BY BALLAV DAHAL
THE RISING NEPAL, 03RD NOVEMBER 2009

The widening gap between the ruling political parties and the opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist shows that the current transition is likely to be lengthened further. This has created a sense of insecurity among all the investors, especially tourism entrepreneurs.

Perturbed by frequent strikes and blockades, tourism entrepreneurs have urged the key political forces to reach and understanding and move the peace process ahead.

“We need a tourism-friendly environment. Even after the peace process, we have failed to change the negative perception of foreign tour operators and potential tourists towards Nepal as a destination due to extortion and other forms of hassles,” said Hari Dharel, managing Director of Highlander Trekking & Expeditions (P) Ltd.

The ailing Nepalese tourism industry saw a more favorable situation during the last some months when few strikes and blockades decreased. “Tourists will feel secured when politics of confrontation and extortions come to an end in the country,” said Dharel, former general secretary of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).

Recalling the relatively peaceful and tourist-friendly atmosphere during the last few months, Dharel said that the tourism industry would not grow without peace and stability. “As a sensitive sector, tourism can be disturbed easily even by minor incidents such as extortions,” he added.

He said that it was illegal for anybody or organization to force tourists to pay money. “Apart from extortions, strikes and blockades have tarnished our destination image at international arena. So, the government, political parties and the private sector need to join hands to restore the country’s image,” he said.

Emphasizing the need to develop professionalism in the travel trade sector of Nepal, he said, “The state must take action against all sorts of illegal activities to take the country’s tourism to a newer height.”

Regarding the upcoming tourism event- Nepal Tourism Year 2011, he said that the program is very relevant at a time when the country’s tourism industry has been jinxed with problems for several years.

“But no significant preparations for the event have been made so far. The government and the private sector need to do extensive homework for making the event a success.” He said.

Bringing the haphazard condition of Thamel to lime light, he said that the Ministry of Tourism and Civil aviation must work in close coordination with the other concerned government bodies to enhance the glory this tourist hub. “Thamel is losing its charm among tourists because of illegal activities. Tourists have stopped feeling safe and secured in Thamel because of growing unprofessional and criminal activities,” he said.

He suggested that the government should pay urgent heed to Thamel, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and Pokhara Bus Park. “The expatriate communities as well as visiting tourists have been showing their concern over the negligence on the part of the agencies concerned,” he said.
“There is no light in the evening at the domestic terminal of the Kathmandu airport. Even Shakuntala Thilsted, spouse of the Danish Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Finn Thilsted has shared how she had to suffer when she arrived there from Nepalgunj” he said.

He complained that the Ministry of Tourism and civil Aviation did not take the issue seriously. “It is sad to note that even genuine issues raised by such personalities are not heard,” he said.

He stressed the need to develop a strong monitoring mechanism at the ministry to handle grievances.

He also called for making available toilet facilities at airport. “The TIA and all other airports need to be given a face-lift,” he said

Welcoming the decision of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) management to purchase two aircraft he said that it would help give a boost to the country’s tourism industry.

He, however, suggested that the internal management of the corporation needed to be reformed. “The airline should start the process of online booking of tickets so that it can make profits,” he said.

He added that tourism needed regular attention of the concerned ministry and agencies. “The government must stop giving lip services to the sensitive sector like tourism.” he said.

The Department of Immigration located at IMPACT Building, Maitighar, Kathmandu (Tel 4223590) issues permit for tourists who intend to trek on any part of the country. Trekking permits are as follows.

A) Trekking Permit
A trekking permit is a must to visit restricted areas mentioned below. To visit normal trekking areas, no permission is required.

B) Restricted areas which have been opened for Group Trekking
The following restricted areas are open only for group trekkers. And a trekking permit will not be issued to individual trekkers for such areas. The areas and required fees are as follows:

Trekking Trekking Permit Fee
1 i) Dolpa district Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

For the first 10 days per person US $500 and After 10 days per day per person Us$50
a) Areas of lower Dolpa
b) Areas of Upper Dolpa
ii) Taplejung District Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
2 Kanchanjanga Region
(Areas of Olangchunggola,
Lelep, Papung and
Yamphudin Village
Development Committee)

3 i) Mustang district. (Upper Mustang) For the first 10 days per person US $500 and After 10 days per day per person Us$50.

4 iv) Gorkha District: From September to November per week per person US$ 70 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 10.and From December to August per week per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 7 /Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
A. (Manaslu Area)
B. Chhekampar & Chumchet VDC(Sirdibas-Lokpa-Cumling-Chhekampar-Nile-Chhule Area) From September to November per person US$35 for first 8 days and from December to August per person US$25 for first 8 days or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

5 v) Dolakha District (Gauri Shankar &
Lamabagar) Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

vi)Humla District (Simikot and Yari):- For the first 7 days per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 7 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
Areas of Limi and Muchu
village Development
Committee, and area way to
Tibet via Tangekhola of
Darma Village Development
committee.
Trekking fee of other restricted areas imposed by Nepal government
6 vii) Rasuwa District :- Thuman and Timure per week per person US$ 10, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

7 viii) Sankhuwasabha District For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
(Makalu Region):-Areas of
Kimathanka, Chepuwa,Hatiya and
Pawakhola Village
Development Committee.

8 ix) Solukhumbu District For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
(Everest Region):-All north-
west area way from Thame
to Nangpala of Namche
Village Development
Committee

9 x) Manang District:- Areas of Nar, Phu, and Northern
area of Tilche Village of
Thochhe Village
Development Committee From September to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency.

10 xi) Mugu District:- Areas of
Mugu, Dolpu, Pulu and
Bhangri. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency..

11 xii) Baihang District:-Areas
of Kanda, Saipal, Dhuli. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency..

12 xiii) Darchula District:- Areas
of Byas Village
Development Committee. For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person Us$15 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency..

Note:

1. To get a group trekking permit an application form with other relevant documents should be submitted through any registered trekking agency of Nepal.

2. Trekking fee can be paid in Nepalese currency: Notwithstanding anything written in above, the Indian citizen can pay in Nepalese currency equivalent to US Dollars.
Source: TAAN

Yeti Airlines and Everest Bank Limited (EBL) on September 6 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate EBL accountholders to book tickets of Yeti Airlines and pay online.

Under the new system, customers can check available flights on required dates and do not need to visit the airlines office and the travel agents to get tickets. They can print the ticket from their places and board the flight upon showing the printed ticket at the airport.

Pradip Bikram Shah, director-sales and marketing, Yeti Airlines and BK Pradhan, deputy general manager, EBL, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.

Shah said the airlines would soon join hands with other banks to expand the service. Pradhan also said the airlines would soon sign agreement with other domestic and international airlines to offer more choices to its customers.
Source:TAAN

Source: TAAN

Source: TAAN

Tourist arrival to Nepal via air in the month of May has recorded a decline of 5% as compared to the arrival figure of same period last year.

According to arrival figures released by the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport, 25,129 foreigners visited the country in the month of May. The arrival in May last year was 26,460.

Only Sri Lanka (19.7%) registered growth rate in May as the overall arrival from the SAARC countries recorded a decline of 12.7%.

Arrivals from India, which is considered a major market for Nepal, declined by 13.6% followed by Pakistan (-17.9%) and Bangladesh (-4.2%). Arrivals from China (36.2%), Thailand (87.8%) and Singapore (65.1%) increased in May. However, Japan (-2.3%), Malaysia (-11.4%) and South Korea (-23%) recorded negative growth. Overall, the arrival from Asian markets increased by 10.7%.

Tourist arrival from the European countries recorded a growth of 9.1% in May with significant contribution from the arrivals of UK (11.1%) and Italy (24%). However, arrivals from France (-7.2%), Germany (-9.4%) and Spain (-14.7%) registered negative growth.

Likewise, the arrivals from Australia (7.6%), Canada (8.5%) and the USA (4.4%) also increased in May as compared to the arrival figure of same period last year.

Source: http://www.taan.org.np/

Source: www.thehimalayantimes.com

1. Small binoculars
2. Camera & film & some spare batteries.
3. Walkman & tapes
4. Reading & writing materials
5. Personal first aid kit.

(a) river sandals (of the type which do not come off when you swim),
(b) Shorts or swimming costume,
(c) a sarong for women (long piece of clothes wrapped around your waist,
(d) base ball cap & sunglasses,
(e) Sunscreen, lip balm

(a) sleeping bag & pad (if you don’t have we help you rent in Kathmandu),
(b) light weight pants
(c) Cotton underwear,
(d) Light weight long sleeved shirt or T-shirt,
(e) A fleece style jacket,
(f) toiletries (..but no cosmetic you have hardly any time for them),
(g) spare glasses or contact lenses ( if u wear them),
(h) water bottle