Tibet reopens for Tourist

China had closed Tibet to foreign tourists after riots erupted in mid-March. The decision to allow them back comes days after the Olympic torch's short, tightly-controlled visit to the region passed off smoothly.

"The success of the Olympic torch relay held three days ago in Lhasa demonstrated that the foundation for the social stability has been further consolidated," Xinhua quoted Tanor, deputy director of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Bureau of Tourism, as saying.

"Tibet is safe. We welcome the domestic and foreign tourists."

Though Tibet was closed for foreigners, domestic tour groups were allowed to Tibet since late April, Xinhua said.

New HRA body assumes office

The newly elected executive body of Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) assumed its responsibility from June 21, 2008. The newly elected members also took the oath of office on the same day.

Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Lilamani Poudyal, congratulated the new members of the executive body and handed over letter of appreciation of the members of the outgoing executive committee. Speaking on the occasion, secretary Poudel lauded HRA's efforts in making our mountains safe.

On the occasion, outgoing general secretary Mr. Santa Subba handed over minute-book to new general secretary Mr. Kumar Ranabhat and outgoing treasurer Mr. Dambar Prajauli handed over accounts and cheque book to the new treasurer Mr. Prithvi Shrestha.

Newly elected president Mr. Bikram Neupane and Mr. Tek Chandra Pokharel, founding president of HRA, also spoke on the occasion.

 

Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%

The beginning of the New Year 2008 has heralded an optimistic tourism growth in Nepal in 2008. The data released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that arrivals in January has grown by 12.9 %, up by 2985 compared to the same month last year.

Although decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2%) and Sri Lanka (-12.5%) have dragged down the total arrivals from SAARC region by 7 %, the European and North American markets have registered robust growth of 33.1 % and 34.3 % respectively. China (96.8%), S. Korea (5.1%), Thailand (23.2 %) and Malaysia (12.1 %) have posted a remarkable growth. It is very notable that contribution of S. Korean market in the total arrivals has come to be very significant. It has contributed more than 10 % in the total arrivals and; it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoul. The Japanese market is down by 15.3 % which could be due to irregular air service of national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan.

All the European markets have shown positive growth this month, except Austria (-7.5%). The UK (33.9 %), France (78.5 %), Germany (4.5 %), Spain (28.5 %), and Netherlands (36.5 %) have recorded a significant growth showing increased consumer confidence towards the destination.

It is expected that more tourists will travel to Nepal in days to come because of easy accessibility from long haul destinations and forthcoming tourist season.

Nepal's first time participation in Nordic Travel Fair MATKA 2008

Nepal Tourism Board along with four Nepalese private travel companies namely Mountain Adventure Trekking, Snowland Travel and Tours, Makalu Adventure and Sahara Worldwide Travels and Tours actively participated for the first time in Nordic Travel Fair Matka 2008, the biggest travel event in Nordic and Baltic region, held from January 17 to 20, 2008 in Helsinki, Finland.

Inaugurated by Dr. Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Government of Finland, the fair had good response from the tour operators and professionals on the first day specially those from nearby Estonia and St. Petersberg. The next three days were aimed at consumers, considering the trend of the Finnish travelers who normally shop around for the holiday destinations during winter. There were 1,100 exhibitors from 77 countries occupying the space of 16,000 sq. meters. Visited by 9178 tour operators and 85000 consumers, the fair showed an encouraging prospect of Nepalese tourism in Finnish as well as North European market.

A long feature article on Himalayas of Nepal and cultural heritage in the MATKA issue of Panorama magazine, written and edited by Mr. Reijo Harkonen, Honorary PRR for NTB, fetched good interest from quite a number of visitors in the Fair. In addition to that, another beautiful article published in "Helsingin Sanomat"- popular daily newspaper with the circulation of 450,000 - on the third day of the fair, January 19, 2008 about Annapurna trekking made the visitors even more curious about Nepal in general and trekking in particular. Inquiries about Nepal by the visitors were tremendous. According to the response of the visitors, they seemed more interested in trekking. Yet, other natural and cultural products have not lost any charm among the Finnish people.

There are more than 10 Nepalese Restaurants, very much well known among the locals, in Helsinki. Their observation about the Finnish people's interest about Nepal shows a great hope and prospect of the growth of Nepalese tourism in Finland. In fact, they can be very good platforms to increase the awareness about Nepal's diverse tourism attractions. The active Nepali diaspora in Finland have played a significant role in generating public awareness about Nepal and cultivating interests in them to visit Nepal.

Finland's national carrier Finn Air has published special fares for Helsinki/Delhi & Helsinki/Mumbai sectors for MATKA 2008 making it "Fast & Easy" travel to Nepal as well. Very soon they are going to come out with a special Pro Rata basis fare for Helsinki/KTM via Delhi. This definitely is a positive sign that supports NTB's first ever participation in Finland along with the Nepalese travel trade.  

Discussion on New Tourism Campaign held

In order to capitalise the positive affect shown by the tourist arrivals in 2007, a meeting was organised on January 6, 2008 at the Ministry of for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung to explore the new avenue for tourism industry in the changed context of Nepal. The meeting was attended by the president of various travel trade associations and high government officials.

In the meeting various issues were discussed pertaining to tourism infrastructure, safety and security of tourists and celebrating special campaign for tourism. It was also discussed in the meeting urging the government to provide high priority to the tourism and tourism related campaign. Addressing the meeting Minister Gurung said that the government would announce the tourism campaign after doing proper homework in appropriate time. He also stressed there should be the synergy between tourism and overall development of the country.

Analyzing the pros and cons of tourism campaign, the Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Leela Mani Poudel requested all tourism related associations to come up with proper homework for new tourism campaign for further discussion. Sharing his experience of the past, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha said that it is necessary to imbibe the target, objectives and results of Visit Nepal Year '98 while declaring the new tourism campaign setting new indicators for its successful implementation.