Tourist Information Centre at Nagarkot
Dec 23rd: Nagarkot will soon have a Tourist Information Centre as the construction for the same is underway under the Nagarkot Tourism Development Programme.The construction is slated for completion by January 2010.
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Explore Himalaya’s Year 2009 Review
Dec 23rd, 2009 by Himalayan Times
Year 2009 was special for Explore Himalaya, as the company single handedly organized the highest skydiving programme in the world, Everest skydive 2009. ESD 2009 was organized in the month of October. Wendy Smith from New Zealand, Tom Noonan from USA and Jai Kishan from India created a new record by landing at Gorakh Shep, Kala Patthar plateau (17,192ft), the highest drop zone in the world.
Everest emerged as a clear favorite among our trekking clients as EH organized treks to the Everest region for 43 groups in 2009. 20 groups trekked to the Annapurnas, while 5 groups preferred the less crowded trails of Langtang. 39 groups went for cultural tours and multi-activity sports like rafting, paragliding, mountain biking etc.
We operated a total of 59 tours(cultural & pilgrimage tours, trekking ,expeditions) in Tibet and 4 in Bhutan.
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Nepal pavilion awarded 'Best Stall Decoration
Award at TTF Chennai
Press Release
12 January 2009
Nepal Tourism Board along with 6 travel trade companies
participated in Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) from 9th-11th
January 2009 in Southern city of India, Chennai. As a part of
annual marketing activities in Indian market NTB has showcased
Nepalese tourism attraction amidst the travel trade and
visitors. During the fair, Nepal was highlighted as the land of
Gods and gateway to Mt. Kailash, abode of lord Shiva. Likewise,
Nepal showcased the various other tourism attractions and
activities of Nepal. Nepal's initiative to attract more tourists
to Nepal, 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' was also highlighted in the
fair. Mr. Mani Raj Lamichhane, Manager Nepal Tourism Board had
also briefed the media and tour operators about the tourism
scenario and major tourism attractions during the inauguration
ceremony. Nepal pavilion was main attraction during the fair due
to unique decorations used depicting cultural and natural
attractions. Nepal pavilion was awarded by best decoration award
and private trekking company 'Eco Trek Nepal' had won best print
material award. The daily newspaper 'The Hindu' had given
special coverage on Nepal pavilion.
Though there are several flights in Delhi-Kathmandu sector, the
issue of direct connectivity between South Indian city and
Kathmandu was raised by tour operators and media. They have
opined that have there been direct flights from South Indian
city, the number of visitors would have been increased. As the
adjoining other cities are well linked by roadways and railways,
more people can travel to Nepal if there is good air
connectivity. Similarly, visitors have suggested to reduce the
amount of special permit fee to go to Damodar Kunda.
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Visitor Arrivals in December 2008 (by air only)
January 1, 2009
News Release
The total number of visitors in 2008 has reached to 374,661,
representing an increase of 4% in comparison to the year 2007.
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan
International Airport (TIA) reveal that arrival figures in the
month of December 2008, compared to the same month last year,
have increased by 0.6% to 30,062.
The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth
except for arrivals from Sri Lanka. Bangladesh and Pakistan have
registered robust growth of 37 % and 23.4% respectively. India,
the largest market for Nepal, witnessed positive growth of 1.9%
in December.
As compare to 2007, the total visitor arrivals from South Asian
countries registered positive growth except India.
European countries such as UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium
and Sweden have also maintained the increasing trend in the
arrival figures in the month of December 2008, compared to the
same month last year. Also UK, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands,
France and Denmark have registered positive growth in total
comparison to the year 2007. Arrivals from the United States of
America, Australia and Canada have also increased in December in
comparison to the same month last year. Similarly total arrivals
in 2008 from the United States of America, Australia, Canada and
New Zealand have also increased in comparison to 2007. However
France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland have registered negative
growth in the current month.
Other Asian countries do not show healthy trend. Malaysia has
maintained the upward trend with 21.9% of growth. Arrivals from
China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, witnessed negative growth
in the arrival figures by 25.9%, 3.6%, 2.8% and 9.5%
respectively in the month of December. Arrival figures for year
2008 show upward trend.
A total of 33,554 foreign tourists departed from TIA in December
2008 while the total number of international visitor departure
till December 2008 reached 405,223, representing an increase of
11.24% over 2007. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at
41,333 while 48,982 Nepalese departed from TIA in December 2008.
Since August as global economy faced meltdown following the hike
in oil prices and the consequent cuts in airline capacity and
increasing transport cost travelers trim down their length of
stay and their consumption in terms of type of accommodation and
other activities. Against continuing downward revisions in
macro-economic expectations overall 4% growth in international
tourist arrivals in 2008 as compared for the full of 2007 can be
considered as healthy increment.
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Commission on Yeti Airlines crash at Lukla
submits report
Press Release
January 1, 2009
The Commission constituted by Government of Nepal for the
Aircraft Accident Investigation of Yeti Airlines Flight YT-101
which crashed in Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla on October 8,
2008 submitted its report to Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and
Civil Aviation Ms. Hisila Yami on December 31, 2008. The
Twin-otter aircraft belonged to Yeti Airlines was crashed at the
perimeter of Lukla runway while attempting to land in
deteriorating weather condition which killed 18-people including
14 Germans and 2 Australians tourists.
According to Commission report, "The probable primary cause was
flight crew's misjudgment, based on the weather information from
all the proceeding aircraft and Lukla Information, to enter into
cloud patch on final wherein the aircraft encountered the
rapidly uplifting fog on short final resulting on Control Flight
Into Terrain (CFIT)." The formal investigation commenced on 10th
October, 2008 following a meeting of the Commission. Experts
were nominated by Germany and Australia (States of Victims).
On November 7, 2008, a record breaking 100 flights were made
from Kathmandu to Lukla Tenzing Hillary Airport, according to
Tribhuwan International Airport Authority. This new record is
the for the first time in the aviation history and also marks
the great flow of tourists in the Everest region this year
compared to any other years by air. |
