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NTB’s move pays off, more tourists coming
It seems Nepal Tourism Board’s (NTB) regional marketing is paying off.
Despite global recession and fall in global tourist movements, the South Asian market — including India and China — has pushed up the tourist arrivals in April.
Tourist arrivals in April — in comparison to the same month last year — increased by 15.8 per cent and touched 37,819. Last April, the number of tourist arrivals was 32,665, figures released by the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), have revealed.
For the first time in 2009, April witnessed a positive growth in visitor arrivals to Nepal, in a way challenging the worldwide decline in tourist arrivals. The entire Asian region registered a positive growth except Japan, said NTB.
Visitor arrivals from every market in South Asia registered a positive growth. India — which occupies the largest share in visitor arrivals in Nepal — recorded a whopping 27.3 per cent growth. Similarly, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh witnessed positive growths of 61.2 per cent, 29.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively.
Other Asian source markets — China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore — regained the upward trend with 27.3 per cent, 68.5 per cent, 20.9 per cent, 73 per cent and 61.3 per cent of growth, respectively.
However, arrivals from Japan witnessed a marginal negative growth of 1.3 per cent.The entire Europe and Oceania region registered a robust growth of 23.3 per cent and 16 percent,
respectively, in comparison to the same month last year. However, France and the Netherlands registered a negative growth of 3.7 per cent and 9.4 per cent, respectively.
Arrivals from Canada and the USA also registered a positive growth of 20.2 per cent and 5.8 per cent,
respectively.
The increase in visitor arrivals reflects and reinforces the resilient nature of
the tourism economy which can play a crucial role towards recovery of countries that are dependent on tourism.
The remarkable growth in visitors’ arrival from India and China — Nepal’s immediate neighbours — and other major players in the intra-regional tourism underscores the need to focus on regional markets at a time of the economic crisis.
A total of 41,439 foreign tourists departed from TIA in April 2009. The number of Nepali arrivals stood at 43,444 while 45,886 Nepalis departed from TIA in April.
Tibet reopens to foreign tourists
A police officer stands guard in Lhasa, Tibet (archive image)
The Tibetan capital Lhasa is a popular destination for adventurous tourists. China says it is reopening Tibet to foreign tourists in early April. The region has recently been closed to travellers because of security fears linked to a number of sensitive anniversaries. The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Tibet's head of tourism as saying the region was now "harmonious and safe". But there is still a heavy Chinese military presence in the area, and foreign journalists and human rights groups cannot operate freely. China claims Tibet as part of its territory, but many Tibetans dispute this.
Closed communities
Even at the best of times, foreigners needed special permission to visit Tibet, according to the BBC's correspondent in Beijing, Quentin Somerville.
But getting there has been even more difficult since last year's violent protests against Chinese rule.
Tibetan people take ritual walks in Lhasa, 14 March
Tibet is known for its distinctive culture and traditions
Analysts say that the main reason for the recent closure was the 50th anniversary of the uprising that led to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, fleeing over the border to India.
But now the anniversary is over, the authorities say that visitors can return from 5 April.
"Travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are well prepared for tourists," Tibet's head of tourism, Bachug, told Xinhua. Like many Tibetans the director goes by only one name.
The closure has dealt a huge blow to Tibet's tourism industry, with visitor numbers down by nearly half in the first nine months of last year, according to Xinhua.
The clampdown was the second time that Tibet has been sealed to foreign tourists recently.
The government banned travellers from going to the area in the immediate aftermath of the riots which erupted in Lhasa in March 2008, on the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising.
The launch of the first luxury train service from Beijing to Tibet has reportedly been postponed from April until next spring.
Tourist arrivals up 15.8 pc
After witnessing three consecutive months of declining arrivals, the tourism sector has finally seen a glimmer of hope. Tourist arrivals via air impressively went up by 15.8 percent in April, bucking the trend forecast by many.
Earlier, in the wake of the global financial crisis, travel experts had predicted that fewer numbers of tourists would be coming to Nepal throughout the year. But figures from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) showed tourist arrivals for the month of April standing at 37,819, compared with 32,665 for the same month last year. "The figure in a way has challenged the worldwide decline in tourist arrivals," Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The data compiled by NTB showed strong growth in the number of Indian visitors. A total of 8,303 Indians visited Nepal in April - up 27.3 percent. The number of British tourists coming to Nepal also went up by 38.9 percent, to 3,509, while the arrival of German visitors reached 1,858 in April - up 38.3 percent.
Even tourist arrivals from the US-- another country hard hit by the global economic downturn -- posted a growth of 5.8 percent. NTB said a total of 2,693 Americans came to Nepal in April, compared with 2,545 of last year. However, arrivals from some of the European countries like France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria continued to decline in April.
Among Asian countries, arrivals from all countries, except Japan, posted a positive growth. The number of Chinese visitors went by up by 27.3 percent, while the number of South Korean tourists went up by 73 percent.
"The remarkable growth in visitors´ arriving from India and China, our immediate neighbors and major players in our intraregional tourism sector, underscores the need to focus in the regional markets at the time of economic crisis," NTB said.
Despite the growth in the arrival of tourists in the month of April, however, the overall number of foreign visitors coming to Nepal in 2009 fell by eight percent, to 117,949. This was largely due to declines recorded in the first three months of 2009.
Tourism Promotion Program in USA
The Embassy of Nepal, Washington DC and America Nepal Society (ANS) jointly organized two programs on Tourism Promotion on May 2 and 3, 2009. These two programs entitled “Embassy Open House” and “Cultural Program” under the Passport DC program designed and coordinated by the Cultural Tourism DC, a private Washington DC based organization. Embassy Open House programs were organized by 31 Washington DC based Embassies on that day.
The Embassy Open House program was organized at the Ambassador’s Residence at 2730 34th Place NW Washington DC from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday May 2, 2009. The Embassy and ANS had set up information desks where various informative brochures, posters, post cards and CDs, were distributed to the visitors. Documentaries received from Nepal Tourism Board were shown. Various Nepali Handicrafts were exhibited at the program. Nepali food Aluko Achar, Phurandana and Tea were served at the program. The Cultural Tourism DC provided a visitor’s record keeping machine for the program; altogether 1700 foreigners visited the program, although the number of expected people was estimated about 500. According to Washington DC based Nepali journalists this kind of Tourism Promotion Program was never organized by the Embassy before. Visitors asked various questions related on Nepal’s security situation, visa procedure, Nepal’s geographic location, history, culture, religion, languages, and tourist destinations. The Embassy officials and volunteers from the Nepali community were very busy to brief the visitors and manage the program. At the program Nepali musical instrument Madal was played and many Americans asked about the use and importance of Madal. Many visitors were interviewed at the program and they said that they would love to visit Nepal and they would also inform their family, friends and colleagues about the natural beauty of Nepal and also encourage them to visit Nepal in the coming years. Americans who already visited Nepal were also present at the program and they were informing other visitors about the Himalayas, trekking sites, mountain flight, jungle safari, panoramic views, Nepali foods, and Nepali way of hospitality etc.
A Nepali Culture Program was organized from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday May 3rd in Washington Arts Club located at I street in Washington DC (it was the Residence of Late American President James Monroe). The program was divided into two parts. At the beginning of the program Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel delivered his welcome speech. Welcoming the all visitors Mr. Pokhrel highlighted about the Nepali cultural heritage. Nepalese culture represents a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Mongolian influences, the result of a long history of migration, conquest, and trade, he mentioned. Mr. Pokhrel further explained that the Nepalese culture has many symbols from Hindu and Buddhist sources. This multi-dimensional cultural heritage encompasses within itself the cultural diversities of various ethnic, tribal, and social groups inhabiting different altitudes, and it manifests in various forms: music and dance; art and craft; folklores and folktales; languages and literature; philosophy and religion; festivals and celebrations; and foods and drinks. Nepal has 101 ethnic groups and they have their own dialects and in nationalistic rhetoric the metaphor of a garland with hundreds of flowers is used to symbolize national unity amid cultural diversity, he said. Mr. Pokhrel appreciated that the rigorous work that the America Nepal Society (ANS) has done to make this event possible and ANS president Ms. Bishnu Thapa and her team are very thankful. He also thanked all artists, dancers, singers without their efforts that program may not be possible. He expressed sincere thanks to Cultural Tourism DC and its team members for their invaluable coordination and cooperation to make an excellent arrangement for the program
ANS President Ms. Bishnu Thapa also delivered welcome speech at the program. Arts Club’s President Ms. June Hajjar, Executive Director of Cultural Tourism DC Ms. Linda Harper and Attorney Matthew K. Handley who has been handling Nepali community’s legal cases including the cases of those 12 Nepali who were killed in Iraq five years ago, also spoke at the program.
At the second part of the program, various Nepali dances were performed by famous Nepali artistes including Nepali actress Ms. Anupama Prasai, who danced in Maitighar song. Famous dancers Mr. Yagyaman Shakya and Mr. Shyam Khadgi performed Bajrayogini and Manjushree dances respectively. Other group and solo dances were performed by various young artistes. More than 300 American audiences were present at the program and enjoyed the show. At the beginning of the event a photo slide on Nepal was presented by Mr. Han Sawyer, an American citizen and a frequent visitor to Nepal who is also a very helpful person to Nepali community in Washington DC.
The Embassy had set up an information desk where various informative brochures, posters, post cards, and CDs were distributed to the visitors. Documentaries received from Nepal Tourism Board were put on show. Various Nepali Handicrafts were exhibited at the program. Nepali food Aluko Achar, khir, Malpuwa, chiken chilly and Tea were served at the program. Nepali foods were contributed by the Embassy, ANS, America Nepal Women’s Association (ANWA), local Nepali restaurants- Ghar-e Kabab, Kathmandu Kitchen, and Himalayan Heritage. Travel House Nepal, a Virginia based travel agency had set up its information desk to distribute flyers on air ticketing to Nepal from the USA.
Both programs were well coordinated and turn out of the visitors was wonderful. Many visitors participated in the program because of the advertisement published in well-known broad sheets Washington Post, The Washington Diplomat and telecasted through NBC4, MHz television channels and published in websites of the Embassy and Cultural Tourism DC.
Recession to minimally impact tourism
The global economic crisis, which has led to millions of job losses worldwide, will not have a severe impact on Nepal´s tourism industry, as had been expected by many, says a snap survey conducted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
The findings were released at a time when the tourism industry has seen mixed results in tourist inflows, with declines recorded in the first three months of 2009 and a sudden increment recorded in April. Although the survey says that tourist arrivals will slightly decline this year and that the mood is not very positive, it adds, "business is better than what many have expected."
Pessimism had shrouded this sector since the second half of last year, when the global financial crisis took its toll on households worldwide. Gloom continued to dominate the Nepali tourism industry too through the first quarter of 2009, with Nepal´s hotels reporting a 20 percent decline in occupancy rates and many travel and tour companies complaining about pre-bookings cancellations. In that period, the number of tourists coming to Nepal also declined by 17 percent.
However, the survey has found that tourism-related businesses were in better shape in March this year than in February, with 13 percent of the respondents reporting that businesses had “improved a lot” in March and another 37 percent saying businesses had “somewhat improved.” But when asked whether business conditions would improve this year, only 26 percent of respondents answered "yes," 35 percent said "no," while 39 percent said they were "not sure."
The survey also shows that one-star, two-star, three-star and tourist-class hotels performed better than four- and five-star hotels, indicating a shortage of high-end tourists. Likewise, tour operators seem to be in a comparatively better position than trekking agencies -- 72 percent of trekking agencies said business was lower this year, while only 53 percent of tour operators said that business was worse this year. Trekking agencies are less optimistic because they have seen a decline in the number of European and American tourists, who are more adventurous and who constitute their most lucrative clients.
The survey, however, notes that an increment in tourist arrivals will depend on the country´s ability to promote Nepal as a value-for-money destination, just as Thailand has. The survey also suggests that the government prepare short- and medium-term measures keeping in mind the Visit Nepal Year 2011 plan. And "Tourism may not bounce back by 2011," states the survey, warning that the government´s target of attraction one million tourists in that year may remain unfulfilled if concrete measures are not taken now.
Nepal currently attracts only around 500,000 tourists a year, but this sector provides employment to around 240,000 people and contributes around three percent of the GDP.
The survey was conducted among 95 tourism-related institutions, including hotels, tour operators, trekking agencies and airlines.
Death tool reaches 3 in current mountaineering season
The death toll in the current mountaineering season has reached three with the death of a Nepali national and an Italian national on Tuesday, informs the mountaineering section of the Tourism Industry Division.
Deepak Parsain, the government liaison officer with an Iranian expedition on the 7,485 metre Gangapurna mountain in western Nepal, died of acute mountain sickness at the mountain's base camp, said an official Wednesday.
Parasain, aged about 30, was a section officer at the Nepal Legal Reform Commission, Surendra Prasad Sapkota, under secretary at the Division said.
Also on Tuesday 38-year-old Gipuesse Antonelli died suddenly because of suspected kidney failure at the height of about 6,000-metre on Manaslu, in western Nepal.
A Polish climber had died on Dhaulagiri on April 7 while climbing the mountain.
Meanwhile, one Nepali and two Korean nationals summitted the 8,163-metre Manaslu in eastern Nepal on Tuesday. Among the summiteers were Lampa Tsering Sherpa of Solukhumbu district, and Sung Ho Seo and Chank Ho Kim from South Korea. They are among the first few people to climb any mountain this spring season.
There are altogether 69 expeditions climbing various mountains in Nepal this spring which is lower than in previous years when there were usually over 100 expeditions. Of them 27 expeditions are climbing Everest this year.
NASA scientists in Lukla.
In a bid to mix family fun with research at Everest base camp, a group of scientists from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) flew to Lukla Monday.
The team comprises 25 members, 11 of them career scientists -- eight from NASA and kith and kin. Prof. Chris Johnson of NASA heads the adventure-science mission.
Besides recreation, they aim to research for benefit of future space travelers. Mount Everest was chosen for its extreme environment, which provides a good space analog.
According to NASA, the group plans to research the human bio- clock and detect snow algae. They are equipped with NASA-developed devices like Actiwatch to monitor sleep-wake cycles in challenging environments, and Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) to detect cold-tolerant microorganisms. ......
Aim to develop Nepal as shopping destination
Complex Developer Leasers Association (CDLA)- traders associated with developing and leasing complexes, plazas and malls- has said that it aims to develop Kathmandu and Pokhara as major shopping destinations in South Asia.
Addressing a press conference, Sukunta Lal Hirachan, president of the newly formed association, said that the CDLA aimed to develop Nepal as shopping destination as its climate was moderate compared to big shopping destinations such as India and Dubai.
"Creating shopping destinations in Nepal like Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong can help the country to prosper more in the sector of tourism, health and education," said Hirachan.
He said that the prices of international products would also be cheaper in Nepal as compared with other major shopping destinations because of low rental charges of malls in Nepal.
CDLA was recently established by leading complex developer leasers with a 12-member committee to work jointly for the rights of related traders and consumers with the cooperation of the government.
Currently there are around 40 shopping malls in the Kathmandu Valley alone with an investment of approximately Rs. 8 billion.
NATTA sets up Tourism Journalism Awards
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has come up with the concept of "NATTA Tourism Journalism Awards" apart from establishing "Information and Media Center".
According to NATTA, it will distribute the awards of this year during its upcoming annual general meeting.
The association will give special priority to that news, articles, columns and documents related to its activities while making judgment regarding the distribution of awards.
Nepal promoted in the Netherlands
A large number of Dutch and Nepalese attended the Nepal Millennium Plaza in Amsterdam, Netherlands jointly organized by Nepal Development Academy, Non-Resident Nepalese Association, Nepali Jana Samparka Samiti, Nepal Music Foundation and the Embassy of Nepal.
The objective of the event was to enlarge and strengthen the relation between Nepal and the Netherlands. Nepal Plaza focused on the millennium development goals of the United Nations with regard to Nepal, such as the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger, access to primary education for all children and elimination of gender disparity, organizers mentioned in their statement.
Besides project coordinator Dr. S. K. Paudyal, chairman of Nepal Development Academy and PK Hamal, the ambassador of Nepal for the Benelux countries, chief guest Ger van den Oetelaar, the deputy mayor of the municipality of Boxtel, spoke about relationship between Nepal and the Netherlands.
Seminar, workshop and discussion were held on diverse issues such as strengthening Nepal-Dutch relations, Nepal’s poverty reduction programmes and challenges for Nepal to meet the MDGs. These well visited by the Dutch people. Three documentaries about Nepal, ‘Mustang, secrets beyond the Himalaya’ of Jawant Dev Shrestha, ‘Life in Nepal’ and ‘Millennium Children in Nepal’, two documentaries by Nepal Development Academy in cooperation with Tobias Stokhof, were screened on the occasion.
The Nepal Music Foundation performed music and dance performances – classical and folk.
Danish plans to hoist UN flag atop Everest
Danish mountaineer Morgen Jensen plans to summit Mt Everest and hoist the flag of the United Nations and leave a copy of Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the summit to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the declaration.
A 60-member team of Danish human right activists, including Jensen, left for Lukla on April 4. Jensen, who has already reached the summit of Mt Cho Oyu, plans to reach the summit sometimes between May 22 and 25.
The team – Human Rights Base Camp Trek – will hand over the UN flag to Jensen at the Everest Base Camp. Jensen also plans to talk to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon from the top of summit over satellite phone.
Tibet reopens to foreign tourists
A police officer stands guard in Lhasa, Tibet
The Tibetan capital Lhasa is a popular destination for adventurous tourists
China says it is reopening Tibet to foreign tourists in early April.
The region has recently been closed to travellers because of security fears linked to a number of sensitive anniversaries.
The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Tibet's head of tourism as saying the region was now "harmonious and safe".
But there is still a heavy Chinese military presence in the area, and foreign journalists and human rights groups cannot operate freely.
China claims Tibet as part of its territory, but many Tibetans dispute this.
Closed communities
Even at the best of times, foreigners needed special permission to visit Tibet, according to the BBC's correspondent in Beijing, Quentin Somerville.
But getting there has been even more difficult since last year's violent protests against Chinese rule.
Tibetan people take ritual walks in Lhasa, 14 March
Tibet is known for its distinctive culture and traditions
Analysts say that the main reason for the recent closure was the 50th anniversary of the uprising that led to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, fleeing over the border to India.
But now the anniversary is over, the authorities say that visitors can return from 5 April.
"Travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are well prepared for tourists," Tibet's head of tourism, Bachug, told Xinhua. Like many Tibetans the director goes by only one name.
The closure has dealt a huge blow to Tibet's tourism industry, with visitor numbers down by nearly half in the first nine months of last year, according to Xinhua.
The clampdown was the second time that Tibet has been sealed to foreign tourists recently.
The government banned travellers from going to the area in the immediate aftermath of the riots which erupted in Lhasa in March 2008, on the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising.
The launch of the first luxury train service from Beijing to Tibet has reportedly been postponed from April until next spring.
Nepal’s climbing eves set to rock the world
A diverse team of Nepali women, to draw attention to promote Nepal as a priority destination
in the world, has now embarked on a new journey: ‘Himalayan Women to Seven Summits’. Spreading the message of ‘Unity in Diversity’, they made their successful expedition
to the top of the world, Mt Everest, in May 2008.
“The purpose was to increase Nepali women’s participation in mountaineering as only seven Nepali women had scaled Everest before that,” said Shailee Basnet, team member of the First Inclusive Women Sagarmatha Expedition 2008 Spring (FWISE).
The team’s success has marked history not only in Nepal
but worldwide as FWISE became the most successful women’s expedition to Everest.
The same team has yet again floated another journey, ‘Himalayan Women to Seven Summits’, with the slogan ‘inviting change, inviting the world’, a unique endeavor to demonstrate that women and youth can bring about change. “Our team of young women is set to climb the highest mountain in each continent in the years 2009-2010. This includes Mt Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Kosciuszko in Australia, Vinson Massif In Antarctica, Aconcagus in South America, Mt McKinley in North America and Mt Everest in Asia which the team has climbed,” said Basnet.
During the press meet organized for the introduction of Himalayan Women To Seven Summits, Nepal Tourism Board chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said, “The mission will draw global attention to women’s and youths’ empowerment in the most unique way. This will in turn encourage more women and youngsters in the world to live out their dreams and hence show that women and youth can make a difference.”
Shrestha also said that this effort would definitely support Nepal Tourism Year 2011, as it will cause increased global exposure. He added that NTB is representing the team and requesting airlines to sponsor air tickets for the team. The board is also seeking tourism business entrepreneurs’ support for various initiatives.
Meanwhile, the team will conduct promotional events in Russia, Tanzania, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Australia, Argentina and USA in between climbing. The target of the promotional events is to draw global attention to promote Nepal as a priority tourist destination.
The team consists of Asha Kumari Singh, Nawang Phuti Sherpa, Pema Diki Sherpa, Nim Doma Sherpa, Usha Bist, Shailee Basnet, Maya Gurung, Chunu Shrestha, Pujan Acharya and Susmita Maskey.
According to the Himalayan Women To Seven Summits team, till 2008 June 229 climbers have climbed the seven summits. Richard Dick Bass is the first summiteer. The first woman to do is Junko Tabei while Lakpa Rita Sherpa is the only Nepali summiteer.
The country is preparing to celebrate Nepal Tourism Year 2011 on a massive scale. The Ministry of Tourism is working to set up the requisite infrastructure for a targetted million tourists.
Bahrain Air to launch Nepal flights from March 3
Bahrain Air, a private carrier of Bahrain, will launch its Nepal flights from March 3. The airline will fly to Nepal three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Bahrain Air is the fifth international airlines – after Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Ettihad – to launch its Nepal flights. The airline will operate Airbus A319, with 12 premium class and 150 economy class seats, for the Nepal sector.
TAAN supports woman mountaineer Junita
Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has supported women mountaineer Junita Sambahangphe (24) who is climbing Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world this season.
The executive committee of TAAN supported the woman mountaineer’s mission by providing her logistic support, including expedition suit and other mountaineering accessories.
Junita wants to be the first woman of the Limbu community to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Addressing the programme, she said that she wanted to make her community proud by scaling Mt Everest.
TAAN president Jyoti Adhikari handed over the accessories to Junita amidst a function organised at TAAN secretariat on April 5. Adhikari said that TAAN was proud to help Junita’s mission.
Other members of TAAN executive committee were also present on the occasion.
Junita is leaving for Lukla on April 10.
