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June
2008
Ministry
of Transport Management decided to hike transport fares by 25 percent for all types of transportation and routes. The Fare Fixation Committee
had recommended hike of 25 to 35 percent. Consumers' Forum said they had
no option but to wage protests.
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June
2008
Monsoon
rains entered Kathmandu Valley around 10 June 2008 and scurried throughout
the country in just two days. 2008's monsoon arrived at the expected
time, the movement of westerly winds caused by low temperature and high
pressure in northwest Bay of Bengal is rapid and causing rainfall in most
parts of Nepal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in various
places including the eastern and western regions. Dhangadhi recorded 213
millimeter of rainfall, Simara 154 mm, Kathmandu 60.9 mm.
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June
2008
| The
incidence of malaria increases between July and September in Nepal |
|
Kavre
is one of Nepal's most affected districts and transmission is particularly
high between July and September, says Nepal's Ministry of Health, Department
of Health Services.
According
to the department's epidemiology and disease control division, 65 out of
the 75 districts are deemed malaria-endemic - affecting nearly 79 percent
of the country's 28 million inhabitants.
Worst
at risk are 13 districts, including Kavre, where temperatures of
20-30 Centigrade and an altitude below 2,000m make them ideal mosquito
breeding grounds.
The
other districts include Sindhuli, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Mohatari and
Dhanusa in the eastern region; Banke and Bardiya in the mid-west, and Kanchanpur,
Kailali and Dadeldhura in the far west, as well as Nawalparasi in central
region.
Geographically
divided into mountains ("parbat"), hills ("pahad") and lowland plains ("Terai"),
the Himalayan nation is administratively divided into five development
regions - far west, mid-west, west, central and east.
Source:
IRIN
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May
2008
| Government
reduces royalty on climbing permit |
|
The
government has reduced the royalty charged for climbing Mount Everest and
other peaks.
Officials
at the tourism ministry said the royalty for claiming Everest has been
slashed by 75 per cent during winter and summer seasons and 50 percent
during the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season will remain
the same.
May
2008
| Glacial
lake outburst floods (GLOF) |
|
Glacial
lake outburst floods (GLOF) continue to be a real threat in the
Himalayan region as a result of continued glacier retreat accompanied by
development of lakes, aggravated by climate change.
Satellite
images indicate that the Dig Tsho in the in Khumbu region has reached a
stable state. The expedition could see on the ground that even if the steep
Langmoche glacier retreats further, the lake won't grow as only bed rock
will be exposed. The present outlet of the lake is at the same level as
the Langmoche river bed, and there is no longer any likelihood of a mass
failure at the breach area blocking the outlet.
However,
the threat of GLOFs in the
valley remains a serious threat as there are several glacial lakes close
by which are growing rapidly and could burst at some stage.
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April
2008
| Nepal
Government announced Everest ban |
|
Nepalese
Department of Tourism has announced that climbers would not be allowed
beyond Mount Everest's base camp from May
1 to May 10, 2008.
China
is thought to be concerned that a protest may coincide with plans to take
the Olympic torch up the highest mountain on earth.
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January
2008
| Air
Arabia begins Nepal hub operations and launches FlyYeti.com |
|
FlyYeti.com,
a newly established low-cost carrier in Nepal, is a joint venture between
Air Arabia and Yeti Airlines, a leading domestic carrier in Nepal. Air
Arabia, a major shareholder in the new company, will apply its successful
low-cost business model to the management and operation of FlyYeti.com.
Based
in Kathmandu, FlyYeti.com will provide affordable and convenient service
to a broad range of international destinations. The new carrier is expected
to begin operations with Inaugural flight taking off to Sharjah before
the end of month of January 2008 followed by operations to selected destinations
in India as well as to Doha and Kuala Lampur in Malaysia.
With
the addition of the new flights, passengers will be able to fly to Kathmandu
six days a week, every day except Friday. Flights will depart from Sharjah
at 7:15AM and arrive in Kathmandu at 12:45PM local time. Flights will depart
from Kathmandu at 13:30PM and arrive in Sharjah at 16:30PM local time.
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January
2008
| Visitors
Arrival in 2007 shows 27.1% growth (by air only) |
|
December
2007 registered a growth of 13 % in the international visitor's arrival
to Nepal by air route. The total visitor arrivals reached 29895, up by
3433 compared to the same month last year, according to the data released
by Immigration Office Tribhuvan International Airport. A growth of 25 %
has been recorded in the visitor arrivals from Europe, US and other non-Indian
Asian tourist generating countries while Indian arrivals has been fallen
down by 8.5% during this month. The key contributors to the arrivals
from Asian market were China and Singapore which showed an exceptional
growth during this month with gains of 114.6 %, 92 % respectively. The
East Asian markets Japan (-12.3%), S. Korea (-9.4%) Malaysia (-22.9 %),
however showed some decline.
The
European markets have too recorded an encouraging growth (19.8%) during
the month with arrival numbers increasing from almost all the markets excepting
a few. Growth was observed from Switzerland ( 97.8%). UK (21%), France
(33.4%), Belgium (56.1%) ,Denmark (34.5%) Spain (41.9%) and Germany (19.6%),.
The Dutch arrivals have too increased by 26.7%.
The
only markets to come down were Austria (-22.2 %), Israel (-8.1%) and Italy
(-4.2%. The Americans market has too registered a growth of 33.7%
while Australian arrivals have gone up extremely well up by 41.4%. The
total non-Indian visitors, which contributed 70.1%, share in overall December
arrivals registering a 25 % growth indicates the growing consumer confidence
and interest towards Nepal from the long haul markets. Analyzing the growth
trend of 2007, it has been recorded 27.1% growth over 2006 with the arrival
figure reaching 360,350 all time high since 2000 against 283,516 in 2006.
In 2000, the number of visitors arriving Nepal by air was 376914. Since
then, it has continued to plummet due to various socio-political reasons.
One
of the main reasons for inspiring growth in 2007 in tourist arrivals is
the ongoing peace process and political stability in the county. Another
reason is the good air connectivity with many destinations ushered in by
the operation of 9 new international airlines to Nepal in 2007. 2008 seems
to be very promising year for Nepalese travel trade as more new airlines
are coming and existing airlines are also extending their flight frequency
to Nepal.
Source:
NTB January 2008
 |
Visitors
Arrivals in 2007 by air
|
Graphics
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January
2008
|
More
flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Kathmandu
|
|
Nepal
and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to increase flight frequency
to 28 flights a week. The officials of both of the countries signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) to this effect.
Now
the designated airlines of both countries can operate 28 each passenger
and cargo flights a week and they can use any type of aircrafts. The existing
ASA grants eight passenger flights and four cargo flights each week from
each country.
Yeti
Airlines, a Nepali private operator and RAK Airlines of the UAE have already
received sought-permission to operate between Nepal and the UAE.
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January
2008
| Urge
to review travel advisory |
|
Minister
Mahat urged diplomats to review travel advisory
Nepal
Tourism Board organised a programme on December 21, 2007 on the theme of
'Building Partnership on the threshold of NTB entering into 10th year and
welcoming New Year 2008 for tourism prosperity'.
Addressing
the function chief guest Minister for Finance Dr. Ram Saran Mahat said
that Nepal has best tourism products in the world in terms of its diversity,
variation of landscape, culture and tradition within a short distance. Stressing
on the ongoing peace process as a positive sign, he also urged the diplomatic
community to review their travel advisory in the changed context of Nepal's
polity.
He
also mentioned Nepal as a heaven for tourists and extolled the variety
of food and cuisine that available in Kathmandu within a range of half
kilometre. In the programme, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
said," Tourism which depends upon the arrival of foreign tourists, hence
it is but imperative that all the diplomatic missions abroad play their
vital role in promoting Nepal to their best of their ability in depicting
Nepal for all to visit for all seasons. We expect that Nepal will be projected
as a place where all are welcomed not only it has now assumed peace but
also because Nepal totally believes in "Athithi deo Bhawa" as well as to
launch a campaign for send home a friend."
He
further said, "I would like to make a small but interesting announcement
that we are thinking to launch another Visit Nepal Year or similar type
of campaign that will be announced formally after discussion with stakeholders.
I am very confident that Nepal will be further known to others beyond Nepal,
and will create an amicable environment for all to visit."
Speaking
at the function, Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board said
that in the aftermath of the changed political context of Nepal and restoration
of peace by putting to an end the decade long uncertainty and conflict,
tourism industry has taken a sigh of relief. He further added, "Stakeholders
and general public have been exhilarated and encouraged to participate
in tourism activities with an anticipation to see tourism boom in the nation.
New hopes have dawned upon the people from all corners of society. People
are desperately waiting for a sustainable peace and prosperity. Tourism
is expected to bring about a difference in a very short period of time.
We believe that the first thing to be done is declare tourism as a national
priority in its socio-economic agenda."
Mr.
Leela Mani Poudel, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil
Aviation and the Chairman of Nepal Tourism Board expressed vote of thanks
to all who supported Nepal's tourism. The programme was attended by high
government officials, diplomats, travel industry leaders and media persons.
Source:
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) January 2008
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January
2008
| Trekkers'
Information Management System (TIMS) |
|
 |
| An
agreement has been signed between Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking
Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) with an objective of maintaining
the database of trekkers and discouraging illegal operation in trekking
business to implement the Trekkers'
Information Management System (TIMS) from
1st January 2008. |
|
As
per the provision, all trekkers should
have the valid TIMS Certificate that is distributed free of charge by the
TIMS counters of NTB and TAAN.
 Nepal
Tourism Board will provide TIMS Certificate free of cost to both trekkers who wish to go to trekking through government
registered trekking companies and individual trekkers(FIT).
As
per agreement, TAAN would use the offices of all its member agents as TIMS
Counter. Trekking agencies that aren't affiliated with TAAN, however, have
to get TIMS certificates from either TAAN Secretariat or NTB.
Similarly, TAAN's
Pokhara Chapter member agencies of TAAN Pokhara Chapter would distribute TIMS
Certificate in Pokhara.
It
is believed that the database will become useful to rescue the trekkers
during the emergencies and it will also help us to ascertain the number
of trekkers in a particular trekking route.
TIMS
Certificate can be obtained from NTB Office, Bhrikutimandap, NTB Office
Pokhara, Belahia-Bhairahawa, Gadda Chauki- Mahendranagar, Kakarvitta and
other designated counters by NTB in future.
Source:
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) January 2008
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