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.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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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