Tourist arrivals by air cross half-million mark

Tourist arrivals by air reached an all-time high of 501,264 in the first 11 months of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY). This is first time in the country’s tourism history that air arrivals have crossed the 500,000 mark. The last time Nepal received so many tourists was in 2010 when 448,769 visitors flew into the country.

The year 2011 which is being observed as NTY has been encouraging in terms of strong arrivals growth from the two neighbours China and India. Though Indians traditionally make up the largest number of visitors to the country, a sharp increment in the arrival of Chinese tourists has immensely encouraged the domestic tourism market.

According to the figures released by the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), arrivals from India reached 132,652, up 40.5 percent while Chinese tourists amounted to 40,244, up 74.4 percent. Travel trade entrepreneurs termed the growth an initial growth despite publicity in the international market. Hoteliers have also reported the highest revenue collection till date.

“We have recorded the highest revenue in the month of November,” said Paras SJB Rana, general manager of the Hotel de l’ Annapurna. According to him, high occupancy and high room rates have helped revenue growth. “Even though arrivals have been below expectations, the numbers should be considered impressive.”

The country has targeted hosting one million tourists (700,000 by air and 300,000 by land) this year. The stats show that in the first 11 months, international visitor arrivals to Nepal averaged a growth rate of 21.5 percent. With improved arrivals, travel trade entrepreneurs said that the existing infrastructure was proving inadequate.

Ashok Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators, said that it was time to be serious about the existing infrastructure. The arrival figures in 2011 are initial figures and Nepal could see higher growth if the current trend continues. “The government should assess the weaknesses of NTY 2011 as it has also announced Visit Lumbini Year 2012 without any preparation,” Pokhrel said, adding that the government and other tourism stakeholders should not only count the numbers but also correct the shortcomings of NTY and focus on high-end tourist markets.

According to the stats, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have registered growths of 16.6 percent and 16.8 percent respectively. Bangladesh witnessed a negative growth of 8.6 percent in the first 11 months of 2011.

Similarly, other Asian countries—Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea—have maintained their upward trend with growths of 7.5 percent, 12.1 percent, 13.8 percent and 15.2 percent respectively. Arrivals from Thailand jumped 22 percent in the first 11 months compared to last year.
(Source:ekantipur)

Sarun and Payal Get Married!

 Sarun Tamrakar from The Uglyz married long-time girlfriend and former Miss Nepal Payal Shakya on the 21st November at Minto Temple in Sydney.


Source Lex limbu 

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1,300 chickens destroyed

Around 1,300 chickens and 200 ducks at Manohara Landless Squatters´ Settlement have been destroyed on 29th November, Tuesday on the suspicion of bird flu.

A team of doctors from the Department of Health, Directorate of Animal Health, Division of Avian Influenza and Animal Rapid Response destroyed ducks and chicken by burying after killing with the use of poisonous substances.

According to Senior Veterinary Doctor and In-charge of the Team Dr. Narayan Prasad Ghimire, the team destroyed the ducks and chicken after detection of bird flu in chicken of the area.

Five chicken of local Chandra Bahadur Tamang had died on November 10 and 30 chicken on November 11. The Bird Flu was suspected after the dead chickens were tested at the Central Veterinary Lab, Tripureswor.

Dr. Ghimire further said the bird flu was confirmed after the sample of the chicks was sent to London, the UK, for the lab test.  The chicken and ducks were destroyed today as per the government´s decision after the government received this information on Monday.

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49th International Hotel and Restaurants Association World Congress kicks off

Hospitality leaders from around the world converged here on Monday to participate at the 49th International Hotel and Restaurants Association (IH&RA) World Congress for the interest of all hoteliers’ worldwide. The event is being held in Nepal after almost 27 years.

President Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the three-day event that is expected to make wider impact on the burgeoning tourism sector of the country and facilitate the interest and rights of tourism entrepreneurs around the world.

President Yadav hoped that the event would help Nepal be recognised across the globe and disseminate a positive message to world travellers. “As the government has accorded high priority for the tourism sector under Public Private Partnership (PPP), such an event would boost confidence of the Nepali hospitality sector.”

Minster for Tourism and Civil Aviation Lokendra Bista Magar said under PPP, the government has adopted a liberal policy for the development of the tourism sector and facilitate tourism entrepreneurs. “Development of infrastructure is also in high priority of the government.”

IH&RA President Ghassan Aidi said the hospitality sector can make a huge contribution to overcome the economic crisis by attracting capital investment. According to Aidi, around 10 hotels are opened across the globe everyday and each new hotel is provides employment to 100 individuals.

Focusing on several issues affecting the hospitality sector, Aidi added that climate change is one of the issues severely affecting the sector. “It’s time to act for the betterment and sustainable development of the tourism sector, and together we can do it.”

HAN president Prasidha Bahadur Panday said the World Congress will help Nepal to promote itself in the international arena and will also motivate international investors to inject investments here.

Although the government estimates show that the tourism sector contributes around 3 percent to the country’s GDP, HAN says the sector’s contribution stands at as high as 17 percent.

“It is important to acknowledge that tourism is not an isolated industry, but works hand-in-hand with many other small- and large-scale enterprises as well as large scale industries,” said Panday. More than 180 delegates from 30 countries are participating at the congress.

According to HAN, it won the international bid to host the congress during its previous edition held in Lausasnne, Switzerland, in January 2010. (Source: ekantipur)

Miss Nepal Cake in Annapurna for Christmas

Yesterday, Sahana Bajracharya, in her Facebook profile, announced via a mobile device that she was “Cake mixing at Annapurna.

These Miss Nepal beauties are mixing cake ingredients to prepare a cake for upcoming Christmas. It’s not December yet but, Miss Nepal cake is almost ready. Mixed by the top beauties of Nepal including Miss Nepal 2011, Malina Joshi, Miss Nepal 2010, Sadichha Shrestha, and Miss Nepal 2010 runner-up Sahana Bajracharya have already initiated a grand welcome cake for the international festival. Salina Maskey had helped them to mix dry fruits, wine and various other ingredients. (photo credits Nagarik)

It is told that the cake will be offered for sale by mid December in Hotel Annapurna.

Anupama Aura Gurung in BIKINI at MISS EARTH 2011

Pictures of Anupama Aura Gurung in Bikini at Miss Earth 2011

NAC aircraft deal in December

The umbrella agreement between Nepal and China that has been planned in December will finally approve the purchase of turbo powered aircraft Modern Ark 60 (MA-60) and Y-12 for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

“During the visit of Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao in December the country is entering into an umbrella agreement that will pave way for the purchase of MA-60 and Y-12 aircrafts,” said executive chairman of the corporation Manrup Shahi.

The corporation has been planning to purchase ninteen-seater Y-12 and 56-seater MA-60 and has also sent a technical team to China to study its technical aspect and viability.

But the meeting between the two higher level leaders of the two countries will also finalise whether Nepal is purchasing the aircraft on grant or soft loan facility, Shahi, said, adding that the technical report has recommended the purchase of five Y-12 and three MA-60 aircraft, with either half on grant on on Soft loan facility.

The number of aircraft will also depend on the production capacity of the company. The technical team has submitted its report on Friday.

After the high level discussion, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Civil Aviation Authority of China also will discuss on the technical rules and regulation for the flight operation.

“Both of the aircraft MA-60 and Y-12 are well built with European and American parts and Canadian engine which are well known for quality performance,” said NA technical representative Ganesh Thakur. “MA-60 is a certified aircraft of Civil Aviation Authority of China and can be used for flight operation in Nepal too.”

It is a turboprop-powered airliner made by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation under the China Aviation Industry Corporation I. “The same company which manufactures the MA-60 is also the manufacturer of different parts of Airbus, Boeing and ATR which is used worldwide,” he added.

Investigation on progress

KATHMANDU: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) said that it is investigating the theft and misplacement of aircraft equipments and essential parts. According to the ailing national flag carrier, it has formed an investigation committee that will submit its report after the completion of investigation. The corporation has already claimed compensation from Airport Customs for the missing landing gears. “Similarly, after the investigation report comes of the missing tyre and fly away kits, the corporation will take necessary action,” it said. (Source:THT)

Yama Buddha – “Saathi”

Really so awesome video