The loan is expected to cover NOC’s losses for two months
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 20 -
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has agreed to provide Rs 1.30 billion loan to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to settle its increasing dues and avert another possible fuel price hike planned by the corporation. The next Cabinet meeting is expected to endorse this decision. After getting nod from the MoF, the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) has forwarded the loan proposal to the Cabinet. The government will provide Rs 800 million from Employees’ Provident Fund and Rs 500 million from Citizen Investment Trust to the corporation. The MoF has put the land of Birgunj Sugar Mill and Sanjha Yatayat up as government collateral for the loan.
Following rise in the international fuel prices, the NOC had asked the government either to provide fund for allow it to hike fuel prices. According to the NOC, it is incurring monthly losses of Rs 750 million due to increase in international price.
The MoF agreed to provide loan to the corporation after it agreed not to hike fuel prices for at least next two months. “We agreed to provide loan to the NOC to ensure smooth supply,” said Rameshwor Khanal, finance secretary, at Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee meeting on Wednesday.
“It has been agreed that international fuel prices will be monitored for the next two months. And, if international prices increase further, NOC will be allowed to hike fuel prices in the country.” The loan is expected to cover NOC’s losses for two months. The NOC had proposed fuel price revision citing that the crude oil price in the international market price climbed to over US$ 100 per barrel. The NOC says it has to settle outstanding dues of about Rs 450 million with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in order to ensure regular supply.
After the latest price hike on Dec. 6, 2010, the corporation faced criticism from all quarters. Parliament’s Finance and Labour Committee had asked it to review the price hike. However, the NOC said that it was not possible to rollback the price hike and instead asked the government for financial support.
At the PAC meeting, Khanal asked the NOC to explore possibilities of credit from the IOC.
Lawmakers and the government officials at PAC meeting on Wednesday underscored the immediate need for introducing scientific fuel pricing system. They also asked the NOC to expedite the Raxual-Amlekhgunj cross-border oil pipeline project and initiate the construction of large oil storage to ensure smooth supply.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
International Carriers allowed to run extra flights during NTY
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 19 -
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has allowed international airlines serving Nepal to operate additional flights during 2011 in view of the projected rise in arrivals during the Nepal Tourism Year campaign which has aimed to bring one million tourists.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the ministry decided on Jan. 13 to permit the carriers to increase their frequency by up to seven flights per week. The extra flights are based on the temporary operating permit (TOP) which is applicable to scheduled online international airlines and will be valid till the end of 2011. The additional flights will be approved only during lean hours.
“As per the TOP, each country will be allowed to add up to seven flights per week,” said Amar Bahadur Shakya, director, airlines affairs department, CAAN.
The ministry has directed CAAN to inform the aviation authorities of all the countries, which have signed an air service agreement (ASA) with Nepal about the new provision. Nepal has signed ASAs with 36 countries.
“The ministry took the decision to allow additional flights as there was insufficient time to amend the ASAs,” said Suresh Acharya, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry.
Presently, 27 international airlines are serving the country. Nepal is targeting at least 700,000 arrivals by air in 2011, which will require an additional 1.40 million roundtrip seats.
According to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, passenger movement grew 21 percent in the first nine months of 2010 to 1.71 million passengers, up from 1.41 million during the same period last year. International flight movement rose 23 percent during the review period to 13,978 flights compared to 11,329 previously.
In the whole of 2009, international passenger movement was recorded at 2,027,147 passengers and flight movement at 15,701 flights, a growth of 11 percent over 2008.
“Nepal has targeted one million tourists during Nepal Tourism Year, and the goal shows that demand for air seats will swell enormously,” said TIA general manager Dinesh Shrestha.
TIA handles up to 50-60 international flights daily while its capacity is 35-40 flights. Around 3,000 passengers now pass through the airport per hour, which was designed to handle 1,350 passengers per hour. Nepal Airlines Corporation, Dragon Air, Gulf Airways and Qatar Airways are the carriers operating night flights.
Eight international airlines added Nepal to their network during the years 2009 and 2010. Kingfisher of India began flying on the Mumbai-Delhi-Kathmandu sector on April 24, 2010. Oman Air started operations in September 2010. India's SpiceJet started its New Delhi-Kathmandu service on Oct. 7, 2010 while Fly Dubai entered Nepal's skies on Dec. 15, 2009. China Eastern Airlines began scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Kunming on Sept. 8, 2009.
Dutch carrier ARKE started flying between Amsterdam and Kathmandu on Oct. 7, 2009 to become the only airline operating a direct service between Nepal and Europe. United Airways began scheduled flights between Dhaka and Kathmandu on Oct. 28, 2009 while Jet Airways started flying on the Mumbai-Kathmandu sector on Dec. 2, 2009. Fly Dubai started its Kathmandu service on Dec 15, 2009.
International airlines existing seat production
Airlines Seat capacity Production
Air Arabia 168 2,352
Air China 128 512
Bahrain Air 138 966
Biman Bangladesh 221/80 1,547
Buddha Air 47/18 141/72
China Eastern 134 402
China Southern 128 384
Dragon Air 300 1,800
Druk Air 114 570
Etihad Airways 262 1,834
GMG Airlines 153 1,071
Gulf Air 250 2,750
Indian Airlines 172/145 3,568
Jet Airways 144 3,024
Jet Lite 186 1,302
Korean Air 261/301 602
Nepal Airlines 190 4,180
Pakistan Int’l Airlines 205 615
Qatar Airways 305/272/260/144 6,405
Silk Air 150 900
Thai Int’l Airways 309 2,163
TUI Airlines (ARKE) 180 180
United Airways 155/37 930
Fly Dubai 189 1,323
Kingfisher Airlines 174 1,218
Oman Air 154 616
Spice Jet 212 1,484
Weekly seat production: 42,911
Annual seat production: 2,231,372
Source: CAAN
KATHMANDU, JAN 19 -
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has allowed international airlines serving Nepal to operate additional flights during 2011 in view of the projected rise in arrivals during the Nepal Tourism Year campaign which has aimed to bring one million tourists.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the ministry decided on Jan. 13 to permit the carriers to increase their frequency by up to seven flights per week. The extra flights are based on the temporary operating permit (TOP) which is applicable to scheduled online international airlines and will be valid till the end of 2011. The additional flights will be approved only during lean hours.
“As per the TOP, each country will be allowed to add up to seven flights per week,” said Amar Bahadur Shakya, director, airlines affairs department, CAAN.
The ministry has directed CAAN to inform the aviation authorities of all the countries, which have signed an air service agreement (ASA) with Nepal about the new provision. Nepal has signed ASAs with 36 countries.
“The ministry took the decision to allow additional flights as there was insufficient time to amend the ASAs,” said Suresh Acharya, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry.
Presently, 27 international airlines are serving the country. Nepal is targeting at least 700,000 arrivals by air in 2011, which will require an additional 1.40 million roundtrip seats.
According to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, passenger movement grew 21 percent in the first nine months of 2010 to 1.71 million passengers, up from 1.41 million during the same period last year. International flight movement rose 23 percent during the review period to 13,978 flights compared to 11,329 previously.
In the whole of 2009, international passenger movement was recorded at 2,027,147 passengers and flight movement at 15,701 flights, a growth of 11 percent over 2008.
“Nepal has targeted one million tourists during Nepal Tourism Year, and the goal shows that demand for air seats will swell enormously,” said TIA general manager Dinesh Shrestha.
TIA handles up to 50-60 international flights daily while its capacity is 35-40 flights. Around 3,000 passengers now pass through the airport per hour, which was designed to handle 1,350 passengers per hour. Nepal Airlines Corporation, Dragon Air, Gulf Airways and Qatar Airways are the carriers operating night flights.
Eight international airlines added Nepal to their network during the years 2009 and 2010. Kingfisher of India began flying on the Mumbai-Delhi-Kathmandu sector on April 24, 2010. Oman Air started operations in September 2010. India's SpiceJet started its New Delhi-Kathmandu service on Oct. 7, 2010 while Fly Dubai entered Nepal's skies on Dec. 15, 2009. China Eastern Airlines began scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Kunming on Sept. 8, 2009.
Dutch carrier ARKE started flying between Amsterdam and Kathmandu on Oct. 7, 2009 to become the only airline operating a direct service between Nepal and Europe. United Airways began scheduled flights between Dhaka and Kathmandu on Oct. 28, 2009 while Jet Airways started flying on the Mumbai-Kathmandu sector on Dec. 2, 2009. Fly Dubai started its Kathmandu service on Dec 15, 2009.
International airlines existing seat production
Airlines Seat capacity Production
Air Arabia 168 2,352
Air China 128 512
Bahrain Air 138 966
Biman Bangladesh 221/80 1,547
Buddha Air 47/18 141/72
China Eastern 134 402
China Southern 128 384
Dragon Air 300 1,800
Druk Air 114 570
Etihad Airways 262 1,834
GMG Airlines 153 1,071
Gulf Air 250 2,750
Indian Airlines 172/145 3,568
Jet Airways 144 3,024
Jet Lite 186 1,302
Korean Air 261/301 602
Nepal Airlines 190 4,180
Pakistan Int’l Airlines 205 615
Qatar Airways 305/272/260/144 6,405
Silk Air 150 900
Thai Int’l Airways 309 2,163
TUI Airlines (ARKE) 180 180
United Airways 155/37 930
Fly Dubai 189 1,323
Kingfisher Airlines 174 1,218
Oman Air 154 616
Spice Jet 212 1,484
Weekly seat production: 42,911
Annual seat production: 2,231,372
Source: CAAN
Monday, January 17, 2011
Arrivals by land rose by 18 pc in 2010
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 17 -
Two days after the official launch of Nepal Tourism Year-2011 (NTY-2011), there comes news likely to boost the morale of the NTY-2011 Implementation Committee officials and tourism entrepreneurs. Tourist arrivals by land increased by almost 18 percent in 2010.
The Department of Immigration statistics show that a total of 153,757 tourists entered Nepal via land routes in 2010, against 130,634 in 2009. This figure, however, does not include the number of Indian tourists, as their arrivals by land routes are not included in the country’s tourism data.
Total arrivals—via both air and land routes—in 2010 reached over 600,000. Arrivals by air in 2010 touched an all-time high mark of 448,769. This is the first instance in 12 years that tourist arrivals crossed the 400,000 mark.
According to the department, the highest number of arrivals via land routes in 2010 was from Sri Lanka, followed by Thailand, China, South Korea, the US, and United Kingdom. A total of 44,080 Sri Lankan tourists visited Nepal via land routes last year.
Although the arrivals by land increased significantly in 2010, the figure is still smaller
than that in 2007 when 165,992 visitors
entered Nepal via land routes. Arrivals by land dropped to 125,616 in 2008, but recovered marginally in 2009.
Of the total arrivals by land, 66.37 percent of tourists entered the country through Bhairahawa. According to the department, Bhairahawa saw a whopping 106 percent rise in the arrivals as compared to last year. Arrivals through Bhairahawa, the gateway of Lumbini, amounted to 102,059 in 2010 as compared to 49,356 in 2009.
Travel trade entrepreneurs attributed this rise to the increment in the number of pilgrims. “Buddhist pilgrims in Lumbini are increasing by the day. The country has been receiving a huge number of these pilgrims who come to Lumbini after visiting Bodhgaya, Saarnath and other Buddhist shrines in India,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Travel.
The figure shows that the tourists’ purpose of entering Nepal through Bhairahawa is to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha.
The pilgrim market is gaining momentum since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Maoists and government. However, travel trade entrepreneurs say that Nepal is yet to tap the pilgrim market’s potential. “Thai Airways operates direct flights to Bodhgaya in India and a huge number of pilgrims are responding to Indian packages. Despite being the birthplace of Buddha, visitors end their tours in Nepal, which yields less benefit,” said Koney.
To exploit the pilgrimage tourism potential, the government has planned to develop Bhairahawa Airport as a regional international airport. The government move comes with visitors’ increasing interest in Lumbini.
Tourist arrivals by land routes in 2010
Top five source countries
Country Numbers of tourists
Sri Lanka 44,080
Thailand 20,351
China 17561
South Korea 5,015
The United States of America 3,916
Major entry points
Entry Point Numbers
Bhairahawa 102,059
Kodari 36,348
Kakarbhitta 6,064
Kanchanpur 1,247
Birgunj 1154
Source: The department of immigration
KATHMANDU, JAN 17 -
Two days after the official launch of Nepal Tourism Year-2011 (NTY-2011), there comes news likely to boost the morale of the NTY-2011 Implementation Committee officials and tourism entrepreneurs. Tourist arrivals by land increased by almost 18 percent in 2010.
The Department of Immigration statistics show that a total of 153,757 tourists entered Nepal via land routes in 2010, against 130,634 in 2009. This figure, however, does not include the number of Indian tourists, as their arrivals by land routes are not included in the country’s tourism data.
Total arrivals—via both air and land routes—in 2010 reached over 600,000. Arrivals by air in 2010 touched an all-time high mark of 448,769. This is the first instance in 12 years that tourist arrivals crossed the 400,000 mark.
According to the department, the highest number of arrivals via land routes in 2010 was from Sri Lanka, followed by Thailand, China, South Korea, the US, and United Kingdom. A total of 44,080 Sri Lankan tourists visited Nepal via land routes last year.
Although the arrivals by land increased significantly in 2010, the figure is still smaller
than that in 2007 when 165,992 visitors
entered Nepal via land routes. Arrivals by land dropped to 125,616 in 2008, but recovered marginally in 2009.
Of the total arrivals by land, 66.37 percent of tourists entered the country through Bhairahawa. According to the department, Bhairahawa saw a whopping 106 percent rise in the arrivals as compared to last year. Arrivals through Bhairahawa, the gateway of Lumbini, amounted to 102,059 in 2010 as compared to 49,356 in 2009.
Travel trade entrepreneurs attributed this rise to the increment in the number of pilgrims. “Buddhist pilgrims in Lumbini are increasing by the day. The country has been receiving a huge number of these pilgrims who come to Lumbini after visiting Bodhgaya, Saarnath and other Buddhist shrines in India,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Travel.
The figure shows that the tourists’ purpose of entering Nepal through Bhairahawa is to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha.
The pilgrim market is gaining momentum since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Maoists and government. However, travel trade entrepreneurs say that Nepal is yet to tap the pilgrim market’s potential. “Thai Airways operates direct flights to Bodhgaya in India and a huge number of pilgrims are responding to Indian packages. Despite being the birthplace of Buddha, visitors end their tours in Nepal, which yields less benefit,” said Koney.
To exploit the pilgrimage tourism potential, the government has planned to develop Bhairahawa Airport as a regional international airport. The government move comes with visitors’ increasing interest in Lumbini.
Tourist arrivals by land routes in 2010
Top five source countries
Country Numbers of tourists
Sri Lanka 44,080
Thailand 20,351
China 17561
South Korea 5,015
The United States of America 3,916
Major entry points
Entry Point Numbers
Bhairahawa 102,059
Kodari 36,348
Kakarbhitta 6,064
Kanchanpur 1,247
Birgunj 1154
Source: The department of immigration
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A platform to revive tourism
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
After an interval of 13 years, the country is once again all set to welcome tourists in a big way. When President Ram Baran Yadav formally launches the Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 on Friday, the count of one million tourists the country plans to bring in will also kick off.
The campaign aims to project Nepal as a safe tourist destination and a choice of premier holidayers. That is the reason NTY organisers have invited tourism ministers of SAARC countries and the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation at the official launching of the NTY.
The decade-long conflict has taken its toll on Nepali tourism and NTY has emerged as the perfect platform for the government and tourism entrepreneurs to revive the industry. The fact that over Rs 500 million has been invested by the private sector targeting the NTY and five international airlines are waiting to start their services to Nepal and the record tourist arrivals in 2010, all show that 2011 could become a defining year for the tourism industry.
According to estimates, if one million tourists arrive in Nepal in 2011, tourism’s contribution to the GDP will be almost 4 percent. And, the country could end up earning foreign currency worth $600 million.
From hoteliers to tour operators, everyone is excited. “The Tourism Year is very important for the hotel industry,” said Vini K Gupta, general manager of Soaltee Crowne Plaza. “The average room occupancy that remained stagnant for the last two years could go up in 2011.” It is expected that the average room rate would also increase this year.
Many argue that the success of the NTY will depend on the country’s political scenario. One of them is economist Biswombher Pyakurel. “The future of Nepal’s tourism sector hinges on how leaders work to forge political consensus,” Pyakurel said.
More than the number, according to the president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Arjun Prasad Sharma, NTY will disseminate a positive message about Nepal in the global tourism market. “The major aim of the NTY is to send across a positive message in the international level that Nepal is ready to welcome all,” Sharma said.
According to Pyakurel, the focus should be on hosting the international community in a cordial manner in the post-conflict era rather than counting the number of visitors.
What NTY has done even before its official launch is bring back investment in the tourism sector. Not only the hotel industry, but also the aviation sector is on an expansion drive with Budhha Air even starting its international flight.
“Tourism is now becoming a major industry,” said Birendra Bahadur Basnet, managing director of Buddha Air. Other domestic air operators are also expanding their fleet for the NTY.
Investment made by the private sector has also created much-needed employment opportunities in the country. And, commercialisation of homestay in 2011 means earnings from tourism would now go to the grassroots as well. If properly handled, homestay can become one of the major features of Nepali tourism where tourists can get to know Nepal and the Nepali culture closely.
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
After an interval of 13 years, the country is once again all set to welcome tourists in a big way. When President Ram Baran Yadav formally launches the Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 on Friday, the count of one million tourists the country plans to bring in will also kick off.
The campaign aims to project Nepal as a safe tourist destination and a choice of premier holidayers. That is the reason NTY organisers have invited tourism ministers of SAARC countries and the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation at the official launching of the NTY.
The decade-long conflict has taken its toll on Nepali tourism and NTY has emerged as the perfect platform for the government and tourism entrepreneurs to revive the industry. The fact that over Rs 500 million has been invested by the private sector targeting the NTY and five international airlines are waiting to start their services to Nepal and the record tourist arrivals in 2010, all show that 2011 could become a defining year for the tourism industry.
According to estimates, if one million tourists arrive in Nepal in 2011, tourism’s contribution to the GDP will be almost 4 percent. And, the country could end up earning foreign currency worth $600 million.
From hoteliers to tour operators, everyone is excited. “The Tourism Year is very important for the hotel industry,” said Vini K Gupta, general manager of Soaltee Crowne Plaza. “The average room occupancy that remained stagnant for the last two years could go up in 2011.” It is expected that the average room rate would also increase this year.
Many argue that the success of the NTY will depend on the country’s political scenario. One of them is economist Biswombher Pyakurel. “The future of Nepal’s tourism sector hinges on how leaders work to forge political consensus,” Pyakurel said.
More than the number, according to the president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Arjun Prasad Sharma, NTY will disseminate a positive message about Nepal in the global tourism market. “The major aim of the NTY is to send across a positive message in the international level that Nepal is ready to welcome all,” Sharma said.
According to Pyakurel, the focus should be on hosting the international community in a cordial manner in the post-conflict era rather than counting the number of visitors.
What NTY has done even before its official launch is bring back investment in the tourism sector. Not only the hotel industry, but also the aviation sector is on an expansion drive with Budhha Air even starting its international flight.
“Tourism is now becoming a major industry,” said Birendra Bahadur Basnet, managing director of Buddha Air. Other domestic air operators are also expanding their fleet for the NTY.
Investment made by the private sector has also created much-needed employment opportunities in the country. And, commercialisation of homestay in 2011 means earnings from tourism would now go to the grassroots as well. If properly handled, homestay can become one of the major features of Nepali tourism where tourists can get to know Nepal and the Nepali culture closely.
Tourism Year revitalises hotel industry
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
One of the notable things that Nepal Tourism Year has done is bring back investment in the tourism sector after a long gap. Hotels are now on an expansion drive with five-star hotels in Kathmandu alone investing around Rs 500 million in 2010. Luxury hotels have also been established elsewhere in the country, mainly in Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Lumbini and Kanchanpur.
These investments make huge business sense as there is optimism in the hospitality industry after the record number of tourist arrivals in 2010. With the country targeting one million tourists in 2011 through NTY, expansion and upgradation of hotels was bound to happen.
Hoteliers say the industry has been looking for an event to boost their occupancy level. “For the last two years, the average hotel occupancy was around 70-75 percent,” said Vini K. Gupta, general manager of the Soaltee Crowne Plaza. “NTY would increase it to 80 percent.”
Kathmandu’s five-star hotels—Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Yak & Yeti, Shangri-La, Radisson, Everest, De ‘l Annapurna—all have redecorated most of their rooms. The Soaltee has refurbished 130 rooms in the Princep Wing. It is replacing the TVs in all its rooms with 42 inch-LCD TVs. According to Gupta, the Soaltee has planned to spend Rs 750 million during 2010-12 on infrastructure expansion and upgradation.
The Radisson is adding 100 rooms. According to the hotel, the new rooms will be spacious and have contemporary looks, lighting and furniture. The hotel is planning to complete the expansion project by the first half of 2011.
The Yak & Yeti is giving a new look to 150 rooms in the Durbar Wing while the Everest has renovated 40 of its 160 rooms. The Annapurna is now working to refurbish its 150 rooms.
A number of hotels including Himalaya are busy upgrading themselves to five-star status. The Himalaya is adding 25 rooms for a total of 125 rooms.
Two new four-star hotels have come in the Capital alone. The Implementing Expert Group (IEG) has opened the Airport Hotel at Sinamangal while the Red Rose Apartment Hotel is slated to be operational by March. “We are planning to launch Red Rose Apartment by March,” said executive director Binayak Shah.
The investment drive is also visible outside Kathmandu. Nagarkot’s deluxe resort, Club Himalaya, has added ....... to make it a 75-room property.
Nepalgunj, a business hub in western Nepal, saw the opening of a four-star hotel the Siddhartha View in 2010 built with an investment of Rs 290 million. Another hotel in Nepalgunj, the Hotel Sneha, has been upgraded from one star to three stars.
A three-star property the Hotel Kasai has opened in Lumbini, one of the major destinations for Buddhist tourists. The Kasai Group of Japan has invested Rs 500 million in the 46-room hotel.
Two more three-star hotels—Hotel Opera in Kanchanpur and Hotel Ratna in Biratnagar—have upgraded themselves to three-star category.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, there has been new momentum in registering resorts in the country. Three new resorts—Sukute Beach Adventure Camp in Sindhupalchok, Balthali Village Resort and Kinnari Resort in Kavrepalanchok—received their operating licenses in 2010.
According to the Tourism Ministry, it is currently reviewing the applications of another four resorts—Narayani Resort in Nawalparasi, Pristine Paradise Tent Resort in Dhulikhel, Tiger Land Safari in Chitwan and Two River Lodge in Melamchi.
The private sector is hopeful that the huge investment will yield results. “The flourishing inbound tourism market has encouraged investors like us, and the response so far is also good,” said Shah.
Apart from expanding infrastructure, hotels are also readying their staff by providing them training.
“We are also training our staff targeting NTY 2011,” said Amir Pradhananga, sales and marketing director of the Everest Hotel. Likewise, the Hotel Soaltee is also currently giving training to its staff.
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
One of the notable things that Nepal Tourism Year has done is bring back investment in the tourism sector after a long gap. Hotels are now on an expansion drive with five-star hotels in Kathmandu alone investing around Rs 500 million in 2010. Luxury hotels have also been established elsewhere in the country, mainly in Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Lumbini and Kanchanpur.
These investments make huge business sense as there is optimism in the hospitality industry after the record number of tourist arrivals in 2010. With the country targeting one million tourists in 2011 through NTY, expansion and upgradation of hotels was bound to happen.
Hoteliers say the industry has been looking for an event to boost their occupancy level. “For the last two years, the average hotel occupancy was around 70-75 percent,” said Vini K. Gupta, general manager of the Soaltee Crowne Plaza. “NTY would increase it to 80 percent.”
Kathmandu’s five-star hotels—Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Yak & Yeti, Shangri-La, Radisson, Everest, De ‘l Annapurna—all have redecorated most of their rooms. The Soaltee has refurbished 130 rooms in the Princep Wing. It is replacing the TVs in all its rooms with 42 inch-LCD TVs. According to Gupta, the Soaltee has planned to spend Rs 750 million during 2010-12 on infrastructure expansion and upgradation.
The Radisson is adding 100 rooms. According to the hotel, the new rooms will be spacious and have contemporary looks, lighting and furniture. The hotel is planning to complete the expansion project by the first half of 2011.
The Yak & Yeti is giving a new look to 150 rooms in the Durbar Wing while the Everest has renovated 40 of its 160 rooms. The Annapurna is now working to refurbish its 150 rooms.
A number of hotels including Himalaya are busy upgrading themselves to five-star status. The Himalaya is adding 25 rooms for a total of 125 rooms.
Two new four-star hotels have come in the Capital alone. The Implementing Expert Group (IEG) has opened the Airport Hotel at Sinamangal while the Red Rose Apartment Hotel is slated to be operational by March. “We are planning to launch Red Rose Apartment by March,” said executive director Binayak Shah.
The investment drive is also visible outside Kathmandu. Nagarkot’s deluxe resort, Club Himalaya, has added ....... to make it a 75-room property.
Nepalgunj, a business hub in western Nepal, saw the opening of a four-star hotel the Siddhartha View in 2010 built with an investment of Rs 290 million. Another hotel in Nepalgunj, the Hotel Sneha, has been upgraded from one star to three stars.
A three-star property the Hotel Kasai has opened in Lumbini, one of the major destinations for Buddhist tourists. The Kasai Group of Japan has invested Rs 500 million in the 46-room hotel.
Two more three-star hotels—Hotel Opera in Kanchanpur and Hotel Ratna in Biratnagar—have upgraded themselves to three-star category.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, there has been new momentum in registering resorts in the country. Three new resorts—Sukute Beach Adventure Camp in Sindhupalchok, Balthali Village Resort and Kinnari Resort in Kavrepalanchok—received their operating licenses in 2010.
According to the Tourism Ministry, it is currently reviewing the applications of another four resorts—Narayani Resort in Nawalparasi, Pristine Paradise Tent Resort in Dhulikhel, Tiger Land Safari in Chitwan and Two River Lodge in Melamchi.
The private sector is hopeful that the huge investment will yield results. “The flourishing inbound tourism market has encouraged investors like us, and the response so far is also good,” said Shah.
Apart from expanding infrastructure, hotels are also readying their staff by providing them training.
“We are also training our staff targeting NTY 2011,” said Amir Pradhananga, sales and marketing director of the Everest Hotel. Likewise, the Hotel Soaltee is also currently giving training to its staff.
Homestay hospitality with a difference
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
Nepal Tourism Year heralds the start of a new kind of hospitality service in the tourism sector, homestay. Originally conceived as an alternative arrangement for an expected hotel room shortage during Nepal Tourism Year, homestay could become a permanent feature of Nepali tourism.
Though planned a decade ago, last year saw the commercialisation of homestay with the government bringing regulations allowing it to operate in urban areas too. Sirubari and Ghalegaon were the pioneer villages with regard to homestay. Another reason why the government is now promoting homestay is to decentralise tourism and boost rural economies. “The encouraging number of registrations has brought additional impetus in the tourism sector,” said Uday Bhattarai, assistant manager at the Nepal Tourism Board. The government has also allocated Rs 30 million to train homestay operators.
There has been a positive response after the government brought regulations governing homestay in August 2010. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation says over 50 commercial homestay homes have been registered at the ministry and applications are coming in.
Kathmandu has more than 10 community-based and two private homestay homes. The homestay homes registered in Kathmandu have a combined capacity to accommodate over 300 tourists.
Nirajan Ghimire, section officer at the Tourism Ministry, said that Kavrepalanchok has over 26 registered community-based homestay homes. Similarly, here are 10 homestay homes operating in Chitwan, 11 in Makwanpur and 12 in Nuwakot. The ministry says districts like Gorkha, Ilam, Palpa, Syangja, Kailali and Kalikot are also opening homestay homes targeting NTY 2011.
Living in a Nepali village as a homestay guest is perhaps one of the fastest and best ways to know the real Nepal. Daily cultural activities are a major attraction of the homestay scheme. “All the homestay homes we inspected in different parts of the country have planned special events to launch NTY,” said Ghimire.
Community-based homestay involves seven to 10 homes. As per the homestay guidelines, one home can operate up to four rooms for tourist accommodation.
With a record number of tourists expected to visit Nepal in 2011, homestay operators are hoping that a larger number of them would stay with them. Hoteliers, however, are not complaining about the proliferation of homestay homes. Instead, they are now coordinating with homestay operators to provide their clients a truly Nepali experience. The private sector believes that urban homestay will be the perfect alternative arrangement for those who may not get accommodation in hotels in 2011.
Homestay operators are also hopeful that tour operators will incorporate homestay in their packages as a new product. “Homestay is a potentially good product, but adequate preparation has not been done to incorporate it in tour packages,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Travels and Tour. According to Koney, this model can get a boost if it is incorporated in tour packages.
The Tara Gaon Development Board (TGDB) has been assigned to find unexplored destinations to develop this programme. “The NTY implementation committee and the TGDB are now working together to make homestay a professional and managed business,” said Bhattarai. The TGDB has identified some 10 potential places where homestay can be developed, he added.
KATHMANDU, JAN 13 -
Nepal Tourism Year heralds the start of a new kind of hospitality service in the tourism sector, homestay. Originally conceived as an alternative arrangement for an expected hotel room shortage during Nepal Tourism Year, homestay could become a permanent feature of Nepali tourism.
Though planned a decade ago, last year saw the commercialisation of homestay with the government bringing regulations allowing it to operate in urban areas too. Sirubari and Ghalegaon were the pioneer villages with regard to homestay. Another reason why the government is now promoting homestay is to decentralise tourism and boost rural economies. “The encouraging number of registrations has brought additional impetus in the tourism sector,” said Uday Bhattarai, assistant manager at the Nepal Tourism Board. The government has also allocated Rs 30 million to train homestay operators.
There has been a positive response after the government brought regulations governing homestay in August 2010. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation says over 50 commercial homestay homes have been registered at the ministry and applications are coming in.
Kathmandu has more than 10 community-based and two private homestay homes. The homestay homes registered in Kathmandu have a combined capacity to accommodate over 300 tourists.
Nirajan Ghimire, section officer at the Tourism Ministry, said that Kavrepalanchok has over 26 registered community-based homestay homes. Similarly, here are 10 homestay homes operating in Chitwan, 11 in Makwanpur and 12 in Nuwakot. The ministry says districts like Gorkha, Ilam, Palpa, Syangja, Kailali and Kalikot are also opening homestay homes targeting NTY 2011.
Living in a Nepali village as a homestay guest is perhaps one of the fastest and best ways to know the real Nepal. Daily cultural activities are a major attraction of the homestay scheme. “All the homestay homes we inspected in different parts of the country have planned special events to launch NTY,” said Ghimire.
Community-based homestay involves seven to 10 homes. As per the homestay guidelines, one home can operate up to four rooms for tourist accommodation.
With a record number of tourists expected to visit Nepal in 2011, homestay operators are hoping that a larger number of them would stay with them. Hoteliers, however, are not complaining about the proliferation of homestay homes. Instead, they are now coordinating with homestay operators to provide their clients a truly Nepali experience. The private sector believes that urban homestay will be the perfect alternative arrangement for those who may not get accommodation in hotels in 2011.
Homestay operators are also hopeful that tour operators will incorporate homestay in their packages as a new product. “Homestay is a potentially good product, but adequate preparation has not been done to incorporate it in tour packages,” said Ram Kazi Koney, managing director of Gandaki Travels and Tour. According to Koney, this model can get a boost if it is incorporated in tour packages.
The Tara Gaon Development Board (TGDB) has been assigned to find unexplored destinations to develop this programme. “The NTY implementation committee and the TGDB are now working together to make homestay a professional and managed business,” said Bhattarai. The TGDB has identified some 10 potential places where homestay can be developed, he added.
Prez opens Nepal Tourism Year amid lavish shindig
SANGAM PRASAIN
JAN 14 -
President Ram Baran Yadav declared Nepal Tourism Year 2011 open amid a gala event before 25,000 spectators at Dashrath Stadium on Friday.
Distinguished guests included tourism ministers from South Asian countries, members of the diplomatic corps and the secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal recalled the commitment made by 19 political parties on Feb. 26 not to call any strikes in 2011. "Peace and stability is of utmost importance to increase the visibility of Nepal's tourism in the international arena," he said. "The campaign has focused on doubling tourist arrivals," he added.
The government, in cooperation with the private sector, had announced NTY 2011 in 2008 in a bid to revive the country's image and generate greater employment following the end of the conflict that had marred the country's tourism industry. The government has also accorded priority to the campaign in the budget to expand infrastructure and promotional efforts.
Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari made an appeal to make the campaign a success. He said that tourism could play a vital role in bringing prosperity and mobilizing investment.
"The government has developed 'Mighty East-Wild West' as a new tourism package. Tarai tourism and the Great Himalaya Trail are other products that have been developed to attract visitors," Bhandari said. Strikes, donation drives and other undesirable activities could spread a negative message in the international community and they should be discouraged, he added.
NTY 2011 national coordinator Yogendra Shakya underscored the need to forge a common interest to promote tourism in the country. Shakya said that garnering political commitment to support tourism from all the political parties was the major achievement of the NTY implementation committee. Similarly, the commitments made by union leaders to support the campaign and by investors to invest in tourism are all positive moves that reflect the slogan "Together for tourism", he added.
The country has targeted one million tourists in 2011, double the 2010 figure. Among the projected arrivals, 700,000 are expected to come by air and the rest overland.
After an interval of 13 years, the country is welcoming tourists in a big way. The campaign aims to project Nepal as a safe tourist destination and a choice of premier holidayers. The decade-long conflict has taken its toll on Nepali tourism and NTY has emerged as the perfect platform for the government and tourism entrepreneurs to revive the industry.
According to estimates, if one million tourists arrive in Nepal in 2011, tourism's contribution to the GDP will be almost 4 percent. And, the country could end up earning foreign currency worth $600 million.
JAN 14 -
President Ram Baran Yadav declared Nepal Tourism Year 2011 open amid a gala event before 25,000 spectators at Dashrath Stadium on Friday.
Distinguished guests included tourism ministers from South Asian countries, members of the diplomatic corps and the secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal recalled the commitment made by 19 political parties on Feb. 26 not to call any strikes in 2011. "Peace and stability is of utmost importance to increase the visibility of Nepal's tourism in the international arena," he said. "The campaign has focused on doubling tourist arrivals," he added.
The government, in cooperation with the private sector, had announced NTY 2011 in 2008 in a bid to revive the country's image and generate greater employment following the end of the conflict that had marred the country's tourism industry. The government has also accorded priority to the campaign in the budget to expand infrastructure and promotional efforts.
Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari made an appeal to make the campaign a success. He said that tourism could play a vital role in bringing prosperity and mobilizing investment.
"The government has developed 'Mighty East-Wild West' as a new tourism package. Tarai tourism and the Great Himalaya Trail are other products that have been developed to attract visitors," Bhandari said. Strikes, donation drives and other undesirable activities could spread a negative message in the international community and they should be discouraged, he added.
NTY 2011 national coordinator Yogendra Shakya underscored the need to forge a common interest to promote tourism in the country. Shakya said that garnering political commitment to support tourism from all the political parties was the major achievement of the NTY implementation committee. Similarly, the commitments made by union leaders to support the campaign and by investors to invest in tourism are all positive moves that reflect the slogan "Together for tourism", he added.
The country has targeted one million tourists in 2011, double the 2010 figure. Among the projected arrivals, 700,000 are expected to come by air and the rest overland.
After an interval of 13 years, the country is welcoming tourists in a big way. The campaign aims to project Nepal as a safe tourist destination and a choice of premier holidayers. The decade-long conflict has taken its toll on Nepali tourism and NTY has emerged as the perfect platform for the government and tourism entrepreneurs to revive the industry.
According to estimates, if one million tourists arrive in Nepal in 2011, tourism's contribution to the GDP will be almost 4 percent. And, the country could end up earning foreign currency worth $600 million.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)