Lokendra Bista Magar, New Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation

Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on November 8 inducted Lokendra Bista Magar as Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Dilip Maharjan as State Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. Prime Minister Bhattarai inducted seven new ministers and 18 state ministers to his Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister administered the oath office and secrecy to the newly appointed seven Cabinet Ministers in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas. Similarly, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai administered the oath of office to 18 of the 19 newly appointed state ministers at Dr Harka Gurung Chamber of the National Planning Commission in Singha Durbar.

Nepal seizes opportunity to revamp Nepal’s Image in World Travel Market 2011 London

The 2nd biggest travel Mart of the Universe World Travel Mart 2011 concluded successfully in London with the participation from 20 private companies comprising Travel, Trekking and top hotel from Nepal. WTM 2011 was significant for Nepal in view of Nepal celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011. This year’s WTM was exclusive for buyers and seller unlike other years. This also was an added boon for the Nepal selling agent hence, deals and negotiations underwent in serious and business like ambience. The chunk of enquiries were posed mainly focusing specialty and new destination offers in the light of NTY 2011. This year the security related queries were not there which means, Nepal is being perceived as a secured destination by Nepal sellers.

Nepal Stall was unique in its design compared to other modern structure of other countries. The traditional style Nepali wooden artifacts attracted many of the visitors and herds of other countries television and media took shots of the Nepal stall. These artifacts have also been a Nepal’s USP to highlight destination attraction.

The way the visitors were thronging to Nepal stall for future travel planning, it seemed Nepal has at least regained its lost glory as a potential future travel destination. Host of nearby city dwellers of UK also provided us the feedback that Nepal could be potential travel destination subject to availability of direct air connection. If Nepal could plan for little extra promos as done with London Bus, consumer awareness could revamp drastically to enhance destination status.

Likewise, Nepal night was also organized on the 9th of November on the premises of Nepal Embassy at London in the presence of HE Ambassador Dr. Suresh C. Chalise on the margins of WTM 2011. Host of Mayors, academicians, Nepal loving UK citizens and professional working here in London attended the said program. Talking to all these delegates Dr. Chalise opined that Nepal is a wonderful country and safety and security of tourist have always remained in the priority of the Government. Mr. Aditya Baral, Director of NTB shed light on the increasing number of tourists and its cause, future plan and other strategic means to achieve our target. Dr. Mark F. Watson also highlighted the work in progress of Greater Himalayan Trek and Martin Hartley portrayed with massive collection of splendid photographs of Everest summiteers starting from Tenzin Norgay to Appa Sherpa. Mrs. Ambika Luitel, DCM of the Embassy shed light with her vote of thanks.

At the last leg of the Embassy programs a lucky draw comprising a 5nights 6 days Nepal sightseeing coupon was handed over to the winner attending the program.

Mountaineer Chris retells his love for Nepal's mountains

Nepal’s mountainous landscape is quite unique, alluring and gorgeous, said a celebrated mountaineer Chris Bonington, who started climbing at the age of 16 in 1951.

The future of mountain-climbing and adventurous tourism inside Nepal is bright, stated the UK national Boningtan, 74, at an interaction organized in the capital on November 5, 2011 by Adventure Sports Tourism Society.

Chris has already scaled various mountainous and enjoyed adventurous trekking in different parts of the country since his arrival in Nepal in the decade of 1960.

Chris had authored more than 15 books on the mountains, most on Nepal by successfully conquering the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, in 1985 AD.

Mountaineering and trekking was very much challenging in the past, Sir Bonington recounted his experience, while asserting that the availability of trained and competent guide along with technological advancement has made it pleasant and successful in recent times. He also said that he was one of the first persons to trek round Annapurna.

He also highlighted the significant role of Sherpa ethnic community in the promotion of mountain tourism.

On the occasion, former chief of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Prachandaman Shrestha said Nepal’s economic development could be accelerated through tourism, trekking and mountain climbing. Mr. Bikram Pandey, President of Adventure Sports Tourism Society also highlighted the role of Sir Bonington in the mountaineering.

Bonington was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1976 in recognition of the previous year's successful ascent of Everest and was knighted in 1996 for his services to the sport. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2010 Birthday Honours for his services to the Outward Bound Trust.

NMA's 38th anniversary marked

Participants of a programme organised on the occasion of 38th anniversary of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), on November 1 discussed on the role contributed by the association for the promotion of mountaineering in the country.

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is a non-governmental and nonprofit organisation established on November 1, 1973 to promote mountain tourism and mountain environment conservation. Its major goal is to assist the government and mountaineers providing pertinent mountaineering skills, efficiency and rescue techniques through training or counseling.

On the occasion, NMA life member Ishihara Yuchiro handed over the postage stamps of Mt. Everest published by different countries, which were collected by him, to association’s Chairman Zimba Zangbu Sherpa.

According to Sherpa, the postage stamps will be kept at Pokhara based International Mountain Museum for exhibition.

Joint-Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hari Prasad Basyal hoisted the association’s flag amidst a function and said the Nepali mountains were the medium to recognise Nepalese tourism in the international level that the association should work for preserving the mountains.

Fifth major Blues festival being held in Nepal

People from the Nepali capital Kathmandu are swinging in the melody of the Blues music in the 5th Himalayan Blues festival that kicked off in Kathmandu from Nov. 10.

The festival has an array of world class musicians from different parts of the world including Ireland, Germany, Australia, Russia, Sweden along with bands from Nepal performing in the festival.

Talking to Xinhua on Friday, festival Director and Founder of Himalayan Blues Festival Samik Kharel said that "the Himalayn Blues Festival is a Nepali originated artistic-cultural event, whose objective is to promote Blues music in Nepal."

Blues music is a music developed in the United States.

Kharel also said that the objective of the festival is to integrate the Blues music with the roots and the folklore of Nepal, as well as to offer a different alternative from those that are generally presented on festivals and artistic-cultural activities in Nepal.

The festival which originated in 2007 has also been expanded to India promoting Himalayan Blues as an Asian Music festival.

The festival which is very popular amongst the tourist is also been supported by the Nepal Tourism Board and by the missions based in Nepal through cultural grants.

According to the organizers, hundreds of foreign and local people are expected to attend the festival.

The festival will last until Nov. 12.

In this Issue :

Lokendra Bista Magar, New Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation

Nepal seizes opportunity to revamp Nepal’s Image in World Travel Market 2011 London

Mountaineer Chris retells his love for Nepal's mountains

NMA's 38th anniversary marked

Fifth major Blues festival being held in Nepal

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