Nepal-India Tourism Mart to be held in Lumbini

Nepal and India are jointly organising their first ever Tourism Mart in Lumbini with the purpose of promoting tourism between the two countries to mark the end of Visit Lumbini Year 2012, on January 15.

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal and Indian Council of Cultural Relations are jointly hosting the Tourism Mart on January 15 and 16 in Lumbini, followed by similar marts in Pokhara and Kathmandu, respectively in February and March.

At a press meet, Jaideep Mazumdar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India said, "As the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, Lumbini is significant for the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, besides the three sites in India, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. The mart will focus on how tourist traffic can be enhanced there."

Senior officials from India's Ministry of Tourism and from the Tourism departments of the Governments of UP and Bihar will be present on the occasion. Officials representing the Tourism Ministry Department, Lumbini Development Trust, Nepal Tourism Board, among others, will represent Nepal.

"This will facilitate tie-ups between tourism operators and enable officials from both sides to identify problems in the tourism industry as well," said Mazumdar.

Meanwhile, Indian Council for Cultural Relations in association with Lumbini Development Trust is organising "Lumbini Symposium on Buddhism and Historical Buddhist Sites" from January 15 to 17 in Lumbini. The event will bring together authorities and experts of the two neighbours as well as several prominent specialists on Buddha and Buddhism.

The symposium will touch upon themes like Buddhists art, culture, philosophy and rituals among others. "The event will contribute to providing academic insights into the themes of Buddhism and Buddhist sites in Nepal and India," said Mazumdar.

When asked if it was a counter to China's growing interest in Lumbini, he said, "Lumbini is a Buddhist archaeological hub and India heartily welcomes involvement of any country in its development."

( News Courtesy: The Himalayan Times)

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Nepal- Hottest Destination of 2012

Nepal has been selected as one of the Hottest Destinations of 2013 by Travel+ Leisure Magazine-USA. It says," Its civil war in the past, this Himalayan state, with its elephants, one-horned rhinos, and incredible landscapes, is back in play."

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations/8

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Nepal- One of 20 places to see before you die

Lifestyle magazine asked top travel experts to name 20 places they'd recommend to see before you die---and Trekking in Nepal is one of them. “' I'm embarrassed to say that I've managed to get this far through life without trekking in Nepal, and the Annapurna Circuit is top of my experience wish-list: from everything I've read and heard, it is an amazing journey at implausible altitude through a beautiful country with wonderful people,' says travel journalist Simon Calder.

http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/gallery/20-places-to-see-before-you-die#image=16

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Promotion of Nepal on the truck in USA and Canada

A truck wrapped with 53 feet banner bearing the different tourism products of Nepal including Pashupathinath, Kumari, Mt. Everest, rhinos will be seen plying in 4 states of Canada and 46 states of USA very soon. Conceptualized by Buddhi Sagar Basyal and NB Tandan, the project is being completed at the cost of Canadian $ 5500. Various Non-Resident Nepalese Associations of Canada and USA have provided funding to this project. The project was launched last week by Nepalese Honorary Consul in Canada Dr. Kunjan Sharma.

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Pashupatinath and Muktinath Promoted in TTF Chennai, 2013

Nepal Tourism Board along with five travel trade companies from Nepal successfully participated in the Travel and Trade Fair (TTF) from January 4 to 6, 2013 at Chennai Trade Center, Chennai, India. Visited by more than 10,000 people, 1000 travel trade companies from India and beyond and 150 media representatives, the fair provided a good platform for Nepal to promote Pashupatinath and Muktinath temples along with other leisure destinations and activities keeping in view the upcoming summer holidays in Tamil Nadu state in particular and south India in general.

It was well realized that unlike in previous years, there was no query or suspicion about the safety and security concerns of the visitors about Nepal. It could be a survey of the mentality of the south Indians. Nepal being the gateway of Kailash Manasarovar, a huge crowd thronged at Nepal Stall and inquired about the visit to that holy place. A large number of visitors showed a tremendous interest in Muktinath which, they were informed, is well connected by road also. This would be a good treat for the adventure loving pilgrims.

Nepal stall was awarded in the "best stall" category and one of the Nepalese companies, Kathmandu Holiday was also given an award for promoting "new destination". The journalists who visited Nepal stall and inquired about Nepal appeared very enthusiastic to promote Nepal in south India.

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First trekking agency in operation in Tatapani

A trekking agency has been opened in Tatopani, Sindupalchowk for the development and promotion of tourism industry in the boarder area. Named as Sindu Excursion, run by Milan Tamang and Dawa Sherpa, this is the first trekking agency in that area. The operator of the trekking agency will promote tourism areas like Panchpokhari, Bhairavkunda, Tatopani dhara, historical fort Dugunagadhi, Helumbu, Bhotekoshi, bunjy jumping and rafting. According to Mr. Dwaw Sherpa, the company will also run training on Chinese language, trekking guide, hotel management separately.

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