Nepal tourism advertisements on DC buses

The Nepali Embassy in Washington in conjunction with Nepal Tourism Board has placed promotional posters of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 in metro buses Washington DC targeting summer tourists. Nepali ambassador to US Dr Shankar Sharma formally launched the program by visiting metro-bus station at 44th Street on July 26, 2011.

Around 15 million domestic and international tourists visit Washington DC every year. The poster displays cultural and natural diversity of Nepal.

Nepal to hold international Taekwondo Championships

The Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) and International Nepalese Taekwondo Association (INTA) are jointly organizing the first Mount Everest International Taekwondo Championships with the promotion of Nepal Tourism Board from September 22, 2011.

Around 300 players from up to 18 nations are expected to participate in the two-day event. Seven South Asian nations --India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives -- have confirmed their participation.

The championships will be the first international taekwondo championships since Nepal hosted the eighth South Asian Games in 1998.

NTY 2011 promoted in Dublin

Nepali Embassy in London organized a program to promote Nepal Tourism Year (2011) campaign in Dublin, Ireland on July 12, 2011. The newly elected mayor of Dublin Lord Mayor Andrew Montague, senior members of parliament, Ambassador of India to Ireland P S Raghavan along with high level Irish officials attended the program.

On the occasion, Nepal´s ambassador to the UK and Ireland Dr Suresh C Chalise honored Everest summiteers Michael Murphy, Clare O´Leary, Pat Falvey and Basi Geoghegan and conferred on them the title of the Goodwill Ambassador for the year-long tourism promotional campaign.

Air China to provide daily flight services between Lhasa and Kathmandu

Air China is starting daily international service between Lhasa in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Katmandu from August 1, 2011. Air China, the country's flagship carrier, adjusted its service plan by increasing from four flights per week to daily service based on the preferences of previous passengers surveyed and predictions in this year's tourism market, said Zhang Ping, director of the marketing department for the Air China Tibet Branch. Air China initiated the Lhasa-Katmandu route in 1987. It currently provides services every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The flight duration is one hour and ten minutes.

Bhaktapur visitor inflow up 24pc

Bhaktapur, one of the three ancient cities in the Kathmandu Valley and a world-renowned tourist destination for its elegant art, culture and indigenous lifestyle, hosted 195,847 tourists during the fiscal year 2010-11, up 24.48 percent from 157,327 arrivals in fiscal 2009-10.

According to the Tourist Service Centre (TSC), Bhaktapur, the number of sightseers from SAARC increased 51.48 percent while visitors from other countries recorded a growth of 13.76 percent. Among the visitors, tourists from SAARC and China numbered 67,773.

The Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY) campaign has led to a boost in arrivals in Bhaktapur. According to the TSC, 94,755 tourists visited the city in the first six months of NTY, compared to 73,237 in the same period last year.

Teej Festival 2011

Teej Festival 2011 kicked off on July 28, 2011 at the United World Trade Centre, Tripureshwor. The four-day fair is hosted by Women’s Creation Nepal with the promotion of Nepal Tourism Board. The fair will last till July 31.

During Festival, handicrafts, souvenir items and other items produced by Nepali women entrepreneurs will be on display for the upcoming festival season, namely Teej scheduled for Aug. 31, 2011. About 100 stalls are allotted for materials useful for Teej like handicrafts, saris, kurtas, gift items, jewelry, mehendi and other items, while 10 stalls are allotted for food and snacks. Twenty percent of the fund raised during the Fair will go directly in the development of women entrepreneurship.

The Festival is an excellent forum for marketing women’s products while it also provides an optimum platform for the sharing success stories and challenges among the participants.

AGM of STN

Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) was held on July 21, 2011 at Nepal Tourism Board. Total 40 STN members participated in the program. The meeting selected new core group members for the year 2011-2012.

Mr. Subash Nirola, Sr. Director, Nepal Tourism Board and Chief STN Coordinator highlighted on efforts made by STN and suggested future course of action of the network. Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board distributed Appreciation Certificates to former STN Core Group Members. Speaking at the function Mr. Shrestha said that STN should come up with model sustainable tourism activities suitable in the context of Nepal that would set an example to international communities. Ms. Namrata Shrestha, STN Coordinator presented the Progress of STN Activities for the year 2009 and 2010. Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya-Manager, Nepal Tourism Board thanked all present on the meeting.

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