Visitor Arrivals Reaches New Heights in 2010

The year 2010 has ended with positive notes both in terms of total visitor arrivals for the month of December and also for the whole year. The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of December 2010, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 15.7% to 36,323. Also, the total number of visitor arrivals in aggregate (Jan-Dec, 2010), compared to same period in 2009, have increased by 18.5% to all time high figure of 448,769.

In the SAARC region, all markets have posted positive results. In aggregate the South Asian segment has registered a robust growth of 26.1% in the month of December and 24.7% in the year 2010 (Jan-Dec). Visitor arrivals from India (19.5%), Bangladesh (42.4%), Pakistan (94.3%) and Sri Lanka (148.3%) have registered positive growth in December 2010. In aggregate the South Asia has registered a positive growth of 26.1% for the month of December and 24.7% between January to December.

In December 2010, there has been a robust growth of 24.4% in visitor arrivals from China. Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have recorded positive growth. Visitor arrivals from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea have registered a positive growth of 41%, 26.4%, 4.4%, and 22.3% respectively. However Japan has suffered a soft decline by 0.4%. In aggregate the Asian segment (other than South Asia) has registered a positive growth of 14.3% in the month of December and 17.7% in the year 2010.

Regarding the European markets, there has been a soft decline of 0.2% in the month of December 2010. However, the year saw a positive growth of 14.4% in aggregate (Jan-Dec) from the European market in 2010. In December 2010, the arrivals from the Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and UK were up by 57.3%, 37.0%,26.0%, 17.4%, 75.0%,43.9%, 2.1%, 30.5% and 1.0% respectively whereas Belgium, France, Germany and Italy declined by 20.1%, 8.7%,13.4%, 0.2% respectively.

Tourist arrivals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA have also registered positive growth of 8.5%, 57.9%, 1.2% and 14.4% respectively in December 2010.
On the whole, the year showed sustained growth in visitor arrivals and reaches new heights in 2010.

A total of 44,019 foreign tourists departed from TIA in December 2010. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 57,661 while 77,230 Nepalese departed from TIA in December 2010.

The annual analysis of tourist arrivals by air in 2010 and yearly arrivals of tourist by air since 1999 are attached herewith.

Motorcycle rally welcomes Nepal Tourism Year 2011

With showers of flowers and colourful balloons from choppers in the sky, Nepal Tourism Year-2011 kicked off amid a majestic function in Pokhara today.

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari, tourism entrepreneurs and government officials were present at the opening ceremony held at Basundhara Park on the bank of the Phewa Lake.

In the evening, firecrackers lit the sky and locals decorated their houses with lights and colours to welcome the tourism year. On the occasion, the organisers announced the programmes to be organised during NTY-2011.

Biplav Poudel, coordinator, Western Region Programme Implementation Committee, Nepal Tourism Year 2011, said the onus was on everyone to make the tourism year a resounding success.

The announced packages and programmes include Pokhara Carnival to be hosted by Pokhara Tourism Council, Food Festival by Western Region Hotel Union, Fagu Festival by Restaurant and Bar Association, Promotion of the Kaligandaki Valley, Dhaulagiri Trekking Route and Kathmandu-Pokhara Route by Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal.

Nepal Air Sports Institution plans to launch the Himalayan parameter journey.

Pokhara and Lekhanath chapters of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry also plan to organise various programmes during the year.

Clean-up campaign in the lakes in the Lake City, development of Pokhara as a model city and easing the traffic woes are some other programmes Pokharelis have set for NTY 2011.

Poudel said Pokhara aims to bring in half a million foreign guests, increase tourist stay to average seven days, up their expenditure to $100 per day and attract at least 300,000 domestic tourists during the year.

At the programme, Tourism Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari said tourism development was the foundation for economic revolution. “To boost tourism in the country, the government is working to link Pokhara with different cities of India via air. Maintenance work is underway at Tribhuvan International Airport,” Bhandari informed.

Tourism Secretary Kishor Thapa, Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Tikaram Sapkota, Kaski CDO, among others, were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Everest tops CNNGO destinations for 2011

A trekking trip to the Everest Base Camp has topped the list of CNNGO 10 best trips for 2011. CNN has mentioned in its online version, the thrill of high-altitude trekking in Nepal, which was once available only to a gung-ho few, has become more accessible recently.

According to CNN, in April this year, co-host of international television show World Travels and travel writer Robin Esrock will lead a 20-days trek to the Everest Base Camp starting from Kathmandu with World Expeditions.

The other destinations mentioned in the CNN list are Chengdu of China, Ireland, Palau and Borneo.

The CNN coverage and the international expedition in April is expected to boost tourism promotion in Nepal at the backdrop of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Chitwan festival from Jan 9

Chitwan Festival and Central Industrial Trade Fair 2011 are being organized in Narayanghat of Chitwan from Jan 9 with the objective of promoting local products.

The 10-day event will be held at exhibition ground on the banks of the Narayani River.

“The festival mainly focuses on social, cultural, educational, health and tourism related promotional activities,” Uttam Lal Chuke, coordinator of the festival organizing committee, told the press on Sunday.

Chuke, who is also the president of Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the festival will have more than 425 stalls representing different organizations.

The major features of the festival are mini zoo, Himalayan Para Motor Yatra -- an air sport activity, rafting and boat racing on Narayani River, among others.

“We are exhibiting air sports activities through 24 paramotors in collaboration with Avia Club Nepal,” Chuke said.

The event will have separate section for automobile, information and technology (IT), painting and sculptor exhibition, banks and financial institutions along with restaurants and children´s park.

The eight edition of Chitwan Festival -- one of the largest business fair of the country -- is being organized jointly by Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Chitwan District Development Committee, Bharatpur Municipality, Ratnanagar Municipality and Ratnanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Besides the exhibition of different products, different symposiums and workshops on different themes like dairy, IT and religious tourism will also be organized throughout the event. The event will also showcase different cultural attractions of Chitwan.

The festival is expected to draw 300,000 visitors and record transactions of about Rs 120 million.

Himalayan Paramotor Yatra

In order to attract more international visitors in the Expo and promote Nepal Tourism Year-2011, Avia Club Nepal and Nepal Air Sports Association will organise ‘Himalayan Paramotor Yatra’. The event will begin in Kathmandu on January 12. Pilots from 12 countries including Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapur, Brazil, Israel, UK and US have registered their names to take part in the paramotor journey, according to an official of Avia Club. The pramotor journey is going to be held for the first time in Nepal. “During paramotor journey, we will arrange to show airshow and aerobatics performances in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Bhairahawa and Butuwal,” Barun Gyanwali of Avia Club said. According to him, 28 paramotor pilots from across the world will take part in the event. A four-member special paramotor acrobatic pilot team from Russia will arrange for the paramotor championship.

China Eastern resuming Nepal flights next week

China Eastern Airlines is resuming its Nepal flights from Jan 11. The airline will fly on Kunming-Kathmandu-Kunming route three times a week using Boeing 737-700 aircraft from Jan 11.

Speaking at a press conference organized in the capital on Monday, Zhao De Jian, station manager of the airlines in Kathmandu, said the airline will fly to Kathmandu on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We are hopeful of supporting the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign by bringing in more Chinese tourists,” Jian told the press.

China Eastern had stopped flying on the route from November last year after nearly 14 months of operation, citing weak management. The airline is resuming flights after revamping its management in South Asia and South East Asia.

Kunming is the capital of China´s Yunnan province. China is planning to develop the city as economic hub of South East Asia and South Asia. Kunming has easy road access to Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

NTY 2011 torch to be taken to Mt Ama Dablam

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has decided to take the torch of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 campaign to the summit of Mt Ama Dablam.

At a press meet recently organised at the NMA secretariat, NMA President Zimba Zangbu Sherpa said the 10-member Nepal Tourism Year 2011 Torch Expedition to Ama Dablam will take the torch to the summit of the 6812m peak on January 14, coinciding with the formal launch of the campaign.

The ceremony will be broadcast live at Dashrath Stadium where the formal launch of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is being held. The government has waived permit fee for the mountaineers.

Travel trade associations like Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal and Himalayan Rescue Association are also supporting the expedition.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai is among the international dignitaries that have confirmed their participation for the inauguration of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign to be held at Dashrath Stadium on Jan 14. According to Nepal Tourism Board, tourism ministers of SAARC member countries and secretary of Cambodian Tourism Ministry have also confirmed their participation, while tourism ministers of Japan and China have expressed their interest to attend the gala event. The government has invited tourism ministers of 24 Asian nations for the event.

SAARC tourism secretaries are scheduled to arrive on Jan 11 to participate in the extensive joint secretary level meeting of the SAARC Tourism Working Committee. They are set to discuss on the problems and barriers confronting tourism promotion.

The SAARC inter-government body will discuss the possibility of launching joint marketing campaigns, softening visa regime, giving access to cross-border driving licenses and increasing inter-SAARC movement by air by the national flag carrier of each country.

KMC to publish tourist route maps

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to publish route maps of several tourism destinations located inside Kathmandu Valley to help tourists visiting in Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

This move, according to KMC officials, aims to provide information about temples statues, festivals, rituals and info about various places of tourism importance, including Hanumandhoka.

In maps, tourism hightlights from Kamalakshi to Indrachwok as well as Hanumandhoka and Bhimsensthan are in the first route. Thaiti to Bangemuda, Bhedasingh, Itumbahal, Hanumandhoka and Jaisidewal to Teku will be in the second route.

Chhetrapati, Pyafal, Hanumandhoka, Jhoche, Ombahal, Lagan, Brahmatol to Machali and Pachali of Teku will be in the last pathway in maps.

Indra Man Suwal, Chief of Heritage Department under KMC, said the map is going to be published to provide total information to the tourists as there are full of heritage and temples in those areas.

The map will be printed within a week and it will cost around Rs. 2 million for publication, he said.

(News Courtesy: The Himalayan Times, The Republica and Nepalnews.com)

KEEP welcomes Australian adventures

Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) has organized welcome program to Oz Quest Young Australian adventures this year again on the eve of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 at the Nepal Tourism Board, Auditorium Hall. A total of 37 Australian were being warmly welcomed this year by the KEEP and its associated partners GAN, ECCA, HGI, The Naulekh foundation. it was highly promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board. Australian friends were highly encouraged and wishes success to the Nepal Tourism Year 2011, by Her Excellency, Ms. Susan Grace, Australian Ambassador, and Nepal. Our partner organizations have expressed excellent years of cooperation with the Oz quest, Australia. The executive director of Oz Quest, Graeme Kent, felicitated all partners for our decadal excellent relationship. The group which came on this Programme will participate in the trekking as well as the community development work of Nepal.

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