning the junk will begin.
A few months ago, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had directed TIA to improve its competitiveness level for better performance.
As part of its regular monitoring, the anti-graft body had directed TIA to proceed immediately to remove junk from the airport grounds for safety reasons.
“Following the CIAA’s instruction, we have issued notices to the concerned companies regarding the sale of their useless aircraft. As there was no response from them, the airport management has forwarded a proposal to auction the aircraft to the ministry,” Shrestha said.
The airlines that have dumped their old planes at TIA have not even paid parking charges. There are 13 such aircraft including three 19-seater Dorniers and a 100-seater Fokker belonging to Cosmic Air.
Cosmic owes TIA Rs 12.8 million in parking, landing and navigation charges. Similarly, Nepal Airways owes Rs 1.17 million for its helicopter and Y-12 aircraft, and Necon Air Rs 46.3 million for its Avro aircraft.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Travel pros to take up NAC issue
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN. 7
Travel trade entrepreneurs are preparing to dispatch an open letter to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to press him to take initiative for purchasing aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) at the earliest.
A meeting of major travel trade organisations—Travel Agencies Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Nepal Association of Tour Operators, Tourist Guide Association of Nepal and Pacific Asia Travel Association, Nepal — took a decision to this effect on Friday.
“We (tourism organisations) will draw the attention of the prime minister towards the current scenario of the national flag carrier and increasing politics in aircraft purchase process,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. Thapa said it is not possible to make Nepal Tourism Year-2011 a success until NAC’s capacity is increased. If the government fails to bring in aircraft this year as well, it is sure that NAC aircraft deal will be more complicated in the coming days, added Thapa.
Issuing a press statement, tourism organisations said the prime minister should take a concrete policy level decision for the aircraft purchase. “Bookings of travel agencies and hotels in 2010 indicate that tourist arrivals will grow significantly in 2011 and ahead,” read the press statement. Inadequate connectivity of the national flag carrier in the long-haul routes and other potential markets could be a major setback for the Nepali tourism industry.
On the other hand, Nepali migrant workers will suffer largely, the press release said.
KATHMANDU, JAN. 7
Travel trade entrepreneurs are preparing to dispatch an open letter to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to press him to take initiative for purchasing aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) at the earliest.
A meeting of major travel trade organisations—Travel Agencies Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Nepal Association of Tour Operators, Tourist Guide Association of Nepal and Pacific Asia Travel Association, Nepal — took a decision to this effect on Friday.
“We (tourism organisations) will draw the attention of the prime minister towards the current scenario of the national flag carrier and increasing politics in aircraft purchase process,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. Thapa said it is not possible to make Nepal Tourism Year-2011 a success until NAC’s capacity is increased. If the government fails to bring in aircraft this year as well, it is sure that NAC aircraft deal will be more complicated in the coming days, added Thapa.
Issuing a press statement, tourism organisations said the prime minister should take a concrete policy level decision for the aircraft purchase. “Bookings of travel agencies and hotels in 2010 indicate that tourist arrivals will grow significantly in 2011 and ahead,” read the press statement. Inadequate connectivity of the national flag carrier in the long-haul routes and other potential markets could be a major setback for the Nepali tourism industry.
On the other hand, Nepali migrant workers will suffer largely, the press release said.
Prez to cut NTY ribbon amid gala event
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 07 -
President Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate Nepal Tourism Year 2011 next Friday amid a gala ceremony at Dasrath Stadium, Kathmandu.
NTY is expected to project to the world Nepal’s hospitality and admirable culture and rejuvenate the country’s image as a tourist destination marred by a decade-long conflict.
“The time has finally arrived since the campaign was announced two years ago,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, at a briefing held to announce the major programmes to be held on inauguration day.
The political commitments made during the first part of 2010 had raised the hopes of travel trade professionals that the country could increase the number of visitors.
The record tourist arrivals seen in 2010 have further buoyed the spirits of the tourism industry, said Shrestha.
“Another good news is that the country has also confirmed 9-10 major international events in 2011,” Shrestha said.
According to the NTB, more than 25,000 guests will be attending the inauguration at Dasrath Stadium. “About 6,000 artists (including those from the Nepal Police, Nepal Army and schools) will perform in the event,” said event manager Kul Bahadur Thapa.
There will be 500 security personnel deployed around the venue. In addition, 250 traffic police personnel will handle the traffic besides 150 volunteers. Parking for 2,000 four-wheelers has been arranged at different places around the stadium and in commercial complexes.
There will be a separate event at Tundikhel for the general public, the NTB said. An air show of motor paragliding will be a major attraction in which 21 pilots will perform. In the evening, there will be a firework display and other entertainment at Tundikhel. The NTY implementation committee will be spending Rs 10 million on the opening festivities.
Nepal has set a target to host a million visitors, double the arrivals in 2010. The last such tourism year was organized in 1998 as Visit Nepal Year.
KATHMANDU, JAN 07 -
President Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate Nepal Tourism Year 2011 next Friday amid a gala ceremony at Dasrath Stadium, Kathmandu.
NTY is expected to project to the world Nepal’s hospitality and admirable culture and rejuvenate the country’s image as a tourist destination marred by a decade-long conflict.
“The time has finally arrived since the campaign was announced two years ago,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, at a briefing held to announce the major programmes to be held on inauguration day.
The political commitments made during the first part of 2010 had raised the hopes of travel trade professionals that the country could increase the number of visitors.
The record tourist arrivals seen in 2010 have further buoyed the spirits of the tourism industry, said Shrestha.
“Another good news is that the country has also confirmed 9-10 major international events in 2011,” Shrestha said.
According to the NTB, more than 25,000 guests will be attending the inauguration at Dasrath Stadium. “About 6,000 artists (including those from the Nepal Police, Nepal Army and schools) will perform in the event,” said event manager Kul Bahadur Thapa.
There will be 500 security personnel deployed around the venue. In addition, 250 traffic police personnel will handle the traffic besides 150 volunteers. Parking for 2,000 four-wheelers has been arranged at different places around the stadium and in commercial complexes.
There will be a separate event at Tundikhel for the general public, the NTB said. An air show of motor paragliding will be a major attraction in which 21 pilots will perform. In the evening, there will be a firework display and other entertainment at Tundikhel. The NTY implementation committee will be spending Rs 10 million on the opening festivities.
Nepal has set a target to host a million visitors, double the arrivals in 2010. The last such tourism year was organized in 1998 as Visit Nepal Year.
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