SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, OCT 07 -
Dealing a hard blow to farmers, the government on Thursday hiked the price of subsidised chemical fertiliser by 30 percent.
According to the revised rates, Urea, Di-amonium Phosphate (DAP) and Potash will now cost Rs. 18, Rs. 32 and Rs. 20 per kg, respectively, in bordering towns such as Biratnagar, Birgunj and Bhairahawa. The revised price will come into effect from Friday.
Earlier, the government had been selling subsidised Urea, DAP and Potash at Rs. 12.50, Rs. 27.26 and Rs. 14.50, respectively, through Agriculture Inputs Company (AIC). As per the new rate, the price of Urea has been hiked by 44 percent, DAP by 17.39 percent and Potash by 37.93 percent.
Fertiliser price has been increased in line with the price in the international market as well as to increase the bulk of fertilisers for the next fiscal year, said Hari Dahal, spokesman at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC). Inadequate availability of fertilisers has affected agriculture production and has hit paddy plantation this year. The government, in the last fiscal year, had allocated Rs. 1.77 billion to import over 100,000 tons of chemical fertilisers.
“Although, the budget ceiling for subsidised fertilisers in this fiscal year has increased to Rs. 2.30 billion, the price hike in the international market forced the Agriculture Ministry to hike the price,” said Dahal. MoAC will now purchase more quantity of fertilisers with the increased budget.
“We resorted to the move to double the quantity. The Agriculture Ministry will be able to import 200,000 tons of fertiliser this fiscal year,” he said. However, even the doubled quantity of fertiliser will not meet the country’s total demand that stands at 500,000 tons.
The fertiliser price in the international market has increased significantly in the recent days. The price of DAP has gone up to US$ 640 per tonne from US$ 439 per tonne.
Similarly, the price of Urea increased to US$ 415 per tonne from US$ 329 per tonne.
The Cabinet meeting on Sept. 28 had entrusted the responsibility to fix fertiliser price to MoAC.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
100 days to go for Nepal Tourism Year 2011
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, OCT 07 -
The countdown to Nepal Tourism Year 2011 began on Thursday with 100 days remaining for the big event. The campaign to bring one million tourists during 2011 started the countdown with a clean-up programme.
Although there has not been adequate work in infrastructure and international promotion to bring such a large number of tourists, a noble move was realized on the eve of the campaign to re-establish the country’s brand image “Naturally Nepal, Once is Not Enough”.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal along with top government officials took part in a cleaning programme at Durbar Square (a World Heritage Site) in Kathmandu.
“We can’t think of developing any big projects within three months, however, a major step we are implementing without any spending is the cleaning campaign,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Thapa said that from east to west and south to north, all land points would be kept clean and urged all the people to support the move.
“The campaign not only aims to celebrate 2011 as a big year, but it is also to develop a road ahead for the envisaged vision Nepal has kept for 2020,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) addressing a programme at Narayanhiti Museum to mark the 100-day countdown.
He said that Nepal had been established as a premier holiday destination. The increased number of airlines, investment mobilization in hotels, aviation and different other tourism products are a positive indication for the country that has started to move towards socio-economic transformation.
On the same occasion, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari said that government had given priority to five major works to make the NTY 2011 a success. Of which, enhancing Tribhuvan International Airport capacity and facility has been given top priority. “A specific team has been deputed for the programme at TIA,” said Bhandari.
According to the NTY 2011 programme implementation sub-committee, about 75 percent of the runway at TIA has been completed. There are now 1,000 trolleys and visitor’s desk for passengers and TIA committee to form 24-hour airport operation manpower. Currently, there are 27 international airlines serving Nepal.
The second priority is to make the hassle free tourist movement. During the programme, top security officials also promised to make better improvement and urged people to support the police administration. The third priority is to manage the taxis at TIA. According to Bhandari, the fourth priority is to diversify tourists to different village areas to experience rural tradition. The objective of NTY 2011 is also to diversify 30-40 percent of the total arrivals to new areas and destinations. The final priority of the government is to make the community and stakeholders realize that “We are together for tourism”.
The tourist arrivals by air in the country, as of September, has jumped by 20.6 percent to 41,331 from 34,281 during the same month last year. In the third quarter of the current year, the growth has been recorded at 40 percent to 266,988 as against 189,566 in the same period last year.
Achievements
• Garnering commitment from 19 political parties not to organize strikes
• Attracting new international airlines
• Visa fee waiver to Mt. Everest and Mt. Dhaulagiri summiteers for 2011
• Commercializing home stay
• NTY 2011 promotion at the Shanghai Expo, Japan, India, Malaysia and EU
• Providing incentives to them who bring over 100 tourists for conference and other purposes
Disappointments
• Budget constraints for international promotion
• Failure to purchase aircraft for Nepal Airlines
• No special packages for tourists from the private sector
• Unclear labour policy fearing unrest in the hospitality sector
• No proper homework and coordination among different stakeholders
• Poor capacity of TIA to handle the aviation rush
KATHMANDU, OCT 07 -
The countdown to Nepal Tourism Year 2011 began on Thursday with 100 days remaining for the big event. The campaign to bring one million tourists during 2011 started the countdown with a clean-up programme.
Although there has not been adequate work in infrastructure and international promotion to bring such a large number of tourists, a noble move was realized on the eve of the campaign to re-establish the country’s brand image “Naturally Nepal, Once is Not Enough”.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal along with top government officials took part in a cleaning programme at Durbar Square (a World Heritage Site) in Kathmandu.
“We can’t think of developing any big projects within three months, however, a major step we are implementing without any spending is the cleaning campaign,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Thapa said that from east to west and south to north, all land points would be kept clean and urged all the people to support the move.
“The campaign not only aims to celebrate 2011 as a big year, but it is also to develop a road ahead for the envisaged vision Nepal has kept for 2020,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) addressing a programme at Narayanhiti Museum to mark the 100-day countdown.
He said that Nepal had been established as a premier holiday destination. The increased number of airlines, investment mobilization in hotels, aviation and different other tourism products are a positive indication for the country that has started to move towards socio-economic transformation.
On the same occasion, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari said that government had given priority to five major works to make the NTY 2011 a success. Of which, enhancing Tribhuvan International Airport capacity and facility has been given top priority. “A specific team has been deputed for the programme at TIA,” said Bhandari.
According to the NTY 2011 programme implementation sub-committee, about 75 percent of the runway at TIA has been completed. There are now 1,000 trolleys and visitor’s desk for passengers and TIA committee to form 24-hour airport operation manpower. Currently, there are 27 international airlines serving Nepal.
The second priority is to make the hassle free tourist movement. During the programme, top security officials also promised to make better improvement and urged people to support the police administration. The third priority is to manage the taxis at TIA. According to Bhandari, the fourth priority is to diversify tourists to different village areas to experience rural tradition. The objective of NTY 2011 is also to diversify 30-40 percent of the total arrivals to new areas and destinations. The final priority of the government is to make the community and stakeholders realize that “We are together for tourism”.
The tourist arrivals by air in the country, as of September, has jumped by 20.6 percent to 41,331 from 34,281 during the same month last year. In the third quarter of the current year, the growth has been recorded at 40 percent to 266,988 as against 189,566 in the same period last year.
Achievements
• Garnering commitment from 19 political parties not to organize strikes
• Attracting new international airlines
• Visa fee waiver to Mt. Everest and Mt. Dhaulagiri summiteers for 2011
• Commercializing home stay
• NTY 2011 promotion at the Shanghai Expo, Japan, India, Malaysia and EU
• Providing incentives to them who bring over 100 tourists for conference and other purposes
Disappointments
• Budget constraints for international promotion
• Failure to purchase aircraft for Nepal Airlines
• No special packages for tourists from the private sector
• Unclear labour policy fearing unrest in the hospitality sector
• No proper homework and coordination among different stakeholders
• Poor capacity of TIA to handle the aviation rush
Monday, October 4, 2010
How NRB muffed it up
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, OCT 04 -
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) error in the statistics of the highest foreign exchange earner in trekking agencies in Nepal in 2009-10 has dislodged the chances of a genuine institution from getting the award conferred by the tourism ministry. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) conferred the ‘Highest foreign exchange earner’ award on Himalaya Expedition Inc., (Pvt) Ltd, in the World Tourism Day (Sept. 27) function held at Nepal Tourism Board. In fact, it is Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd that was the highest foreign exchange earner in 2009-10.
The awarded Himalaya Expedition’s earnings last year stood at US$ 822,025, while the earning of Thamserku Trekking was US$ 1.89 million, according to the amended NRB foreign exchange statistics. However, the MoTCA said that the error occurred due to incorrect statistics sent by the NRB. The NRB corrected the statistical error on Sept. 2. “We distributed the award on the basis of the central bank’s foreign exchange statistics report,” said Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, spokesman at MoTCA.
The amended NRB statistics say that Thamserku Trekking is the highest foreign exchange earner followed by Himalaya Expedition and Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has sent a letter to MoTCA on Monday, drawing its attention to the error by government authorities. TAAN has also requested Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari to organize another special programme to honor Thamserku Trekking.
Rajendra Bajgai, general-secretary of TAAN, said that such irresponsibility on the part of the concerned government authorities has created an environment of distrust among the agencies. “The decision should be corrected and the concerned authorities should apologize for their mistake,” he said.
The MoTCA awards the best hotel, trekking and travel agency every year on World Tourism Day for their best performance in foreign currency earnings.
The MoTCA has also forwarded a warning letter to NRB not to repeat its mistake. Bhattarai said that they received the letter forwarded by TAAN on the issue on Monday. “We will discuss the issue with the minister and secretary,” he said.
KATHMANDU, OCT 04 -
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) error in the statistics of the highest foreign exchange earner in trekking agencies in Nepal in 2009-10 has dislodged the chances of a genuine institution from getting the award conferred by the tourism ministry. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) conferred the ‘Highest foreign exchange earner’ award on Himalaya Expedition Inc., (Pvt) Ltd, in the World Tourism Day (Sept. 27) function held at Nepal Tourism Board. In fact, it is Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd that was the highest foreign exchange earner in 2009-10.
The awarded Himalaya Expedition’s earnings last year stood at US$ 822,025, while the earning of Thamserku Trekking was US$ 1.89 million, according to the amended NRB foreign exchange statistics. However, the MoTCA said that the error occurred due to incorrect statistics sent by the NRB. The NRB corrected the statistical error on Sept. 2. “We distributed the award on the basis of the central bank’s foreign exchange statistics report,” said Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, spokesman at MoTCA.
The amended NRB statistics say that Thamserku Trekking is the highest foreign exchange earner followed by Himalaya Expedition and Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has sent a letter to MoTCA on Monday, drawing its attention to the error by government authorities. TAAN has also requested Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari to organize another special programme to honor Thamserku Trekking.
Rajendra Bajgai, general-secretary of TAAN, said that such irresponsibility on the part of the concerned government authorities has created an environment of distrust among the agencies. “The decision should be corrected and the concerned authorities should apologize for their mistake,” he said.
The MoTCA awards the best hotel, trekking and travel agency every year on World Tourism Day for their best performance in foreign currency earnings.
The MoTCA has also forwarded a warning letter to NRB not to repeat its mistake. Bhattarai said that they received the letter forwarded by TAAN on the issue on Monday. “We will discuss the issue with the minister and secretary,” he said.
Nepal’srice bowl empty
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, OCT 04 -
Nepal’s precarious food security situation has been exposed with Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) being compelled to call global tender for the supply of rice
as local contractors failed to supply enough.
The NFC, for the first time, has called global tender for 20,000 tonnes of rice on Sept. 20. After its two attempts to fulfill the food requirement from the domestic market failed as a result of food deficit in the country, it chose to go for global tender. The situation turned worse after the Indian government also banned export of non-basmati rice.
According to a food security bulletin of World Food Programme in August, there is a total of 442,000 food insecure people in the districts including 409,200 in the mid and far western hilly and mountainous districts who are highly food insecure.
Last year, the agriculture ministry had estimated about 500,000 people remained food insecure. Paddy harvest in 2009-2010 was around 11 percent less than the preceding year, with production of 4.02 million tonnes against 4.52 million tonnes recorded the preceding year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The WFP said that as a result of poor summer crop, the national edible cereal balance is estimated to be 316,465 MT deficit, which is 140 percent higher than the previous year and by far the largest deficit in a decade.
Bijay Dhoj Thapa, deputy general manager of NFC, said that the corporation called the global tender as the domestic market was unable to meet the NFC’s demand. He said that low production of food was the major reason that there was not enough food in the market. As per the recently called global tender, the suppliers have been given a time period of 45 days for submitting tender documents. Earlier, the NFC had called the latest tender at the local level in June for the supply of 2,500 tonnes of rice. But, the tender was cancelled as the price quoted by all bidders upped significantly compared to the amount maintained in the first bidding.
The lowest price for Mansuli rice maintained in Nepalgunj was Rs. 26,370 per tonne during the first bidding which climbed up to Rs. 33,285 rice in the second bidding, according to NFC. During the first tender called in February 2010, the local bidders could only supply 7,160 tonnes of rice although the contract was awarded for supplying 21,000 metric tonnes. “The failure to supply on the part of contractors was due to shortage of food in the domestic market,” said Roop Singh Bhandari, NFC’s procurement division chief.
Realizing the direness of food insecurity, the NFC is planning to stock 50,000 tonnes of rice as buffer stock. The buffer stock will be used to meet emergency requirements and control the market price.
KATHMANDU, OCT 04 -
Nepal’s precarious food security situation has been exposed with Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) being compelled to call global tender for the supply of rice
as local contractors failed to supply enough.
The NFC, for the first time, has called global tender for 20,000 tonnes of rice on Sept. 20. After its two attempts to fulfill the food requirement from the domestic market failed as a result of food deficit in the country, it chose to go for global tender. The situation turned worse after the Indian government also banned export of non-basmati rice.
According to a food security bulletin of World Food Programme in August, there is a total of 442,000 food insecure people in the districts including 409,200 in the mid and far western hilly and mountainous districts who are highly food insecure.
Last year, the agriculture ministry had estimated about 500,000 people remained food insecure. Paddy harvest in 2009-2010 was around 11 percent less than the preceding year, with production of 4.02 million tonnes against 4.52 million tonnes recorded the preceding year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The WFP said that as a result of poor summer crop, the national edible cereal balance is estimated to be 316,465 MT deficit, which is 140 percent higher than the previous year and by far the largest deficit in a decade.
Bijay Dhoj Thapa, deputy general manager of NFC, said that the corporation called the global tender as the domestic market was unable to meet the NFC’s demand. He said that low production of food was the major reason that there was not enough food in the market. As per the recently called global tender, the suppliers have been given a time period of 45 days for submitting tender documents. Earlier, the NFC had called the latest tender at the local level in June for the supply of 2,500 tonnes of rice. But, the tender was cancelled as the price quoted by all bidders upped significantly compared to the amount maintained in the first bidding.
The lowest price for Mansuli rice maintained in Nepalgunj was Rs. 26,370 per tonne during the first bidding which climbed up to Rs. 33,285 rice in the second bidding, according to NFC. During the first tender called in February 2010, the local bidders could only supply 7,160 tonnes of rice although the contract was awarded for supplying 21,000 metric tonnes. “The failure to supply on the part of contractors was due to shortage of food in the domestic market,” said Roop Singh Bhandari, NFC’s procurement division chief.
Realizing the direness of food insecurity, the NFC is planning to stock 50,000 tonnes of rice as buffer stock. The buffer stock will be used to meet emergency requirements and control the market price.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Tourist arrivals up 20pc in Sept
SANGAM PRASAIN
OCT 02 -
Tourist arrivals in September 2010 jumped by 20.6 percent to 41,331 from 34,281 during the same month last year.
The figures released by the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) said that arrivals from the South Asian region witnessed a robust growth of 49.1 percent with Bangladesh up 79.5 percent, India up 40.9 percent and Pakistan up 43.9 percent.
However, arrivals from Sri Lanka have declined by 10.6 percent. A sustained growth of 22.8 percent has been observed in arrivals from the South Asian region during the first nine months of 2010, in comparison to the same period last year.
Asia (other than the South Asian region) has continued to maintain an upward trend with a double-digit growth of 15.2 percent in September 2010.
China, emerging as the major tourist generating market for Nepal, has recorded a growth of 19.7 percent. Similarly, visitor arrivals from Malaysia (up 68.5 percent), South Korea (up 52.1 percent), Singapore (up 3.7 percent) and Thailand (up 8.9 percent) have also registered growth. However, arrivals from Japan declined by 7.7 percent compared to the same month last year.
Regarding the long-haul markets, Europe registered an overall positive growth of 9.4 percent with arrivals from Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark up by 33 percent, 5.1 percent, 8.4 percent, 8.2 percent and 45.1 percent respectively.
The markets that could not show positive results in September 2010 were the UK (-5.6 percent), Norway (-23.9 percent) Switzerland (-4.6 percent) and Czech Republic (-32.9 percent).
However, a sustained growth of 16.9 percent has been observed in arrivals from the European region during the first nine months of 2010 in comparison to the same period last year.
The figures show an increasing trend in visitor arrivals from New Zealand with a growth of 38.5 percent while Australia posted a negative growth of 0.2 percent. Likewise, the US and Canada have registered growths of 7.4 percent and 9.6 percent respectively.
A total of 36,921 foreign tourists departed from TIA in September 2010. The number of Nepali arrivals stood at 55,936 while 58,190 Nepalis departed from TIA.
Month Arrivals (2009) Arrivals (2010) Change (%)
Jan 21,944 26,071 18.80
Feb 25,181 33,492 33.00
Mar 33,005 44,431 34.61
Apr 37,819 38, 694 2.31
May 25,129 26,634 5.98
June 23,222 26,997 16.30
July 23,266 29,338 26.09
Aug 27,676 34,415 24.30
Sept 34,281 41,331 20.60
Total 189,566 266,988 40.84
OCT 02 -
Tourist arrivals in September 2010 jumped by 20.6 percent to 41,331 from 34,281 during the same month last year.
The figures released by the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) said that arrivals from the South Asian region witnessed a robust growth of 49.1 percent with Bangladesh up 79.5 percent, India up 40.9 percent and Pakistan up 43.9 percent.
However, arrivals from Sri Lanka have declined by 10.6 percent. A sustained growth of 22.8 percent has been observed in arrivals from the South Asian region during the first nine months of 2010, in comparison to the same period last year.
Asia (other than the South Asian region) has continued to maintain an upward trend with a double-digit growth of 15.2 percent in September 2010.
China, emerging as the major tourist generating market for Nepal, has recorded a growth of 19.7 percent. Similarly, visitor arrivals from Malaysia (up 68.5 percent), South Korea (up 52.1 percent), Singapore (up 3.7 percent) and Thailand (up 8.9 percent) have also registered growth. However, arrivals from Japan declined by 7.7 percent compared to the same month last year.
Regarding the long-haul markets, Europe registered an overall positive growth of 9.4 percent with arrivals from Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark up by 33 percent, 5.1 percent, 8.4 percent, 8.2 percent and 45.1 percent respectively.
The markets that could not show positive results in September 2010 were the UK (-5.6 percent), Norway (-23.9 percent) Switzerland (-4.6 percent) and Czech Republic (-32.9 percent).
However, a sustained growth of 16.9 percent has been observed in arrivals from the European region during the first nine months of 2010 in comparison to the same period last year.
The figures show an increasing trend in visitor arrivals from New Zealand with a growth of 38.5 percent while Australia posted a negative growth of 0.2 percent. Likewise, the US and Canada have registered growths of 7.4 percent and 9.6 percent respectively.
A total of 36,921 foreign tourists departed from TIA in September 2010. The number of Nepali arrivals stood at 55,936 while 58,190 Nepalis departed from TIA.
Month Arrivals (2009) Arrivals (2010) Change (%)
Jan 21,944 26,071 18.80
Feb 25,181 33,492 33.00
Mar 33,005 44,431 34.61
Apr 37,819 38, 694 2.31
May 25,129 26,634 5.98
June 23,222 26,997 16.30
July 23,266 29,338 26.09
Aug 27,676 34,415 24.30
Sept 34,281 41,331 20.60
Total 189,566 266,988 40.84
New trekking trails open for NTY-2011
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, OCT 02 -
Trekking agencies and the government have unveiled new trekking trails and upgraded old ones for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The effort aims to prolong tourist stay in Nepal. Since the trekking routes are at least seven days long, they will help to lengthen visitor stay and increase spending in remote areas. The response of over 132,000 visitors for trekking and mountaineering in Nepal last year has also encouraged trekking entrepreneurs to develop new products.
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.
On Sept. 27, the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) unveiled three trekking routes—Panch Pokhari-Bhairav Kunda in Sindhupalchok, Dhorpatan in Baglung and Galeshwar of Myagdi—aiming to diversify tourists to these destinations next year. Bhairav Kund will provide experience of 10 days trekking to a shaman pilgrimage site through its traditional villages in spectacular Himalayan landscapes to reach the holy lake Bhairav Kund.
Panch Pokhari gives an experience 12 days that passes five holy lakes. This area, northeast of Kathmandu, offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity. The Galeshwar of Myagdi will give a seven-day experience to trekkers that starts from Beni and ends in the same place. TAAN is also introducing the Lower-Solu trekking route in the southern part of Lukla soon, Bachhu Narayan Shrestha, first vice-president of TAAN told the Post.
Similarly, 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 NTY 2011 implementing committee announced the launching of the trail as a new product aimed at attracting trekkers from around the world.
Trekking entrepreneurs said that the new product would help diversify a large number of tourists to different unexploited trekking destinations that would benefit the mountain people with employment and production opportunities who are isolated even though having huge tourism prospects. Mardi Trek is another new route that tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara are looking to launch next year. The Mardi Management Committee in Pokhara plans to operate Mardi Himal Trek route explored in the Machhapuchchhre model trek area. On the other hand, the government is also planning to launch some trekking routes that were developed last year and are scheduled to be completed this year.
Rabi Shah, project manager at the Tourism Infrastructure Development Project under the Tourism Ministry, said that some new trekking trails are in the process of being launched this year while some of them are being improved.
The Tourism Ministry is planning to open a new trekking route circling the Kathmandu Valley and encompassing the capital and the neighbouring districts of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The route is 131 km in length.
This circular trekking route will link the four major peaks around the valley --Shivapuri (2,453 m), Phulchoki (2,765 m), Chandragiri (2,522 m) and Nagarjun (2,697 m). According
to Shah, the Budhanilkantha-Nuwakot-Gosaikunda, Dhulikhel-Nagarkot, Dakshinkali-Champagiri-Machhegaon, Nagarjun (Phoolbarigate)-Jamacho, Chandragiri-Tistung trekking routes in Makwanpur and Dhulikhel-Nagarkot are in progress, of which some will be launched within 2011.
The Nepal Ecological and Tourism Awareness Front (NETAF), the Nagar Naldum Tourism Development Committee and the Guide Association, Kavre have recently launched a hiking route from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel. However, Shah said that the trail was still not completed as work remains to be done on the Sanga side.
“The government has allocated Rs. 50 million to these projects for last year; however, the project was looking for new budget this year to get its final touch,” Shah added.
As Nepal is well known as one of the best destinations in the world for enjoying the real beauty of nature through trekking, trekking entrepreneurs are hopeful that they might double the existing number of trekkers next year.
Trekking in Nepal is an all season activity. It is possible at any time of the year depending on where one goes. However, the most popular seasons are spring (February-May) and autumn (September-November).
KATHMANDU, OCT 02 -
Trekking agencies and the government have unveiled new trekking trails and upgraded old ones for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The effort aims to prolong tourist stay in Nepal. Since the trekking routes are at least seven days long, they will help to lengthen visitor stay and increase spending in remote areas. The response of over 132,000 visitors for trekking and mountaineering in Nepal last year has also encouraged trekking entrepreneurs to develop new products.
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.
On Sept. 27, the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) unveiled three trekking routes—Panch Pokhari-Bhairav Kunda in Sindhupalchok, Dhorpatan in Baglung and Galeshwar of Myagdi—aiming to diversify tourists to these destinations next year. Bhairav Kund will provide experience of 10 days trekking to a shaman pilgrimage site through its traditional villages in spectacular Himalayan landscapes to reach the holy lake Bhairav Kund.
Panch Pokhari gives an experience 12 days that passes five holy lakes. This area, northeast of Kathmandu, offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity. The Galeshwar of Myagdi will give a seven-day experience to trekkers that starts from Beni and ends in the same place. TAAN is also introducing the Lower-Solu trekking route in the southern part of Lukla soon, Bachhu Narayan Shrestha, first vice-president of TAAN told the Post.
Similarly, 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 NTY 2011 implementing committee announced the launching of the trail as a new product aimed at attracting trekkers from around the world.
Trekking entrepreneurs said that the new product would help diversify a large number of tourists to different unexploited trekking destinations that would benefit the mountain people with employment and production opportunities who are isolated even though having huge tourism prospects. Mardi Trek is another new route that tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara are looking to launch next year. The Mardi Management Committee in Pokhara plans to operate Mardi Himal Trek route explored in the Machhapuchchhre model trek area. On the other hand, the government is also planning to launch some trekking routes that were developed last year and are scheduled to be completed this year.
Rabi Shah, project manager at the Tourism Infrastructure Development Project under the Tourism Ministry, said that some new trekking trails are in the process of being launched this year while some of them are being improved.
The Tourism Ministry is planning to open a new trekking route circling the Kathmandu Valley and encompassing the capital and the neighbouring districts of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The route is 131 km in length.
This circular trekking route will link the four major peaks around the valley --Shivapuri (2,453 m), Phulchoki (2,765 m), Chandragiri (2,522 m) and Nagarjun (2,697 m). According
to Shah, the Budhanilkantha-Nuwakot-Gosaikunda, Dhulikhel-Nagarkot, Dakshinkali-Champagiri-Machhegaon, Nagarjun (Phoolbarigate)-Jamacho, Chandragiri-Tistung trekking routes in Makwanpur and Dhulikhel-Nagarkot are in progress, of which some will be launched within 2011.
The Nepal Ecological and Tourism Awareness Front (NETAF), the Nagar Naldum Tourism Development Committee and the Guide Association, Kavre have recently launched a hiking route from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel. However, Shah said that the trail was still not completed as work remains to be done on the Sanga side.
“The government has allocated Rs. 50 million to these projects for last year; however, the project was looking for new budget this year to get its final touch,” Shah added.
As Nepal is well known as one of the best destinations in the world for enjoying the real beauty of nature through trekking, trekking entrepreneurs are hopeful that they might double the existing number of trekkers next year.
Trekking in Nepal is an all season activity. It is possible at any time of the year depending on where one goes. However, the most popular seasons are spring (February-May) and autumn (September-November).
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wanderlust Seizes Nepalis
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 30 -
Travel agents are reporting an increase in outbound bookings as Nepalis get bitten by the travel bug during the Dashain holidays. In addition, tour packages have become more affordable and disposable incomes have swelled leading more Nepalis to seek adventure in faraway lands.
Most of the bookings are for tour packages to Bangkok followed by Malaysia and Singapore. However, tour operators said that bookings for trips to other destinations such as Dubai, Mauritius, Switzerland, Japan, Egypt, China and some European destination were growing.
Neeli Shah, outbound executive of Malla Travels and Treks, said that although Thailand was the most popular destination for Nepali fun seekers, enquiries for other new destinations were on the rise.
President Travel & Tours is also receiving inquiries for other destinations apart from Thailand and Malaysia, mainly due to simplification of visa procedures by European countries.
Sabina Nagarkoti, tour sales executive of President Travels, said that they had already sold more than 100 packages for Bangkok, more than 25 for Malaysia and more than 35 packages to Singapore for October. "Tour sales are encouraging this festive season compared to the last one," she added.
Marco Polo Travels that deals in tours to Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt and China has already sold 60 packages to Bangkok, 40 each to Malaysia and Singapore. "We have also sold five-six packages to Egypt for this Dashain," said Prajita Satyal, sales executive of Marco Polo Travels. Last year, the agency sold over 500 packages.
According to travel agencies, people want to get away from their daily routine here. Moreover, the packages offer what they want. A wide range of amusement available in different places are attracting Nepali travellers.
Amogh Shakya, chief executive officer of Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours, said that tour packages to China were encouraging this season. "We have sold 30-32 packages to China." The agency also sold 10 packages to Europe this season.
Lalit Mandap Travels has sold over 64 packages to Thailand, and over 20 combined packages to Malaysia and Singapore.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the number of Nepali holidaymakers visiting foreign countries increased by 26 percent to 27,679 in 2009 from 21,899 in 2008.
Changing lifestyles of the younger generation combined with simplified visa procedures and easy availability of tour packages have spurred Nepalis to travel and see the world, said travel agents.
An expanding middle class in Nepal is another reason for the growth in outbound. A recent report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) entitled "The Rise of Asia's Middle Class" said that there were 1.41 million people in Nepal earning US$ 4-10 per day. Similarly, 230,000 Nepalis earn US$ 10-20 per day and 100,000 people make more than US$ 20 per day.
Marco Polo Travels
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 10,252 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 15,884
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,440
Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours
Destination: Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (combined)
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 142,000 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 8 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 69,900 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Europe
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: deluxe three star
Price: Rs. 295,000 (all-inclusive)
Malla Travels &Treks
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 13,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Dubai
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,000 to 15,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Mauritius
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 16,245 (excluding airfare)
President Travel & Tours
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 11,999 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,500 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 2 nights 3 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 12,000 (excluding airfare)
KATHMANDU, SEP 30 -
Travel agents are reporting an increase in outbound bookings as Nepalis get bitten by the travel bug during the Dashain holidays. In addition, tour packages have become more affordable and disposable incomes have swelled leading more Nepalis to seek adventure in faraway lands.
Most of the bookings are for tour packages to Bangkok followed by Malaysia and Singapore. However, tour operators said that bookings for trips to other destinations such as Dubai, Mauritius, Switzerland, Japan, Egypt, China and some European destination were growing.
Neeli Shah, outbound executive of Malla Travels and Treks, said that although Thailand was the most popular destination for Nepali fun seekers, enquiries for other new destinations were on the rise.
President Travel & Tours is also receiving inquiries for other destinations apart from Thailand and Malaysia, mainly due to simplification of visa procedures by European countries.
Sabina Nagarkoti, tour sales executive of President Travels, said that they had already sold more than 100 packages for Bangkok, more than 25 for Malaysia and more than 35 packages to Singapore for October. "Tour sales are encouraging this festive season compared to the last one," she added.
Marco Polo Travels that deals in tours to Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt and China has already sold 60 packages to Bangkok, 40 each to Malaysia and Singapore. "We have also sold five-six packages to Egypt for this Dashain," said Prajita Satyal, sales executive of Marco Polo Travels. Last year, the agency sold over 500 packages.
According to travel agencies, people want to get away from their daily routine here. Moreover, the packages offer what they want. A wide range of amusement available in different places are attracting Nepali travellers.
Amogh Shakya, chief executive officer of Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours, said that tour packages to China were encouraging this season. "We have sold 30-32 packages to China." The agency also sold 10 packages to Europe this season.
Lalit Mandap Travels has sold over 64 packages to Thailand, and over 20 combined packages to Malaysia and Singapore.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the number of Nepali holidaymakers visiting foreign countries increased by 26 percent to 27,679 in 2009 from 21,899 in 2008.
Changing lifestyles of the younger generation combined with simplified visa procedures and easy availability of tour packages have spurred Nepalis to travel and see the world, said travel agents.
An expanding middle class in Nepal is another reason for the growth in outbound. A recent report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) entitled "The Rise of Asia's Middle Class" said that there were 1.41 million people in Nepal earning US$ 4-10 per day. Similarly, 230,000 Nepalis earn US$ 10-20 per day and 100,000 people make more than US$ 20 per day.
Marco Polo Travels
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 10,252 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 15,884
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,440
Lalit Mandap Travels & Tours
Destination: Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (combined)
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 142,000 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 8 days
Accommodation: 4 star
Price: Rs. 69,900 (all-inclusive)
Destination: Europe
Packages: 12 days
Accommodation: deluxe three star
Price: Rs. 295,000 (all-inclusive)
Malla Travels &Treks
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 5 nights 6 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 13,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Dubai
Packages: 3 nights 4 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,000 to 15,000 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Mauritius
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 16,245 (excluding airfare)
President Travel & Tours
Destination: Bangkok
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 11,999 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Malaysia
Packages: 4 nights 5 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: Rs. 14,500 (excluding airfare)
Destination: Singapore
Packages: 2 nights 3 days
Accommodation: 3 star
Price: 12,000 (excluding airfare)
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