Generated by [llmstxtgenerate.com](https://llmstxtgenerate.com) — this llms.txt file is designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# www.sportsnepaltour.com

> In search of unlimited fun and adventure trips in Nepal? Sports Tours and Travel organizes best holiday tours and trekking with best prices.

## Home

[Sports Nepal Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/): In search of unlimited fun and adventure trips in Nepal? Sports Tours and Travel organizes best holiday tours and trekking with best prices.

## Nepal tours.html

[Nepal Tours](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours.html): To meet the exact desire and expectations of Nepal travelers, Sports Tours and Travel designed Nepal Tours covering nature beauty, traditional status and cultural diversity of Nepal.

## Nepal tours

[Sports Special Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/sports-special-tour.html): Try our Sports Special Tour - 7 days | Sports Special Tour cost: USD 800.00 per person | Min. Pax. 02-03. Get the best of the Sports Special Tour and enjoy your vacation.
[Best Nepal Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/best-nepal-tour.html): Best Nepal Tour | Best Nepal Tour cost/price $ 2250.00 per person | Min. Pax.: 02-03
[Luxury Nepal Tour - 8 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/luxury-nepal-tour.html): Luxury Nepal Tour - 08 Days 07 Nights | Luxury Nepal Tour cost/price: $1550.00 per person
[Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/buddhist-pilgrimage-tour.html): Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal | Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Cost / Price: $699.00 per person | Minimum Pax: 02
[Hindu Pilgrimage Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/hindu-pilgrimage-tour.html): Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal | Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal cost: $585.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/kathmandu-chitwan-pokhara-tour.html): Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara Tour | Kathmandu Chitwan Pokhara Tour Cost/Price: $425.00 per person | Min. Pax. 02
[Chitwan Lumbini Pokhara Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/chitwan-lumbini-pokhara-tour.html): Chitwan Lumbini Pokhara Tour, Kathmandu Chitwan Lumbini Pokhara Tour - 08 Days 07 Nights cost/price : $499.00 per person (Min. 02 pax)
[Kathmandu Tour - 4 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/kathmandu-tour.html): Kathmandu Tour - 4 days | Kathmandu Tour cost/price: $295.00 per person (Min. 02 pax.)
[Kathmandu Pokhara Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/kathmandu-pokhara-tour.html): Kathmandu Pokhara Tour - 06 Days 05 Nights | Kathmandu Pokhara Tour package Cost/price: $295.00 per person | Min. Pax.: 02
[Jomsom Muktinath Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/jomsom-muktinath-tour.html): Jomsom Muktinath Tour - 5 days | Jomsom Muktinath Pilgrimage Tour package cost/price: $595.00 per person | Minimum Pax. 02
[Chitwan Jungle Safari](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/chitwan-jungle-safari.html): Chitwan Jungle Safari tour | 03 Days 02 Nights | Chitwan Jungle Safari Cost/Price: $160.00 per person
[Nepal Village Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/nepal-village-tour.html): Nepal Village Tour - 07 Days 06 Nights | Nepal Village Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Golden Nepal Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/golden-nepal-tour.html): Golden Nepal Tour - 06 Days 05 Nights| Golden Nepal Tour cost/price: $490.00 per person
[Diverse Nepal Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/diverse-nepal-tour.html): Diverse Nepal Tour - 06 Days 05 Nights | Diverse Nepal Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Bandipur Village Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/bandipur-village-tour.html): Bandipur Village Tour - 03 Days 02 Nights | Bandipur Tour package cost/price: $160.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax.
[Manang Tour - 5 Days 4 Nights | Manang Tour Package](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/manang-tour.html): Manang Tour - 5 days | Manang Tour package 5 days cost $550 - Min. Pax. 02 | NPR 56,000 - Min. Pax. 06 for Nepalese
[Manang Tilicho Lake Trek](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/manang-tour-with-tilicho-lake.html): Manang Tilicho Lake Trek - 07 Days 06 Nights | Manang Tilicho Lake Trek cost/price: $680.00 per person | Min. 02 pax
[Kathmandu Pokhara Muktinath Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/kathmandu-pokhara-muktinath-tour.html): Kathmandu Pokhara Muktinath Tour - 05 Days 04  | Kathmandu Pokhara Muktinath Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Nepal Spiritual Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tours/nepal-spiritual-tour.html): Nepal Spiritual Tour - 07 Days 06 Nights | Nepal Spiritual Tour Cost/Price: $785.00 per person | Min Pax. 06

## Day tours.html

[Day Tours - Nepal](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours.html): Sports Tours and Travel organizes best day tours in Nepal - popular day tours in Nepal - private day tours in Nepal.

## Day tours

[Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hiking](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/nagarkot-changunarayan-day-hiking.html): Nagarkot Changunarayan Day Hiking - 01 Day | Nagarkot Changunarayan day hike cost/price: $65 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.
[Champadevi Day Hiking](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/champadevi-day-hiking.html): Champadevi Day Hiking | Champadevi day hike cost/price: $35.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax.
[Namobuddha Hiking Day Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/namobuddha-hiking-day-tour.html): Namobuddha day hike | Namobuddha day hike tour cost/price : $65.00 per person (Min. 02 pax.)
[Trishuli River Rafting Day Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/trishuli-river-rafting-day-tour.html): Trishuli River Rafting - Day Tour  | Trishuli River Rafting Cost/price: starts from $35 to $25 as per group size
[Bungee Jumping in Nepal - Day Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/bungee-jumping-in-nepal.html): Bungee Jumping in Nepal - Day Tour | Bungee Jumping in Nepal cost/price: $103.00 per person
[Mountain Biking Tour in Nepal](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/mountain-biking-tour-in-nepal.html): Mountain Biking Tour in Nepal - Day Tour | Mountain Biking in Nepal cost/price: [on request]
[Nagarjun Day Hiking](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/nagarjun-day-hiking.html): Nagarjun day hiking | Nagarjun day hike cost/price: $40.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax.
[Mountain Flight in Nepal](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/mountain-flight-in-nepal.html): Mountain Flight in Nepal | Everest View Flight Cost/price: $240.00 per person
[Everest Heli Tour | Everest Helicopter Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/day-tours/everest-heli-tour.html): Everest Heli Tour | Everest Helicopter Tour cost/price: $1200.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 05

## Nepal trekking.html

[Nepal Trekking | Trekking in Nepal](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking.html): The most wonderful experience in the Himalayas of Nepal with Nepal Trekking adventure, designed and organized by Sports Tours and Travel.

## Nepal trekking

[Poon Hill Trek - 4 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/poon-hill-trek.html): Poon Hill Trek - 4 days | Poon Hill Trek 4 days Cost / Price: $295.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 7 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-base-camp-trekking.html): Annapurna Base Camp Trekking - 7 days| Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 days Cost / Price: $550.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Annapurna Circuit Trek - 10 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-circuit-trekking.html): Annapurna Circuit Trek - 10 days | Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 days Cost / Price: $ 950 per person by Flight | Minimum 02 pax
[Everest Base Camp Trek - 11 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-trekking.html): Everest Base Camp Trek - 11 Days | Everest Base Camp Trek 11 days Cost / Price: $1090.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Manaslu Circuit Trek - 15 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/manaslu-circuit-trek.html): Manaslu Circuit Trek - 15 days | Manaslu Circuit Trek 15 days Cost / Price: $1250.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Nagarkot Dhulikhel Trek](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/nagarkot-dhulikhel-trek.html): Nagarkot Dhulikhel Trek | Nagarkot Dhulikhel Trek Cost / Price: $399.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Hillary Village Trek - 11 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/hillary-village-trekking.html): Hillary Village Trekking - 11 Days | Hillary Village Trekking 11 days Cost / Price: $1125.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 5 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/ghorepani-poon-hill-trek.html): Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 5 days | Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 5 days Cost / Price:  $325.00 per person  | Minimum Group Size: 02 pax
[Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 8 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-base-camp-trek.html): Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 8 days | Annapurna Base Camp Trek 8 days Cost / Price: $590.00 per person | Min. Group Size: 02
[Annapurna Circuit Trek - 12 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-circuit-trek.html): Annapurna Circuit Trek - 12 days | Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 days Cost / Price: $833.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax.
[Gokyo Chola Pass Trek - 18 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/gokyo-chola-pass-trek.html): Gokyo Chola Pass Trek 18 days | Gokyo Chola Pass trek 18 days Cost / Price: $1400.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Everest Base Camp Trek - 15 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-trek.html): Everest Base Camp Trek - 15 days | Everest Base Camp Trek 15 days Cost / Price: $1275.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Upper Mustang Trek - 17 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/upper-mustang-treks.html): Upper Mustang Trek - 17 days | Upper Mustang Trek 17 days Cost / Price: $1995.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Langtang Valley Trek - 6 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-valley-treks.html): Langtang Valley Treks 6 days | Langtang Valley Treks 6 days Cost / Price: $425.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hiking](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/nagarkot-dhulikhel-hiking.html): Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hiking | Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hiking Cost / Price: $140.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Langtang Gosaikunda Trek - 10 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-gosaikunda-trek.html): Langtang Gosaikunda Trek - 10 days | Langtang Gosaikunda Trek 10 days cost $595.00 per person | Min. 02 pax
[Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 6 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-base-camp-treks.html): Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 6 days | Annapurna Base Camp Trek 6 days Cost / Price: $520.00 per person | Min. 02 pax.
[Annapurna Balcony Treks](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-balcony-treks.html): Annapurna Balcony Trek - 10 days | Annapurna balcony trek Cost / Price: $615.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Everest View Hiking - Pattale Village Hike](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-view-hiking.html): Everest View Hiking - Pattale Village Hike - 02 Days 01 Nights, organized by Sports Tours and Travel
[Poon Hill Trek - 3 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/poon-hill-trekking.html): Poon Hill Trek - 3 days | Poon Hill Trek 3 days Cost / Price: $270.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Langtang Valley Trek - 5 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-valley-trekking.html): Langtang Valley Trek 5 days Itinerary | Langtang Valley Trek 5 days cost/price: $480.00 per person | Min Pax: 02
[Langtang Valley Trek - 7 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-valley-trek-nepal.html): Langtang Valley Trek - 7 days | Langtang Valley Trek 7 days cost: $500.00 per person | Min. 02 pax.
[Poon Hill Trek - 2 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/poon-hill-treks.html): Poon Hill Trek - 2 days | Poon Hill Trek 2 days Cost / Price: $188.00 per person | Minimum Pax: 02
[Gokyo Lake Trek - 9 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/gokyo-lake-trek.html): Gokyo Lake Trek - 9 days | Gokyo Lake Trek 9 days Cost / Price: $1180.00 per person | Minimum 02 pax
[Mardi Himal Trek - 6 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/mardi-himal-trek.html): Mardi Himal Trek - 6 Days | Mardi Himal Trek 6 days Cost / Price: $390.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-treks.html): Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 days | Everest Base Camp Trek 14 days cost : $1440.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Annapurna Circuit Trek - 15 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-circuit-treks.html): Annapurna Circuit Treks - 15 Days | Annapurna Circuit Treks 15 Days cost: $650.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Langtang Valley Trek - 8 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-valley-trek.html): Langtang Valley Trek - 8 days | Langtang Valley Trek 8 days cost $580.00 per person | Min. 02 pax
[Annapurna Circuit Trek - 14 Days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-circuit.html): Annapurna Circuit Trek - 14 days | Annapurna Circuit Trek 14 days cost/price: $595.00 per person | Minimum 02 person
[Chisapani Nagarkot Hike](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/chisapani-nagarkot-hike.html): Chisapani Nagarkot Hike | Chisapani Nagarkot Hike Cost / Price: $430.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 4 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-base-camp-trekking-nepal.html): Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 4 days | Annapurna Base Camp Trek 4 days Cost / Price: $1500.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Everest Base Camp Trek - 12 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-trekking-nepal.html): Everest Base Camp Trek - 12 days | Everest Base Camp Trek 12 days cost: $1250.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 5 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/annapurna-base-camp-trek-nepal.html): Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 5 days | Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days Cost / Price: $399.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[ABC Trek - 12 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/abc-trek.html): ABC Trek (Annapurna Base Camp Trek) - 12 days | ABC Trek 12 days cost: $999.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[EBC Trek - 16 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/ebc-trek.html): EBC Trek (Everest Base Camp Trek) - 16 days | EBC Trek 16 days cost / price: $1500.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 10 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/ghorepani-poon-hill-treks.html): Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek - 10 days | Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 10 days cost/price : $590.00 per person | Min. Pax. 02
[Pikey Peak Trek 10 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/pikey-peak-trek.html): Pikey Peak Trek - 10 days | Pikey Peak Trek 10 days Cost / Price: $990.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Everest Base Camp Trek - 13 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-trek-nepal.html): Everest Base Camp Trek - 13 days | Everest Base Camp Trek 13 days cost: $1360.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Khopra Trek](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/khopra-trek.html): Khopra Trek | Khopra Trek cost / price: $650.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02 | Khopra Danda (Ridge) Trek
[Mardi Himal Trek - 3 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/mardi-himal-trek-nepal.html): Mardi Himal Trek - 3 Days | Mardi Himal Trek 3 days Cost / Price: $290.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Mardi Himal Trek - 5 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/mardi-himal-trekking.html): Mardi Himal Trek - 5 Days | Mardi Himal Trek 5 days Cost / Price: $440.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Mardi Himal Trek - 4 days](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/mardi-himal-treks.html): Mardi Himal Trek - 4 Days | Mardi Himal Trek 4 days Cost / Price: $299.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 02
[Langtang Gosaikunda Trek with Tamang Heritage Trail](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/langtang-gosaikunda-trek-with-tamang-heritage-trail.html): Langtang Gosaikunda Trek with Tamang Heritage Trail | Cost/Price: $728.00 per person | Min. Pax. 02
[Mardi Himal Trek 9 Days: Cost, Route, & Itinerary](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/mardi-himal-trekking-nepal.html): Mardi Himal Trek - 9 Days | Mardi Himal Trek 9 days Cost / Price: $625.00 per person | Minimum Group Size: 04
[Tilicho Lake Trek with Thorong La Pass](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/tilicho-lake-trek-with-thorong-la-pass.html): Tilicho Lake Trek with Thorong La Pass | Tilicho Lake Trek with Thorong La Pass Cost/Price: $645.00 per person | Min. 05 pax

## Peak climbing in nepal.html

[Peak Climbing in Nepal](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal.html): Ascend the mighty Himalayas of Nepal with the best Peak Climbing adventures organized by Sports Tours and Travel | Peak Climbing in Nepal

## Peak climbing in nepal

[Island Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/island-peak-climbing.html): Island Peak Climbing - 21 Days 20 Nights | Island Peak Climbing cost/price: $1995.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax
[Mera Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/mera-peak-climbing.html): Mera Peak Climbing - 22 Days 21 Nights | Mera Peak Climbing cost/price: $2400.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax
[Tent Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/tent-peak-climbing.html): Tent Peak Climbing - 19 Days 18 Nights | Tent Peak Climbing cost/price: $2700.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.
[Pisang Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/pisang-peak-climbing.html): Pisang Peak Climbing - 21 Days 20 Nights | Pisang Peak Climbing cost/price: $3300.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.
[Naya Kanga Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/naya-kanga-peak-climbing.html): Naya Kanga Peak Climbing - 20 Days 19 Nights | Naya Kanga Peak Climbing cost/price: $2700.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.
[Lobuche East Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/lobuche-east-peak-climbing.html): Lobuche East Peak Climbing - 20 Days 19 Nights | Lobuche East Peak Climbing cost/price: $3400.00 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.
[Chulu Far East Peak Climbing](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/peak-climbing-in-nepal/chulu-far-east-peak-climbing.html): Chulu Far East Peak Climbing  | Chulu Far East Peak Climbing cost/price: $2600.00 per person | Min 02-03 pax.

## Bhutan tours.html

[Bhutan Tours](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours.html): Help yourself with the best tour holidays in Bhutan, arranged by Sports Tours and Travel | Bhutan Tours

## Bhutan tours

[Journey to the Dragon Kingdom](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/journey-to-the-dragon-kingdom.html): Journey to the Dragon Kingdom - 07 Days 06 Nights | Journey to the Dragon Kingdom cost/price: [on request]
[Samtengang Winter Trek](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/samtengang-winter-trek.html): Samtengang Winter Trek - 06 Days 05 Nights | Samtengang Winter Trek cost/price: [on request]
[Dragon Kingdom Journey](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/dragon-kingdom-journey.html): Dragon Kingdom Journey - 09 Days 08 Nights | Dragon Kingdom Journey cost/price: [on request]
[Bhutan Cultural Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/bhutan-cultural-tour.html): Bhutan Cultural Tour - 05 Days 04 Nights | Bhutan Cultural Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Nepal Bhutan Tours](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/nepal-bhutan-tours.html): Nepal Bhutan Tour - 08 Days 07 Nights | Nepal Bhutan Tour 8 days cost/price: $1675.00 per person | Min. Pax. 02
[Nepal Bhutan Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutan-tours/nepal-bhutan-tour.html): Nepal Bhutan Tour | Nepal Bhutan Tour Package cost/price: $1950 per person | Min. 02-03 pax.

## Tibet tours.html

[Tibet Tours](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours.html): Experience culture - Explore overland - Enjoy the holiest pilgrims while you tour in Tibet, arranged by Sports Tours and Travel | Tibet Tours.

## Tibet tours

[Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/mt-kailash-mansarovar-yatra.html): Mt. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - 12 Days 11 Nights | Mt Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Everest Base Camp Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/everest-base-camp-tour.html): Everest Base Camp Tour via Tibet - 09 Days 08 Nights | Everest Base Camp Tour via Tibet cost/price: [on request]
[Mt. Kailash Overland Trip](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/mt-kailash-overland-trip.html): Mt. Kailash Overland Trip | Mt. Kailash Overland Trip cost/price: $1950.00 per person
[Mt. Kailash Trip by Helicopter](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/mt-kailash-trip-by-helicopter.html): Mt. Kailash Trip by Helicopter | Mt. Kailash Trip by Helicopter cost/price: $2950.00 per person
[Tibet Cultural Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/tibet-cultural-tour.html): Tibet Cultural Tour - 08 Days 07 Nights | Tibet Cultural Tour cost/price: [on request]
[Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland via EBC](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-tours/kathmandu-to-lhasa-overland-via-ebc.html): Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland via EBC | Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland via EBC cost/price: $890.00 per person

## Outbound tours.html

[Outbound Tours](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/outbound-tours.html): Outbound Tours

## Outbound tours

[Dubai Abu Dhabi Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/outbound-tours/dubai-abu-dhabi-tour.html): Dubai Abu Dhabi Tour
[Delightful Dubai Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/outbound-tours/delightful-dubai-tour.html): Delightful Dubai Tour
[Bangkok Pattaya Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/outbound-tours/bangkok-pattaya-tour.html): Bangkok Pattaya Tour
[Sikkim Darjeeling Tour](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/outbound-tours/sikkim-darjeeling-tour.html): Sikkim Darjeeling Tour

## Contact us.html

[Contact - Nepal Tour Operator](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/contact-us.html): Contact the best tour operator in Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel - Email: info@sportsnepaltour.com - Cell: 977 9851091661 (Rajendra), 977 9851038033 (Surbir)

## About us.html

[About Us - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/about-us.html): About Us - Sports Tours and Travel, a premier Tour Operator / Travel agent located Kathmandu, Nepal with highly trained team of individuals with over two decades of experience in the travel industry.

## Trekkers team embarks on great himalayan trail.html

[Trekkers' team embarks on Great Himalayan Trail - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/trekkers-team-embarks-on-great-himalayan-trail.html): A team of trekkers including two foreign nationals has started trekking the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT), one of the popular trails of Nepal.

The four-member team of trekkers is led by Maria Andre from Slovenia.The team started the trekking from Taplejung district for Ghunsa, said local people. The Great Himalayan Trail is a trekking route that goes through various mountainous areas within Nepal covering a distance of around 1,700 kilometres and passes through eight mountains. It is becoming one of the best, ambitious and challenging treks for tourists at home and abroad. It expands from Taplejung district to Darchula district.

Earlier, Andre successfully scaled eight mountains including Mount Everest. Andre, who in 1991 successfully climbed Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, has reached Nepal to trek the GHT.

They plan to complete the trekking within 115 to 120 days, said Ensuhang Rai from Solukhumbu district who is a guide to the team of trekkers. It costs an estimated amount of from Rs 5 to Rs 6 million for a four-member team of trekkers, he added.

The team will go from Lumbasubba mountain to the Makalu Base Camp of Sankhuwasabha district through the Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Olanchung Gola as part of the GHT, said tourism entrepreneur Tenzing Nupu.

It requires around 150 days of trekking on the Nepali trails under the GHT, said a guide Santosh Tamang. The trekkers' team has headed for Hangdewa-Mitlung-Sinwa-Chhiruwa from Phunglin.

A week earlier, the local people bade a farewell to a team of three foreign tourists who embarked on a trek to the GHT. The team of trekkers includes two German nationals and one Australian.

Amir Maden, mayor of Phunglin Municipality, bade a farewell to the team and wished for a successful trip amid a function.

This trekking trail was the only route used by tourists heading to Kanchenjunga before the construction of a road network.

Tourists using the route from Phunglin to Lelepa would use Mitlung as a first camp, Chiruwa as second and Lelepa as third. The approximately 4,500 km long GHT spans from Kanchenjunga of Taplejung in the east to Darchula in the west.

High mobility of tourists in Taplejung lately has encouraged tourism, hotel and transport entrepreneurs, said a hotel entrepreneur Bimal Bhandari.

## News and events.html

[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=4): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=3): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=5): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=6): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=7): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=1): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=2): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=8): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=9): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=12): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=11): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=10): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=14): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=17): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=13): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=15): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=18): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=16): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=20): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.
[Recent News and Events - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/news-and-events.html?page=19): Read recent news and events from Nepal - Sports Tours and Travel.

## Testimonials.html

[Testimonials - Sports Tours and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/testimonials.html): Testimonials for Sports Tours and Travel.

## Bhutans druk air flies directly to pokhara international airport.html

[Bhutan's Druk Air flies directly to Pokhara International Airport - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhutans-druk-air-flies-directly-to-pokhara-international-airport.html): Druk Air of Bhutan will fly directly to Pokhara International Airport.

According to Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Jagannath Niraula, Druk Air will fly directly to Pokhara International Airport on the September 9 from Bhutan's Paro International Airport. He said that this flight will be a charter flight.

## Direct flight from kathmandu to saudi arabia started.html

[Direct flight from Kathmandu to Saudi Arabia started - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/direct-flight-from-kathmandu-to-saudi-arabia-started.html): Nepal Airlines Corporation has started a regular direct flight from Kathmandu to Dammam in Saudi Arabia. In the Kathmandu-Damam-Kathmandu sector, the corporation plans to fly two days a week, Wednesday and Saturday, and increase the number of flights according to the market demand and market management of the corporation.

Promotional Price:

Starting from NPR 35,000/- for KTM-DMM

Starting from SAR 470/- for DMM-KTM

## Tourist arrivals up in lumbini.html

[Tourist arrivals up in Lumbini - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourist-arrivals-up-in-lumbini.html): Tourist arrivals in Lumbini have significantly increased in recent years. The data shows the birthplace of Gautam Buddha experienced a surge in the influx of tourists in the post-COVID-19 period.

According to the Lumbini Development Trust, as of July of 2023, the tourist arrivals (except Nepal and India) increased by 500 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. Likewise, the number of visitors from India was more by 30 percent followed by a similar rise in the arrivals of domestic tourists.

As of July, 2023, a total of 23,942 tourists from third countries had been in Lumbini and this figure was 3,975 during the corresponding period last year, according to LDT public relations chief and information officer Dr Hari Rai.

Lumbini welcomed people from 96 countries in 2022 and till July this year, tourists from 67 visited the historic city. It is said more Indians are visiting Lumbini following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here in May, 2022.

## Increasing interest in river rafting.html

[Increasing interest in river rafting - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/increasing-interest-in-river-rafting.html): It has been found that the attraction of people towards river rafting in Nepal is increasing. Tourists who visit Nepal prefer to go rafting. In Nepal, permission is given for rafting on 16 different rivers.

In the past, only foreign tourists went rafting, but now the number of Nepalese is also increasing. Foreigners usually prefer rafting in rivers like Sunkoshi, Kaligandaki, Tamor, etc.

Nepalese prefer to go rafting in rivers like Trishuli and Bhotekoshi. With the increasing activity of rafting in Nepal, this profession is becoming more employment-oriented. River guide Dudharaj Bal Tamang has said that the number of river guides in Nepal is also increasing every year. He has been working as a river guide since 2013. 28-year-old Tamang has worked as a river guide on almost all rivers in Nepal. He has played the role of a river guide for nine consecutive days on long rivers like Sunkoshi and Karnali. He has worked as a river guide not only in Nepal but also in India and China.

He has played the role of a river guide in the Parbati and Beas rivers flowing in Uttarakhand, India, and in the Churpu, Elung Zangbo, Kulung, and Thulung rivers in Tibet, China. Now he is aiming to go to Japan as a river guide. Many Nepalese river guides go abroad to work on the river during the off-season and during the winter months in Nepal. Nepalese have gone to America, Japan, Norway, Croatia, Italy, Iceland, and other countries. Some women are also working as river guides in Nepal.

They have also gone to work as river guides on the rivers of different countries.

River guide Dudharaj Bal Tamang said that despite spending 10 years rafting, he has not experienced any such accidents till now. He said that rafting is becoming safer because the guides are cautiously adopting protective measures. But he says that it would be better if there was an insurance arrangement for the hired river guide and the guests as well.

River guide Tamang has told that hydropower projects should not be conducted in rivers popular for rafting, and the crusher industry should not be allowed to operate in rivers. He said that in the future, he will continue to expand and develop the rafting sector in Nepal.

## Permit issued to 65 people for mountains climbing.html

[Permit issued to 65 people for mountains climbing - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/permit-issued-to-65-people-for-mountains-climbing.html): This year, 65 people have received permission to climb various mountains in autumn. It may take a few more days to apply for a permit. According to the tourism department, 57 men and 8 women from different 20 countries have received permission to climb the mountains. 12 people from Russia are the most climbers who have received climbing permission. Similarly, 8 people from China have got permission and 6 people from Canada have got permission.

61 people are climbing Mt Manaslu among those who have climbing permit. In which there are 54 men and 7 women. 6 different teams are climbing Manaslu Mountain. The height of the mountain is 8163 meters. Similarly, 4 people including 3 men and 1 woman are climbing the Raksha Urai Mountain. The height of that mountain is 6593 meters.

The government of Nepal has so far collected 73 lakh 60 thousand 850 rupees in revenue by issuing mountain climbing permits.

## Tourists surge drives hotel expansion.html

[Tourists surge drives hotel expansion - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourists-surge-drives-hotel-expansion.html): With the Covid-19 pandemic now off the radar, the country's star hotels are slowly reopening. In the past two years, three new five-star hotels have been built in response to the arrival of an increasing number of foreign tourists and their activities in the country.

According to the statistics of the Department of Tourism, there are currently 148 hotels operating across the country. Among these establishments, a notable 18 hotels have been awarded the prestigious five-star rating. In March of this year, the esteemed Hotel Ichchha received official recognition as a five-star establishment, contributing to the country's tally of 18 top-tier hotels.

Hotel Ichchha opened in Bara's Simara has been upgraded from four to five stars. Shakti Kumar Golyan of the Golyan Group is the owner and shareholder of the hotel, which was built with an investment of Rs 2.8 billion. The hotel has 150 employees, 89 rooms and is of 100-bed capacity.

According to the statistics of the department, two five-star hotels were built in 2078. The Kingsbury Hotel was opened at Bhagwan Chowk in Jhapa and Hyatt Place was opened at Tahachal in Kathmandu.

The first five-star hotel to open post-Covid-91 is Hotel Kingsbury in Jhapa. Prakash Gotame is the director and shareholder of Hotel Kingsbury, which has come into operation at a cost of Rs 2 billion. There are 150 workers in the hotel. The 100-bed hotel has 82 rooms.

Similarly, after the construction of Hotel Kingsbury, Hyatt Place in Tahachal was opened. The hotel, in which Shakti Kumar Golyan is both the operator and shareholder, was constructed with an investment of Rs 2.8 billion. The hotel has 183 workers, 360 beds and 153 rooms.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no five-star hotels were able to open in 2077. However, in 2076, the year before the onset of the pandemic, two five-star hotels were established. The Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Naxal and the Hotel Aloft in Thamel commenced operations during that year.

The total capital of the Marriott Hotel, owned by  Sumit Kumar Agarwal and Kiran KC, is Rs 2.666 billion. According to the statistics of the department, the Marriott Hotel has 300 workers, 344 beds and 225 rooms.

Similarly, Maheshwar Prakash Shrestha is the operator and shareholder of Aloft, established with an investment of Rs 5 billion. It has 180 workers, 216 beds and 165 rooms.

With the opening of the Soaltee Hotel in 2029 for the first time in Nepal, five-star hotels started operating in the country one after another. From Soaltee Hotel to Ichchha Hotel, the history of five-star hotels dates back to 51 years. Eighteen five-star hotels have been opened in these 51 years.

According to the statistics of the department, a total of 18 five-star hotels are currently in operation, including one in Koshi Province, one in Madhesh Province, 11 in Bagmati Province, two in Gandaki Province and three in Lumbini Province. There isn’t any five-star hotel in Karnali Province so far.

Meanwhile, the number of four-star hotels has reached 33. According to the statistics of the department, 37 three-star hotels, 47 two-star hotels and 42 one-star hotels are currently operating in Nepal.

According to the department, one deluxe, three deluxe heritage, two luxury heritage boutiques and one normal heritage hotel are also operating under the five-star hotels.

Investors seem to be investing in the hotel business with the expectation that the arrival of foreign tourists will increase in the country.

According to the Department of Tourism, 12 new star hotels and three new resorts have come into operation in the last 11 months. Radhika Giri, officer of the hotel branch of the Department of Tourism, said that 15 well-equipped hotels were registered from May to February 2022.

## Nepal is truly a mine of natural beauty.html

[Nepal is truly a mine of natural beauty - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-is-truly-a-mine-of-natural-beauty.html): Social media influencers from different countries have visited Nepal in accordance with the collaboration of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) with USAID for the promotion of Nepal's tourism and business and competitive partnership program. After visiting the major tourist destinations of Nepal, they responded that Nepal is truly a mine of natural beauty.

These social media influencers visited Kathmandu, Pokhara Muktinath, Lumbini, Chitwan and other places and responded that Nepal is a unique confluence for natural beauty and religious cultural and adventure tourism. A workshop was also held in collaboration with NTB and USAID Nepal on how to use social media and storytelling in Nepal's tourism promotion. After the workshop, a team of influencers visited the main tourist destinations in Nepal.

During the visit, Bhajul Sajakas, partner director of Stelter under USAID, and social media influencers Keenan Murphy, Lindsey Steven, Eric Mart, Alison Wolff shared pictures of Nepal on their social media pages and mentioned that the visit to Nepal was unforgettable.

Karen Welch, USAID's Acting Mission Director in Nepal, said that Nepal is a good destination for trekking and mountain climbing, and this program will further promote Nepal internationally.

Similarly, Executive Head of Nepal Tourism Board Dr. Dhananjay Regmi mentioned that the collaboration with USAID with the business and competitive partnership program for the promotion of Nepal's tourism has been positive and said that the digital promotion by influencers will help in the promotion of Nepal's tourism.

This campaign is expected to accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector from the impact of Covid-19, attract high-value travelers to Nepal and increase potential trade and investment relations by promoting Nepal's tourism sector.

## Efforts underway to relocate everest base camp mountaineers suggest not to hurry.html

[Efforts underway to relocate Everest Base Camp, mountaineers suggest not to hurry - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/efforts-underway-to-relocate-everest-base-camp-mountaineers-suggest-not-to-hurry.html): The homework to move the seven-decade-old Everest Base Camp a couple of hundred meters below its current point has begun. Director General of the Department of Tourism, Taranath Adhikari said that it was necessary to protect the base camp due to increase in environmental risks as a result of human activities. The Everest Monitoring and Facilitation Committee, set up by the department in the spring of last year, has suggested changing the base camp to facilitate mountaineers in their ascent to Sagarmatha, also known as Mt Everest and previously Peak 15.

At present, the base camp is located at the height of 5,364 meters. It has been decided to move the base camp to its new location by 2021. Although the committee has proposed to shift the base camp by a couple of hundred meters below, the exact place has not been decided, Adhikari shared.

“Further technical study is needed over this topic. An investigation will be conducted regarding the issue with mountaineers, experts and local communities. Parliament should make a decision regarding this,” he said. 

Chief Survey Officer Khim Lal Gautam Khumbu, who is also the member secretary of the Everest Monitoring and Facilitation Committee formed by the DoT, argues that the base camp needs to be lowered as the glaciers are melting. "The snow has melted and it seems appropriate to move the base camp to a rocky place," he said.

A scientific study shows that the 2,000-year-old snow on the southern face of Mount Everest has melted in the last 25 years. The study, published in the Scientific Journal Nature led by researchers at the University of Maine in the United States, found that 150 feet of snow had fallen on the southern face. The study concludes that melting is 80 times faster than snow formation. A 2018 study by the University of Leeds in the UK found that a portion of the glacier near the base camp was thinning at the rate of one meter per year. Gautam, who has climbed Mt. Everest twice and has visited the base camp several times, believes that hundreds of climbers who stay in the base camp for many days, results in the snow melting as temperature rises while cooking and urinating.

Meanwhile Mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa, who has set a world record by climbing Mt. Everest 26 times, argues that there should be no rush to move the base camp. "Moving the base camp does not mean that it will be good. When the base camp is far away, the facilities for the climbers may be less and the climbers may turn towards Tibet,” he said.

He said that the use of electric stoves as an alternative to  LPG’s in the region could help in preserving the environment and urged the government to facilitate it. "Our focus is on sanitation and other environmental protection options at the base camp. Do not rush to move the base camp. This requires further discussion and study,”said Sherpa.

## No more solo treks guides mandatory.html

[No more solo treks, Guides mandatory - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/no-more-solo-treks-guides-mandatory.html): The guidelines say foreign visitors also have to obtain a trekkers' information management systems (TIMS) card before going trekking.

The new rule will come into effect from Saturday.

According to guidelines, a trekker found travelling on designated trekking trails without a guide or TIMS card faces a Rs12,000 fine.

A trekking company taking trekkers on trips without a TIMS card will be fined Rs10,000 per trekker.

Officials stationed at the check posts will receive 20 percent of the fine money for stopping illegal trekkers as a special encouragement allowance, according to the guidelines.

The guidelines say the TIMS card is not required for those holding expedition permits for climbing mountains.

Tourists visiting restricted areas with permission from the Department of Immigration do not require the card either.

Foreign visitors travelling to the mountains or restricted areas for sightseeing by helicopter are exempt too. But they need to have a TIMS card and guide if it is a one-way trip.

Trekkers below the age of 10 do not require a TIMS card but their personal information will be stored online.

Two or more than two foreigners travelling to mountain regions by two- or four-wheeler will need a guide and should possess a TIMS card.

Officials of diplomatic missions and development partners and their families will be charged Rs500 per TIMS card. It is not required if they are going on an official visit.

Trekkers from the SAARC region have to pay Rs1,000 per card and trekkers from third countries are charged Rs2,000 per card.

The guidelines contain a list of 44 trekking trails in Kanchenjunga, Makalu Barun, Everest, Rolwaling, Panchpokharai Bhairavkunda, Helambu, Langtang, Ganesh Himal-Ruby Valley, Manaslu, Annapurna, Mustang, Dhaulagiri, Dolpa and Humla where trekkers must be accompanied by a guide.

Local authorities in the Everest region have strongly opposed the new guideline saying that it limits the right to free movement of foreigners.

## Car  jeep  hiace to nagarkot from kathmandu road trip to nagarkot.html

[Car - Jeep - Hiace to Nagarkot from Kathmandu (Road Trip to Nagarkot) - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/car--jeep--hiace-to-nagarkot-from-kathmandu-road-trip-to-nagarkot.html): Car - Jeep - Hiace to Nagarkot from Kathmandu (Road Trip to Nagarkot)

    
        
            Area
            Type of Vehicle
            Price
            Overnight Disposal (per night)
        
        
            Kathmandu Nagarkot
            Car
            NPR 4000
            NPR 3000
        
        
            Kathmandu Nagarkot
            Jeep
            NPR 5000
            NPR 3500
        
        
            Kathmandu Nagarkot
            Hiace
            NPR 6000
            NPR 4000
        
    



Distance between Kathmandu and Nagarkot
27.2km


Time to reach Nagarkot from Kathmandu
1 h 21 min via Araniko Highway

## Car  jeep  hiace to namobuddha from kathmandu road trip to namobuddha.html

[Car - Jeep - Hiace to Namobuddha from Kathmandu (Road Trip to Namobuddha) - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/car--jeep--hiace-to-namobuddha-from-kathmandu-road-trip-to-namobuddha.html): Car - Jeep - Hiace to Namobuddha from Kathmandu (Road Trip to Namobuddha)


    
        
            Area
            Type of Vehicle
            Price
            Overnight Disposal (per night)
        
        
            Kathmandu Namobuddha
            Car
            NPR 6000
            NPR 3000
        
        
            Kathmandu Namobuddha
            Jeep
            NPR 8000
            NPR 3500
        
        
            Kathmandu Namobuddha
            Hiace
            NPR 10000
            NPR 4000
        
    



Distance between Kathmandu and Namobuddha
41.9km


Time to reach Namobuddha from Kathmandu
1 h 45 min via Araniko Highway

## Visit nepal 2020  expecting 2 million tourist arrivals.html

[Visit Nepal 2020 - Expecting 2 Million Tourist Arrivals - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/visit-nepal-2020--expecting-2-million-tourist-arrivals.html): The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has come up with an ambitious plan to promote tourism in Nepal. The campaign "Visit Nepal 2020" aims to invite and support tourists and tourism in Nepal with a huge number of travelers from all over the world. The ministry is very optimistic and believes that this kind of campaign would attract international and national travelers. The tourism board has also announced 35 main trekking routes as a safe trail to travel and added a few more national parks on the travel list. In addition, the government has upgraded and improved the existing domestic and international airports to assist the national campaign.

The major aim of the campaign is to run international cities with mutual collaboration to Airlines, private sectors, and international and national organizations. Various marketing and Promotions are organized from the national level including different brands and sub-brands along with media to increase the success rate of campaigns for visit Nepal 2020.

The campaign is categorized with the five sub-headings i:e Culture, Cities and Leisure, People and Heritage, Outdoor and Adventure, Religion and Pilgrimage, and Nature and Wildlife. Under those sub-heading government has organized various national and international tourism programs with the engagement of locals agents in this campaign to improve and create sustainable tourism in Nepal. All the organizers and promoters are extremely positive about the campaign and believe that such an event can contribute a lot to the tourism industry and another sector of the economy. The government has also implemented new trekking routes to the well-known trekking regions of Nepal.

## Nepal tourism board official response to mount everest expedition deaths.html

[Nepal Tourism Board official response to Mount Everest expedition deaths - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tourism-board-official-response-to-mount-everest-expedition-deaths.html): Is Nepal a safe destination to travel after 11 people died climbing Mount Everest this season?

The answer should be a certain yes. Nepal is so much more than climbing the tallest mountain on earth. Nepal is peaceful and beautiful, and like no tourism destination in the world has even close to the variety of activities and experiences a traveler should expect when visiting Nepal.  Nepal has been setting trends on global accessible tourism. Climbing mountains is not an activity most tourists take part in.


 
While news emerges about an American climber who died in what is called a “traffic jam” on Mount Everest the Nepal Tourism Board issues an official press- release extending deepest condolences for the loss of lives at Everest, 8,848 m, during recent expeditions.

“As is known, climbing Everest is a hardcore adventure activity, a daunting experience even for the most trained and professional climbers. Every life lost is one too many. Solutions for more safe and sustainable options for climbing must come from this heartbreaking time.

 
 
Everest will always be a source of great natural wonder and tourist aspiration. Nepal stands with the global trekking community to continue to allow this gift of nature to be safely, sustainably celebrated.

Importantly, the Nepal Government, DoT, Nepal tourism industry and people of Nepal salute the heroes who lost their precious lives pursuing their greatest passions, defying all challenges in the glory of the indomitable human spirit.”

After a number of accidents reports about over tourism at Mount Everest are getting louder. It appears tourists are underestimating the dangers involved.

Even though Nepalese mountain guides are among the best in the world the number of tourists, the narrow window of days weather permits the climb and the jetstream of 120 mph winds make it possible to try. The oxygen only has 1/3 of the pressure a human body is used to.

 
 
The longer a person remains above 8000 meters the more dangerous it is. Regulations should be put in place to require anyone climbing Mount Everest to have climbed an 8000 feet mountain prior, experts told eTurboNews.

Today a Maoist splinter group which calls itself the Communist Party of Nepal enforced a widespread strike and two vehicles were burned in Makawanpur district southeast of the Nepali capital.  Even this group agrees on the economic potential tourism gives to Nepal. Such an incident should stay as far away from tourism security evaluation as it can. No one can compare such incidents with the ongoing strikes in Paris or day to day situation in other regions around the world.

## Nepal to celebrate visit nepal year 2020.html

[Nepal to celebrate Visit Nepal Year 2020 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-to-celebrate-visit-nepal-year-2020.html): In order to rediscover its lost glory on the global tourism front after unfortunate mishaps, including the worst earthquake of 2015, Nepal Tourism will be celebrating 2020 as the Visit Nepal Year.

After 2011, this is the second time in the decade that Nepal is embarking on an ambitious programme to promote its tourism spectacle to the travel world through Visit Nepal campaign.

Among the objectives of the year-long campaign, the Tourism Board of Nepal hopes to double its current inbound of 1.2 million by the end of December 2020.

Announcing the broad objectives of the campaign at an event in Delhi, Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board, said that India both as a close neighbour and the fastest growing outbound travel market is important for its tourism growth, and therefore it is important to engage the travel industry in India and seek support to grow together.

He said that travellers today are looking for easy to travel destinations and Nepal fits the bill with accessibility. Nepal can offer many experiences to visitors in one holiday, he added.

## Kathmandu pokhara tourist bus price.html

[Kathmandu Pokhara Tourist Bus Price - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/kathmandu-pokhara-tourist-bus-price.html): Kathmandu Pokhara Tourist Bus Price
How much is a bus ticket to Pokhara from Kathmandu?


Is it safe for a first time traveler to Nepal by bus?
- Yes, Until and unless there be any blockade condition

 

    
        
            SN
            Bus Type
            Price (NRs.)
        
        
            1
            A/C with Wi-Fi
            1200	
        
        
            3
            A/C Deluxe bus
            1600

## Indra jatra 2015 celebrated even after the massive earthquake in nepal.html

[Indra Jatra 2015 celebrated even after the massive earthquake in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/indra-jatra-2015-celebrated-even-after-the-massive-earthquake-in-nepal.html): Nepal is still in pain as it tries to heal the wounds after the devastating earthquake. Amidst the aftershocks, there are old houses which are standing with support in the aisle of Kathmandu. Indra Jatra is a festival which is celebrated by pulling the chariot of lord Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari in these aisle.

This year the organizers have made a few changes in the way the festival is celebrated so that they can be completed early, not taking it beyond the evening lights so that the participants can enjoy the jatra in safe way.

We Nepalese are really rich in culture and we don’t want to have any excuse not to celebrate it. Even after few months of earthquake which almost took all the heritage site of basantapur area, a large number of people turned out to celebrate the festival with excitement and smile.

## Nepal cultural heritage sites to open for tourists from june 15.html

[Nepal Cultural heritage sites to open for tourists from June 15 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-cultural-heritage-sites-to-open-for-tourists-from-june-15.html): The government is opening some cultural heritages sites in Kathmandu Valley for tourists from June 15.

The government had barred entry of tourists in these sites following the earthquake of April 25.

The meeting of Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) held on Monday took the decision. The meeting, which was chaired by tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, saw participation of high ranking officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Department of Tourism, Department of Archaeology (DoA), archeological experts, presidents of different tourism organizations, executive committee members and administrative chief of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), among others.

Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of DoA, said they would formally open Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square for visitors from June 15. Other heritage sites like Bouddhanath, Budhanilkantha and Pashupatinath are safe for tourists, he added.

Speaking at the meeting, Tourism Secretary Shrestha said there is a need to organize effective international media marketing campaign and organize fam trips for celebrities, tour operators and travel writers to Nepal to disseminate positive message about Nepal. "This will help us tell the rest of the world what we still have to offer after the earthquake of April 25," said Shrestha.

In the meeting, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) expressed commitment to provide complimentary accommodation to participants of fam trips, while Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has said it would arrange vehicles and tour guides for the participants.

## Fuel emergency hamstrings tourism in nepal.html

[Fuel emergency hamstrings tourism in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/fuel-emergency-hamstrings-tourism-in-nepal.html): As the Himalayan nation recovers from a devastating quake, tourism has been hit by another crisis: fuel shortages.

Pokhara, Nepal - Nepal's vital tourism sector is facing a double whammy amid acute fuel shortages that have quashed hopes of an economic recovery following the cataclysmic April 25 earthquake.

The 7.8-magnitude temblor and its aftershocks killed more than 9,000 people, displaced another three million, and destroyed key trekking trails and historical sites.

The Himalayan nation gets all of its petroleum products from India, which Nepal accuses of imposing a fuel embargo over the past month. India denies the allegation, saying its truck drivers and tourists are too scared to enter Nepal because of violence and unrest in Terai, the country's southern border region. 

As a result of the fuel shortages, Nepal's economy is being strangled. Ordinary Nepalis are bearing the brunt of the shortages, after fuel and cooking gas became black-market commodities that only the privileged few can afford.

Meanwhile, mass cancellations of bookings by foreign travellers and renewed travel warnings by Western governments have raised fears of an economic fallout in Nepal that could dwarf that caused by the tremors.

"After the earthquake, this season presented a lot of hope that Nepal was going to bounce back, that people would have jobs and income again," said Matt Gardner of Heart and Tears Motorcycle Tours in the city of Pokhara, some 200km west of the capital, Kathmandu.

"But just when things had started to look positive, we have another crisis, a political one."

The fuel crisis is a symptom of Nepal's first long-wrangled constitution, which was passed on September 20. The long-marginalised Madhesi and Tharu, minority groups that live in southern Nepal, say the constitution leaves them underrepresented in the federal government.

When their demands for amendments were ignored, they hit the Kathmandu power base where it hurt the most, by blocking border crossings and disrupting customs checkpoints, which are the lifeblood of the landlocked country.

The Nepalese government claims that India, which has close cultural ties to the Madhesi, is working in cahoots with protesters to disrupt imports and make the government capitulate to their demands.

Nearly 50 protesters and police have been killed at demonstrations, while the south's two primary tourist attractions - Chitwan National Park, home to many Asian rhinoceroses; and Lumbini, the assumed birthplace of Buddha and a popular pilgrimage site - remain no-go zones.

The US, Australian and UK governments have issued warnings to steer clear of Nepal's southern provinces. They also warned that fuel shortages are hampering emergency services and everyday travel throughout the country.

In Kathmandu, tourists are finding it impossible to board dangerously overcrowded buses, while taxi fares have skyrocketed. A New Zealand expatriate told Al Jazeera he paid $38 for a 20-minute drive into the city that normally costs less than $5.

Many restaurants in Thamel, Kathmandu's hodgepodge high-rise tourist district, cannot operate as they have no cooking gas.

"I went into my favourite cafe yesterday, and they only had two items on the breakfast menu," said Barry Richards, a cartoonist from Australia. "It's just a small inconvenience, but it affects me to see how Nepalese are struggling after the hard time they've had since the earthquake. They don't deserve this."

Chinese tourists have also been conspicuously absent in Thamel since Chinese Eastern Airlines cancelled flights to and from Nepal earlier this month, citing the unavailability of aviation fuel at Kathmandu airport. 

Domestic carriers are also warning that unless the government provides them with fuel for their minivans, they will not be able to get their staff to airports. 

Even internet service providers that rely on diesel generators to stay online during Nepal's daily power outages have said they will have to halt services if the crisis persists.

"The fuel shortage has come just as travellers are starting to return to the country," said Geoff Manchester, cofounder of Intrepid Travel, one of the largest trekking operators in Nepal. "We have had to make adjustments to all our scheduled departures."

Tourism officials in Nepal could not be reached for comment.

Pokhara: Ground zero

The fuel crisis' effect on tourism are biggest in Pokhara. A lakeside city of 250,000 people surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it is regarded as the adventure tourism capital of Nepal.

But tourism operators here need petrol and diesel to operate, and few can afford to pay black-market rates. This reporter paid an off-duty service station attendant $10 a litre for five litres of fuel - 10 times the regular price - while other tourists reported paying as much as $20 per litre.

"We have had to cancel our flights because we can't get to the launch site," said British national Scott Mason of The Parahawking Project, a unique adrenaline sport that combines paragliding with the ancient discipline of falconry. 

"Everyone is struggling. Rafting companies can't get their customers to the rivers. Trekking companies can't get their customers into the mountains," Mason said.

On Pokhara's lakeside drive, where moving cars and motorbikes are becoming an increasingly rare sight, retailers have slashed their asking prices by half.

"This should be the peak season, but tourism I think is down 70 percent," said Binod Aryal of The Craft Centre Pokhara.

At a cashmere clothing store next door, a sales assistant who did not wish to give her name said they had not sold any goods in three days.

Rajendra Dhakal, owner of the Glacier Hotel, a new 50-room boutique property in Pokhara, voiced similar sentiments. "Before the blockade by the Indian government, we had 90 percent of our rooms booked for the October-November peak season," he said. "But now, nearly all of our forward bookings have been cancelled. Only one in 10 of our rooms are occupied."

But where there is necessity, there is also invention. 

Mason of the Parahawking Project cannot take customers into the sky, so instead he is offering falconry experiences that give tourists the chance to learn the fundamentals of bird-keeping and exercise their birds by the lake.

Gardner of Hearts and Tears Motorcycle Tours has been driving around the country buying small quantities of fuel from various insider sources to ensure that forward booking for tours could go ahead as scheduled. And restaurateurs lacking cooking gas are reverting to traditional ways to prepare food.

"They are spending their mornings out in the forests collecting firewood," said the Glacier Hotel's Dhakal in his capacity as an executive member of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal. "Cooking with fire makes the food more delicious, so the tourists who are here in Pokhara are being really well-fed."

Added Manchester of Intrepid Travel: "The tourism industry is bending over backwards to ensure the best possible experience for travellers. We expect all trips to depart as usual this week."

Tourism back on track?

Nepal's former prime minister Sushil Koirala recently stepped down as required under the new constitution, and parliament voted in Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal as the country's next leader.

With a mandate to calm protests and smooth tensions with India, Oli moved quickly and appointed Madhesi group leader Bijaya Gachchedar as one of his two deputies.

Yet, while there has recently been some movement at the border, with about 50 Indian oil tankers entering Nepal daily, only small amounts of rationed fuel have reached the pumps in Kathmandu.

At a Caltex service station in Sorhakhutte, a five-minute walk from the Thamel tourist hub in Kathmandu, riot police were out in force.

Armed with wooden batons, they prevented a potentially violent confrontation between motorists waiting in a double-parked queue stretching two kilometres. One group had accused another of pushing in. It was a scene unbecoming of a nation asking travellers to put Nepal back on their itineraries to help the post-earthquake recovery effort.

"I am worried because tourism is the main industry of our country," said Kumar Rana, a driver with Himalayan Encounters in Kathmandu. "If it doesn't go smoothly, it will affect all of us."

## Nepal earthquake epicentre area devastated.html

[Nepal earthquake epicentre area devastated - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-earthquake-epicentre-area-devastated.html): Up to 90 percent of homes destroyed in areas near the quake's epicentre northeast of Kathmandu.

Towns and villages near the epicentre of Saturday's earthquake that claimed at least 6,200 lives in Nepal have suffered "almost total devastation", the Red Cross says.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Thursday that they were "extremely concerned" about the welfare of hundreds of thousands of people, with those in remote areas outside the Kathmandu Valley facing an unknown fate.

The devastation appeared particularly dire in the Sindupalchowk region, a mountainous area northeast of Kathmandu, which was becoming a major focus of international relief efforts with up to 90 percent of homes destroyed in some parts.

"Six Red Cross assessment teams are reporting that some towns and villages in the worst-affected districts close to the epicentre have suffered almost total devastation," it said in a statement. Launching an appeal for $415m in aid, the UN said it would take a marathon effort to help the people of one of Asia's poorest countries.

The International Monetary Fund said it was ready to extend aid to Nepal and would send a team to assess the situation "as soon as possible".

Nepalese and Indian military helicopters have also been flying in aid to remote areas of Gorkha district, another badly-hit region, which otherwise takes up to 12 days to reach by foot, the WHO said.

Survivors rescued

The gloomy assessments of the situation came as the rescue of two survivors brought some hope to people in the capital.

The rescue of 15-year-old Pemba Tamang, who told AFP news agency he stayed alive by eating a jar of ghee (clarified butter), was hailed as a miracle five days after the massive quake. 

Crowds of bystanders massed to watch the drama unfold at a guesthouse in the capital of Kathmandu, greeting the teenager with cheers as he emerged from the ruins of the building.

Caked in dust, Pemba was fitted with a neck brace and hooked up to an intravenous drip before being lifted onto a stretcher and then raced to a field hospital where he was found to have only minor cuts and bruises.

"I never thought I would make it out alive," the teenager said at the Israeli military-run facility where he was being kept for observation.

Pemba, who worked at the guesthouse as a bellboy, said he had been eating lunch next to the reception when the ground started shaking.

"I tried to run but... something fell on my head and I lost consciousness - I've no idea for how long," he said.

"When I came round, I was trapped under the debris and there was total darkness," he added. "I heard other people's voices screaming out for help around me... but I felt helpless."

Al Jazeera's Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Kathmandu, said many people in the capital were calling the rescue a "near miracle".

"This is something that really boosts the morale of rescuers at the scene," Jamjoom said.

Just hours later, a team pulled a kitchen worker in her thirties named Krishna Devi Khadka from the rubble of another hotel just streets away, to loud appreciation from the multinational team of rescuers who had worked into the night to save her.

Emergency workers from France, Norway and Israel operating with the Nepal army and using listening devices to find survivors took 10 hours to free Khadka once they had discovered her.

"She was injured but she was conscious and talking," a Nepal army major told an AFP reporter at the scene. The latest official toll put the number of dead at 6,204 and more than 14,000 are known to have been injured. More than 100 people were also killed in neighbouring countries such as India and China

## Taan rescues 77 from manang nepal.html

[TAAN rescues 77 from Manang Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-rescues-77-from-manang-nepal.html): A rescue team of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) rescued 77 trekkers from different parts of Manang district on Thursday.

Of the trekkers rescued on Thursday, 17 were Israelis, 29 Nepalis (support staff), 5 Indonesians, 10 Germans, 5 Spanish, 4 Indians, 3 Canadians, 2 Russians, and 2 Polish.   

TAAN had deployed two choppers – AS 350 B3 and MI 17 – for rescue works. TAAN executive members Coordinator of Mountaineering Department of TAAN Ang Pemba Sherpa,   and Pasang Tendi Sherpa were in the rescue team. Similarly, TAAN President Ramesh Prasad Dhamala was in Manang to oversee rescue works, while Coordinator of TAAN’s Rescue Department Keshav Pandey coordinated rescue works from Pokhara. Likewise, 1st Vice President Kami Rinji Sherpa, General Secretary Sagar Pandey and Treasurer Gopal Babu Shrestha were at TAAN Secretariat to coordinate rescue works, while executive member Vidya Hirachan was at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Meanwhile, rescue workers have recovered 10 bodies from Phu and Kangla area of Manang. 

TAAN had sent rescue team from land route in the Mustang side of Thorang La Pass. The team brought down five bodies – two Nepalis, two Israelis and one Polish. Similarly, one more body has been brought down to Jomsom. Their identity has yet to be ascertained.

With this the number of deceased in Mustang side has reached 10. Rescue teams had recovered four bodies on Wednesday.

“Rescue team of Nepal Army (NA) has told us that there are eight bodies near Doomcamp below Thorong Pass. We will bring them down tomorrow,” Hari Bhujel, second vice president of TAAN Pokhara Chapter, said from Mustang. 

According to Mustang CDO Baburam Adhikari, 64 trekkers from different countries, including Nepali support staff, were rescued from Mustang on Wednesday.

## Nepal annapurna 407 rescued 29 bodies recovered so far.html

[Nepal Annapurna 407 rescued, 29 bodies recovered so far - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-annapurna-407-rescued-29-bodies-recovered-so-far.html): A total of 407 (181 Nepalis and 226 foreigners) have been rescued so far, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Issuing a press statement on Sunday, the ministry said 32 bodies (of 15 Nepalis and 17 foriegners) have been recovered so far and seven are presumed missing.

## Paragliding to start soon in the kathmandu valley nepal.html

[Paragliding to start soon in the Kathmandu valley Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/paragliding-to-start-soon-in-the-kathmandu-valley-nepal.html): Recreational paragliding is officially scheduled to start in the Kathmandu Valley after end of Bada Dashain, the jumps being operated jointly by South Korea's ParaLove Company and the Kathmandu-based Paragliding and Hand-gliding Company.

Paragliding jumps will take place from Bisankhunarayan wVDC in Lalitpur district.

At least 10 'glider-aircraft' five tandem (where a passenger is hitched on to a pilot) chutes and five single-seater chutes will be used on jumps from Kotdanda, Chapakharka and Bistachap areas of Bisankhunarayan-4.

The airborne entertainment service is currently conducting test jumps and flights in various locations around the Valley to ascertain which ones are most suitable to get the best view of the three districts in the Valley.

The service with the theme 'Paragliding in Kathmandu' will be open for public from 8 am to 5 pm.

## Nepal annapurna trekking disaster toll reaches 29.html

[Nepal Annapurna Trekking disaster toll reaches 29 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-annapurna-trekking-disaster-toll-reaches-29.html): Snowstorms and avalanches have killed 29 trekkers on a popular hiking route in the Himalayas, Nepali officials say.

After a fourth day of searches, 384 people have been rescued from the Annapurna trail, 216 of them foreigners, in the country's worst-ever trekking disaster.

Helicopters have been searching parts of the trail high as 5,790m (19,000ft) for survivors.

The government said the priority was to rescue 22 stranded hikers.

The trekkers are stranded at Thorung La pass, and face a shortage of food and water. Army helicopters tried to rescue them but failed after being unable to land.

It is still unclear which climbers have been accounted for and which are still missing.

The task of the authorities is made more complicated because there are thousands of climbers in Nepal at this time of the year.

Army helicopters tried unsuccessfully to rescue them on Saturday between the Mustang and Dolpa districts, government rescue coordinator Suresh Acharya said.

Twenty bodies have been recovered but 19 bodies are still in the snow and a rescue team will be deployed on Sunday to dig them out and retrieve them by air, he said.

One of the main trekking routes - the Thorung La pass, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit - is now "relatively safe" after the army cleared snow, he said earlier.

Rescuers have only limited resources and most of the missing and dead are believed to be at the maximum heights that helicopters can reach.

Nepalese, Japanese, Israeli, Canadian, Indian, Slovak, Vietnamese and Polish trekkers are said to be among the dead.

Many survivors have been left with severe frostbite and will have to have limbs amputated.

Nepal earns huge revenues from the tens of thousands of trekkers and climbers who flock to the Himalayas every year.

However, it remains a very poor country and the authorities here have struggled to cope with the scale of this disaster.

This has been a particularly deadly year for Nepal's trekking and mountaineering industry.

An avalanche on Mount Everest in April killed 16 Sherpa guides and resulted in a significant drop in the number of expeditions to the world's highest peak.

The latest disaster comes at the height of the trekking period.

## Nepal every 6 tourists create one job.html

[Nepal Every 6 tourists create one job - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-every-6-tourists-create-one-job.html): Every six tourists create one job in Nepal and the tourism industry provides poor communities better access to revenues generated by the tourism market, said the Tourism Employment Survey 2014 unveiled by the Tourism Ministry on Thursday. This is the first ever survey of the tourism industry conducted in Nepal.

The study, based on 192 tourism establishments in 10 districts, showed that 797,616 tourist arrivals in Nepal led to jobs for 138,148 persons. The survey was conducted between May and June. “The ratio of tourist visits and employment generated suggests that one job was generated from every six tourist visits over a year’s period,” the survey said. However, Nepal’s tourism employment trend is much lower than the estimate of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) which states that the entry of one tourist into a particular country provides employment to 12 people. “The survey has not taken into account the informal sector and is purely linked with the total arrivals and their outcome in the industry,” said Sharad Kumar Sharma, chief statistician at the ministry.

The figure revealed by the survey is also lower than the employment figure estimated by the Economic Survey 2013 which states that the tourism industry has generated 178,000 direct jobs.

“The tourism survey conducted for the first time in Nepal has given a real picture of the jobs created by the industry as there was no scientific basis to calculate the employment scenario,” said Purna Chandra Bhattarai, joint secretary at the ministry. “It will indeed help planners and policymakers to find out the real contribution of the tourism industry and take the necessary initiatives to make the industry more vibrant.”

The survey said that more than half (58 percent) of all the employees in the tourism industry were Janajati, 33 percent were Brahmin/Kshetri, 5 percent were Dalit and 3 percent were Tarai/Madhesi. Around 19 percent of the employees were highly skilled.

Women’s engagement in the tourism industry was nominal. Around 20 percent of the employees were female while 78 percent had secondary or a higher level of education. Almost 47 percent had completed intermediate level of education.

The survey said that 24 percent were only seasonal employees while 76 percent were regular employees. Most of the employees in the industry were young. According to the survey, 68 percent of the workforces was between 20 to 40 years of age.

In terms of salary, 37 percent of the workers received Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month while another 37 percent earned Rs 20,000 monthly. The survey showed that 26 percent of the employees were paid less than Rs 10,000 per month. The proportion of employees earning more than Rs 20,000 per month was the highest among trekking agencies (83 percent) followed by domestic airlines and international airlines.

“None of the employees in international airlines received less than Rs 10,000 per month while none of the employees in home-stay establishments received more than Rs 20,000 per month,” the survey said.

The trekking sector was the largest employer in the tourism industry followed by tourist standard hotels, travel agencies, star hotels and international airlines.

Similarly, the survey showed that 1,636 trekking agencies provided 50,004 jobs, 625 tourist standard hotels provided jobs to 26,808 people, 2,112 travel agencies provided employment to 25,238 people and 105 star-rated hotels employed 13,459 persons. Likewise, the 29 international and 15 domestic airlines operating in the country employed 12,822 and 5,903 persons respectively. Similarly, 226 home-stay establishments employed 2,738 people, 49 rafting companies employed 735 people and 60 paragliding and ultra-light companies employed 440 persons.

Data was collected from 192 tourism establishments located in Jhapa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Kavre, Kaski, Banke, Kailali and Rupandehi districts.

## Nepal raises sherpa insurance payouts.html

[Nepal raises sherpa insurance payouts - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-raises-sherpa-insurance-payouts.html): Nepal has raised life insurance payouts for sherpa guides by 50 per cent, more than three months after the deadliest accident in Mount Everest's history sparked protests and led to a shutdown of the peak.

The April 18 avalanche left 16 local guides dead and fuelled demands for better compensation as well as higher death and injury benefit payouts to the sherpas' families.

The resulting labour dispute between sherpas and the Nepalese government, which earns large revenues from mountaineering, caused scores of expeditions cancelled, with only one successful summit after most climbers abandoned their plans to scale the 8848-metre peak.

Nepalese tourism ministry spokesman, Mohan Krishna Sapkota, announced on Friday that sherpas working on Himalayan peaks will now have life insurance of 1.5 million rupees ($A16,400)."

Life insurance limits were earlier set at $US10,000 ($A10,820) with guides calling for the figure to be doubled to $US20,000.

"We know this amount is less than what they wanted, but we had to consult the private sector as well and this is the best we can do now," Sapkota told AFP.

"We will try to raise it further but it will take time."

Ramesh Prasad Dhamala, president of Nepal's Trekking Agencies' Association, called the news "a positive development".

He noted, however, that the government had yet to pay compensation or insurance benefits to victims' families, more than three months after the avalanche.

The government initially pledged $US400 to the families of the 16 men but later hiked the compensation to $US5000 after angry sherpas protested the sum was too small.

The government had also pledged to set up a relief fund for injured guides using up to five per cent of fees paid by climbers, but no final decision had been taken yet, Sapkota said.

## Taan hikes daily wage of trekking workers nepal.html

[TAAN hikes daily wage of trekking workers Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-hikes-daily-wage-of-trekking-workers-nepal.html): The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and representatives of four unions of trekking workers -- All Nepal Revolutionary Tourism Workers Union (ANRTWU); Union of Nepal Travel, Trekking, Rafting and Airlines Workers; Nepal Tourism Workers Association (NTWA); All Nepal Tourism Workers Union (ANTWU); and Nepal Tourism Workers Association (NTWA) – have decided to raise daily wages of trekking porter by Rs 300 and guides/cooks by Rs 250 with effect from October 1, 2014.

The hike is based on the understanding that the previous executive committee of TAAN had reached with the worker unions.

The two sides have also agreed to form Workers’ Welfare Fund under Social Security Scheme of the government and deposit Rs 15 million from the TIMS Fund after guidelines for the operationalization of the fund is finalized by the government. The two sides also decided to lobby with the government to prepare guidelines for operationalization of the fund within a month. TAAN and worker unions have formed a taskforce under the 2nd vice president Kul Bahadur Gurung to look into issues related to trekking workers. The taskforce consists of TAAN executive members as well as representatives of different workers unions.

The taskforce has decided that every company should have to provide identification card to all their field staff. Similarly, the taskforce has decided that TAAN and worker unions will jointly lobby with the concerned agency to implement ‘no trekking without guide/porter’ system. Regarding hike in insurance cover for trekking workers, the taskforce decided to work in cooperation with insurance companies that agrees to provide maximum insurance cover.

It also decided to strictly implement the agreement signed between TAAN Pokhara and Sanctuary Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Committee in December last year.

The taskforce has decided that trekking companies will have to provide Rs 8,000 per person to guides, cooks and Sherpas as festival allowance once a year. Similarly, companies will have to provide pay and perks to their employees as per the minimum pay enforced by the government. Likewise, trekking companies will have to compulsorily send budget list of every groups with the guides.

The taskforce has decided to allow only the licensed guides to lead trekking groups from January 1, 2015 onwards. Similarly, the taskforce has decided that representatives of TAAN and all four trekking workers will visit all check posts before October 1 to inform trekking guides and porters about the hike in their daily wage. Similarly, the taskforce has asked TAAN and tourism workers unions to take joint initiatives for requesting companies to provide appointment letters to cooks, Sherpas and guides who have worked for the company regularly since two years.

## New rules for trekking in nepal  local guides now mandatory.html

[New Rules for Trekking in Nepal - Local guides now mandatory - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-rules-for-trekking-in-nepal--local-guides-now-mandatory.html): Ever since the April 18 Everest tragedy, when 16 Sherpas died in an avalanche, the Nepal Tourism Board has been grappling with how to make extreme tourism safer within the country.

After months of active discontent from local entrepreneurs, the board has made decisions about how to monitor foreign recreation, trekking in particular.

The unrest ended yesterday with news outlets reporting that protesters' demands had been met: an ousting of Subash Nirola, the board's chief and active CEO; management of a workers' welfare fund; and a new rule stating that all foreign trekkers must be accompanied by local guides.

In addition to safety concerns, those within the tourism industry were concerned about financial irregularities within the board and Nirola's possible abuse of authority. A probe into the board's finances began Thursday.

The Joint Tourism Coordination Committee, headed up by Ramesh Dhalama (also president of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal), has agreed to stop campaigning for change within the board.

Three senior directors are taking over the board, which is resuming services today. Although this is good news for Nepal's tourism industry, it won't make up for financial losses due to an early end to the spring season.

## Paragliding with vultures in nepal.html

[Paragliding with vultures in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/paragliding-with-vultures-in-nepal.html): From hot air balloon to hang-gliding operators, plenty of airborne adventure outfits promise to let you "soar with the birds."

Few, however, deliver on the claim quite as literally or dramatically as Nepal's Parahawking Project.

An activity in which humans to fly alongside beautiful Egyptian vultures, parahawking is one of the more sensational flight experiences on the planet.

Flights take off from the lakeside town of Pokhara -- a jumping off point for whitewater rafting, mountain biking and other adventure activities in the Nepal's Annapurna region.

Thanks to the perennial presence of thermal gusts of air, traditional paragliding is an established and popular activity in the Pokhara Valley.

Many paragliding outfits operate tandem flights in the area.

But only the Parahawking Project offers two flight companions -- mine were named "Scott" and "Kevin."

Scott Mason was my human guide.

Like most Egyptian vultures, Kevin, didn't say much, but was extremely handsome, with sharp eyes and an adorable spiked hairdo.

The founder of Nepal's Parahawking Project, Mason employs two Egyptian vultures, his preferred breeds in the air, to accompany paragliders in flight. (Kevin's feathered colleague is named "Bob.")

Inspiration strikes over beers

Like other birds, Egyptian vultures conserve energy while flying by seeking "thermals" -- rising currents of warm air that occur when the sun heats the ground.

Thermals are also important to paragliders, who use them to stay aloft for longer periods of time.

Parahawking involves using trained birds to locate thermals.

Human paragliders follow the birds as they fly, rewarding the birds with a piece of meat after they've been guided to a thermal.

"The birds land on the passengers' gloved hand for an inflight reward," according to the Parahawking Project website.

The idea of using vultures to lead paragliders first came to Mason in 2001.

Mason says inspiration struck over beers with the man who kick-started Nepal's paragliding industry.

"The more beers we had, the better the idea seemed," he says.

"Luckily, it still seemed like a good plan in the morning."

Taking flight

Though a few other operators around the world have begun offering parahawking flights, Mason, who says he's always been "a bird guy," says his project is the original.

In the eight years since the tandem flights with vultures took off, Mason has had a number of interesting experiences.

One involved a client with no arms for the birds to land on -- a fact the man failed to mention until go time.

Then there was the vegan who decided, after jumping, that she couldn't bear to touch the buffalo bait.

For more detail information about Parahawking in Nepal

## Nepals sherpas drift away from mountaineering.html

[Nepal's Sherpas drift away from mountaineering - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepals-sherpas-drift-away-from-mountaineering.html): Cheddar Sherpa has scaled Mount Everest seven times while guiding Western climbers to the top of the world. He has narrowly escaped three avalanches and seen a dozen of his friends perish on the icy Himalayan slopes.

But an avalanche in April that swept 16 Sherpas to their deaths — the deadliest climbing accident on Everest — has shaken him. He's decided that the dangers of his job outweigh the financial benefits.

"I am 48 years old now and I thought I had least another five years of climbing left in me," Cheddar said. "But after the avalanche, I don't think I want to ever go back." He is not sure what he will do for a living now.

The April 18 disaster on the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, where a group of Sherpas were carrying clients' equipment up the mountain before the peak climbing season, has accelerated an exodus of Sherpas from the mountain-climbing business. The younger generation has become more educated and many are moving away to less grueling jobs in the capital Kathmandu or outside Nepal. Thousands have migrated to the United States and Europe.

"It used to be that almost every family had at least a few members who worked for mountaineering teams in the past but now things have changed. There are less numbers of Sherpa who are continuing the mountaineering tradition," said Ang Tshering, of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Since the April tragedy, which briefly led to a boycott by Sherpa guides, many have told Tshering they want to quit because of pressure from families worried about their safety.

But even before the accident, Sherpas — an ethnic group that many also use as a last name — have been drifting away from mountain work. Cheddar, for example, forbade his four sons from becoming guides and instead insisted they go to college. One is now an engineer.

"These people do not want their children to face the hardship they faced in mountaineering and hope to get them into better professions which are easier and safer," Tshering said.

Once yak herders and potato farmers in remote Himalayan villages, Sherpas began helping foreign climbers scale Nepal's peaks since the country opened up to Westerners in 1950.

One of the big draws of the job is its relatively good pay. In a country where the average annual income is just $700, a high-altitude Sherpa guide can make $7,000 during the three-month climbing season. Foreign climbers can pay $100,000 for a chance to summit Mount Everest.

Sherpas face enormous dangers to facilitate these high-paying visitors. They are first up the mountain. They break the snow, lay the ropes used by the climbers and carry the heaviest loads. Beyond the brutal cold and lack of oxygen at higher elevations, they face the risk of avalanches and altitude sickness.

As their incomes have risen, many Sherpa families have left their rural homes, hoping for a more comfortable lifestyle in the city or abroad.

"I never wanted to become a mountaineer. I would probably die from altitude sickness if I even tried," said Karma Gyalzen, a 26-year-old Sherpa who works at a supermarket in Katmandu's tourist district.

While there are no estimates of how many Sherpas have left mountain-climbing jobs, census numbers show that the Sherpa population in Nepal has declined from 154,622 in 2001 to 112,946 in 2011. Those figures are disputed by Sherpas who say census officials did not reach all the villages and previously counted Sherpas as other ethnic groups.

Wealthier families have sent their children to foreign universities. In New York City alone, some 4,000 Sherpas work in restaurants, offices and driving taxis, according to Ang Chhiring of the New York-based United Sherpa Association.

"The number of Sherpas migrating to foreign countries has swollen in the recent years," said Bal Bahadur K.C., a lawmaker from Solukhumbu, a district where many Sherpas live.

The dwindling number involved in mountain-climbing has opened the way for other ethnic groups such as the Tamangs and Gurungs, many of them very poor, to take jobs as high altitude guides. Three of those killed in the April avalanche were not Sherpas.

Yet because of the trust and name recognition that Sherpas have earned over the decades, some members of other ethnic groups describe their jobs as "sherpas." "For decades it was only the Sherpas who worked on the mountains," said Bishnu Gurung, 46, who has scaled Everest twice. "It has been only a few years since some of us from other ethnic groups have been able get a chance to guide mountaineers because there are not enough Sherpas now to meet the demand."

## Chinese firm to develop nepals second international airport.html

[Chinese firm to develop Nepal's second international airport - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chinese-firm-to-develop-nepals-second-international-airport.html): The Nepal government Thursday signed an agreement with a Chinese company for developing the second international airport in the Himalayan country.

Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, chief of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aviation regulatory body in the country, and Luo Yan, chairman and president of China CAMC Engineering Co., signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the CAAN office in Kathmandu, Xinhua reported.

With this, construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport is set to start.

The Nepal government has been planning to develop the airport as an alternative for the existing Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, the country’s only international airport for the last four decades.

During Thursday’s signing ceremony, Luo said her company would spare no effort to ensure every international standard is met while constructing the airport.

She also expressed commitment to accomplish the project within the set time frame.

According to the MoU, the Chinese contractor would complete the project within three years from the day construction starts.

“This agreement is a milestone in Nepal’s aviation history,” Suman said.

Nepal’s Aviation Secretary Bhim Prashad Acharya and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai was also present in the ceremony.

## Nepal opens peaks named after hillary tenzing to foreign climbers.html

[Nepal opens peaks named after Hillary, Tenzing to foreign climbers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-opens-peaks-named-after-hillary-tenzing-to-foreign-climbers.html): Nepal has named two Himalayan peaks near Mount Everest after Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and opened them to foreigners for climbing, a month after a deadly avalanche killed 16 sherpa guides.

The conquest of Everest by New Zealand's Hillary and his Nepali guide Tenzing in 1953 popularised Nepal as a destination for mountain climbers. The Himalayan country is home to eight of the 14 peaks in the world over 8,000 metres (26,247 ft).

Tilakram Pandey, a senior official at the Tourism Ministry, said the peaks - Hillary at 7,681 m (25,200 ft) and Tenzing at 7,916 m (25,971 ft) - were unclimbed so far.

Last month's tragedy forced hundreds of foreign climbers to abandon their attempts on Everest, and the renaming exercise marked an attempt to revive Nepal's appeal to mountaineers.

"We believe climbers will be attracted to these peaks and help promote mountaineering activities," Pandey told Reuters. "Many foreign Alpine clubs and climbers have shown interest in the opening of these mountains."

Tourism accounts for 4 percent of Nepal's gross domestic product, and fees paid by climbers for permits is a major source of income for the cash-strapped government.

## Nepal opens 104 new peaks for mountaineering.html

[Nepal opens 104 new peaks for mountaineering - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-opens-104-new-peaks-for-mountaineering.html): Nepal on Wednesday opened 104 virgin peaks for mountaineering, taking the total number of peaks mountaineers can climb to 414, the Tourism Ministry said.

Among the new peaks opened, the Yalung Khang West is the only mountain higher than 8,000 meters. The mountain, located in eastern Nepal, has a height of 8,077 meters.

Nine new peaks opened for climbing are higher than 7,000 meters.

"The new peaks have been opened to promote mountain tourism in the country," Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, a tourism ministry official, told Kyodo News. "There are climbers who come to Nepal to conquer virgin peaks. We have given them a lot of choices," he added.

The government has also relaxed by 300 meters the height bar for the requirement of climbing permits. "Climbers will not need climbing permits for mountains less than 5,800 meters. Earlier, the bar was 5,500 meters," Burlakoti said.

The decision comes in the wake of a disastrous spring climbing season precipitated by last month's avalanche on Mt. Everest that left 13 Nepalese Sherpas dead and three missing.

The avalanche, the worst in the history of Mt. Everest, led to a blanket abandonment of expeditions on the mountain for this season with Sherpas demanding more insurance and benefits.

Following the suspension, the government extended Mt. Everest climbing permits issued this season by five years, although the permits are normally valid for 75 days.

There are a total of 1,310 mountains higher than 6,000 meters identified in Nepal.

Popular climbing peaks in Nepal

## Paragliding resumes in lalitpur nepal.html

[Paragliding resumes in Lalitpur Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/paragliding-resumes-in-lalitpur-nepal.html): The operation of paragliding halted for different reasons has now resumed in the southern skirt of the Kathmandu Valley with new management.

Though the adventurous flight was first introduced at Godawari of Lalitpur in the Valley in 2007, it is now resumed from Chapakharka hill of Bisankhu VDC of Lalitpur district.

According to an employee of the paragliding operator's company, Sudarshan Adhikari, although it was already operated before some months, it is yet to be formally inaugurated. In a very short time of operation, the number of people enjoying the paragliding has increased sharply, he added.

However, the lack of publicity has limited the visitors to five to seven persons a day.

For Nepalis, it is Rs 5,500 for a flight while a foreigner needs to pay Rs 8,500. However, the denizen of Godawari can enjoy it with Rs 3,500.

The appropriate time for the paragliding is from 8:00 am to 11:00am. The service cannot be provided when it is raining, and during a storm, added Mr Adhikari.

## Buddha jayanti festival celebrated in kathmandu nepal.html

[Buddha Jayanti Festival celebrated in Kathmandu, Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddha-jayanti-festival-celebrated-in-kathmandu-nepal.html):  

Buddhist monks chant religious rhymes in a program to mark the 2558th Buddha Jayanti Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 14, 2014. Buddha Jayanti Festival is the most sacred festival of Buddhists and is celebrated with great enthusiasm to mark the day of birth of Buddha, his attained enlightenment, and Nirvana.

One can find Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour information by following link - Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
 

## Everest day celebrated with huge success.html

[Everest Day celebrated with huge success - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/everest-day-celebrated-with-huge-success.html): Everest Day has been celebrated in Western Springs Garden Community Hall in presence of Everest Summiteers Mr Peter Hillary, Mike Allsop and Peter Cammell in New Zealand.

According to a statement, members of parliament Phil Goeff and Kamal Jit Bakshi were among the distinguished guests in the program.

Welcoming all the guests and participants Vice-President of Non Resident Nepali Association, Rebat Basnet highlighted the importance of Everest Day in strengthening the relationship between Nepal and New Zealand.

Founder President Baburaja Maharjan stressed the importance of the monuments of Sir Edmund Hillary along with Tenzing Sherpa in Auckland where Sir Edmund Hillary was born. Mr Maharjan also expressed gratitude to Sir Edmund Hillary for his help, patronage and advises since 1995 till his last breathe.

Everest Summiteer Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary, remembered contribution of his father. He also suggested Nepali planners to promote mountaineering tourism by lifting all the royalties and taxes. Royalties and taxes are definitely not supporting to increase tourism. Mr Hillary gave an example of New Zealand saying that it doesn’t impose any taxes or royalties to the mountaineers; therefore mountaineering tourism is rising day by day.

Everest Summiteers Mike Allsop and Peter Cammell expressed their happiness to be on the summit and to participate in Everest Day Celebration.

National Coordinator Tez Bhattarai read the message from the Ambassador HE Rudra Kumar Nepal, Embassy of Nepal, Australia and Vice-President Kamal Waiba presented the message from Sir Ray Avery, Patron of NRNA New Zealand. At the program,NRNA ICC Member Loknath Paudyal was also there to celebrate the Everest day.

President of NRNA New Zealand Chakra Thapa expressed sincere thanks to all summiteers, MPs, sponsors, participants and colleagues for their active participation to make EVEREST DAY a grand success.

The program was hosted by Mrs Binu Karmacharya Shrestha and organized by Non Resident Nepali Association New Zealand.

## Brazils natl runner arrives to run 60 km everest extreme ultra marathon in nepal.html

[Brazil's nat'l runner arrives to run 60 km Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/brazils-natl-runner-arrives-to-run-60-km-everest-extreme-ultra-marathon-in-nepal.html): Brazilian national athlete Bernado Fonseca is already here for the first time to participate in the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon that will held on May 29, 2014.

The Ultra Marathon stretches 60 km from Everest Base Camp crisscrossing high glacier moraine valley to uphill trail running from Phortse to Nhala. The marathon will conclude at Namche.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital on Friday, Bernado said that this will be a new experience for him in the high altitude marathon.

“I have running experiences in Antarctica and Sahara desert.” says Bernado. Though it is impossible to beat Sherpas, it will be a good experience, Bernado added.

Organiser Himalaya Expeditions also claimed that the route is the world’s only highest uphill trail running marathon.

Himalaya Expeditions also considers that such high altitude sports would be a medium to attract tourists.

Himalaya Expedition had launched the marathon last year to mark the 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Mount Everest.

The participants will run together with 42.2 km Tenzing Hillary Everest runners. Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is also scheduled on the same day since last 12 years.

The marathon will see maximum 25 runners including both national and international participants.

Meanwhile, some 10 international participants including Bernado have already registered their names for the marathon, informed Shekhar Pandey of Himalayan Expeditions.

However, registrations for Nepalis will end on May 20, 2014, Pandey informed.

## Student dazzled by nepals beauty.html

[Student dazzled by Nepal's beauty - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/student-dazzled-by-nepals-beauty.html): Fifteen days in one of the most remote regions of the world has given Palmerston North student Arron Hefford an appreciation for the simple things in life.

A shower, a glass of water or walking on sealed streets are all hard to come by in the Himalayas, where the Awatapu College student has just been through a self-funded youth explorers trek in Nepal.

"It's quite hard to describe because it was so special," the 17-year-old said.

"It is a lot different to New Zealand and it was such a big culture shock.

"The people were very nice and the scenery was quite breath-taking, literally and figuratively, with the altitude."

Hefford left New Zealand for Kathmandu with 15 other students and two leaders on April 15 after hearing about the expedition in the school notices last year.

"I thought it sounded interesting because I'd done some studies on Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary previously," he said. "‘It was very exciting waiting for the trip to go because I'd talked to the people in charge and a girl in Palmerston North who had gone previously who said I would enjoy it, so I was anticipating a good experience."

After flying into Kathmandu the expedition took a connecting flight to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla - the centre of the Himalayas where their trek would begin.

"We followed the main tramping track from one town to the next, meeting people and taking photos," he said. "We also had a look at the impact Western civilisation had had, for example the Himalayan Trust - founded by Sir Edmund Hillary - built schools and hospitals.

"Everyone was really friendly and they loved to take pictures and have a conversation, if they knew English. One shopkeeper even had a conversation with me with a few Maori words."

The expedition was made aware of the fatal avalanche that killed 16 Sherpa guides on April 18 on neighbouring Mt Everest.

"The Sherpas communicate down the mountains and we found out there had been an incident, but didn't know the details," he said. "One of the guide's brothers died up there so he left but we met up with him and the wife of his brother and gave her a bit of money.

"It was sad because our leaders all talked to us about it and talking to his wife brought it close to home how dangerous the region is."

Hefford and his group hiked to 4600 metres during a day trek to the Ama Dablam base camp, staying the night at 3900m at Pangboche.

"The walk was optional but everyone did it on Anzac Day after a dawn service," he said. "The climb up took us a couple of hours but the view from the top of the mountain was beautiful - it was an overwhelming experience."   - Manawatu Standard

## Nepal mountaineering teams call off everest expedition.html

[Nepal Mountaineering teams call off Everest expedition - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-mountaineering-teams-call-off-everest-expedition.html): The mountaineering teams that lost their Sherpa guides in the avalanche at the Everest base camp on April 18 have decided to call off their attempt to scale the world's highest mountain this year.

Sangrila Nepal Private Limited, Himalayan Guides, Nepal Treks and Expedition Private Limited, Nepal Trekking Private Limited and Himalayan Treks and Expedition are preparing to cancel the expedition.

The pain of loosing members of the expedition team and lack of necessary human resource as well as the government's decision led them to the decision, according to the mountaineers.

The government took a decision recently to allow the teams that took permit for Everest expedition this year to make another attempt any time within the next five years.

Of the 13 Sherpa guides who lost their lives in the avalanche, six were members of the team from the Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expedition.

However, other teams, who did not suffer any casualty, are thinking of continuing with the expedition, said Kame Magar at the base camp.

"Foreign mountaineers come here after a long and arduous exercise for it, so it will be hard for them to call it off", added Magar.

A total of 32 expedition teams including one Nepali team had taken permit to scale Mt. Everest this season.

## Nepal everest avalanche claims 13 mountain guides.html

[Nepal Everest avalanche claims 13 mountain guides - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-everest-avalanche-claims-13-mountain-guides.html): As many as 13 mountain guides were killed when an avalanche swept away climbing parties at 5,800 meters, just below Camp II, of Mt Everest on Friday morning.

Dipendra Poudel of Trekking and Mountaineering Section under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) confirmed the deaths.

The identity of the deceased, however, is yet to be ascertained. Poudel, however, said all the deceased were Nepali mountain guides.

“Around 15 persons were swept away by the avalanche. We have recovered 13 bodies so far,” Poudel said.

He said rescue mission was underway under the coordination of the contact office at the Everest Base Camp that the tourism ministry started from this season. “Liaisons officers, personnel of Nepal Army and Armed Police Force as well as guides from Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and icefall doctors are involved in rescue operations,” he added.

Climbers of as many as six expeditions were swept away by the avalanche. “These expeditions were organized by operators like Alpine Ascent, Summit Nepal, Himalayan Guides and Beuyl, among others,” added Poudel. (Updates are coming)

## Nepal sets up contact office at everest base camp.html

[Nepal sets up contact office at Everest base camp - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-sets-up-contact-office-at-everest-base-camp.html): The Nepal government has finally set up a contact office at Mount Everest base camp, officials said yesterday.

This is the first venture of its kind in Nepal in a bid to make Nepal's mountaineering more safe and organised.

"The contact office has now come to existence since last Friday," Madhusudan Burlakoti, a high-level official at Nepal's tourism ministry told.

## Nepal domestic airlines raise airfare.html

[Nepal Domestic airlines raise airfare - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-domestic-airlines-raise-airfare.html): Airfare for domestic destinations have become dearer by around two percent with effect from March 17.

Domestic airlines raised the airfare after Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) hiked price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) by around Rs 6 per liter to Rs 143.

A meeting of Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) had taken the decision to raise airfare on March 14.

The government allows doemstic airlines to hike fuel surchage if ATF price his hiked by more than Rs 4 per liter.

The decision means airfare has increased in the range of Rs 65 to Rs 235 depending on routes. Airfare to Simara -- the nearest destination from Kathmandu -- has increased by Rs 65, while tickets to Dhangadhi -- the farthest destination from Kathmandu -- has become dearer by Rs 265. Airlines have raised airfare for mountian flights by Rs 225, Pokhara by Rs 100, Bhairahawa by Rs 120, Biratnagar by Rs 140, Nepalgunj by Rs 180, Tumlingtar by Rs 100, Janakpur by Rs 90, Bharatpur by Rs 80 and Lukla by Rs 85.

Airfare for mountain flights will now cost Rs 10,660. Similarly, it will cost Rs 4,970 for a flight to Pokhara, Rs 6,085 for Bhairahawa, Rs 6,835 for Biratnagar, Rs 8,435 for Nepalgunj, Rs 7,765 for Bhadrapur, Rs 5,080 for Tumlingtar, Rs 4,250 for Janakpur, Rs 3,670 for Bharatpur and Rs 4,450 for Lukla.

## Everest base camp trek named the best trekking route in world.html

[Everest Base Camp Trek named the best trekking route in world - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/everest-base-camp-trek-named-the-best-trekking-route-in-world.html): British newspaper Daily Mail and World Expeditions – a UK-based expeditions operator – have included Everest Base Camp Trek in the No.1 position of world’s best trekking routes.

“This classic trek through traditional Sherpa villages to the base of the world’s highest mountain and nearby peak of Kala Pattar is, of course, a showstopper. It is packed with ‘grab your camera’ moments as you take in vistas of Mount Everest, pass ancient monasteries and spot wildlife a-plenty en route,” the newspaper writes about the Everest Base Camp Trek. But cautioning its readers that the trek might be crowded during peak tourist season, the newspaper has also recommended an alternative trek to Gokyo Lake for the trekkers. “A great alternative to Everest Base Camp trek, this tranquil trek through the Sherpa heartlands allows plenty of time to savor spectacular mountains capes from the comfort of private permanent campsites. You’ll still have your head above the clouds as you ascend Gokyo Ri (5,000m) from where you can snap superb photos of Everest, and the 8,000m peaks of Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu,” the newspaper says about the trek. “Climb high above the shimmering lakes at sundown and witness one of the most spectacular sunset displays the Himalaya has to offer.”

Mt Everest has always remained the center of attraction for adventure enthusiasts all over the world. It has been drawing adventure seekers from the around the world ever since its first summit by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillay in 1953. Thousands of trekkers visit the Everest region every year to experience the tallest mountain on earth, Sherpa culture, breathtaking sceneries, and lots of other high mountain peaks in the Himalayas.

Other trekking routes in the list are: Highlands of Ethiopia, John Muir Trail of USA, Huayhuash Circuit of Peru, Bungle Bungles Picaninny Gorge Trek of Australia and Bernese Oberland of Switzerland.

(For more details: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2575785/The-six-best-treks-world-Everest-Bungle-Bungles-beyond.html)

Everest Base Camp Trek - Package Detail - >  http://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking/everest-base-camp-trek.html
 

## Nepal holi festival celebrations.html

[Nepal Holi festival celebrations - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-holi-festival-celebrations.html): Nepal is celebrating Holi or Fagu festival on Sunday by throwing colours and water at each other.

Holi is rooted in the mythology of demon king Hiranya Kashyap and his sister Holika. In a plot to kill his son Pralad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, the king had directed his sister to enter fire with Pralad on her lap. Holika had powers against fire, but because she had misused her boon, the fire engulfed her, leaving Pralad untouched. Holi is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil.

The festival is a government holiday. Holi officially begins with the planting of Chir, a bamboo pole decorated with colourful cloths, in Basantapur a week earlier. At the end of Holi the Chir is burnt and it is considered auspicious to wear of tika of the ashes. The festival will be celebrated on Monday in Terai region.

This year, police has stepped up security against hooliganism in Holi. Anyone throwing water balloons or colour at someone without his or her consent is liable to face jail sentence. Traffic police will also conduct special checks all day to prevent drunk driving and ensure that traffic rules are followed.

## Nepal trekking  new trail explored in round dhaulagiri trek.html

[Nepal Trekking - New trail explored in Round Dhaulagiri Trek - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-trekking--new-trail-explored-in-round-dhaulagiri-trek.html): An alternative trekking trail for the Beni-Darbang section of Round Dhaulagiri trekking route has been identified.

The new trail was explored as the existing Beni-Singa-Tatopani-Babiyachaur-Darbang trail became of new use due to construction of motor roads. The new trail starts from Beni and progresses through Pachhai, Dholthan, Jagannath, Purnagaun and Darbang.

Local Development Officer of Myagdi Bishnu Prasad Sharma said the new trail was identified with the funding of District Development Committee, Myagdi. He said the survey team has proposed for a budget of Rs 10 million to develop necessary infrastructures along the new trail. The new trail can be completed in two days. It meets the Round Dhaulagiri Trekking Route at Bim Village Development COmmittee (VDC).

The new trail passes through important historical and religious sites like Dholthan and Jangannath, and viewpoints like Todke.

The DDC Myagdi took the initiative to explore new trail after trekkers started moving to other trekking areas in the country due to movement of vehicles as well as pollution on the existing Beni-Darbang section.

Meanwhile, the DDC Myagdi has set aside Rs 500,000 to develop infrastructures on Todke-Malika section of the new trail.

## Now apply for nepal trekking permit online.html

[Now apply for Nepal trekking permit online - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/now-apply-for-nepal-trekking-permit-online.html): The Department of Immigration (DoI) has introduced online application system for trekking permits.Issuing a notice, DoI has asked trekking agencies to file online application for trekking permits. The department has also stated that it won’t accept paper-based application system now onwards.According to the notice, trekking agencies should apply for trekking permit by visiting www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np or www.nepalimmigration.gov.np. After filling up the details, they would get electronic receipt through email.

Trekking agencies will then have to produce bank voucher and receipt as well as other documents to the Immigration Office within 15 days of the filing of application.  In a bid to simplify the permit issuance system, DoI has said that trekking agencies will need to submit company registration certificate, license issued by the tourism ministry, foreign exchange certificate issued by Nepal Rastra Bank, PAN certificate and tax clearance certificate once a year only.

DoI issues trekking permits to different controlled trekking areas in the country like Upper Mustang, Upper Manaslu and Upper Dolpa, among others.

## Nepal govt lowers everest climbing fee.html

[Nepal Govt lowers Everest climbing fee - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-govt-lowers-everest-climbing-fee.html): The government has lowered permit fee for Mt Everest by nearly 50 percent.

Issuing a notice on the Nepal Gazette on February 12, the government also introduced separate permit fee for Nepali and foreign climbers. So far, the government had been levying same permit fee for Nepali and foreign climbers. While the new permit fee for Nepali climbers came into effect from February 12 itself, the new fee for foreign climbers will come into effect from January 1, 2015.

As per the new fee structure, foreign climbers will have to pay US$ 11,000 per person as permit fee for normal route (South East Ridge) in the spring season. So far, foreign climbers have been paying $25,000 per person. Similarly, permit fee for other routes has been fixed at $10,000. Existing permit fee for normal route is $15,000 per person.

At present the government charges $25,000 for one climber, $40,000 for two climber$48,000 for three climbers, $56,000 for four climbers, $60,000 for five climbers, $66,000 for six climbers and $70 climbers for seven climbers. For expedition peaks having more than seven members, permit fee of $10,000 per person for each extra climbers. An expedition can have a maximum of 15 members.

The government has eliminated the group royalty system. Now, expedition teams have to pay permit fee of $11,000 per person regardless of the number of climbers.

Permit fee for Nepali climbers for normal route has been fixed at Rs 75,000 per person. For other routes, the fee has been fixed at Rs 60,000.

The government reduced the royalty fee as per the recommendations of a committee headed by Purna Chandra Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The government has also introduced new permit fee for other mountain peaks. According to the notice, permit fee of $1,800 has been fixed for mountains above 8,000 meters except Mt Everest. Similarly, permit fee of $600 has been fixed for mountains of 7,501 to 7,999 meters, $500 for mountains 7,001 to 7,500 meters, $500 for mountains of 6,501 to 6,999 meters and $250 for mountains below 6,500 meters. Permit fee for Amadablam has been fixed at $400 per person.

Nepali climbers will have to pay Rs 10,000 for mountains above 8,000 meters except Mt Everest, Rs 8,000 for mountains of 7,501 to 7,999 meters, Rs 6,000 for mountains 7,001 to 7,500 meters, Rs 5,000 for mountains of 6,501 to 6,999 meters, Rs 8,000 for Mt Amadablam and Rs 4,000 for mountains below 6,500 meters.

Of the 1,792 mountains identified in Nepal, only 326 have been opened for commercial expedition. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) issues permit for 33 of the 326 mountains opened for expedition.

## Taan to promote nepal in los angeles.html

[TAAN to promote Nepal in Los Angeles - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-to-promote-nepal-in-los-angeles.html): A 12-member delegation of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has left for the US to participate in the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show 2014.

The three-day event will kick off at Long Beach Convention Center, Los Angeles on February 8. Rajendra Sapkota, coordinator of TAAN’s Nepal Promotion and Exhibition Department, is leading the delegation. Eleven trekking companies, including two member companies of TAAN Pokhara Chapter, are in the delegation. The participating companies are: Outshine Adventure, Himalayas On Foot, Destination Nepal Trek & Expeditions, Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expedition, Makalu Adventure, Adventures in Asia Treks, Osho World Adventure, Sherpa Society, and Seven Brothers Summiters Treks & Expedition of Kathmandu and Ridge Trail Trekking and Line Up Treks & Expedition are in the delegation.

The delegation will promote newly explored trekking trails like Lumba Sumba, Ruby Valley, Lower Manslu, Rara Dolpa Circuit and Rara Khaptad along with other adventure tourism products. TAAN is centering its activities in line with its slogan ‘Nepal for All Seasons’.

The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is being organized for the past nine years. TAAN has been participating in the event since 2012.

## Nepal  canyoning exploration in lwang ghalel.html

[Nepal : Canyoning exploration in Lwang Ghalel - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal--canyoning-exploration-in-lwang-ghalel.html): A five-day canyoning exploration concluded at Lwang Ghalel and Ghachok of Kaski concluded on February 1.

The exploration was organized by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara Chapter while technical support was provided by Nepal Canyoning Association. The exploration was promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and supported by Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP), DDC Kaski, Lwang Ghalel VDC and Paddle Nepal.

The exploration was organized to promote Kudi Falls at Ghattekhola of Lwang Ghalel VDC as a canyoning site.

“We organized the exploration to promote the area as a hub for adventure tourism,” acting president of TAAN Pokhara Chapter.  “Now we will promote Kudi Khola as a destination for adventure tourists. We hope it will help bring in more adventure tourists to Pokhara,” he added.

The Kudi Falls is 107 meters tall.

As the canyoning site lies on the Mardi Himal Trek, locals are also preparing to open home stay facilities in the area.

Dhan Prasad Gurung, coordinator of TAAN’s HR & Training Department, and Ranjan Rajbhandari, coordinator of TAAN’s Sports & Events Department, were present in the concluding ceremony.

## Nepal  10th chitwan elephant festival from december 26.html

[Nepal : 10th Chitwan Elephant Festival from December 26 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal--10th-chitwan-elephant-festival-from-december-26.html): The Regional Hotel Association Nepal Chitwan is organizing 10th Chitwan Elephant Festival in Sauraha of Chitwan from December 26 to 30.

The event will feature activities like elephant race, elephant football, elephant beauty contest, ox cart race, horse cart race and canoeing race. Similarly, the organizers will give information about daily activities of elephants to the visitors. 

The event will feature cultural activities of Tharu – the indigenous community living in and around Sauraha.

Organized since 2004, the elephant festival is already a popular event in Nepal’s tourism calendar. The event draws thousands of domestic and foreign visitors to Sauraha every year. It also attracts media representatives from different parts of the world.

## Tourist visa information of nepal.html

[Tourist Visa Information of Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourist-visa-information-of-nepal.html): Tourist Visa
Foreign visitors, other than Indian nationals, who intends to visit Nepal must hold valid passport or any travel document equivalent to passport issued by the Govt. for visiting a foreign country prior to apply for visa.

 
Just Keep in Mind
No foreigner is entitled to enter into and stay in the Kingdom of Nepal without valid visa. 

Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other mission offices or immigration offices located on entry points in Nepal. 

Free Visa for 3 (or less than) days single entry.

Once the visa is issued, it will not be amended, revalidated and visa fees will not be refunded. 

Personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted.

There will be no charge for children under 10 years. However, visa is required. 


Following types of tourist visas may be obtained from Nepal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. For the first visit in visa year 

TYPE OF VISA - VISA VALID FOR -  FEE

a) Single Entry - 60 Days  - Us$ 30/-

b) Multiple Entry (Double Entry) - 60 Days - US$ 80/-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. For next time within the same visa year 

TYPE OF VISA - VISA VALID FOR - FEE

a) Single Entry - 30 Days - Us$ 30/-

b) Multiple Entry (Double Entry) - 30 Days - US$ 30/-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry validity: Six months from the date of issue. The validity of visa dates are counted from the the date of arrival in Nepal.

Visa Extension: A tourist visa can be extended from the Department of Immigration and Pokhara Immigration Office for a total of 120 days. An additional 30 days visa may be granted on reasonable grounds from the apartment. Over the course of a visa year, a tourist cannot stay in Nepal more than cumulative 150 days.

What is required?

a) Valid Passport. (with a validity of a minimum period of six months)

b) Application form.

c) One Photograph.

d) Visa fees in cash or Postal Order or Bank Draft made payable to the Royal Nepalese Embassy, London.

e) If you are applying by post, please send Self Addressed Envelope with Stamp (SAE)

f) Minimum time required for personal application to process a visa is 24 hours.

g) Application by post takes about two weeks.

## Adventure tourism operators to be regulated in nepal.html

[Adventure tourism operators to be regulated in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/adventure-tourism-operators-to-be-regulated-in-nepal.html): With the number of firms operating adventure tourism mushrooming in the country, the government has introduced a new provision to bring such enterprises under the scanner.

A new regulation unveiled by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation seeks firms operating adventure activities like canyoning, caving, fun park, bungy jumping, zip flying, rock climbing, mountaineering, and cable car, among others to seek license from the Tourism Industry Division.

As per the directive, companies applying for the license need to submit feasibility study report, details and map of the place where the business is to be operated including landownership or agreement certificate, citizenship and bio-data of shareholders, copies of company registration and industry registration certificate and prospectus, report of Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and documents related to insurance, among others. 

The division has fixed license fee (valid for five years) and renewal fee depending on the type of business. For Fun Park with cable car the government has fixed Rs 75,000 as license fee and Rs 35,000 as renewal fee, while for bungee jumping license fee and renewal fee has been fixed at Rs 40,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively. Similarly, license and renewal fee for canyoning has been fixed at Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively. License fee of Rs 50,000 and renewal fee of Rs 25,000 have been fixed for cable car, amusement park and fun park.

## Nepal online visa application system launched.html

[Nepal Online visa application system launched - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-online-visa-application-system-launched.html): The Department of Immigration (DoI) has started accepting online application for visa. According to officials, foreigners can fill-up visa application form at the DoI’s new website – www.online.nepalimmigration.gov.np. The service has been currently launched on trial basis. The department will make the complete system online once the new website starts full-fledged operation. The department will also accept online application for trekking permits to different controlled areas in the country once the site starts full-fledged operation.

The department issues 12 types of visas --  marriage, study, business, residential, tourist, transit, NRN, relation, working, diplomatic, official and dependent. Similarly, it issues special trekking permits to different controlled areas in the country where group trekking is allowed. To apply for visa online, applicants need to fill up the application form available at the website. After submitting their details, applicants will get a receipt which they will have to submit to the immigration authority in Nepal along with necessary documents and visa fee to get visa.

According to DoI officials, application submitted online will remain in the system only for 15 days. This means the applicants will have to contact the immigration authority within the given time.

## Nepal govt told to hike everest royalty fee.html

[Nepal Govt told to hike Everest royalty fee - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-govt-told-to-hike-everest-royalty-fee.html): A study team has made slew of recommendations, including hiking royalty fee for Mt Everest, to the government in order to make Nepal’s mountaineering sector more managed. 

The 10-member team led by Purna Chandra Bhattarai, Chief of Tourism Industry Division under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has suggested to the government to charge US$ 11,000 per person as royalty fee for Mt Everest. Fee for Nepali climbers, however, has been suggested at Rs 75,000. It has suggested to the government to fix royalty fee for other peaks on the basis of their heights. The team has also suggested scrapping the existing group permit system. 

The team has given 50-point suggestions on various issues related to the mountaineering sector to the government. 

It has also suggested to the government to open up 32 new peaks for commercial expedition and take necessary initiatives so that five new eight-thousanders of Nepal gets international recognition.  The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) is currently studying the proposal to recognize five new eight-thousanders of Nepal. The five peaks are Yarlung Khang – 8,505m (also known as Kanchenjunga West), Kanchenjunga Central – 8,473m (Nepal-India border), Kanchenjunga South – 8,476m (Nepal- India border), Lhotse Middle – 8,413m (Nepal-China border) and Lhotse Shar – 8,400m (Nepal-China border). 

The team has also suggested to the government to name new peaks and base camps after legendary mountaineers and scholars like George Mallory, Andrew Irvine, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Edmund Hillary, Phu Dorjee Sherpa, Maurice Herzog, Luis Lachenal, Apa Sherpa and Dr Harka Gurung.  In a bid to discourage the tendency of setting records on Everest, the team has suggested to the government to recognize records on shortest summit, summit without bottled oxygen and maximum summits only if prior approval has been taken. Similarly, it has suggested to the government to fix fee for hoisting flags (except the national flags and the flags of the expedition teams) on the summit to discourage increasing commercialization of Mt Everest.

## Nepal 165 new peaks open to climbers.html

[Nepal: 165 new peaks open to climbers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-165-new-peaks-open-to-climbers.html): Kathmandu : Nepal is gearing up to offer adventure tourists new climbing challenges next year by opening 165 virgin peaks to climbers, officials said.

"Of around 1,500 peaks in the country, only 326 are currently open for climbers. This needs to change. We are aiming to gradually open more and more peaks to attract more and more climbers," Mohan Krishna Sapkota , a Tourism Ministry spokesman said.

The peaks Nepal is preparing to open range in height from 5,500 meters to the 8,077-meter Yalungkhang West located in the Kanchenjunga massif in eastern Nepal, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, convener of a government committee formed to locate and recommend new peaks for climbing.

In Nepal, mountains lower than 5,500 meters are not considered peaks.

"We have recognized that the best way to develop the country's rural areas is by developing them as mountain tourism destinations. The peaks we have recommended for climbing are located in such a way that all regions of the country can benefit from tourism," Sherpa, who is also a former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.

Many of the peaks are unnamed.

Among them, four have been selected to be named after mountaineering legends Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand, Tenzing Norgay from Nepal, Maurice Herzog from France and Louis Lachenal from France.

In 1953, Hillary and Norgay became the first men to climb Mt. Everest.

Earlier in 1950, Herzog and Lachenal climbed Mt. Annapurna, becoming the first men to climb an 8,000-meter peak.

The four are credited for having made the biggest contribution to promoting mountain tourism in Nepal.

Naming mountains after them is the best tribute to their contribution to the country, officials said.

A 7,681-meter peak and a 7,916-meter peak, both between Mt. Everest and Mt. Cho Oyu in eastern Nepal, have been picked for being named after Hillary and Norgay, respectively.

Similarly, a 7,555-meter peak and a 7,140-meter peak, both near the Annapurna range in western Nepal, have been selected to be named after Herzog and Lachenal, Sherpa said.

Mountaineers, Alpine clubs, expedition operators and trekking agencies around the world, apart from locals in Nepal, have long asked the government to open new peaks. The last time government opened new peaks was in 2004.

Nepal's mountains attract thousands of climbers every year, providing significant contribution to the economy and employing thousands in Nepal.- Kyodo News ( Sept 6,2013 )

## Nepal to keep tighter control of mount everest climbs.html

[Nepal to keep 'tighter control' of Mount Everest climbs - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-to-keep-tighter-control-of-mount-everest-climbs.html): Kathmandu : Nepal’s tourism ministry said  it plans to exercise tighter control of climbers scaling Mount Everest to make sure they keep the world’s highest peak clean and to prevent rows.

The ministry will set up a 10-member team made up of government officials, veteran Nepalese climbers and security officers that will start work when the next climbing season opens in the spring.

The team will ensure that climbers do not leave trash on the mountain, Purna Chandra Bhattarai, chief of the tourism industry division at the tourism ministry told AFP.

“Everest has already earned notoriety as the world’s highest dumping site so we want to make sure each expedition follows the government guideline and does not leave trash,” he said.

Late last year, a group of artists staged an exhibition of sculpture made from tonnes of trash collected on Mount Everest, highlighting the toll that decades of mountaineering have taken.

Discarded oxygen and cooking gas cylinders, ropes, tents, glasses, beer cans, plastic and even the remains of a helicopter made up 75 artworks commissioned for the “Everest 8848 Art Project” displayed in Kathmandu.

The team being set up by the tourism ministry would also seek to prevent conflicts among the mountaineers.

Tempers sometimes boil over on the slopes of Everest among climbers who scramble to get to the top.

Early in this year’s climbing season, three European climbers exchanged blows with a group of furious Nepalese guides after a dispute over climbing rights on Everest.

The Nepalese claimed the Europeans ignored a request to stay in base camp while ropes were fixed on the Lhotse Face for commercial climbers, but the Europeans claimed they were free to ascend because they did not use ropes.

“We want to make sure that an incident like the one that occurred this season will not be repeated in the future,” Bhattarai said.

The fight caused a rift between Western climbers who head to the Himalayas and the often lowly-paid Nepalese guides and porters who are vital for expeditions.

Nepal has already made it mandatory for each expedition team to hire liaison officers from the ministry to ensure better relations with locals.

On May 29, Nepal marked the 60th anniversary of the first summit of Everest, honouring the family members of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first summiteers.- AFP

## Best season to travel in nepal.html

[Best season to travel in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/best-season-to-travel-in-nepal.html): Here is a rough guide of best times for tourists /travelers to visit in nepal. Nepal usually has beautiful weather all around and has primarily 5 seasons. Winter , spring, summer, monsoon (rainy), autumn (fall).


Summer (June to September)

Also the torrential monsoon rainy season. Usually people go to rain safe areas like Mustang and Dolpa for trekking. The greenery of the hills and the plains make it an unique time to appreciate the beauty of nature. An interesting event is held throughout the country near the end of June to mark the importance of farming in Nepal where travelers can experience the sowing of paddy samplings, mixed with the fun of mud throwing at each other and enjoying Dahi Chiura – yogurt and beaten rice.

Sightseeing the temples, stupas and architectural heritages of the Kathmandu valley, namely the Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares.

Bungee Jumping takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.

Festivals like Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami, Krishnastami are held during this time.


Autumn (October to November)

Most popular tourist season and arguably the best all around weather in Nepal. Major festivals like dasain, tihar, chhath and Eid are held during this time. A good time to go for allaround cultural and nature experience.

Ideal for for trekking to all the routes available in Nepal like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek.

This season is also ideal for rafting and kayaking, mountain flights, paragliding, parahawking, ultra light flight, mountain biking, bungee jumping,  jungle safari in the Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park.

Mountaineering expeditions are also launched during this time but the season is not as popular as the spring.

Sightseeing the cultural and religious heritages of the Kathmandu valley can be organized. 


Winter (December to February)

A lot of cultural tourists come in at this time and southern nepal is cool enough to travel. Lumbini (birthplace of Gautama Buddha) is a good time to go to at this time. Jungle safari in the Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park is offered during this season. Festivals like Losar, Maghe Sakranti, Basanti Panchami, Bibaha Panchami are held during this season.

Bungee Jumping, mountain flights, adventure flying in Pokhara – paragliding, parahawking and ultralight flight – sightseeing the cultural and religious heritages of the Kathmandu valley can be organized.

Trekking to the routes which does not involve the high altitude passes and places can be organized. Hiking in the low hills can also be organized. There are very few mountaineering expeditions during this time.


Spring (March to mid May)

Favorite time for mountain climbers and expedition trips. Another favorite time for tourists as most of Nepal has beautiful weather at this time.The hills are colored with rhododendrons. climbing trekking peak Trekking to most of the routes resume after the winter break at those routes with high altitudes.

Bungee Jumping, mountain flights, adventure flying in Pokhara – paragliding, parahawking and ultralight flight – sightseeing the cultural and religious heritages of the Kathmandu valley can be organized.

Festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Ram Nawami, Chaite Dasain, Buddha Jayanti are held during this period.   Frankly, anytime in Nepal is a captivating experience and there are plenty of options when it comes to adventuring in Nepal.

## Dhamala elected as president of trekking agencies association of nepal taan.html

[Dhamala elected as president of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dhamala-elected-as-president-of-trekking-agencies-association-of-nepal-taan.html): The 35th annual general meeting (AGM) of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) held on Friday elected a new executive committee with Ramesh Dhamala of Ecological Treks as the new president.

The panel led by Dhamala swept the election winning all 17 posts on offer. Dhamal, who garnered 321 votes, defeated his competitor Jangbu Sherpa by 60 votes. Immediate past president Mahendra Singh Thapa and President of TAAN Pokhara Chapter Narayan Sapkota are also in the executive committee. The 23-member executive committee will take complete shape after the newly elected president nominates four members.

Keshav Pandey, Kami Rinji Sherpa, Kul Bahadur Gurung and Sagar Pandey have been elected senior vice-president, 1st vice-president, 2nd vice-president and general secretary, respectively. The AGM also elected Pasang Sherpa, Gopal Babu Shrestha and Tilak Bahadur Thapa Magar as secretary, treasurer and joint-treasurer, respectively.

Similarly, Gokul Sapkota, Palsang Tamang, Pasang Tendi Sherpa, Namaraj Gauli, Ang Pemba Sherpa, Rajendra Sapkota, Nilhari Bastola, Meghnad Timalsina and Dhan Prasad Gurung have been elected executive members.

The new executive committee will serve for a term of two years.

Earlier, Secretary at the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sushil Ghimire inaugurated the Annual General Meeting. He also unveiled maps and promotional DVDs of three trekking trails – Humla-Rara, Rara-Khaptad and Jaljala – in mid and far western development regions.

Secretary Ghimire also felicitated top five trekking companies with ‘Best TIMS Sales Award’. Royal High Mt Trekking, Earthbound Expeditions, Sasha’s Mountain Way Trekking, Thamserku Trekking and Himalayan Encounters were the top five companies for the fiscal year 2012/13 in terms of issuance of TIMS cards.

He also felicitated Raju Chitrakar of TAAN Secretariat and staff of TIMS Check Point at Tatopani with ‘Best Staff Award’ and handed over letter of appreciation to Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Purna Chandra Bhattarai.

Speaking at the AGM, outgoing president Mahendra Singh Thapa said tourist spending has not increased in line with the growth in tourist arrivals. “The government should look into the issue seriously,” he said, urging the government to fix minimum benchmark price for tourism products and services so as to increase tourist spending.

## Nepal govt waives off climbing permit for five more years.html

[Nepal Govt waives off climbing permit for five more years - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-govt-waives-off-climbing-permit-for-five-more-years.html): The government has decided to waive off climbing permit fee for mountain peaks in mid and far western regions for five more years effective from July 16.

Sending a notification to Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) said it decided to extend royalty waiver after witnessing significant rise in trekking and mountaineering activities in mid and far western region over the past five years.

Earlier, the government had waived off climbing permit fee for mountain peaks in mid and far western region for five years starting July, 2008.

TAAN had been lobbying with MoCTCA for extension of royalty waiver arguing that trekking and mountaineering activities in mid and far western region was increasing gradually.

## Turkish airlines starts flights to nepal.html

[Turkish Airlines starts flights to Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/turkish-airlines-starts-flights-to-nepal.html): Turkish Airlines started scheduled flights to Nepal on September 2.

The Airbus A330 aircraft of the Istanbul-based carrier landed at Tribhuvan International Airlines at 7:15 am with 280 passengers on board. It left for Istanbul at 8:45 am.

Turkish Airlines will initially operate four flights a week on Istanbul-Kathmandu route. It will fly to Kathmandu from its hub in Istanbul on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

“Kathmandu has a long history dating to 100 BC and is home to many unique cultural and historical sites, including a large number of Buddhist and Hindu temples which are protected by UNESCO designations,” the airline said in a statement, adding, “In addition, it is the starting point for numerous climbing and trekking expeditions across the Himalayan range.”

The airline has established direct link of Kathmandu with Europe. There had been no scheduled flights between Kathmandu and European cities since Lufthansa pulled out from Nepal in 1997.

According to Zenith Travels – the GSA of Turkish Airlines in Nepal, the airline has received overwhelming response in Nepal. It has received cent percent bookings for Kathmandu flights until January. Similarly, flights to Istanbul have already been booked until November.

Turkish Airlines plan to increase flights frequency to seven flights a week depending on traffic.

The Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Nepal and Turkey, which was signed in September 2010, allows the designated carriers of two countries to operate 14 flights per week each on Kathmandu-Istanbul sector.

## Security beefed up in lumbini following bodhgaya blasts.html

[Security beefed up in Lumbini following Bodhgaya blasts - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/security-beefed-up-in-lumbini-following-bodhgaya-blasts.html): Security has been tightened in and around the famous Buddhist shrine of Lumbini in Kapilvastu following the serial bomb blasts in India's Bodhgaya.

More Armed Police Force (APF) personnel have been mobilised in Lumbini and the vicinity in view of possible terror attacks.

Quoting Deputy Superintendent of Police in Bhairahawa, Hari Bahadur Pal, RSS said 30 policemen under the command of an Inspector have been added in the area while some border areas and checkpoints have more plainclothes security personnel to maintain vigil.

The Lumbini Development Trust has said Kapilvastu, Ramgram and other places which are also under high security watch, the report said. An emergency meeting of the Trust three days ago had decided to boost security following the July 7 blasts in Bodhgaya, a Buddhist shrine in the Indian state of Bihar.

Five people, including two monks, were injured by the blasts. Three other devices were defused by bomb disposal squads at various locations in Gaya. Bodhgaya is a UNESCO heritage site.

## Salyan off the beaten trail head.html

[Salyan: off the beaten trail head - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/salyan-off-the-beaten-trail-head.html): The obvious stops are a must when you are new to an old town. Without Pashupati, Boudha, Swayambhu and the Durbar Squares, you have not seen Kathmandu.

Just like without Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara some would argue you haven’t seen Nepal.

And yet, since Naturally Nepal is the Nepal you are visiting in 2011, it is natural indeed that you are escorted to the obvious parts. But if “Once is not enough” and you are back to the country for a second helping, why not try something new, something hidden but something equally beautiful?

Tucked neatly into the midwestern hills, Salyan is a district without much hype. Surprisingly so, even when it shares its borders with the famous Maoist heartland of Rukum-Rolpa.

Equally impacted by the ten-year insurgency, and yet unequally mentioned in the international media and national conversations, it is an unassuming part of the country.

But, sometimes the best surprises are the ones that have been kept quiet. And, Salyan is no exception. 

Complete with stunning hills, delicious cuisine and a reminder of quieter times, it is a place to visit if you need a vacation from your vacation, if the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu is something you could do without for a few days.

Kathmandu, my hometown, is something I can do without every once in a while; so if work or play offers to take me to the less explored parts, I’m always game.

Getting to Salyan is half the fun, since if you take the road you will be part of the changing scenery. So if you heed my advice and skip the 55-minute shortcut flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, you can squeeze yourself into a microbus in the capital city instead.

It won’t even cost you Rs. 3,000 for a roundtrip between Kathmandu and Khalanga. 

Some ten hours later, past both hilly and flat terrains, you’ll find yourself in Ghorahi. Give yourself a restful night in the estate-turned Hotel Madhuwan.  Complete with a manager who has recently returned from India and décor from the early 20th century, check yourself into one of the 12 bedrooms and tuck in for the night. 

Next day, pack up and hop onto a local bus that will take you to Tulsipur. At the Tulsipur bus stop, seat yourself into a bus that will quickly overcrowd with people, animals and sacks of rice, potatoes and what not. But don’t forget to enjoy the scenery, as it quickly changes from flat to hills again. 

In some four hours you will find yourself in Srinagar, a growing town where surrounding villages drop by to purchase supplies. 

Here the boxes of apples and other goodies stored on the roof of the bus will be dumped for the stores to stock up with. And you’ll soon be on your way to Khalanga, the district headquarter of Salyan.  The drive from Srinagar to Khalanga is a pleasant surprise – complete with trees, trees and more trees, a rarity of sort in Nepal these days. 

The road, parts of which are still under construction, will arrange for the bus to pass by, but you’ll be too busy if you are as delighted as me to see trees covering the hills yonder into the distance. Unpaved, though, you will be caked in dust, but the road makes this trip much less arduous than it was just a few years ago. 

A friend later asked me about the bumpy ride, and he was happy to hear it was smooth, if only dusty.  Once you’ve scooted off of your seat at the Khalanga bus stop, make your way for the freshly painted Milan Guest House. 

A mere stone’s throw away, the guesthouse is basic, but also described as one of the best in town by the locals.  The rooms are clean, even if there is only a common bathroom. But when there is electricity you can flick on the TV in your room. Not bad at all for a night that will cost you less than Rs.400.  After settling in and deciding that a walk about and a snack would be nice, the friendly owner of the hotel suggests we walk back to the bus stop and enjoy some of the oranges and peanuts being sold – “Ramailo hunchha,” we were told, it will be fun. 

Looking for something more filling though, we hunt for the popular Nepali chowmein readily available in any bhatti or reasonably priced restaurants elsewhere.  But we’re told there is no chowmein in Salyan, just chiura (beaten rice), or sukuti. Not in the mood for strips of marinated and sun-dried pieces of ranga (male buffalos), we decline. 

However, having arrived on a Saturday when after walking about most of the town –all in less than fifteen minutes – we discovered nothing really was open, so we contemplated the sukuti. The bus stop is the center of town; from there it branches into four directions. 

One to Srinagar. Another up a tiny slope to the Milan Guest House, and past that to the government offices, which eventually loops back into the bus stop.  The third is down a street of shops and offices selling cloths, cell phones and basic goods like batteries, crackers, glue and what not. The fourth and final one leads past the only cyber café, and onto a maidan, an open ground. 

We decided the oranges and peanuts weren’t going to satisfy us, and we could do them at Ratna Park anyway. So we thought, since our stomach had settled after our four-plus-hour bus drive, we’d try the sukuti.  Probably the best decision I made all day. 

For a mere Rs.40, I got a plate of perfectness – chewy without being impossible, juicy with just the right amount of salt, spices and whatever else they make it with.  Let’s just say it was not missing any of the je ne sais quoi. Striking a conversation with our server, I learnt the young fellow had recently returned from a yearlong stint at a restaurant in Bhaktapur to help his uncle with this new business.  Pleased with my sukuti, I asked if they had momos, the unofficial Nepali food. 

The boy explained that since it was a Saturday, no meat was available in the market and hence no momos. But he suggested I come by the day after. 

As the day was drawing to an end, I promised I would and made my way to the hotel, all of fifty feet away.  Salyan, lest I forget to mention, struck me as a perfect cross between the small town Mussoorie and the charming Darjeeling. So, if you know anything about hill stations, you’ll know that houses are built with pillars as its foundation so that buildings can actually be built. 

In a crowded city, this turns into very messy business; but in a small town, each building is then complete with a scenic view of the hills and mountains.  In my rush to take a walk around the city, I had not registered the most brilliant view available from the balcony-hallway of our hotel.  As the day was coming to an end and it was just before dusk, I witnessed the most beautiful view – of one hill after another rolling into the distance with a thick layer of fog having descended below, but every bit visible.  To top it off, the sun was just about to set, and it was so magnificent that I didn’t dare miss a minute of it to run to my room and find my camera. 

I probably didn’t even blink, and instead I tried with all my might to hold that vision in my mind and to lock it into a special corner.  The next morning, I woke up early just to have a second peek at the same view. Not a morning person though, I foolishly snoozed my alarm one too many times and missed the sunrise I would have been able to cherish for years. But the sight at 8 am of the sun starting to brightly light the picture was still gleaming.  The fog took its time to clear though, and I enjoyed the few precious minutes I was privy to viewing this. I counted one, two, three … up to fourteen hills in the distance that layered one past the other. 

And I thanked my lucky stars I had had the opportunity to witness nature at its best without needing to climb the highest mountain or travel to the most talked about destination.  I gobbled my granola bar with a cup of ginger tea since a breakfast isn’t normal in these parts. I’m told the largest supplier of ginger in Nepal is actually Salyan. And this quickly becomes evident as I begin to notice how generous they were with ginger in their cooking! 

There are two meals prepared and served each day in the hotel we were staying at, or for that matter, at any other restaurant in town.  There is no need for a menu for the meal costs about Rs.100 and is always set – a plate of rice, daal, green vegetables, potatoes, pickle and a side of meat (for an additional price) if you are a non-vegetarian. 

During my first few meals, I pushed the too-green vegetables aside, thinking they looked artificial as they were a very distinct bright green. It was only in a later conversation that I was told the greens are a real green in Salyan because the vegetables are fresh from the hotel’s garden.  I thought I should believe them and knew it was true when I tasted the vegetable – it was absolutely delicious. 

So good that in an effort to compensate for the days I’d pushed it aside, I ate the rice with the vegetables alone.  A few days in Khalanga and it was time to head back down from the hill. We drove to Srinagar, but having started our return in the afternoon and fully aware of the fact that we wouldn’t make it to Tulsipur that day, we turned on the path heading to Rukum and stayed at a brand new hotel being built by the riverbed in Baral Village, just ten minutes drive from Srinagar. 

With the rice paddy below, the gushing rive further down, the dancing hills up front and the hills behind, it was soothing. 

Vacations are meant to be relaxing. Nepal has a lot to offer, to both its international and domestic tourists. And though Salyan may not be the only hidden gem where journeying, endless cups of ginger tea and walks are a plenty, it is one where I learnt to appreciate how slow and soothing nature of life there can be – I even kept the TV in my room off. 

Salyan is not a tourist destination, not just yet anyway, but maybe it’s this feature alone that may make it worth your visit!

## Nepal marks 80th anniversary of first flight over mt everest.html

[Nepal marks 80th anniversary of first flight over Mt. Everest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-marks-80th-anniversary-of-first-flight-over-mt-everest.html): Nepal is marking 80th anniversary of two Scots airmen flying over the Mount Everest on two Westland Wallace biplanes for the first time in human history.

For a group of people who went on a sightseeing trip to commemorate the first flight over the highest mountain on Earth, here on April 3, it was fun and excitement, thanks to the progress the aviation industry has made. It was an adventure filled with danger for the two airmen 80 years ago.

The one-hour flight took the group of people close to peaks such as Gauri Shankar, Nuptuse, Lhotse, Amadablam, Makalu and Mt. Everest. Sightseeing flights to Himalayan Mountains are one of the major attractions that Nepal's tourism industry has to offer to wealthy foreign tourists.

"This is a very special day to commemorate the first flight to the Everest 80 years ago today. At 10:05 a.m. my grandfather was one of the two pilots to fly over the summit of the Mt. Everest," said Charles Douglas-Hamilton, grandson of Lord Clydesdale, one of the pioneering pilots.

The flights, which made international headlines at the time, broke new records at sustained flight at 33,000 feet, stated a press statement issued by BAE systems. BAE systems Regional Aircraft is the direct descendant of Scottish Aviation, a company founded by the two pioneers Lord Clydesdale and David Mclntyre.

Yeti Airlines, which organized the commemorative flight has a fleet of seven Jetstream 41 aircraft manufactured by BAE Systems and runs commercial flights for sightseeing of the highest mountain.

## Nepal needs to put more effort to attract chinese tourists ambassador wu.html

[Nepal needs to put more effort to attract Chinese tourists: Ambassador Wu - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-needs-to-put-more-effort-to-attract-chinese-tourists-ambassador-wu.html): Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai has suggested the Nepali authorities and tourism entrepreneurs to tap the immense tourism potentiality Nepal has, projecting an influx of Chinese tourists here.

Speaking at an interaction organised by PATA Nepal Chapter in the capital, Wu said so many Chinese travel all over the world Nepal could also attract more tourists by putting some extra efforts in tourism promotion. He mentioned that Chinese tourists are attracted by the friendly behaviour of Nepalis, pleasant weather and birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

Nepal earned around US$ 800 million from the Chinese tourist last year, Wu said.

On the occasion, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) president Ashok Pokharel said that Chinese tourists will increase gradually with the construction of Pokhara International Airport.

Acting CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Subash Niraula acquainted that the board has been continuously organising promotional programmes to attract tourists including the Chinese. He also urged the government and the private sector for the cooperation and support.

## Taan promotes nepal in australia.html

[TAAN promotes Nepal in Australia - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-promotes-nepal-in-australia.html): A team of trekking entrepreneurs led by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) participated in the Adventure Travel Expo held on March 9-10 in Sydney, Australia.

Being organized for the past 18 years, Adventure Travel Expo is one of Australia’s popular adventure travel shows.

TAAN Treasurer Anjan Thapa was the coordinator of the team. Similarly, TAAN Executive Member Gopal Babu Shrestha was the sub-coordinator. Thapa said the stalls of Nepali companies drew more than 1,000 visitors. Many Nepalis who are currently in Australia in course of their business or study also visited the fair.

“The visitors were keen to know about trekking, mountaineering and other adventure activities available in Nepal,” Thapa said, adding that local media gave good coverage to the event. “Local media also carried news reports about Nepal’s tourism products and its participation in the expo.” He further added that Australia, as a tourism market, holds great potential for Nepal.

“Australians know Nepal very well, we just need to promote our tourism products and services,” he added. TAAN has been participating in different international fairs in the past couple of years. Last year, it participated in travel shows in Seoul, South Korea and San Francisco, USA. It recently partnered with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to promote Nepal’s tourism products and services in South Africa.

## Nepal bags best exhibit award in adventure travel expo in australia.html

[Nepal bags best exhibit award in Adventure Travel Expo in Australia - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-bags-best-exhibit-award-in-adventure-travel-expo-in-australia.html): Nepal has bagged the first prize in the category of ‘Best Exhibit’ in Adventure Travel Expo held in Melbourne, Australia, February 23-24.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) bagged the prize for artistically designing Nepal stand and effectively exhibiting Nepal as a preferred holiday adventure destination among the prospective Australian visitors and exhibitors during the Expo.

The delegation led Sushil Ghimire, chairman of NTB and secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation met and held discussions with NRNs in Melbourne on the their role in promoting Nepal and expressed full support and cooperation from the government and NTB in jointly promoting Nepali culture and tourism in Australia.

## Nepals tourism industry needs low cost airlines.html

[Nepals Tourism Industry Needs Low Cost Airlines - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepals-tourism-industry-needs-low-cost-airlines.html): According to PATA, Nepal has so far seen foreign visitor arrivals by air increase by 18.4% to reach 168,958 for the first five months of 2011. 

The country is nominally on target to reach its goal of one million visitors this year, a figure that includes both air arrivals and land-based visitors, mostly from India. 

Representatives of the Nepal Tourism Board have said that Nepal's tourism industry needs low cost carriers such as AirAsia to start flying to Kathmandu. 

"Airfares to Kathmandu from Southeast Asia are a little expensive," admitted Mr Sunil Sakya, Vice President of KGH Group of Hotels in Nepal. "A low cost carrier would bring a real paradigm shift ... Only 25,000 Thais visited Nepal in 2010, despite the close Buddhist pilgrimage links between the two countries. It should be three-times that number." 

Adventure tourism activities such as paragliding, flying in ultralites, white water rafting and mountain biking are now being heavily promoted, especially in Pokhara, the adventure capital of Nepal. The aim is to attract younger urban residents in big Southeast Asian cites who want an adrenalin fix in a wild 'back to nature' setting. On the other side of the coin, gambling is available in seven hotels in Kathmandu. 

Nepal Airlines, THAI, SilkAir and Dragonair offer a total of 25 flights a week into Nepal from Southeast Asia. Ms Ujjwalla Dali, Nepal Tourism Board's Senior Manager for Tourism Marketing, said the destination needs more than that if the country is to reach its tourism targets. "I hope that AirAsia will start flying to Kathmandu within a year," she said. 

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Paris, France, Airshow, Airbus, Boeing, ATR, Nepal, AirAsia

## Nepal creates free digital map for tourists.html

[Nepal creates free digital map for tourists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-creates-free-digital-map-for-tourists.html): KATHMANDU (Xinhua) – Tourists visiting Nepal can now expect a much easier travel, thanks to digital support available in the country.

According to Monday's Republica daily, of late, software developers have introduced programs which tourists can use to find out details of tourist hubs, trekking routes, location of hotels, restaurants and other places on their mobile phone or Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

The best part of such programs is that the user needs no Internet access to use the services or pay any cost for them.

Nepal GPS Solution has recently created a digital map, placing maps of eight popular tourist destinations in GPS. 

Map Editor and one of the founders of NepGS Bijay Dewan said that the company is making the service available for free during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. 

"We are mainly focusing on tourism but we plan to build maps of all the cities in the country and make them available to tourists for free," he said, "Users need not purchase a GPS device as the service can be used through smart phones as well. After downloading the maps from our website, users will have access to fully routable maps." 

The option of fully routable maps allows users to find out the time required to travel the distance, the shortest possible distance and to navigate towards desired destination.

## Interaction on mountain tourism.html

[Interaction on Mountain Tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/interaction-on-mountain-tourism.html): Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized a daylong interaction on ‘Adventure Mountain Tourism: Issues of Khumbu’ in Lukla on April 26. The interaction was organized on the sidelines of Khumbu Tourism Festival. Around 80 stakeholders, including local tourism entrepreneurs, trekking workers, airline representatives, non-government organizations, among others participated in the interaction. 

The participants held interactive discussions on porter issues, hotel menu, airlines, marketing of tourism products, responsible tourism practices among others.

## Tourists arrival up in sworgadwari.html

[Tourists arrival up in Sworgadwari - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourists-arrival-up-in-sworgadwari.html): PYUTHAN: The inflow of tourists has gradually increased in historical tourism and pilgrimage site, Swargadwari, with the beginning of this year.

The arrival of religious tourists has gone up here with the publicity of Tourism Year-2011 and approaching of Baisakh Poornima (full moon day in the month of Baisakh), according to Swargadwai Ashram. 

It has been difficult to accommodate night stay of tourists at a time when the number of tourists is ascending. 

The Ashram is facing trouble to manage the stay of tourists since there is no capacity to accommodate more than 200 at a night. 

The Ashram itself has made necessary arrangement for shelter to the devotees free of cost while food service is also provided in a subsidised rate. 

The influx of tourists has invariably gone up this time with the outset of New Year while the number of arrivers was only two in a day in the past, informed Accountant of Ashram, Basudev Bhattarai. 

Annually, around 200,000 Indian and 120,000 Nepali visitors are recorded to come to Swargadwari for religious and tourism purpose, according to Hari Adhikari of the Ashram.

## Trek for a green planet.html

[Trek for a green planet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/trek-for-a-green-planet.html): With an aim to raise awareness and cross-sectoral collaboration to combat climate change, about 20 representatives from the government, civil society, development sector and media joined a four-day trek to Langtang on Monday. 

The trek was part of the Green Hiker Green Planet campaign organised by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Wildlife Fund 

(WWF) to mark the World Earth Day on April 22. A statement issued by USAID on Monday said the campaign also commemorates USAID’s 60th anniversary in Nepal and WWF’s 50th anniversary. 

The campaign is designed to build awareness of climate 

change issues at local, national, regional, and global levels, and to encourage collaboration to combat climate change. 

The trek is taking place in Langtang National Park of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape starting from Dhunche on Monday through Thulo Syabru and Jibjibe, ending in Trishuli on April 21. The campaign will close with a press conference on April 22.

## Women to scale annapurna.html

[Women to scale Annapurna - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/women-to-scale-annapurna.html): In an effort to encourage women’s involvement in adventure tourism, four Nepali women are planning to scale Mt Annapurna IV (7,525m) this spring. The Nepali Women Annapurna Expedition 2001 has Nirma Rai of Solukhumbu, Muna Gurung of Manang, Saraswati BK of Kaski and Shantikala Rai of Solukhumbu raring to climb the peak. The expedition is jointly organised by the Pokhara chapter of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Annapurna chapter of Nepal Mountaineering Association and Pokhara-based Empowerment of Women Nepal.

## Cleaning the worlds highest garbage dump.html

[Cleaning the worlds highest garbage dump - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cleaning-the-worlds-highest-garbage-dump.html): Mount Everest, Nepal’s tourism trump card is a huge draw among tourists. From being a virgin peak less than 60 years ago, it witnesses heavy traffic of climbers and porters each climbing season these days. Last year 32,000 tourists and 80,000 support staff visited the region — a huge leap from 1400 annual visitors four decades ago.

Such attraction despite being a boon for the local economy has side effects. Pressure from mountaineering expeditions has led to erosion, deforestation and turned Everest into the world’s highest garbage dump. 

The trail from Lukla, the nearest airport, till Everest Base Camp and beyond is littered with oxygen cylinders, gas cartridges, tents, plastic, human waste and even carcasses. 

I witnessed the grim scene first hand last year. Over the past 2-3 years, a few mountaineering expeditions have tried to rid the trail and the mountain of these garbage sores. But nearly eight tons of waste still lies littered. 

Now, in an effort to restore Everest to its past glory, Nepal government and a host of national and international groups have come together as part of the Saving Mount Everest 2011-2012 project. 

“A clean up expedition will be organised from mid April to June this year to collect and remove the eight tons of garbage,” says Phinjo Sherpa, Director, Eco Himal, one of the participating agencies. 

Sherpa insists unlike previous campaigns it won’ be a one-time operation. The project would work with the local community to develop a sustainable waste management mechanism. 

Other expected outcomes of the project are implementing policies on waste disposal and management stringently, installing 15 waste management plants and training 100 local residents to manage them. But cleaning the world’s highest dustbin is not a cheap task. 

This year alone the total budget for the project is $780,000. Nearly two-third of this sum has been pledged through donations. To know more about this clean-up campaign and contribute funds visit www.savingmounteverest.org.

## Call for save mt everest campaign.html

[Call for Save Mt Everest campaign - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/call-for-save-mt-everest-campaign.html): KATHMANDU: Everest Summiteers Association (ESA), along with the government, Nepal Tourism Board, and Eco Himal will organise a ‘Save the Mt Everest campaign’.

“Mt Everest is the highest peak in the world and recognised it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is in Nepal but the country could not cash in on it,” said Wangchu Sherpa, president of the association.

According to him, especially for struggling mountain communities, tourism is a key source of income, and Mt Everest, locally known as Sagarmatha, represents the crown jewel of Nepali tourism. 

However, the increase in the number of visitors to the Everest region in recent decades has also brought serious strains and severe negative impacts around Mount Everest, as well as many popular trails in and around Sagarmatha National Park. 

“Many activities aiming at solving the problem of solid waste have been conducted but there is still no functional waste management system in place,” he said, adding that locals have less experience in handling such large amounts of rubbish in an environmentally sustainable way. 

According to him, the overall goals of the project are to conserve and manage the rich biological diversity of Everest National Park (Sagarmatha National Park), emphasise on solid waste management and support and strengthen local communities towards biodiversity conservation. 

“To make at least 70 per cent of the local residents aware of the importance and relevance of waste management and potential threats from climate change, sensitise national policies on waste management and code of conduct for locals and tourists are some of the aims,” Sherpa added. 

It is planning to collect approximately eight tonnes of garbage from Mt Everest and along the trekking routes of Lukla to Everest Base Camp, to set up 15 waste management plants, and operate and manage local institutions for waste management systems through 100 specially trained people. 

The project enjoys full support of the government through the Ministry of Environment and Science, which will introduce new environmental regulations for climbing expeditions as well as for trekking groups to the Everest region as of spring 2011, according to the association that claims that there is a budget of $780,000 for the project that will start from this April and runs till June 2012.

## Rafting to operate for tourism promotion.html

[Rafting to operate for tourism promotion - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/rafting-to-operate-for-tourism-promotion.html): KATHMANDU: Phagu rafting festival-2067 is to take place in Trishuli for the promotion of tourism. 

Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), organising a press conference on Monday, informed that rafting will be brought into operation from coming March 20. 

NARA is organising the rafting festival this time in a different manner keeping in mind the Nepal Tourism Year, informed at the press conference. 

Rafting will be operated from Malinga to Jogimara with the objective of providing maximum entertainment to internal and external tourists as well as generating income, according to NARA Chairperson Natikaji Thapa. 

The organiser has set the charge of Rs. 1,399 for rafting. Trishuli River including Karnali, Sapta Gandaki, Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi are famous for adventurous rafting in the world.

## Security pledge for tourists in lumbini.html

[Security pledge for tourists in Lumbini - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/security-pledge-for-tourists-in-lumbini.html): BUTWAL: Rupandehi Chief District Officer Taranath Gautam has claimed that they have managed full security for internal and foreign tourists visiting the Lumbini Tourism Circuit (LTC) during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

At the 11th anniversary of Rupandehi Hotel and Restaurant Entrepreneurs’ Association today, CDO Gautam laid stress on the need to develop infrastructure in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, Buddha’s maternal home Devdaha and the Tilaurakot Palace, where the Buddha is believed to have spent his childhood.

Meanwhile, the association gave away this year’s ‘Tourism Journalism’ prize to THT journalist Mahendra Thapa and Amrit Giri of local Mechikali daily.

## Tourism can bring nepal together.html

[Tourism can bring Nepal together - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-can-bring-nepal-together.html): Tourism can play a vital role in bringing the nation of Nepal together and strengthening its economy and society, according to industry figures.

This concept is the foundation of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 initiative, which received support from the UN and government representatives at the recent Asian Tourism Ministers' Conclave in Kathmandu.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, prime minister of Nepal at the time, met with UN World Tourism Organisation secretary general Taleb Rifai last month to highlight the industry's potential to boost economic growth and social harmony. 

Attendees at the recent event in Kathmandu highlighted the importance of cooperation between different destinations in the region.

Mr Rifai said: 'Intra-regional tourism, which in south Asia accounts for 34% of all arrivals, is increasingly important and requires coordinated policy responses. 

'This conclave offers a constructive platform from which to exchange ideas on how to collectively boost international tourist arrivals and increase intra-regional tourist flows across south Asia.' 

Travellers planning a trip to Nepal can also visit some of its neighbouring countries, such as India and China. 

Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!ADNFCR-408-ID-800385953-ADNFCR

## Call to declare bhotekoshi river a protected area.html

[Call to declare Bhotekoshi River a protected area - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/call-to-declare-bhotekoshi-river-a-protected-area.html): Tourism entrepreneurs have demanded the government to develop Bhotekoshi River a protected area and promote it as a destination for water-based tourism activities. Bhotekoshi is regarded as one of the best destinations for water excursions.

Speaking at an interaction on ´Importance of Bhotekoshi River in the Development of Tourism´ organized recently in Sindhupalchowk district, they expressed concerns over construction of dams, haphazard sand excavations and pollution, and demanded that the government declare Bhotekoshi River a protected area. 

Mahendra Singh Thapa, vice-president of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), said the river was fast getting polluted due to open sewage and uncontrolled sand mining at different places along the river. "Rafting and kayaking activities in the river will be affected if the river is polluted and distorted," he added.

Nanikaji Thapa, president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), Bhotekoshi River holds immense prospects for rafting and kayaking activities."We have to develop Bhotekoshi as a hub for water adventure with joint efforts from the government and private sector during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011," Thapa added.

Similarly, Megh Ale, president of Bhotekoshi Protection Campaign and a water tourism entrepreneur, stressed on the need to develop Bhotekoshi as a tourist destination as it can attract a lot of visitors, creating income opportunities for locals.

## Dhampus hotels upgrading facilities.html

[Dhampus hotels upgrading facilities - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dhampus-hotels-upgrading-facilities.html): DHUMPUS, Jan 31: Hoteliers in Dhumpus - a popular tourist village in Kaski district - are developing infrastructures, expecting a healthy rise in tourist arrival during Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Some entrepreneurs are opening new hotels while others are adding rooms and facilities to accommodate more visitors.

Dhampus at present has 17 hotels and lodges with the capacity of accommodating 300 tourists per night.

“New hotels are coming up in Dhampus anticipating rise in tourist arrivals. Those that are already under operation are adding rooms and facilities,” said Dal Bahadur Gurung, chairman of Century Tourism Entrepreneurs´ Association.

Gurung, who is also the owner of Dhawlagiri View Hotel, says Dhampus receives a huge flow of domestic and international tourists during peak season. As the number of tourists exceeds hotel rooms available here, local households have been accommodating visitors at their homes under home-stay program.

“New infrastructures are being developed to make visitors´ stay at the hotel more comfortable,” he added.

Gurung told Republica that he was also adding new facilities at Dhawlagiri View Hotel. “We are adding sauna bath, table tennis board and basket ball court among others at the cost of Rs 2 million. We also have plans to spend on interior decoration,” he added.

Almost 70 percent of tourists visiting Dhampus are domestic visitors. Local entrepreneurs charge domestic visitors 50 percent less than foreign visitors.

## Rural women engage in tourism promotion.html

[Rural women engage in tourism promotion - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/rural-women-engage-in-tourism-promotion.html): Women of remote Parsa district are actively involved in a door-to-door campaign to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) a success, reports RSS.  The women of Thori VDC are visiting every house talking about tourism promotion and how to treat tourists in the district, said Laxmi Dhungana, a local social worker.

She also said that the campaign has been launched in the initiation of women's group of the VDC and social organisations.  The campaign aims to teach the women of some nine wards of Thori VDCs regarding how to treat tourists and how can they make NTY-2011 successful. 

Some of the famous tourist destination in remote Thori VDC are Sansarikdanda and Amritdhara, among others places.  The locals have targeted to bring in more than 100,000 tourists during the tourism year.

## Dhaulagiri attracts more tourists.html

[Dhaulagiri attracts more tourists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dhaulagiri-attracts-more-tourists.html): MYAGDI: Ahead of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 an increasing number of tourists are coming for Dhaulagiri round trekking.  According to Area Police Office, Darbang, 510 tourists rounded Annapurna trekking region between the Nepali months of Baishak and Kartik. The number is double compare with the corresponding period last year, the office said. 

More tourists are visiting Dhaulagiri after Annapurna round trekking route was removed from the world's top 10 best trekking routes.  Beni, Singa, Tatopani, Babiyachaur, Darbang, Takam, Muna, Mudi, Bim, Marang, Dhaulagiri base camp, Dhampus, Yakkharka and Marpha fall in 15-day round Dhaulagiri trekking route. 

Tourist guides say the Dhaulagiri trekking has been attracting more tourists as the route is risky yet thrilling.

## Entrepreneurship key to development of tourism.html

[Entrepreneurship key to development of tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/entrepreneurship-key-to-development-of-tourism.html): KATHMANDU: Absence of culture of tourism entrepreneurship is responsible for the under development of tourism sector. “There are so many potential destinations and products that are waiting to be exploited,” said Sharat Singh Bhandari, minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation during the 12th anniversary celebration of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) here in the Valley today.

The sole objective of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 is to incorporate tourism as the business of general Nepalis along with sending a message to international community that Nepal is back as the destination for travel, “The head counting is not important,” he said, adding that it is also not about how many tourists will visit during the NTY 2011 that has targetted to welcome one million tourists.

“NTY will be the means to create awareness among Nepalis that everyone can be involved in the tourism industry,” Bhandari added. “We can also send the information in the international market that we are back to our former self –Shangri-La,” he explained.  NTY 2011 is not the government’s programme rather the country’s, “thus each and every Nepali has to be involved in the grand success of the event,” Bhandari added.  Ganesh Simkhada, private industry representative in NTB’s executive committee complained that the preparation and promotion of NTY 2011is not good enough.

The minister also pointed out the need for Tourism Council so that more and more stakeholders can be aggregated for maximum participation in the process of policy making and implementation.  “Ministry’s Tourism Department was transformed into an independent board in participation of private sector,” said Kishor Thapa, secretary of MoTCA and chairman of NTB.

“NTB needs institutional representatives –no party affiliated representatives can do any good to the sector. This is an excellent example of successful implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), he said, adding that more private sector participation is required.  NTB was established in 1998 with the partnership between government and private sector tourism industries.

## Rising revenue encourages tourism entrepreneurs.html

[Rising revenue encourages tourism entrepreneurs - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/rising-revenue-encourages-tourism-entrepreneurs.html): KATHMANDU, Nov 14: With the number of high end guests on the rise, tourism entrepreneurs have witnessed a steady growth in their revenues. This has given a strong boost to tourism entrepreneurs preparing for the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011.  Assistant Manager of Revenue at Soaltee Crowne Plaza Sagar Chandra Bantawa Rai informed Republica that the average expenditure of guests has increased by 18 percent as compared to the previous year. “The total revenue of the hotel has increased by 24.8 percent and 30 percent growth is expected by the end of 2010,” he added.

Associate Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Surendra Thakuri said that the average stay of guest ranges from 3- 5 nights and trekkers stay mostly up to three nights “Although the duration of their stay has not increased, their expenditure has. This has resulted in the growth of our revenue,” he said, adding, that it was unlikely for tourists to stay longer during tourism year. “The trend has remained the same for a couple of years and this is unlikely to change.”  Likewise, owner of Road House Café Chandan Kayastha said that his restaurant had witnessed a revenue growth of 15 percent. “Tourists are not to be blamed if they don´t spend more. If our products are attractive we can always do good business,” Kayastha said.

However, President of Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) Tejendra Shrestha said that sales were not as encouraging as it used to be a decade earlier. “Tourists tend to bargain due to unhealthy practices prevalent in the business,” he added. Shrestha said most of the restaurants are training their staff as the part of their preparation for the tourism year.

Dirga Lama of Hotel Elite, however, said that tourists do not haggle as much as they did in the past. “Tourists now bargain less as compared to what they did in the past,” Lama said. He further said that previously tourists used to limit their budget but now they generously spend on activities like trekking, paragliding, etc. 

Tourism expert and researcher Rabin Jung Pandey said tourism entrepreneurs have to work out on a number of issues, including diversification of tourism products, construction of proper infrastructure, and involvement of local people in the promotional campaigns to attract more tourists during the tourism year. “We need to develop our basic infrastructure for the qualitative growth in tourism,” he said.

## Tourism experts urge to develop tour packages to boost wetlands.html

[Tourism experts urge to develop tour packages to boost wetlands - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-experts-urge-to-develop-tour-packages-to-boost-wetlands.html): Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) jointly on Wednesday came up with the two wetlands as tourist destinations targeting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011).  The destinations include Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) in Eastern Nepal and Ghodaghodi Lake (GLA) in Far-Western Nepal. 

Speaking at a function held in the capital, tourism experts have recommended developing tour package including these selected wetlands in order to boost Nepal’s tourist destinations.  KTWR is famous for eco-tourism which is rich in wild species of animals, birds, and vegetation and its area covers 350 hectares of land in Sunsari, Saptari and Sarlahi districts. 

Similarly, GLA is famous for various flora and fauna and it also carries cultural and religious value. This area covers over 2,563 hectares in Karnali district.  Experts also said that KTWR via Ilam and Barahkhestra can be made as tour package for Eastern region. For Western region, as GLA is a corridor to Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Bardiya National Park, there can be tour package for tourists for longer stay.

## Tourism bouquet adds variety with wetlands entry.html

[Tourism bouquet adds variety with wetlands entry - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-bouquet-adds-variety-with-wetlands-entry.html): KATHMANDU: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wastelands in Nepal (CSUWN) has collaborated with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for the promotion of select wetlands as tourist destinations.  In order to promote wetlands tourism, experts have recommended development of tour packages incorporating these sites in the route.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA) have been recognised to promote conservation and tourism. The experts have identified KTWR in Eastern Nepal and GLA in Far-Western Nepal for this purpose, saying these wetlands have great tourism prospects. 

After studying both the sites for nine months, tourism expert Rabi Jung Pandey and his team from Nepal Tourism Research and Service Centre came up with designs to develop these wetlands into tourist destinations.  The total of 350 hectares of land including the area of KTWR and its buffer zone that is sprawled over in three districts — Udaypur, Saptari and Sarlahi. This area is famous for its wild species of animals and vegetation, especially for bird-watching. The area is well connected with air and road transport with East-West Highway bordering the area and existence of a busy Biratnagar airport at the distance of 15 km.

Likewise, GLA spread over 2,563 hectares in Kailali district serves as a corridor for Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Bardiya National Park. This is also famous for its diverse flora and fauna along with the area’s cultural and religious importance. The area is also situated at convenient distance of 46 kilometres from the Dhangadi airport and bordered by East-West Highway.  “It will be far better if a larger and longer tour package is developed such as starting in Bhadrapur and ending at KTWR via Ilam and Barahkhestra. Likewise, in Far-West also, GLA should be incorporated in the package with the other two neighbouring national parks,” suggested Pandey.

“Though both the areas are connected with transportation hub, there is still a need for local transportation also. Homestays and community lodges have to be developed so that tourists can live the culture,” he added.  “Conservation and development has to go hand in hand and tourism is the vehicle for that,” pointed out Top B Khatri, member of CSUWN.

“If the wetlands can be developed into tourist destinations, not only the state can raise more revenues but also the population dependent on these wetlands can have better lives along with conservation,” he said, citing the example of Chitwan.

## Govt unveils two eco tourism products.html

[Govt unveils two eco-tourism products - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/govt-unveils-two-eco-tourism-products.html): KATHMANDU, Nov 10: Targeting the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) jointly unveiled two eco-tourism products amid a program here Wednesday.  The new destinations are Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in eastern Nepal and Ghodaghodi Lake in the far western region. 

“Though these destinations were already popular, they were attracting only a few visitors,” tourism expert Rabi Jung Pandey said. “Koshi, being the largest river of Nepal, can be developed as a riverside tourism product.”  Only 238 foreigners and 3,000 Nepalis visited Koshi Tappu in 2008.  “We can develop special packages to these destinations to extend tourists´ length of stay,” he added.

Addressing the program, Subash Nirola, senior director of NTB, said ownership identification along with product and site identification was important for sustainable tourism development. “Since it is not possible to build hotels everywhere, we can promote the home stay concept there,” he added. 

Laxman Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said the government was positive about promoting the concept of eco-tourism and expressed hope that newly launched products would help attract more visitors to Nepal during NTY 2011.  Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, which is popular for bird watching, covers 16 VDCs in Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur districts.

Number of tourists to SNP up  SOLUKHUMBU: The number of tourists visiting Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) hit 12-year high of 9,407 in October.  According to SNP´s office at Jorsalle, the number is the highest after 1998 when the country had celebrated Visit Nepal Year. October-November is regarded the peak season in Nepali tourism. 

“The number was only 8,839 last year,” said Bikash Koirala, game scout at SNP. The number of tourists visiting the national park was 9,260 in the same period in 2008. Only 3,530 tourists had visited the area in October, 2002.  “The number of tourists visiting the area has increased as we are seeing increment in the number of tourists from both air and land route after the beginning of peace process,” Koirala said. “The area was safe for tourists even during insurgency.”

Sagarmatha National Park is famous for Mt Everest - the tallest peak on earth, other mountains, beautiful Sherpa villages, Sherpa culture and tradition, different wildlife species and Tengboche Monastery.

## Mountaineers scale virgin peak in nepal.html

[Mountaineers scale virgin peak in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/mountaineers-scale-virgin-peak-in-nepal.html): A joint team of Nepalese and Bangladeshi mountaineers have scaled a virgin peak in Nepal’s eastern Himalayas, the climbers said Monday. 

The 10-member team said it summited Mount Chekigo, considered one of the most challenging in mountaineering, on October 18.

Abdul Mohit, leader of the Bangladeshi team, said he was happy to have been part of an expedition that conquered the difficult peak for the first time.

“Thirteen expeditions from different parts of the world have attempted the peak before us but failed,” Mohit said. “It’s a very tough climb, the most difficult I have experienced because of its deep crevasses and knife ridges.” Chekigo rises 6,257 metres above sea level in the Guri Shanker Himalayan range.

“I have climbed Mount Everest 10 times, but this was the most difficult peak to climb in my mountaineering experience,” expedition leader Pemba Dorjee Sherpa said.

“I could see Chekigo from my window when I was growing up in my village in the lap of the mountain, and it was always a dream to conquer it,” he said.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association said some objectives of the joint expedition was to promote Nepal tourism and to encourage Bangladeshi mountaineers and trekkers to visit Nepal. The mountain has been christened Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak.

“I used to read about Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary’s Everest expedition in school, and climbing a mountain was a dream I grew up with while I lived so close to the sea,” Mohit said, referring to the first summiteers of the world’s tallest peak.

## Over 200 tourists arriving in bandipur daily.html

[Over 200 tourists arriving in Bandipur daily - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/over-200-tourists-arriving-in-bandipur-daily.html): The tourists visiting Bandipur of Tanahun district has been increasing daily as Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) draws near, RSS reports. 

According to Bandipur Tourism Development Committee (BTDC), more than 200 tourist are arriving at Bandipur daily while the number used to be some 40 previously.

Most of the visitors are from China, Japan, Australia, Germany and America and more tourists are fascinated by the Himalayan ranges, artistic houses, and rural ambience of Bandipur, said Raj Kumar Shrestha, former chairman of BTDC.  It is also said that some two dozen hotels in Bandipur are overcrowded with the visitors.

## Regulate airline safety standards.html

[Regulate airline safety standards - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/regulate-airline-safety-standards.html): KATHMANDU: The panel formed to probe the Agni Air plane crash has recommended domestic airlines operating Instrumental Flight Rules and Visibility Flight Rules to upgrade safety norms. 

The panel issued Interim Safety Recommendation to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, on October 13, to regulate all airline operators to fit flights with mass over 5,700 Kg with Emergency Power Supply and Artificial Horizon. 

However, Binod Giri, director of Aviation Safety Department at CAAN denied ‘safety lapses’. “We have implemented all the rules of International Civil Aviation Organisation and CAAN’s regulations and all the planes have the devices,” claimed Giri.

But the panel’s findings contradict Giri’s claim. Talking to THT, Member-secretary of the panel Suresh Acharya said, “We found that some airlines operators had not installed the mandatory devices.”  As per ICAO Annex-13, the panel can issue interim safety recommendation for regulating safety measures. 

All the aeroplanes in Nepal have got ‘type approval certificates’ from the authorities of the country where the planes are manufactured, Giri added. 3.4.2 (a) of the Flight Operations Requirements according to CAAN regulations reads: All aeroplanes of a maximum certified take-off mass of over 5,700 Kg shall be fitted with an emergency power supply, independent of the main electrical generating system, for the purpose of operating and illuminating, for a period of 30 minutes, and an altitude indicating instrument (artificial Horizon), clearly visible to the pilot-in-command. “CAAN should show us all the 29 flights abiding by the flight operations requirements as mentioned,” said Acharya.

Artificial Horizon is a useful device during poor visibility and indicates the horizon to the pilot-in-command. Emergency Power Supply supports when main generator fails. 

According to an Engineer of Safety division at CAAN, there are 29 flights that weigh over 5,700 Kilogram: eight Dornier planes, 10 Jet Stream, five Beach Craft 1900D, one ATR 72 and two each of Beach Craft 1900 C and ATR 42. The panel has been probing the plane crash at Shikharpur, Makawanpur, 19.5 aeronautical miles south of Kathmandu and has to submit its report by November 3. 

Acharya rejected media reports that both generators had failed. “We are waiting for the report on both generators, which have been sent to Germany,” he said.   The panel has already got the report of CVR and FDR from the US but is yet to get the report of the scripts of talks between   Air traffic controller, pilot and co-pilot.

## Everest in october after 10 years.html

[Everest in October after 10 years - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/everest-in-october-after-10-years.html): KATHMANDU: Eric Larsen successfully climbed Mount Everest in the month of October, the first to do so in ten years during this month. A report submitted by the Liasion Officer and Handling Agency stated that Larsen along with five members of High Altitude Workers (HAW) succeeded in climbing Mount Everest on October 15.

The Nepali HAW members who climbed the peak during this season were Tshering Dorje Sherpa, Nima Dorje Tamang, Pasang Temba Sherpa, Dawa Gelzen Sherpa and Pasang Dawa Sherpa. The expedition team comprising of one member was permitted to climb to the height of 8,848 meters from the normal route for a period of seventy-five days, Himalayan Trailblazer Trekking and Expedition Pvt Ltd was the handling agency for the expedition.

“There have been 535 permits that have been released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the number of climbers has definitely increased this season,” said Jinesh Sinduraker, Chief Administrative Officer of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Nepal Mountaineering Association has been going all out promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and is also organising a conference of 170 members for Union of International Alpine Association in October next year.

“The president of NMA Zimba Zangbu Sherpa was just in Italy confirming the conference which is has been scheduled on October 5-8 next year in Nepal, along with this documentaries on trekking and mountaineering are being showcased in various countries,”he added.

According to him keeping in mind that next year being NTY 2011, mountaineering is a key component for it. “It is likely that the number of trekkers will definitely increase,” he said, adding that Nepal Mountaineering Association that was established in 1973 is promoting mountaineering as well as help out local families who are involved in expeditions, which could prove to be dangerous.

## Non resident nepali invest in nepal tourism.html

[Non Resident Nepali invest in Nepal tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/non-resident-nepali-invest-in-nepal-tourism.html): Members of the Non Resident Nepali (NRN) Association released plans earlier this week to invest in Nepal tourism in a bid to restore the country’s prosperity.

At a NRN Day program, several members expressed their interest in redeveloping the country’s appeal to tourists, hoping increased tourism would play a role in the country’s development.

Citizens of countries outside the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with Nepali heritage said Nepal had tourism potential but failed to grow this potential into actual visitor numbers due to a lack of campaigns.

“We have been working for the development of the tourism sector in Nepal,” NRN Conservation Council Member Bhim Udas said.

Mr Udas said the NRN is keen to assist the country despite living abroad and has commenced a campaign to promote tourism for 2011.

NRN Kaski LDO Guru Prasad Subedi said the group wants to assist the country’s tourism sector by dispersing information about “Nepal and enhancing its image in the international arena”. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala said she has worked for months to develop relations between the Nepalis and NRN’s and has urged the group to invest in hydropower and other sectors outside of tourism.

## Govt unveils new trekking routes.html

[Govt unveils new trekking routes - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/govt-unveils-new-trekking-routes.html): KATHMANDU: The government has opened new trekking routes — Paachpokhari Kunda Trekking Trail in Sindhupalchowk, Nagi Narchang Trekking Trail in Myagdi and Dhorpatan Trekking Trail in Baglung — on the occasion of 31st World Tourism Day today.

Sarat Singh Bhandari, minister for tourism and civil aviation unveiled new trekking trails in Sindhupalchowk, Myagdi and Baglung here today during the programme to celebrate the World Tourism Day.

"We are going to start economic revolution on January 14 that is the day scheduled for official launch of Nepal Tourism Year 2011,” Bhandari, said, highlighting requirement of accessibility to new tourist destinations and create awareness about the tourism and its benefits. "The main aim of NTY 2011 is to establish tourism as the main source of economy," he said, adding that it’s not just a campaign for tourism entrepreneurs but beneficial for all the Nepalis. "Through the tourism year we can together rebrand Nepal's image in the international market." 

Similarly, Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said that 'Eco Community Tourism' is the new tourism product that will lure more tourists. "In the Eco Community Tourism 100 per cent of the net profit will go to support the community," he said, adding that tourism in Nepal started with Nature based tourism, Eco Tourism, Village Tourism and now it has to be developed as 'Community Tourism'. 

On the occasion of World Tourism Day. the ministry also awarded hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Jaya Travels and Tour and Himalaya Expedition for their contributions in the promoting hotel, travel and tours, and trekking business. 

The ministry along with NTB celebrated 31st World Tourism Day 2010 organising various programmes today with the global theme, 'Tourism and Biodiversity'. To mark World Tourism Day, free entrance facility was also arranged to all the tourists and Nepali guides at all the museums in the country; and booklets, posters and stickers with the slogan of 'Tourism and Biodiversity' were distributed at all the tourism offices, tourism related associations and establishments. 

Essay competition among MoTCA staff, interaction on 'Role of Civil Aviation in Tourism,' Destination Bandipur at Kathmandu, Deepawali at central office, member hotels/restaurants of Tara Gaon Development Board, Placement of Banners with UNWTO slogan, 20 per cent discount on food and 75 per cent discount on accommodation, and documentary screening about Home Stay Villages of Nepal were also organised to mark the day. 

Similarly, Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC) organised 'Thamel Street Carnival 2010'. The festival is targeted to promote domestic and international tourism in Thamel. The event has expected a crowd of 300,000 during the 'Thamel Street Carnival 2010'. The first tourists coming from the first flights -- at the Tribhuwan International Airport and Pokhara Airport -- were also felecitated today.

## Trekking can generate employment.html

[Trekking can generate employment - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/trekking-can-generate-employment.html): KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal during the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) today urged the trekking agencies to lobby strongly for the development and required support for the trekking agencies.

“Nepal is the most attractive tourist destination in the world,” said PM Nepal adding that the trekking agents with their joint effort can work on the development of trekking sector.

He also said that the trekking sector can generate higher employment and along with it also has possibilities to attract more tourists through adventure activities like paragliding, canoying, skydiving etc. Meanwhile, Sitaram Sapkota, president of TAAN urged to minimize trekking charges for the promotion and attract more tourists in Nepal.

“There are countries which does not take trekking charge for mountains lower than 6500 meters and allows permits only whereas Nepal charges even for mountains lower than 6500 Meter,” said Sapkota. He also focused on the declaring tourism industry into national industry.

Prachanda Man Shrestha, ceo of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), focused on advancement and improvements of trekking sector and also develop trekking to terai region also along with the high altitude. At the mean time, Yogendra Shakya, Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 coordinator focused on five areas that is being focused for the NTY 2011.

He said the NTY committee is now more focused on sanitation programme, airport infrastructure development, border town planning, and bring airlines for NTY 2011. Kishore Thapa, secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) focused for the promotion of terai tourism and village tourism. He also informed about the Great Himalayan Trail getting mentioned and declared as new tourism products.

## Ilam spots await tourists.html

[Ilam spots await tourists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ilam-spots-await-tourists.html): ILAM: Guphathumki, a tourist destination situated on the border between Mangalbare and Santidanda VDC of Ilam district, is slipping into obscurity due to lack of promotion. Locals say Guphathumki was the place of meditation of the endangered Lapcha community.

The place offers panoramic views of the entire 48 VDCs and one municipality of Ilam, plain areas of Terai, several Himalayan ranges, sunrise and sunset.

“Till now there is no route to reach Guphathumki. No effort has been made to promote the tourist destination,” said a local, Krishna Acharya.

Former Chairman of Mangalbare VDC Ram Rana said, “The danda represents the entire district. It has immense potential for paragliding.” Some plans are afoot at the local level to promote Guphathumki ahead of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, he added.

## Ban on tourists to upper mustang lifted.html

[Ban on tourists to Upper Mustang lifted - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ban-on-tourists-to-upper-mustang-lifted.html): The people of Upper Mustang have decided to withdraw their decision to prohibit the entry of tourists to the Upper Mustang after the government assured to address the demands raised by them. "The government has, albeit lately, addressed the demands raised by the people of Upper Mustang. Keeping in view the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign, special requests by TAAN and negative impact that the decision could make in our tourism industry, we have decided to completely withdraw our decision of prohibiting the entry of tourists to the Upper Mustang from October 1," read a statement issued by the Upper Mustang Youth Society on Sunday. 

The Society further said that they would like to assure tourism entrepreneurs and concerned stakeholders that "tourism activities in Upper Mustang will continue as usual without any hindrance."After the government failed to allocate 60 percent of total revenue collected from tourism activities in the Upper Mustang area for the development of the area and wellbeing of the local population as per the decision taken on July 13, 2006, Upper Mustang Youth Society decided to bar the entry of tourists to the area from coming October Following the series of meetings and initiative from stakeholders, especially TAAN, the Ministry of Finance on September 17 issued a letter, assuring the people of Upper Mustang that it would made budgetary allocations for the region in the coming days as per the government's decision made on July 13,

## 5 transport offices planned for tourists.html

[5 transport offices planned for tourists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/5-transport-offices-planned-for-tourists.html): KATHMANDU: Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Kakarbhitta, Mahendranagar, and Nepalgunj will now have special transport offices for tourists visiting Nepal through land.

“Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 Committee will establish transport offices at five different cities in the border area in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation and the private sector partners,” said Dhurba Narayan Shrestha, Member of NTY 2011 Working Committee.

“They will provide single-window solutions for all the needs of a tourist,” he said, adding that NTY 2011 has targeted three lakh tourists by land during the year. Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Kakarbhitta, Mahendranagar and Nepalgunj are the main entry points for arriving by land.

“During our meeting with the Secretary at the Ministry of Transport Management, we have given assurance of cooperation in the matter. So, we are going to work for the development of transport offices at the five different places,” Shrestha added.

With an aim to bringing more Indian tourists and granting proper facilities during their visit to Nepal, the NTY 2011 Committee is preparing for single-window facilitation centres in the border areas. Through this, tourists visiting Nepal via land route can avail Immigration, Custom and Transport facilities from a single point.

Recently, the Department of Transport Management and Traffic Police agreed to provide special stickers for tourist vehicles. “The Committee is designing a special sticker for tourist vehicles entering Nepal,” he said. The stickers will be given to tourist vehicles coming from India. Along with the target to welcome three lakh tourist by land, NTY 2011 Committee is also planning to introduce special tourist buses at the border points. The tourism year has a target to bring home one million tourists, three lakh tourists by land and the remaining by air.

## Three new trekking routes unveiled on world tourism day.html

[Three new trekking routes unveiled on World Tourism Day - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/three-new-trekking-routes-unveiled-on-world-tourism-day.html): Three new trekking routes unveiled on World Tourism Day Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation launched three new trekking trails as a part of celebrating 31st World Tourism Day in Kathmandu on 27 September. 

The routes – Panchpokhari-Bhairav Kunda in Sindhpalchowk, Dhorpatan in Baglung and Galeshwar of Myagdi – were unveiled with the objective of increasing number of tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign. 

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Bhandari also said the government was planning to construct new airports as well as reopen the closed ones to increase the flow of tourists to rural areas. He said the government was preparing to allocate the budget for the construction and upgrading of airports at Phoksundo in Dolpa and Suketar in Taplejung.Bhandari further added that airports in Langang in Rasuwa district and Dhorpatan in Balgung will come into operation soon. 

During the event, Minister Bhandari also awarded Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu, Jaya Travels and Tours and Himalaya Expedition as the best performers in the hotel, travel and tour agency, and trekking agency categories respectively. The annual awards are given away to the companies with highest transaction of foreign currency as per the data provided to Nepal Rastra Bank. 

Meanwhile, Thamel Tourism Development Council organized Thamel Carnival in the evening of September 27. The 31st World Tourism Day was also marked in cities like Pokhara and Biratnagar among others with the theme of ‘Tourism & Bio-diversity’

## Tibet positive for bus service.html

[Tibet positive for bus service - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tibet-positive-for-bus-service.html): Tibet authority has agreed in principle to operate bus service from Nepal and provide visa to international tourists in Nepal.

According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the fourth meeting of China’s Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held on Monday and Tuesday in Lhasa, the MoU was signed by Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Wu Ying Jie, Standing Committee Executive Vice Chairman, Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Tibetan side also agreed promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Tibet through media and hoarding boards and allow regular helicopter and charter services from Nepal to Mansoravor area. The concerned authorities of both governments will work closely to execute the understandings.  Both sides agreed that the implementation of fresh MoU will be helpful in smooth flow of tourists between Nepal and Tibet.

Nepali delegation members were Consul General of Nepal to Lhasa Naindra Upadhayay, NTB Director Aditya Baral, Under-secretary of MoTCA Babu Ram Bhandari, Ram Saran Pudasaini from Ministry of Finance, Ang Tsering Sherpa (past president of Nepal Mountaineering Association ), Misri L Mandal (Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal), Bala R Dhakal (Ministry of Home), Chet N Pandey (tresurer of Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents), Khum B Subedi (treasurer, TAAN) and Ghanendra Shrestha (Hotel Association of Nepal).

The Tibetian delegation was lead by Ba Zhu, Director General of Tourism Bureau of T A R China.  The next round of the committee meeting will be held in Kathmandu in November.

## Tourism and bio diversity crucial linkage.html

[Tourism and bio-diversity Crucial linkage - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-and-bio-diversity-crucial-linkage.html): World Tourism Day(WTD) this year is being celebrated with the powerful theme “Tourism and Biodiversity”. The theme could not be more befitting to the concurrent situation of rapid global biodiversity loss, which has impact to the very well-being of the planet and all the living beings including the homo sapiens. If tourism is a vital socio-economic activity for the well-being of the human beings and the earth, then bio-diversity can be taken as the very lung-system. Global audit of bio-diversity alarms us to act at the global and individual nation level. Though Nepal has gathered global significance in some areas related to bio-diversity conservation, national data and indicators point to an alarming state warranting urgent actions.

Bio-diversity is an important renewable natural resource for any country. It has greater importance for a developing country like Nepal with its direct bearing on maintaining the balance in the natural environment. Being a signatory to the convention on bio-diversity in 1992, Nepal is committed to pursue management of its natural resources with the participation of women, indigenous people and the disadvantaged groups. Global affirmation was made on scientific management and conservation of bio-diversity for the benefit of mankind with the signing of the Agreement on Convention 011 International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in Nepal in 1972 for the management and conservation of representative ecosystems and the bio­-diversity. Nepal has set aside nearly 18.30 per cent of its land area as protected area under Himalayan High Hill, Hill, and Terai representative ecosystems for the management and conservation of biodiversity.

Nepal is ranked ninth in the world for its wealth and profuseness of bio-­diversity that includes as per DNPWC, 181 species of mammals, 844 species of birds, 180 species of fish, and 635 species of butterflies. It is estimated that there are about 30,000 species of wild flora in Nepal. Nepal has some of the rarest and precious wild flora and fauna in the world as listed under CITES. UNESCO first declared RoyalChitawn National Park as World Heritage site. Hence, Nepal has its own important international obligation to manage and protect its biodiversity for the future generations of the world.

Being signatory to the Ramsar Convention, Nepal has initiated related wetland and bio- diversity management and conservation works in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Recently, HMG/N has declared 20,000 lakes in Chitwan district, Jagadishpur Reservoir in Kapilvastu district, and Ghoda-Gliodi Taal in Kailali district as protected areas for wetland management as per the Ramsar Convention. 

Following the Rio Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development in 1992, GEF was created to assist countries globally to pursue environment management and conservation. Nepal government has recently approved Nepal Biodiversity Strategy document and also is in the process to set up an implementing mechanism for Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) by creating Nepal Biodiversity Trust Fund with autonomous, legal, and tax-free status. 

The Fund will support conservation education, training, applied research, sustainable income generating activities, poaching control, women focused related programs, use of indigenous knowledge and practices for conservation education and policy development etc., as per the priorities set in the NBS. 

With meaningful and responsible participation of domestic and international tourists, Nepal can promote and play an important role in nature conservation and environment management, to assure a progressive path for tourism to flourish in its true mission to conserve and promote biodiversity ensuring as well the socio-economic benefits expected from this sector.The WTD 2010 theme is to inculcate the true sense of tourism among all, that will accord highest priority for nature and biodiversity conservation. 

The celebration of WTD clearly signifies a direct link between tourism and biodiversity. Nepal can be a Mecca for global tourists for bio-diversity.  Ban Ki-moon appreciates the tourism community’s recognition of preserving biodiversity through tourism. 

Both tourism and bio-diversity conservation have to go side by side for the socio-economic benefits that the former has the potential to provide while the bio-diversity loss can be stemmed for the posterity to be proud of. 

The WTD should enlighten all the concerned, the tourists and the common people to appreciate the direct link between tourism and biodiversity. As a country, if sustained efforts are undertaken we can preserve biodiversity that will ensure more inflow of tourists. 

We must promote responsible tourism that will not only promote bio-diversity conservation but sustain tourism itself on a long term basis.  Rana is eco-cultural tourism promotion specialist

## Worlds tiniest teen to promote tourism in nepal.html

[Worlds tiniest teen to promote tourism in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/worlds-tiniest-teen-to-promote-tourism-in-nepal.html): Khagendra Thapamagar, who is the tiniest teenager in the world, has been appointed as goodwill ambassador to promote tourism in Nepal.

The government has appointed Thapamagar in order to boost the tourism sector, which is till reeling under the impact of a decade-long Maoists-led insurgency which came to an end in 2006. 

The 17-year old, measuring 22 inch, will head to London on October 11 to be officially conferred the title of the shortest man in the world by Guinness World Records.

"We expect Khagendra to promote tourism by taking part in various promotional activities to be launched by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) abroad," The News quoted Prachanda Man Shrestha, the CEO of NTB, as saying.

Khagendra, who will turn 18 on October 14, will be formally conferred the title of the shortest man in the world.

Presently 24-year-old Edward Hernandez, who is 27 inch tall, is the world's shortest man.  However, Khagendra is set to snatch the title next month. (ANI)

## Save the himalayas supporters march to un hq new york.html

[Save the Himalayas supporters march to UN HQ, New York - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/save-the-himalayas-supporters-march-to-un-hq-new-york.html): As a continuation of ‘Save the Himalayas’ campaign, on 21st September 2010, a rally was organized by NRN America, in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and National Trust for Nature Conservation.The rally saw a huge turnout of supporters that included 18 Everest summitters, members from different Nepalese organizations and concerned individuals.The participants marched to the United Nations building at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York as world leaders gathered inside the UN building.An online petition to collect signatures was also taken to the United Nations with the help of Nepal Mission to get signatures of other nations to appeal to the UN and global community to Save the Himalayas.

## Collective efforts is a must to promote mountain tourism tourism minister.html

[Collective efforts is a must to promote mountain tourism: Tourism Minister - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/collective-efforts-is-a-must-to-promote-mountain-tourism-tourism-minister.html): Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari has on Tuesday expressed that there should be collective efforts for the management as well as to promote mountain tourism in the country.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) held in the capital, Bhandari said that as Nepal's mountains have played an important role to make Nepal a popular tourist destination internationally, Nepal should focus on the management of mountain peaks.

He also said that all the concerned bodies should work together for the development of mountaineering in the country and also urged the NMA to develop and promote mountain tourism. 

On the same occasion, Kishore Thapa, secretary of the Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that as NMA has been authorised to collect royalties for climbing mountains, it should take more initiatives in managing and enhancing mountain tourism. 

He also assured that the government is ready to support the association and also urged the association to explore new mountaineering and trekking destination. 

Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, president of NMA, also requested the government to permit the association for more trekking peaks and also assured that the association will work together in promoting and managing mountain tourism. 

Nima Nuru Sherpa, first vice-president of NMA, also expressed that due to lack of budget, NMA failed to carry out its responsibilities. 

Bhandari also urged all the general people and private sector to help make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) campaign a success.

## Bhaktapur plans to be top tourist destination.html

[Bhaktapur plans to be top tourist destination - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhaktapur-plans-to-be-top-tourist-destination.html): KATHMANDU: In the next five years, Bhaktapur — an ancient city in the Kathmandu Valley — is planning to establish itself as a prime destination for tourists, according to the Bhaktapur District Tourism Development and Management Plan final draft.

The draft includes major strategies for tourism development in Bhaktapur district for the next four years till 2014 and beyond. The plan has set its goal for sustainable management and development of tourism at Bhaktapur.

“Tourism will be one of the key sector for the development of the district and its populace,” the draft plan envisions. The report has also identified major constraints for tourism development.

“Bhaktapur lacks accommodation facilities due to ignorance of hotel and lodge chain concepts,” it said, adding, “Out of a total 60 tourist standard hotels in the district, almost 59 per cent are located in Nagarkot and 30 per cent are in Bhaktapur municipal areas. These hotels occupy almost 64 per cent of total rooms and beds available for the tourists in the district. “There is no international hotel chain in Bhaktapur limiting the potential for quality tourists,” states the report. “The district also lacks entrepreneurship and has overlooked aspects of value for money.” 

Suppressed prospects of domestic tourism, inadequate product development, lack of additional tourism infrastructure, information and interpretation facilities are affecting tourism in Bhaktapur.

However, the draft has devised a broader objective to develop five years’ sustainable Tourism Development and Management Plan with a view to conserving tourism resources and provide livelihood opportunity to local communities including deprived groups and women through wider tourism entrepreneurship. 

It has also suggested developing and managing the potential tourism sites in a planned way. In order to manage and develop tourism in Bhaktapur, the draft plan has suggested activities focusing mainly on four basic principles: Integrated tourism development, partnership and participation, livelihoods and sustainability.

## Spicejet starting nepal flights from october.html

[Spicejet starting Nepal flights from October - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/spicejet-starting-nepal-flights-from-october.html): India’s budget carrier Spicejet is starting flights on New Delhi-Kathmandu route from October 7. Kathmandu will be Spicejet’s first international destination.

Zenith Travels, the general sales agents of Spicejet in Nepal, informed that Spicejet would be the first Indian budget carrier to spread its wings to the international sky. The airline is likely to fix Kathmandu-New Delhi airfare at IRs 1,499. It further informed that the airline will fly six times a week on the route.

Spicejet is also flying to Colombo of Sri Lanka from October 9. It will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft for the international flights. A few months ago, Spicejet placed order for 30 Boeing aircraft to increase its fleet size to 58 aircraft.

Meanwhile, national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation is planning to restart flight on Kathmandu-New Delhi route after September 15. NAC has halted New Delhi flights after its aircraft was grounded due to its faulty gear last month.

## Nepal can be lgbti friendly tourist destination.html

[Nepal can be LGBTI friendly tourist destination - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-can-be-lgbti-friendly-tourist-destination.html): With Nepal celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011 with ambitious plans of attracting more tourists, the possibility of large numbers of tourists from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community visiting Nepal was highlighted in a press conference today.

Speaking in a press conference, Senator Dominic Hannigan from the Irish Parliament who worked as a volunteer through the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Nepal for two weeks with the Blue Diamond Society in Nepal said, "I found Nepal as a more LGBTI friendly country”.

Senator Hannigan is one of two openly gay members in the Irish parliament. Based on his conversation with leaders of different political parties in Nepal, Hannigan said, "I was impressed to hear so many positive comments from all the politicians in relation to LGBTI issues".

Speaking in the press conference, Pradeep Khadka, Programme Director of Blue Diamond Society also unveiled the fact of increasing number of tourists from LGBTI community in Nepal.

He said, "We are getting more queries about which hotel is LGBTI friendly and if there are tour guides or agencies run by LFBTI every year so it shows the possibility of the LFBTI tourist in Nepal."

Commenting on the present political situation in Nepal, Senator Hannigan said, "What struck me were the many similarities between the situation in Nepal and the situation in the north of Ireland. We have had peace in Northern Ireland since the late '90s, but what we have learned is that everyone has to work hard to make the peace last and to build the country."

Senator Hannigan further said, “I will be returning to Ireland with many positive memories and I hope to be in a position to increase awareness of Nepal as a tourist destination so that next year Irish people will travel to Nepal in greater numbers than before."

Arlene Mahinay, VSO Nepal Country Director, stressed that this type of exchanges is important in helping marginalised groups such as LGBTI, Dalits and disabled people to learn various ways of effectively pushing for their rights as citizens of the country.

## Buddha reaches land of thunder dragon.html

[Buddha reaches land of Thunder Dragon - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddha-reaches-land-of-thunder-dragon.html): Buddha Air on Monday began commercial flights to Paro, Bhutan with its 18-seater Beechcraft 1900D. The carrier is the first international airline to enter Bhutan.

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation cleared Buddha Air for class C airspace. Buddha will use the hour-long Kathmandu-Kakarvitta-Sikkim airlane.

“We will be run four flights a week,” said Buddha Air managing director Birendra Bahadur Basnet. The airline has gone international after 13 years of domestic service.

Basnet said that Bhutan aims to draw 100,000 high-end tourists by 2012. Around 20 percent of these potential visitors are expected to enter Bhutan through Kathmandu. With the entry of Buddha Air, the monopoly of Druk Air in the Paro-Kathmandu sector has ended. Druk Air is Bhutan’s national flag carrier. Buddha Air also plans to connect Bagdogra of India from Paro under 5fth Freedom Rights as per the Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Nepal and Bhutan.

In 2002, Buddha Air’s craft had made over 100 flights to Paro for Druk Air when Druk’s aircraft was grounded for maintenance. Nepali pilots flew on the route.

Buddha Air has offered an introductory fare on the Kathmandu-Paro sector. One-way tickets each costs US$ 128 for tourists and US$ 78 for Nepali, Indian and Bhutanese travellers. The offer is valid until September-end, said Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing manager of Buddha Air.

After that date, a one-way ticket will cost US$ 228 for tourists while Nepali Indian and Bhutanese travellers’ air fare will be fixed of NRs. 60 per US dollar. Class D Nepali passengers’ fare will be US$ 120. Joshi said the fare would be revised periodically based on market demand.

The airline will also start operations on the Kathmandu-Lucknow and Kathmandu-Kolkata routes from Nov. 7 and Oct. 1, respectively. Buddha Air will be connecting to seven Indian cities by the end of 2011. In the first phase, it will link to Lucknow, Kolkata and Patna by 2010; in the second phase it will be Varanasi, Guwahati, Dehradun and Delhi by the end of 2011.

Buddha Air will connect these cities via regional airports. However, until these airports are upgraded to handle international flights the carrier will operate from Kathmandu. Nepal and India revised the air service agreement in September 2009, increasing the number of weekly flight seats to 30,000 and opening 10 new destinations. Nepali airlines are permitted to fly to 21 destinations in India.

## Bhaktapur durbar square entry fee to be increased.html

[Bhaktapur Durbar Square entry fee to be increased - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bhaktapur-durbar-square-entry-fee-to-be-increased.html): Bhaktapur Municipality has planned to increase the tourist entry fee for Nepal Toursism Year 2011. Starting January 2011, the new entry fee to Bhaktapur Durbar Square will be Rs 100 for visitors from SAARC countries and Rs 1,000 from visitors from other countries.

## Oman air to launch kathmandu muscat flights.html

[Oman Air to Launch Kathmandu-Muscat Flights - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/oman-air-to-launch-kathmandu-muscat-flights.html): Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, will be launching Kathmandu- Muscat flights from 2nd September, 2010.The airline will be operating 4 flights a week -on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.The flights will be operated on a B737-700 aircraft, offering business and economy class cabins.

## Indonesia to help nepal boost trade tourism.html

[Indonesia to help Nepal boost trade, tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/indonesia-to-help-nepal-boost-trade-tourism.html): Nepal and Indonesia have agreed to joined hands for the development of tourism sector and trade. 

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Zet Mirzal Zainuddin, Indonesian ambassador to Nepal and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) officials in the capital earlier this week. 

At the meeting they also decided to increase cooperation for the development of tourism sector in the both countries. 

The ambassador also said that the government of Indonesia is all set to ease visa process for Nepali businessmen eager to invest in one of the fastest growing economies in the work. 

He also assured that he will be helping in the promotion of Nepali products in Indonesia. 

Surendra Bir Malakar, president of NCC also requested for the Indonesian foreign direct investment to Nepal and also sought help to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) a success by starting Jakarta-Kathmandu direct flight. nepalnews.com

## Nepal indonesia to collaborate.html

[Nepal, Indonesia to collaborate - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-indonesia-to-collaborate.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal and Indonesia decided to work together for the promotion of tourism. Both countries can work together in the sector, said Zet Mirzal Zainuddin, Indonesian ambassador to Nepal in a meeting with Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) officials here today.

Indonesia is simplifying visa procedure for the Nepalis to expand business relations. “Visa to Nepalis will be issued from here in near future,” he said. He assured Nepali entrepreneurs of his support for export promotion in Indonesia. Nepali Pashmina has a huge potential in the Indonesian market, he said. 

NCC president Surendra Bir Malakar requested Zainuddin to help in tourism, export and Indonesian foreign direct investment to Nepal. He asked to start Jakarta-Kathmandu direct flight to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success.  Honorary Consulate of Indonesia, Chandra Prasad Dhakal requested Nepali entrepreneurs to take part in the Trade Expo Indonesia. The expo is going to be held on October 13-17.  Other NCC officials also expressed their desire to boost bilateral relationship between the two countries. Nepal and Indonesia has diplomatic relationship for four decades.

## Asia invest seminar of tourism professional.html

[Asia Invest seminar of tourism professional - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/asia-invest-seminar-of-tourism-professional.html): KATHMADNU: International Regional Seminar of Small & Medium Accommodation Providers (SMAPs) was held on August 19. Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), International School of Tourism & Hotel Management (IST), Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITH), Sri Lankan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) and Salzburg University, Austria, participated in the seminar.

European Union’s (EU) Asia Invest project has established Training Academies in Nepal and Sri Lanka under the supervision of the local partners Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Prasidha Bahadur Panday, president of HAN spoke about the role of HAN in tourism promotion in Nepal, other tourism related activities, SMAPs sustainability and its contribution for the overall development in Nepal.

Dr Heidi Burkhart, general manager, Hilfserk Austria International spoke about the role of HWA and community-based tourism in Nepal and other countries.

Upali D Silva, Director of SLTDA spoke about the role of SLTDA in tourism promotion in Sri Lanka, other tourism related activities, and SMAPs contribution to the overall development of Sri Lanka.

Narendra Bajracharya, CEO of International School of Tourism & Hotel Management spoke about the role of private sector in tourism.

European Union’s Asia Invest project ‘Strengthening the Capacities of Small and Medium sized Accommodation Providers’ (SMAPs) worked with 80 Nepali and 40 Sri Lankan SMAPs simultaneously.  The programme was carried out in Chitwan, Nagarkot, Pokhara and Lumbini in Nepal.

Participants were provided with training booklets, tool kits, audio video trainings, and personal coaching by the tourism and IT experts in respective fields.

## Oman air to fly to kathmandu.html

[Oman Air to fly to Kathmandu - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/oman-air-to-fly-to-kathmandu.html): Oman Air has announced that it will start direct flights between Muscat and Kathmandu from September 2. The airlines hope that the flights would benefit Nepali workers who have been working in Oman. The airlines will fly four times a week to Kathmandu on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Apart from direct flights to Muscat, the airline will also offer connecting flight to other destinations like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai in the UAE as well as other destinations in the Gulf and Europe. The airline plans to operate B737-700 aircraft on the route.

## Steps to boost tourism in tibet and nepal.html

[Steps to Boost Tourism in Tibet and Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/steps-to-boost-tourism-in-tibet-and-nepal.html): In order boost tourism in Nepal and Tibet, tourism officials from Tibet Autonomous region of China and Nepal will be working jointly. There is already talk of launching day tours along the Nepal-China border. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal has increased significantly since last year. For NTY 2011, Nepal is targeting to draw some 100,000 Chinese tourists.Nepalese government has already simplified visa procedures for Chinese tourists.Chinese passport holders who take a direct bus service to Nepal could get visas at land ports in Tibet.

## Turgan wants service charge rise.html

[TURGAN wants service charge rise - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/turgan-wants-service-charge-rise.html): KATHMANDU: Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN) has proposed a hike of 60-70 per cent in Freelance Tourist Guide Service charges. However tourism entrepreneurs opined that the new remuneration rate will not be reasonable.

“It’s been years, there has been a ‘genuine hike’ in the remuneration of the tourist guide,” said Hare Ram Baral, president of TURGAN. “Last hike of two per cent was made on tour guide remuneration in 2007 after Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and TURGAN,” he said adding that they have proposed for a 60-70 per cent hike in the remuneration now.

According to the tourism entrepreneur, tour and travel sectors are parts of in the hospitality sector. So hike in the present remuneration currently can effect the tourism sector as a whole. “We have received a circular regarding proposed hike in the remuneration of tour guide from October 1 but as the operators have already forwarded their quotations to the foreign agencies, the new rate cannot be applied soon,” said Hari Sarmah, chief executive officer at NATTA. The new rate could be applied in the next season but not from October. “Different countries offer different special economy packages during their tourism promotion years, but in our case there is no economy packages for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011,” he said. “The tourism service charges could not be hiked at present,” Sarmah added. “TURGAN decision is arbitrary,” he said adding that they conducted an expert research before the hike in the remuneration rate.

However, baral said that the rate has to be hiked about 150 per cent, according to the research. “However we have proposed only 60 to 70 per cent hike,” he added. According to Baral, as there was no response to their proposal that they have forwarded on April 10, TURGAN was forced to send circulars on the new remuneration rates. “We have repeatedly urged for mutual talks but there was no response, Baral said adding that they are ready for talks if NATTA wants to hold talks with them. “There is no hard and fast rule for determination of remuneration. It all depends on mutual understanding,” said Sarmah.

Though, the world tourism report states that there is an increment in tourist arrivals, the tourist mobility has decreased due to climate change, recession, conflicts and political instability, he added.

## We urgently need more aircraft.html

[We urgently need more aircraft - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/we-urgently-need-more-aircraft.html): KATHMANDU: Asking the government not to be biased against Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), its Executive Chairman Sugat Ratna Kansakar has requested the government to provide bank guarantee for the purchase of aircraft urgently needed for the airline. “Addition of new aircraft is a must. If it takes another year for us to get those aircraft, it may have an effect on the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Foreign airlines are charging 40-50 per cent higher airfare,” Kansakar said.

Most of the airlines in the world are expanding their fleet with modern aircraft. They are also fast capturing market share while NAC is struggling with two old Boeings, he said. NAC commands a meager six per cent share of the international air traffic to and from Kathmandu. Total air transport business of NAC is at Rs 4 billion. That is only about six per cent of the total air transport business at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), said Kansakar. According to a rough estimate, TIA witnesses air transport business to the tune of Rs 60 billion. “According to international norms, a national carrier should have 25-30 per cent market share,” he said.

NAC is currently flying to Hong Kong, Kuala Lampur and Dubai. “NAC needs to add more destinations,” Kansakar said. “If we get more aircraft, we have plans to start flights to Western Europe, North America, South Korea, Japan and Australia,” Kansakar said. NAC used to operate to 12 international destinations, which has now come down to six. On domestic sector, NAC has seven twin otters in the inventory, out of which a maximum of three are in operation.

## Nepal promoted in sri lanka.html

[Nepal Promoted in Sri Lanka - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-promoted-in-sri-lanka.html): A ten-day long ‘Nepalese Cultural and Food Festival’ was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 18th to 27th June 2010.The festival was organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Among other visitors, the festival had 300 special guests, including leaders of business community, tourism professionals, social and political personalities and senior government officials of Sri Lanka as well as ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior diplomats based in Colombo. Cultural programmes by the Nepali troupe entertained visitors to the festival. Speaking at the festival, His Excellency Sushil Chandra Amatya, ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, expressed his confidence that the event would help bring Sri Lankan people closer to Nepal and fuel their interest to visit Nepal in the future.

## Ntb to analyse all tourism data.html

[NTB to analyse all tourism data - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-to-analyse-all-tourism-data.html): KATHMANDU: Lack of Tourism Satellite Accounting (TSA) system has hit the calculation of tourism industry’s real contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In order to work out exact contribution of the tourism sector, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has designed a concept paper based on the preliminary report of TSA.

For the first time, NTB has started its research and preparation of tourism statistics. This is likely to help draw a clear picture of the tourism sector and its contribution.

The first of its own kind research can get the exact picture of tourism sector, he said.

Tourism Satellite Accounting system estimates the total economic and employment impact of tourism, taking into account the proportions of other industries that rely on travel and tourism in some way or the other.

“According to the government, the tourism sector directly or indirectly makes a contribution of around two to three per cent to the total GDP,” said Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, coordinator of tourism sector at FNCCI and member of NTY 2011 working committee.

“Government’s calculation is based on the dollar-income. This does not reflect the real contribution of the sector,” he said.  The present calculation does not register the contribution of Indian tourists, who spend Indian currency (IC). The system only calculates the contribution on dollar income,” Shrestha added.  According to Nepal Economic Update report published by the World Bank recently, service sector’s that have always remained unaffected of political instability contribution to GDP has risen to 52 per cent from 46 per cent a decade ago.

The sector grew by an average of 5.8 per cent between the financial year 2006-07 and 2008-09.

The growth is expected to slow down to 5.3 per cent in the current financial year.

According to the report, three factors are sustaining a relatively high service growth — tourism, telecommunications, and social services.

Supported by more international flights to Nepal and a higher number of Indian and Chinese tourists, tourism is projected to grow by 8.5 per cent from an average growth of 5.6 per cent during the last three years.

Tourism is not much affected by the current political instability in the country. Despite a global economic slowdown, Nepal has enjoyed a sustained growth in the international tourist arrivals, since June 2009.

Similarly, Nepal’s major tourist source markets — neighbouring India and China — have registered a double-digit growth which is encouraging for tourism entrepreneurs. “This underscores the importance of neighbouring and regional markets in increasing the number of visitor arrivals,” he added. “Nepal is offering quality service with variety of packages from economy to high-end packages.”Compared to the same period last year, tourist arrival during May has increased by six per cent to 26,634.

## Manakamana cable car records highest number of passengers.html

[Manakamana Cable Car records Highest Number of Passengers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/manakamana-cable-car-records-highest-number-of-passengers.html): Manakamana Cable Car, the cable car that ferries the pilgrims to the hill-top shrine of Manakamana Devi in Gorkha district, has recorded the highest number of passengers during the current fiscal year.According to reports, of the over 800,000 visitors, 60 percent were Nepalese while 40 percent were international. Installed by an Austrian company, the Manakamana Cable Car has been operating since 1998. The introduction of the cable car has reduced the previously arduous five-hour climb to the Manakamana Temple for pilgrims to a mere 10 minute trip. The cable car company has been ferrying around 2,500 passengers daily.

Since 17th century, Manakamana Devi has been widely venerated by Hindus as a ‘wish fulfilling goddess’. The shrine dedicated to Mankamana Devi lies south of the historic town of Gorkha and is located on the top of a ridge overlooking the river valleys of Trishuli and Marshyangdi. One can enjoy spectacular views of green hills and valleys, terraced fields as well as the Manaslu-Himlchuli and the Annapurna ranges from around the temple area.

A drive of 2 and a half hour from Kathmandu brings you to the cable car company station.

## Sherpas tackle everest death zone rubbish dump.html

[Sherpas tackle Everest death zone rubbish dump - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/sherpas-tackle-everest-death-zone-rubbish-dump.html): A team of 20 Nepalese climbers has braved the heights of Everest's "death zone" to remove rubbish left by explorers.

Many Nepali and foreign climbers have tried to clean up the mountain in the past but Namgyal Sherpa, leader of the Extreme Everest Expedition 2010, said no one had dared to clean above 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) before.

The team filmed its expedition before showing footage to the Nepalese Tourism Board, to illustrate how junk is becoming exposed as global warming causes snow to melt.

## Chinas tibet nepal to promote himalaya tourism.html

[Chinas Tibet, Nepal to promote Himalaya tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chinas-tibet-nepal-to-promote-himalaya-tourism.html): Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region will work closely with Nepal to boost the tourism industry in the Himalayan region, officials said Friday.

"To start with, we'll jointly launch day tours along the China-Nepal border," said Wang Songping, deputy chief of Tibet's tourism administration, at "Welcome to Nepal," a briefing on Nepal tourism in Lhasa. 

Wang and his Nepalese counterparts are also exploring a cross-Himalayan route passing Kathmandu, in Nepal, and Tibet's Jilung and Zham.  "Travel services in China and Nepal are encouraged to work closely to draw more tourists to the Himalayan region and promote package tours in the two countries," he said.  Nepal had simplified visa procedures for Chinese tourists. Chinese passport holders who took the direct bus service to Nepal could get visas at land ports in Tibet, said Wang.  China's three leading airline companies -- China Eastern, China Southern and Air China -- all operate passenger flights to Nepal. 

Chinese tourist arrivals in Nepal had been growing by 20 percent annually since Nepal became a tourist destination for Chinese citizens in 2001, Wang said.  Last year, Nepal received 15,000 Chinese tourists, said Naindra Upadhaya, consul general of Nepal in Tibet.

Large numbers of international tourists also visited Tibet by way of Nepal, he said.  Upadhaya said his country would launch "Nepal Tourism Year" in 2011, a national tourism campaign expected to draw a million international tourists. "We hope 100,000 of them will be Chinese."  Tourism authorities in Nepal and Tibet signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism promotion in 2003 and established a joint coordination committee.

To date, the committee has held three meetings. The fourth will be held in Lhasa in September. Editor: Mo Hong'e

## Pata travelmedia partnership.html

[Pata, Travelmedia partnership - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pata-travelmedia-partnership.html): KATHMANDU: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Travelmedia have partnered to produce and market a special PATA edition of ‘Travel and Tourism: Opening Doors for Your Future’. According to the PATA release, this is an interactive educational and motivational programme that introduces the travel and tourism industry as a serious and rewarding sector for a promising career.

“Travel and Tourism: Opening Doors for Your Future” is the successor to the ‘World of Many Faces’ initiative supported by PATA, and many PATA members urged us to bring it back,” said Russell Johnson, president, Travelmedia.

## No hk transit visa for nepalis.html

[No HK transit visa for Nepalis - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/no-hk-transit-visa-for-nepalis.html): KATHMANDU: Nepalis visiting around two-and-a-half dozen countries via Hong Kong by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will not need Hong Kong transit visa from today. According to Nepal Airlines, the new agreement between the Hong Kong Immigration and NAC, now onwards Nepalis travelling to third country via Honkong now will not need transit visa. “Nepalis travelling to Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gree-ce, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latviya, Lithuania, Lukxemburg, Malta, Ne-derland, Norway, Pola-nd, Portugal, Slovania, Spain, Sweden, and Swi-tzerland via Honkong will not need this visa.”

## Ntidc to explore possible tourist destinations in 75 districts.html

[NTIDC to Explore Possible Tourist Destinations in 75 Districts - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntidc-to-explore-possible-tourist-destinations-in-75-districts.html): Nepal Tourism Infrastructure Development Council (NTIDC) aims to explore possible tourist destinations in all 75 districts of Nepal within the next two years.The council will be conducting research on the historical, religious and cultural background of the possible tourist destinations, working in coordination with the Ministry of Local Development, District Development Committee, Local Municipality, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries and other partners.

## Agro tourism project starts.html

[Agro tourism project starts - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/agro-tourism-project-starts.html): KATHMANDU: Agro-tourism has been launched in Jagat Bhanjyang, Sirsekot, Majhkot and Jagatradevi village development committees (VDCs) of the district which are famous for commercial agricultural production.

Govinda Gurung, chief of the Pitlek Rural Agriculture Tourism Development Committee, said that they were giving importance to agriculture research, observation spots and display of farm products to promote agro-tourism. There is also a home stay scheme for five persons per house, he added. Tourist inflow has increased in all the four VDCs in recent days.

According to Chet Nath Adhikari, senior officer of District Agriculture Development, representatives from more than 25 districts including Kathmandu have visited Jagat Bhanjyang and they were impressed by the developments there.

There is a rotating house and view point in Jagat Bhanjyang from where all 16 districts can viewed. Antique household goods are displayed in the rotating house constructed at Sirsekot. Ananta Shrestha, vice chairman of the District Tourism Development Committee, said these VDCs could be models of agro-tourism as they were famous for agricultural products. In addition, Pitlek of Jagat Bhanjyang VDC is rich in art and culture. The farmers have be-en using solar panels for commercial vegetable and coffee farming.

A trainer Ramesh Gurung said 40 villagers have received training in kitchen management, service management and home stay management involving a family member from each household.

## Buddhist tour connecting india nepal.html

[Buddhist tour connecting India, Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddhist-tour-connecting-india-nepal.html): Kathmandu: Nepal will soon launch a bus tour from Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, to different Indian cities having important Buddhist pilgrimages, to lure over a million tourists to the country during the Tourism Year 2011.

The Eco-tourism Buddhist Circuit pilgrimage tour will start from Lumbini in Western Nepal and take a round of Indian cities Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar before concluding at where it started, said Nepal Tourism Board chief Prachanda Man Shrestha.

The ten-day tour aims to promote Nepal's tourism, which had suffered a lot during the decade-long insurgency, by luring Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, Shrestha said.

The pilgrims would get to see Buddhist stupas, chaityal, monasteries, mahaviharas, arts and architecture and religious literature from different parts of India and Nepal during the tour that would cost around 400 US dollar per person.

At the initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board, two 42-seater deluxe buses will be arranged as per the packaged tour programme that would start its trial run in November.

The regular bus service will start from January 2011 to coincide with the Nepal Tourism Year.

Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini some 2,554 years ago and he got enlightenment in Bodhgaya, preached his first disciple in Sarnath and died in Kushinagar of India.

Though Buddha was born in Nepal, the country has not received its proper share from the Buddhist pilgrimage tour due to lack of publicity and lack of connectivity, the minister claimed.

Through the packaged tour Nepal aims to get its share from around 300,000 Buddhist pilgrims who are currently visiting mainly Indian cities annually, Shrestha said.

## Khaptad faces graft slur.html

[Khaptad faces graft slur - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/khaptad-faces-graft-slur.html): The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Thursday seized all the documents related to Khaptad Area Tourism Development Committee suspecting misappropriation of a huge amount of government fund. The CIAA suspects that millions of rupees allocated by the government has been misused. “As of now, the government has allocated Rs. 100 millions, but it seems they have hardly spent two hundred thousands,” said an investigation officer. The commission has formed a three-member probe team headed by Naresh Bahadur Shah to investigate the alleged irregularities. “We will publicise the details after returning from Khaptad,” said Shah.

## Lucknow nepal flight to start shortly.html

[Lucknow-Nepal flight to start shortly - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/lucknow-nepal-flight-to-start-shortly.html): BAHRAICH: In a bid to boost tourism in Nepal, Buddha Airlines Company very shortly is starting international air services from Nepalganj (Nepal) located on Indo-Nepal border to Lucknow.

Buddha Airlines Company has included 72-seater modern aircraft for this international route. Passengers from Lucknow to Nepalganj, Pokhra and Kathmandu may travel by this aircraft.

Director Buddha Airlines, Nepalganj, Bineet Shah told TOI that the air services will shortly be started from Ranjha airport of Nepalganj to Lucknow. He claimed that the airfare of this aircraft will be less than other aircrafts.

## Gutsy nepali women set sights on sky high record.html

[Gutsy Nepali women set sights on sky high record - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/gutsy-nepali-women-set-sights-on-sky-high-record.html): KATHMANDU: Nine brave Nepali women are all set to climb seven of the highest peaks in each of the seven continents of the globe.

According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), from June, 2010 a team of nine Nepali women will begin the first international leg of a tour that will see them climb seven of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.

On successfully climbing all seven summits, the women will be setting a world record for being the largest team to do so. The team will be using their expedition to highlight the urgent issue of climate change.

NTB informed that the action will kick-start in Australia on June 29. The team will fly into Sydney and travel down to the south coast of NSW and then up to the alpine region to climb Mt Kosciuszko/Targangil in early July.

Before their departure, a press conference is being organised at NTB on June 25.

## Han wants tax sops for tourism industry.html

[HAN wants tax sops for tourism industry - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-wants-tax-sops-for-tourism-industry.html): KATHMANDU: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has urged the government to ease taxes in the tourism sector in the upcoming budget and accord it the national priority sector status. HAN has suggested to cut value-added tax (VAT) from existing 13 per cent to 10 per cent for agricultural products.

HAN also demanded the government to support the purchase of five new aircraft by Nepal Airlines Corporation and capacity upgrade for the Tribhuvan International Airport. The association has asked the government to give tourism entrepreneurs a 100 per cent tax rebate for purchasing vehicles for their businesses. HAN has also suggested to develop a green belt around the Narayanhiti Museum to make it more attractive for tourists. HAN urged for developing a four or eight-lane road.

According to HAN, private sector has invested Rs 150 billion in the hotel sector and more investments are in the pipelines for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Tourism sector earns 24 per cent of the foreign currency and indirectly offers direct employment to 10 lakh people.

## Clean up campaign in fewa lake.html

[Clean-up campaign in Fewa Lake - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/clean-up-campaign-in-fewa-lake.html): Local administration organized a massive campaign in the first week of June to get rid of water hyacinth that has infested Fewa Lake, one of the major tourist attractions in Kaski district.

About 200 personnel of Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police along with local boat entrepreneur actively participated in the campaign. Tourism entrepreneurs’ and local mother groups also participated in the campaign.

The team collected over 10 truckloads of fast spreading water hyacinth on a single day.  Kaski CDO Sambhu Koirala said the clean-up campaign was organized to preserve Fewa Lake which has been infested by water hyacinth. “We will organize similar clear-up campaigns to preserve the beauty of this lake city,” Koirala added.

Every year stakeholders in Pokhara has been organizing clean-up campaign on Fewa Lake to great rid of the fast spreading water plant. It had already covered almost half of the lake.

## New tekking trail in gorkha.html

[New Tekking Trail in Gorkha - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-tekking-trail-in-gorkha.html): For the success of Nepal Tourism year 2011, tourism entrepreneurs and officials are busy building up infrastructure and planning new tours and packages for tourists. That the trekkers may get to explore some f the least explored places, Gorkha Tourism Board in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is working to establish a new trekking route from Manakamana to Gorkha. Gorkha was the royal seat of the erstwhile Shah dynasty, which ruled Nepal till 2008, when a popular people’s movement overthrew monarchy and declared Nepal a republic.

The trail, covering a distance of 25 km from Manakamana to Gorkha winds through traditional Magar villages, historical and religious sites and dense forests filled with Himalayan flora and fauna.The Board will be introducing two packages for the trail: a two nights/three days package and a three nights-four days package.

The Gorkha Tourism Board is also planning to revive the ancient Lig Lig Kot race during Chaite Dassein festival(celebrated in March/April). The race will be open to locals and visitors alike, and the winner will be declared the tourism ambassador of Gorkha. According to legend it was by winning in this particular race in the 14th century, that Dravya Shah became the king of Gorkha. However, after his win, he discontinued this race and started the reign of Shah dynasty in Gorkha.

## Kalapatthar inscription stone to be fixed at un park.html

[Kalapatthar inscription stone to be fixed at UN park - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/kalapatthar-inscription-stone-to-be-fixed-at-un-park.html): KATHMANDU: The stone inscription with information on the Climate Change meeting held at Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar on December 4, 2009 is going to be fixed at the UN Park located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Thapathali.

It was earlier announced that the inscription would be placed at Kalapatthar itself. “We cannot carry it to such a high altitude due to its heavy weight. Even choppers refused to carry it,” said a source at the Environment Ministry, adding, “So, we returned it and kept it at Tribhuvan International Airport for around three weeks and ultimately it was decided that it would be fixed at the UN Park.” PM Nepal, two months ago, had announced that the stone would be placed at Kalapatthar.

## Nepal pottery in tourism bouquet.html

[Nepal pottery in tourism bouquet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-pottery-in-tourism-bouquet.html): KATHMANDU: Thimi's Prajapati potter community doesn't use the elegant little wheels most of us picture potters working with. They use old tyres filled with concrete that weigh more than 300 kg. “Starting the wheels is so laborious. It is the only aspect of pot-making that Thimi's women don't participate in,” said Tulsi Bahadur Prajapati, a local potter.

Men turn these improvised wheels with a pole at a frenzied pace until the tyre is spinning fast enough for them to throw two or three pots in about five minutes. A high rate of potters deserting their traditional vocation is disconcerting, but by no means surprising. But Thimi's potters have a lot more incentives to alter their archaic techniques. Their works are found at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Koto restaurant, and Hotel Kido. And, colourfully glazed coffee mugs from Thimi Ceramics appear to be a staple in any expat's kitchen.

The Nepal Ceramics Co-operative Society, which now supplies materials for 14 pottery workshops and 37 potters from Thimi and Bhaktapur. “You can't get all ingredients for the glaze in Kathmandu,” informed proprietor of Om Everest Ceramics Laxmi Krishna Prajapati. The ingredients necessary for glazing would be prohibitively expensive and difficult for most potters to obtain. But working collectively, they can procure these materials at a reasonable cost, said Laxmi Prajapati.

The glazed pottery produced here is technically superior to ceramics in Europe, China, India, and America. It is lead-free and non-toxic. He said that valley potters have been using the brittle red terracotta clay locally available and found under the topsoil of rice fields. If the research is successful, there is hope that domestically produced pottery will the best in the ceramic markets.

For the moment, technical advances being made in workshops in Thimi and Bhaktapur signal that a movement to reinvigorate Nepal's ceramic work is underway. If nothing else, the Nepal Ceramics Cooperative Society is working to ensure that Kathmandu Valley's pottery tradition won't decline further.

Potters all over Nepal work extremely hard for negligible economic compensation. Of the roughly 1,000 workshops in Thimi, only four or five use modern potting technology such as electrically-powered wheels and kerosene-fuelled kilns.

Since they don't have enough land to grow their own food, many potters walk to farms when rice and wheat are being harvested, trading storage pots for grain. They make just enough profit to survive.

## Lazimpat tourism development board holds agm.html

[Lazimpat Tourism Development Board holds AGM - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/lazimpat-tourism-development-board-holds-agm.html): Lazimpat Tourism Development Board (LTDB) recently held its first annual general meeting (AGM) in Kathmandu. LTDB is a forum of tourism entrepreneurs based in and around Lazimpat.

Speaking on the occasion, newly elected President Govinda Singh Dangol said the LTDB will do its best to develop Lazimpat as a popular tourism hub in the Kathmandu Valley. “We will also develop home-stay facilities in Lazimpat to achieve the target of one million visitors during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. We will encourage people in the area to allocate at least one room in every home for tourists,” he added.

The AGM elected Jagat Man Lama as vice president, Dr Raghab Kishor Bhattarai as secretary and Ram Prasad Shrestha as treasurer.

Meanwhile, LTDB has also floated a concept of developing Lazimpat area as a ‘Nice Walking Zone’. It plans to improve traffic management in the area, maintain pavements, manage street lights, implement waste management programmes effectively, and improve security situation to develope the area as a walking zone. The total cost of developing Lazimpat area as a ‘Nice Walking Zone’ has been estimated at Rs 1,435,000.

## Zimba zangbu elected nma president.html

[Zimba Zangbu elected NMA president - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/zimba-zangbu-elected-nma-president.html): Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has elected Zimba Zangbu Sherpa as its new president. Sherpa received 443 of the 851 votes cast, edging his competitor Bhumi Lal Lama by 63 votes.

Similarly, Nima Nuru Sherpa and Santabir Lama have been elected as first and second vice president respectively. Sherpa defeated Da Gombu Sherpa while Lama edged Thakur Raj Pandey. Dibas Bikram Shah, Dibas Pokharel and Asha Gurung have been elected as general secretary, secretary and treasurer respectively.

Similarly, Dawa Steven Sherpa, Sonam Chhiring Sherpa, Maya Sherpa, Rajendra Man Shrestha, Ang Dawa Sherpa, Om Man Shrestha Pasang Sherpa, Thaman Singh Tamang and Usha Bista have been elected as the members.

According to NMA statute, 1024 general members can elect six office-bearers and nine members, while mountaineers can elect two members in the executive committee. Similarly, nine institutional members can elect a member in the executive committee.

Bil Bahadur Thapa and Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa have been elected in the executive committee as members from among the mountaineers, while Ngawang Ngima Sherpa of Nepal Mountaineering Instructors’ Association has been elected into the executive committee from amongst the institutional members. 

Two panels led by Zimba Zangbu Sherpa and Bhumi Lal Lama had contested in the election. Eleven members of Sherpa’s panel and four, including second vice president and general secretary, from Lama’s panel were elected.

The executive committee will perform its responsibility for a two-year tenure.

## Dharamshala in muktinath.html

[Dharamshala in Muktinath - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dharamshala-in-muktinath.html): A dharamshala (shelter or rest house for travellers, usually pilgrims) has been built in Muktinath in Mustang district under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood inaugerated the new dharamshala on 20th June,2010. Managed by the District Development Committee, Mustang the dharamshala has a capacity of 44 beds with separate space for reception, meditation room, kitchen, cafeteria, dining hall and a guard-house.The management hopes to provide good quality and affordable accommodation for pilgrims and tourists.

## Buddha air adds atr 72 to its fleet.html

[Buddha Air adds ATR 72 to its fleet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddha-air-adds-atr-72-to-its-fleet.html): With a view to expanding its services, Buddha Air, a leading domestic airline company, has added an ATR 72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The new aircraft landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday, flying from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu via Ahmedabad in India.

The ATR 72 is a twin-turboprop built by French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR and seats up to 70 passengers in a single-class configuration. With the arrival of the ATR 72, Buddha Air has a fleet of nine aircraft. The airline plans to add one more ATR 72 next year.

Buddha Air purchased the aircraft for US$ 7.75 million with the payment to be made in instalments spread over three years.

“This aircraft features the lowest seat-mile cost in its class and has great efficiency and reliability and is technically sound,” said Birendra Bahadur Basnet, managing director of the airline. With the new addition, the airline is also targeting its international operations which it plans to launch in September.

However, the new ATR 72 will initially operate on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector while the existing ATR 42 that flies the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector will be used on the Bharatpur, Dhangadhi and Pokhara routes. Basnet also hinted that Budhha Air will slash fares after the arrival of the ATR 72.

“As the ATR 72 is cost effective, technically sound turboprop aircraft, it  will reduce the maintenance cost and it will have a direct impact on the fares,” he said.  Buddha Air that has recently spread its wings to Paro, Bhutan, will start its international operation by launching a flight from Kathmandu to Patna, Lucknow and Kolkata, all in India, in September.

“We will be launching flights to these three Indian cities simultaneously,” said Basnet. The airline was scheduled to launch its flights to the Indian cities from June, however, the plan has to be postponed due to technical problems.

Buddha Air plans to operate flights to most of these destinations depending on market viability as allowed by Air Service Agrement between Nepal and India.

## Fishtail airs air ambulance.html

[Fishtail Airs Air Ambulance - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/fishtail-airs-air-ambulance.html): Patient flown from Pokhara to Kathmandu on Fishtail Air’s Air Ambulance On 18th June, 2010, a patient who was need in need of urgent medical care in Kathmandu was flown from Pokhara to Kathmandu on Fishtail Air’s air ambulance. Along with the pilots, the air ambulance had a medical team of doctors and helpers accompanying the patient. To save more lives at risk, Fishtail Air has introduced ambulance facilities in its helicopters. The air ambulance has medical facilities and equipments supplied by Air Zermatt which can be fitted or detached in minutes. This service will benefit not only injured mountaineers but also patients from far- flung areas in need of emergency medical care.

## Nepal becomes major tourism destination for asian travelers.html

[Nepal becomes major tourism destination for Asian travelers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-becomes-major-tourism-destination-for-asian-travelers.html): KATHMANDU (Xinhua) -- Nepal is becoming a major tourism destination for Asian travelers, local media reported on Tuesday.

The World Bank South Asia Economic Update 2010 reveals that travelers from East Asia made up 26.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal, according to The Kathmandu Post daily. 

The statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board also reflect a similar trend. Tourist arrivals from China, South Korea and Thailand have been increasing in the past few years.

The number of Chinese arrivals in Nepal has increased by 185.97 percent in the last three years. Around 19,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2009. In the three years, 2006-2009, tourist arrivals from South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have soared by 68.40 percent, 164.26 percent, 83.48 percent and 46.32 percent respectively.

Travel trade analysts attribute the increment in East Asian arrivals to their rising income levels, desire to visit the birthplace of the Buddha and better air connectivity.

Currently, four Chinese airlines operate flights to Nepal with China Eastern Airlines being the latest entrant last year.

The growth in inbound from East Asia has prompted the concerned stakeholders to pay special attention to the region.

Nepal is expecting 100,000 tourists from China during Nepal Tourism Year 2011 while it has targeted a 20 percent increment in tourist arrivals from other Asian countries.

## Direct bus service linking pokhara new delhi.html

[Direct bus service linking Pokhara-New Delhi - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/direct-bus-service-linking-pokhara-new-delhi.html): A private transportation company has been plying passenger buses along the Pokhara-New Delhi highway ferrying tourists and Nepalese between the two Nepalese and Indian cities of Pokhara and New Delhi. Presently the bus service runs for three days a week , but taking into consideration NTY 2011 and the the increased frequency of tourist arrivals, the company has decided to ply its buses 6 days a week from mid-July.Though most of the passengers are Nepalese and Indian tourists, tourists from Japan, America, England, and Israel have also been found favoring this direct bus service.

## Chitwan national park turning into poachers haven.html

[Chitwan national park turning into poachers haven - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chitwan-national-park-turning-into-poachers-haven.html): KATHMANDU: In the past two months, poachers, making a mockery of park security arrangements, have killed seven rhinos at the Chitwan National Park. And in the last one year, the CNP saw more than 15 rhinos fall at the hand of poachers.

These incidents, which occurred despite the deployment of more than 900 Nepal Army personnel for wildlife protection, point at cracks in security arrangements. In light of unabated poaching in national parks, high officials at the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) have felt the need to mobilise Nepali Army personnel deployed for park security more effectively.

Subsequently, the officials have demanded that the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) outline the NA’s role in the parks to chalk out an anti-poaching strategy that works. “The role and duties of Army personnel deployed in the parks are not clear,” said Tulsi Ram Sharma, spokesperson, DNPWC, pointing that there’s no written agreement between the government and the NA over the deployment of the soldiers in the national parks.

“To make anti-poaching efforts more effective, the forest ministry should prepare a strategy after holding rigorous consultations with the Ministry of Defence on the deployment of the army personnel and get the strategy approved through the Cabinet,” added Sharma. According to wildlife officials, of late, rhinos have been poached in core areas of the Chitwan national park, which are quite close to security posts.

“If wildlife is killed in the park area, the Army should be taken to task first. But here, the department of wildlife is blamed for all the incidents, regardless of the fact that the department is not an armed body tasked with tackling the poachers,” said Megh Bahadur Pandey, deputy director general, DNPWC.

“Our duty is to look after the overall management of the parks and that is what we are doing. The army should also be equally responsible,” added Pandey. Terming park security a ‘complex issue’, Forest Minister Deepak Bohara said his ministry had taken the issue seriously.

“We will talk with the defence ministry and high-level army officials within a few days to find out the solution,” said the forest minister. While a source at the ministry said,”When wildlife is poached in a national park, the warden is held responsible. The wardens are transferred after poaching incidents, while army personnel are spared.”

Stressing the need to address national parks problems immediately, Diwakar Chapagain, wildlife trade manager, World Wildlife Fund-Nepal, said, “If we fail to address park security issues, the donor community, which has invested hugely for wildlife conservation, will question our conservation efforts.”

## Tourism can wipe out food insecurity in the far west.html

[Tourism can wipe out food insecurity in the Far-West - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-can-wipe-out-food-insecurity-in-the-far-west.html): KATHMANDU: Richard Ragan, Country Director of United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) for Nepal has said that the problem of food insecurity in the country needs a systematic approach. “What WFP is doing in the Far-West and Karnali regions (Cash/Food for Asset Programs) is only a short-term solution. WFP has been providing food grains in aid to the poor population in the Mid- and Far-West regions. European Union (EU) is funding the food/cash for work programs of WFP.

He said tourism should be developed in these regions to break the cycle of poverty as happened in case of the Khumbu region and Muktinath trail. “These places are also barren but thanks to tourism, the population can at least buy their food items. The Upper Dolpa, Jumla, and most of these remote villages if developed as tourist destinations can attract a handsome tourism revenue.”

Nepal faces a cereal-deficit of about 400,000 tonnes every year, with 41 per cent of total population undernourished. “The people in those areas are hungrier today than they were a decade or so ago, mainly due to climatic change affecting agricultural cycle.” He also pointed out the double-digit inflation in last couple of years as adversely affecting the poor. Similarly, the general political instability that caused bandhs and similar disruptions has made it very difficult for the people to deliver their produce to the markets.

He said “Kathmandu-wallahs” have the misconception that food-aids are making farmers lazy and creating dependency. “It is easier for them to say that sitting comfortably in Kathmandu,” said Ragan who has been visiting to extremely poor and difficult-to-reach regions in Nepal.

“We are using food as an entry point. Our target is to provide the assets like roads and canals to the people so that they can cope up with food-deficit in the coming years,” he said. “The farmers are still planting the crops. We are just providing them with food for the lean period.”

Under our Food/Cash for Asset programs, we use food as the currency to pay people because they don’t have access to food. Food is actually more important to them than money because even if they have money there’s nowhere to buy food. We do road construction work, village to market access, irrigation work, he said. “Government had been sort of ignoring the issue of food security.” Last year, the government paid WFP $ 16 million for food aid.

Building the infrastructures will be a medium-term approach,” he said. For a long-term solution, a national policy for a comprehensive development of agriculture is needed. Talking about inaccessibility and logistical problems, he said, “I have been saying that we have used everything but elephants for the distribution.”

## China to impose age limits on climbing everest.html

[China to impose age limits on climbing Everest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/china-to-impose-age-limits-on-climbing-everest.html): BEIJING: China is to impose new age limits on mountaineers seeking to climb in Tibet, authorities said today, after an American 13-year-old became the youngest person ever to scale Mount Everest. 

The new age limits will come into effect when the climbing season restarts in September, an official at the China Tibet Mountaineering Association told AFP, saying it was “for the safety of the climbers”. 

The official declined to give details of the new rules but expedition organisers in Nepal said China was planning to restrict permits to climbers between the ages of 18 and 60, except in exceptional circumstances. 

In Nepal licences to scale Everest are given to climbers over the age of 16. China does not currently have an age limit and American teenager Jordan Romero carried out his controversial ascent of the 8,848-metre mountain from the Tibet side.

## Taan in panchpokhari exploration trek.html

[TAAN in Panchpokhari exploration trek - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-in-panchpokhari-exploration-trek.html): A team of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) along with a number of organizations embarked on a 7-day exploration trek to Panchpokari area in Sindhupalchowk district on 4 June. Nepal Tourism Board, UNDP/MEDEP and Sindhupalchowk-Panchpokhari Tourism Development Committee (SPTDC) are the other partners in the exploration trek.

TAAN 2nd Vice-President Mahendra Singh Thapa is leading the team which has representations from TAAN and its general members, NTB, UNDP/MEDEP and SPTDC. After completing the trip, the team will organize a day-long workshop at district headquarters Chautara to seek local people’s inputs for the trek. The team will also make a documentary and other promotional collaterals to promote tourism in the Panchpokhari area.

## Etihad airways among best three.html

[Etihad Airways among best three - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/etihad-airways-among-best-three.html): ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways has been ranked among the best three airlines in the world by a leading Swiss business magazine. Tuesday’s ranking comes after a survey of frequent flyers and different airlines.

BILANZ also used recent surveys, such as Skytrax ratings, to confirm the airline’s overall ranking. The ratings are conducted annually by BILANZ. Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said, “I am very proud that in less than seven years, Etihad Airways has risen to be among the top three airlines in Switzerland, which is a very important market for Etihad.”

Etihad operates five return flights to Geneva per week on three class A330-200 aircraft. Established in 2003, Etihad Airways is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.

## Everest climbers to get free nepal visas.html

[Everest climbers to get free Nepal visas - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/everest-climbers-to-get-free-nepal-visas.html): KATHMANDU (Reuters Life!) - Foreign mountaineers who have climbed Mount Everest and another peak will get free Nepali visas for two years, part of a scheme to boost tourism in the Himalayan nation, a senior government official said.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the 8,850 metre (29,035 feet) Everest summit since it was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. Some 700 of these foreigners are said to be still alive.  "We will waive the visa fees for them to visit Nepal in 2010 and 2011 part of the Nepal Tourism Year plan," Ranjan Aryal, the most senior bureaucrat in the tourism ministry told Reuters this week.

Himalayan Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, has designated 2011 as the year to boost tourism. It plans to receive one million visitors next year, up from nearly half a million now.  Tourism accounts for 4 percent of the gross domestic product but travel officials say political unrest, frequent general strikes and shutdowns of transportation and roads had hit the industry.  Officials said nearly 200 foreigners who have climbed Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh highest at 8,167 metres (26,794 feet), would also get free visa this year and in 2011 as Nepal marks the 50th anniversary this week of the first ascent of Dhaulagiri by a Swiss-Austrian expedition.

Climbers will also get a 50 percent discount in climbing fees for Dhaulagiri for the rest of 2010 and all of next year as part of the celebrations, another official said.  Each foreign climber has to pay $5,000 to the government as royalty for climbing Dhaulagiri. (Editing by Miral Fahmy)

## Cameras to monitor melting everest.html

[Cameras to monitor melting Everest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cameras-to-monitor-melting-everest.html): KATHMANDU: Five special time-lapse cameras have been installed for the first time in the Mount Everest region to monitor the melting of the glaciers. The cameras were installed last week by the technical team of an organisation -Extreme Ice Survey - a world-renowned American organisation. 

Confirming the installation of cameras, an EIS source said, “Our technicians have just returned to USA after the successful installation of five cameras to monitor the melting of the glaciers.”According to EIS, four cameras will monitor the Khumbu Glacier and one Nare Glacier on the south side of Ama Dablam.

EIS is the most wide-ranging glacier study ever conducted using ground-based, real-time photography that uses time-lapse photography, conventional photography and video to document the rapid changes occurring on the earth’s glacial ice. EIS has already installed 27 time-lapse cameras at 15 sites in Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, and the Rocky Mountains.

Cameras in the Everest region were installed to provide ground information on the melting of the Himalayas that had become a controversial issue after an error in the key document of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - a scientific body to look into climate change issues. IPCC recently admitted data mistake in its report published in 2007 about the disappearance of all the glaciers in the Himalayas by 2035.

Issuing a statement, the head of the IPCC Rajendra Pachauri had admitted that the date was a mistake but had claimed that ice is melting at a rate faster than ever in the Himalayas and pointed out the need of rigorous studies.

According to mountaineer Dawa Stevan Sherpa, who was involved in the installation, the team will monitor the images that will be automatically captured every 30 minutes for two years. “There has been a dispute on the melting of the glaciers. Continuous monitoring of the images for two years will yield  the most comprehensive evidence to settle the  dispute,” said Prashant Singh, World Wildlife Fund-Nepal’s Climate Change Campaign chief.

The cameras powered by the solar panels and batteries were mounted on vertical rock faces. The captured photos are automatically stored in the cameras and the technicians will check the cameras and download them for analysis every six months.

“The compiled and analysed imagery will be disseminated across the world to silence the climate change skeptics,” said Dawa Stevan.

## Cho oyu is youngest everesters next stop.html

[Cho Oyu is youngest Everesters next stop - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cho-oyu-is-youngest-everesters-next-stop.html): KATHMANDU: The 13-year-old American boy, who became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest, announced plans today for  an ascent later this year of Mount Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest peak.

Jordan Romero, from Big Bear, California, told reporters today in Kathmandu that he plans to climb the 8,201-metre peak during the autumn climbing season. Cho Oyu straddles the Nepal-China border. Nepal prohibits people under the age of 16 from climbing high mountain peaks, but there is no such restriction in China. Romero scaled the 8,850-metre Mount Everest last weekend from the northern side of the peak in China. He arrived in Nepal on Wednesday.

Romero is on a quest to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, and plans to scale the final one on his list — 4,900-metre Vinson Massif in Antarctica — during the winter. Cho Oyu, considered one of the easier climbs among the world’s highest mountains, is not on that list. 

Romero said the Everest expedition went smoothly despite the team battling with high winds. “I definitely do encourage younger people to go big. I  encourage other people to  climb Everest and especially younger children just to go big,” Romero said.  He said one of the difficulties was moving across the rocky surface near the summit.

Climbers have complained recently that melting glacial ice has exposed a rocky surface, making it difficult to move with crampons best suited for ice.

## Youngest everest climber hopes to inspire kids.html

[Youngest Everest climber hopes to inspire kids - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/youngest-everest-climber-hopes-to-inspire-kids.html): BEIJING (AP) -- The youngest climber to scale Mt. Everest says he hopes his achievement will encourage young people worldwide to dream big.

Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero says standing on top of the world is the best feeling imaginable. 

The California eighth-grader reached the summit of the 29,000-foot peak on Saturday. His team included his father, stepmother and three Sherpa guides. 

Before him, the youngest climber to scale Everest had been Temba Tsheri of Nepal, who reached the peak at age 16. 

With his conquest of Everest, only the 16,076-foot Vinson Massif in Antarctica remains for Jordan to reach his goal of climbing the tallest peaks on the seven continents. Jordan completed his first expedition toward his quest at the age of 10, when he successfully climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro.

## Taan in dhorpatan exploration mission.html

[TAAN in Dhorpatan exploration mission - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-in-dhorpatan-exploration-mission.html): TAAN in Dhorpatan exploration mission A 17-member team on 13 May embarked on a 17-day mapping and exploratory trip to Dhorpatan area in Baglung and Myagdi districts. The program is the joint initiative of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), UNDP-MEDEP and Nepal Tourism Board. 

The team comprises of representatives of TAAN, NTB, UNDP-MEDEP and local organizations along with videographers, photographers and a cartographer. The team will conduct feasibility study on the possibility of new tourism destinations and development of trekking route map; make visual documentary for promotion of the new trekking destination along and collect proper information about local community, available services, hospitality, etc. It will also produce promotional materials of the area and study the possibility of involving private sector people for marketing and promotion of tourism destination and products. 

The estimated expenditure of the exploratory expedition is Rs 1,079,500. TAAN and NTB are contributing 15 percent and 25 percent of the total cost respectively, while UNDP-MEDEP is chipping in the rest. 

TAAN has been taking initiative in developing new trekking areas in the country. Prior to this, it organized exploratory trips Tsum Valley, Panchpokhari, Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Ganesh Himal among others.

## Govt exempts visa fee for mountaineers.html

[Govt exempts visa fee for mountaineers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/govt-exempts-visa-fee-for-mountaineers.html): KATHMANDU: The government has exempted visa fee for the Everest and Dhaulagiri Summiteers for 2010 and 2011. The mountaineering fee has also been reduced by 50 per cent for Dhaulagiri climbers during the two years, on the occasion of Dhaulagiri golden jubilee celebration — on May 13 — and Sagarmatha day — on May 29.

Government is set to celebrate the third International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day on May 29 with various programmes. The celebration is scheduled for two days -- on May 28 and May 29. "We are hopeful that the celebration of Mt Everest Day will definitely help encourage Everest summiteers and promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011," said Ranjan Krishna Aryal, secretary at Ministry of Tou-rism and Civil Aviation. "The celebration is scheduled for May 28 and 29," Aryal said adding that during the celebration Everest Summiteers from around the world will be invited for the Everest Summiteers Seminar that the ministry has planned. The ministry has also formed a special committee for the celebration of Sagarmatha Day that will be headed by minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari.

According to Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) it has expected more than 250 Mt Everest summiteers — including renowned climbers like Chris Bonington, Peter Habelar, Apa Sherpa, Min Bahadur Serchan, Dawa Steven Sherpa, Bill Burke, David Liano — to attend the programme. The NMA has also requested the government to regard the summiteers as the Goodwill Ambassadors of Nepal to promote Nepal's mountain tourism. Nepal has opened a total of 326 peaks for climbing. The higher 293 peaks are managed by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation while the lower 33 peaks are managed by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).

This Spring Season, MoTCA has already issued permits to 80 Expedition Teams for climbing various higher peaks including Mt Everest and still few more teams are in the pipeline. Similarly, NMA has already issued permits to 358 climbing teams to scale 33 Peaks of NMA and many more teams are expected to arrive before the monsoon in June. In the year 2009, NMA had issued permit to 1210 climbing teams.

Mount Everest — also called Qomolangma Peak, Mount Sagarmatha, Chajamlangma (Limbu), Zhumulangma Peak or Mount Chomolangma — is the highest mountain in the world and the highest point on the earth's continental crust, as measured by the height above sea level of its summit, 8,848 metres (29,029 ft). The mountain, which is a part of the Himalaya range in Asia, is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China. The highest mountain in the world attracts well-experienced mountaineers as well as novice climbers who are willing to pay substantial fees to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb. By the end of 2008, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals. Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal.

## S korean on her way to reach annapurna summit.html

[S Korean on her way to reach Annapurna summit - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/s-korean-on-her-way-to-reach-annapurna-summit.html): KATHMANDU: A South Korean was making her way to the top of Annapurna in Nepal on Tuesday in the final hurdle of a fiercely contested race against a Spanish rival to become the first woman to scale all 14 of the Himalayas' highest peaks.

Oh Eun-sun, 44, is on a mission to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters, or 26,247 feet, above sea level.  She was on track to reach the 26,545-foot (8,091-meter) peak of Annapurna — her final challenge — around 0600 GMT, Park Eun-joo, an official from outerwear maker Blackyak, said in Seoul.

Oh is being chased by Edurne Pasaban of Spain, who is also seeking to become the first woman to scale all 14 peaks. The 36-year-old has only the 26,330-foot-high (8,027-meter-high) Mount Shisha Pangma left to scale.  Pasaban has questioned whether her South Korean rival climbed to the top of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest, last May. Blackyak's Park dismissed the accusation as groundless.

Oh missed the chance to reach the peak of Annapurna last year because of bad weather. Snow and wind stopped her from making the final ascent over the weekend.  She has described mountain climbing as "a sort of addiction" and her destiny.

"As long as I set my goal to become the world's first woman to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks, I will go to all lengths to achieve it," she said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul in February.  Before embarking on the expedition, she tried to refrain from drinking alcohol, believing that there is a spiritual entity determining whether or not to allow a climber to reach the summit, she told the newspaper.  As she departed for Nepal, she assured her fans was in strong physical condition.

"I'm feeling good, and I will do my hardest to scale the mountain with faith," Park quoted Oh as saying before her departure.  Meanwhile, two South Korean climbers were missing after attempting to scale Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. There was no progress in the search for the climbers, who disappeared Sunday, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said.

## Support locals to keep trekking trails active.html

[Support locals to keep trekking trails active - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/support-locals-to-keep-trekking-trails-active.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal is an endless adventure destination and a home to eight highest peaks in the world, each over 8,000 meters. The country is a virtual paradise for hikers and trekkers, still the sector has not witnessed the kind of growth it deserves, said Jyoti Adhikari, former president of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).

“We suffer because there is no economic support to the locals who develop trekking routes in new circuits and keep them active,” he said. The number of trekkers has not gone down but it has not picked up either. “Annapurna circuit is the most popular. Here one can get a variety of trekking routes — trekking for a two days to more than a month. Other trekking circuits like Dhaulagiri and Mansalu need government support,” he said.

Construction of roads cannot be said to be the reason for cutting off trekking trails. Road construction and trekking trail should offer synergies, and not work at cross purposes, he said. Trekking is just walking, and anyone who is moderately fit will enjoy hiking and trekking in Nepal.

The range of treks varies from short, gentle hikes to lengthy expeditions to Mount Everest’s summit. About 60 per cent of the total trekkers prefer to visit the Annapurna circuit. Other trekking routes preferred are Everest, Langtang and other trekking trails.

## Han backs everest project.html

[HAN backs Everest project - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-backs-everest-project.html): Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has donated Rs 250,000 for the Everest cleaning campaign.  Ajaya Ratna Sthapit, second vice-president of HAN, handed over the cheque to Namgyal Sherpa. HAN said the project aims to spread the message of global warming, climate change and the need for humanity to help clean and protect Earth.

A 35-member Sherpa team is heading to Mt. Everest to collect all the waste piled up at the Death Zone and safely bring it back to Kathmandu.

## Tourism promotional event held in qatar.html

[Tourism promotional event held in Qatar - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-promotional-event-held-in-qatar.html): The Nepal Embassy in Doha organised Nepal-Qatar Sales Mission 2010 in Qatar on Sunday as part of its tourism promotional programme.   Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar Surya Nath Mishra inaugurated the event amid a function.  On the occasion, Mishra highlighted Nepal as a safe destination and country of immense natural beauty and requested the guests to make Nepal as the destination of their choice. 

Diwakar Bikram Rana, manager of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB),   spoke about the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign and said that Nepal was one of the most preferred destinations in the world.   The NTB also presented a montage consisting of a pictorial elaboration of Nepal's natural, cultural and geographical beauty and diversity, the board said.

David R. Paul, marketing and sales executive of Mannai Holidays, informed the guests about a seven-day package tour of Nepal. He added that the agencies could offer various packages as per the demand of visitors.  The programme was held under the aegis of the embassy in coordination with the NTB, Nepal Airlines Corporation, Mannai Holidays, a local travel agency in Doha, and the Nepal Non-Resident Federation of Indige-nous Nationalities, Doha. 

The programme is expected to have a positive impact on the citizens and the expatriate community in Qatar to induce them to visit Nepal besides encouraging local travel agencies to sell various tour packages to Nepal.   This event was organized to support the Nepal government's economic diplomacy drive to promote Nepal in Qatar and beyond, the NTB said.

## Iata chief calls airlines for more tie ups.html

[IATA chief calls airlines for more tie-ups - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/iata-chief-calls-airlines-for-more-tie-ups.html): The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for more tie-ups in the airline industry as the struggling sector braces for rising oil prices. Airline “mergers and consolidation is a must,” Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director-general and CEO, told a Tokyo press conference today before meeting government and airport executives. “I strongly support consolidation.”

His comments follow last week’s merger of British Airways and Spanish flag carrier Iberia, creating Europe’s second-biggest airline by market capitalisation and an estimated $533 million in annual savings. In the United States, United Airlines and US Airways are reportedly discussing a merger, with both companies having publicly called for further consolidation in the sector. Both deals show the accelerating pace of airline tie-ups as carriers look to combine resources and know-how in the face of rising costs, and as passenger demand remains soft after a crippling global economic downturn.

Oil prices hit 18-month highs above $87 last week. Despite an increase in cooperation between carriers, “airlines are still highly dependent on the traffic generated by their local economies and trade lanes,” IATA said in a recent report. This is in contrast to many “companies listed on major stock exchanges that generate their earnings from across the globe. These companies are not restricted by the market and ownership rules that constrain airlines.”

IATA said that while the sector’s recovery is led by Asia and emerging markets, mature markets face more sluggish growth. Premium travel, which is where carriers make their profits, remains 17 per cent below 2008 peak levels. In Japan, Bisignani said he would urge Transport Minister Seiji Maehara to boost the competitiveness of Haneda and Narita airports by reducing landing fees for international carriers, currently double those in Singapore.

Currently at Haneda the landing fee is 2,400 yen ($26) per tonne. Narita charges 592,700 yen for a Boeing 777, nearly three times as high as the fee at South Korea’s Incheon airport. “It would be disappointing at this critical point for Japan to once again be home to the world’s most expensive airports. Setting such high charges is missing an opportunity to regain the competitiveness that Japan has lost.”

Haneda and Narita have ‘a unique opportunity to decrease unit costs’ with their plans to improve capacity, he said. Haneda is slated to build its fourth runway while Narita will extend its second runway.

## Climate change conference.html

[Climate change conference - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/climate-change-conference.html): Wildlife Conservation Nepal in partnership with Go Green Campaign is organising a four-day National Children Conference on climate change.

Students from across the country are participating in the conference that began in Kathmandu  today.  The theme of the conference ‘Let’s take of our planet’  Around 50 students from different schools from across the country will participate in various activities and debate on global socio-environmental issues.  “The conference is aimed at strengthening environmental citizenship of children and youth,” said Wildlife Conservation Nepal programme manager Sanjevani Yonzan Shrestha.

Five best students in the Conference will get an opportunity to represent the country to participate in an international forum on climate change.  According to the Wildlife Conservation Nepal, the selected students will attend Children and Youth International Conference on Climate Change to be held in Brasilia, Brazil from June 5-June 10.

“Five best students will be selected on the basis of their performances during the four-day conference in which they will participate in various activities related to climate change” added Sanjevani Yonzan Shrestha.

## Taskforce to conduct study on expeditions.html

[Taskforce to conduct study on expeditions - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taskforce-to-conduct-study-on-expeditions.html): Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has formed a 15-member taskforce to explore possibilities of opening and promoting Nepal's lesser known mountains and trails for expeditions and trekking. The taskforce is headed by Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson and joint secretary at the ministry. The taskforce will also study the current procedure of handling expeditions and recommend ways to make it more competitive than the neighboring countries'.

## Nepal at guangzhou international travel fair.html

[Nepal at Guangzhou International Travel Fair - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-at-guangzhou-international-travel-fair.html): Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) along with four Nepalese travel trade companies participated at the 18th Guangzhou International Travel Fair(GITF) in Guangzhou, China from March 25th to 27th, 2010. Five hundred and six international companies participated at the fair, which is regarded as one of the most extensive and significant travel fair in Asia Pacific region. Visitors at the Nepal Pavilion mostly enquired about packages and special programs for Chinese during NTY 2011 and air connectivity between Nepal and different Chinese cities.

## Too much duty on tourist carriers.html

[Too much duty on tourist carriers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/too-much-duty-on-tourist-carriers.html): KATHMANDU: To give a much needed boost to the government ambitious campaign — Nepal Tourism Year 20100— Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has said that relaxation of the customs duty imposed on the purchase of tourist vehicles is a must.

Though the government has announced NTY 2011 as one of its most ambitious campaigns ever, it has not been able to offer tax exemption for tourism entrepreneurs to buy sufficient tourist vehicles, tour operators and travel agents have said. According to Hari Sarmah, chief executive officer at NATTA, the association is lobbying to get number of issues addressed by the government for NTY 2011. “One of the issues at hand is to activate provision to buy tourist vehicles on 50 per cent discount in customs duty rates,” said Sarmah. “There was a facility for 50 per cent tax exemption in the purchase of tourist vehicles but the government has not allowed this to happen thereby limiting the purchase of number of tourist vehicles to replace the old ones.

Tourist vehicles were given green number plates but the dearth of tourist vehicles has prompted the tour and travel operators here to use vehicles with red number plates for ferrying tourists. And in doing so, the tour operators have to face routine hurdles, Sarmah added.

Tourist coaches that are purchased under the tax exemption scheme can be used only up to 10 years. A high-level committee that was formed three years ago, made a decision regarding the import of tourist vehicles. However the recommendation of the committee is now gathering dust without its implementation. One such recommendation then made by the committee was pertaining to arrangement for transfer of the vehicles used for up to five years. Sadly, however, there has not been any move taken in this direction by the government.

## Air dynamic to launch international flights.html

[Air Dynamic to launch International flights - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/air-dynamic-to-launch-international-flights.html): Air Dynamic has also recieved permit from MoTCA(Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation) to launch international flights. The airline will be operating flights on the Bhairahawa-Gaya, Kathmandu-Delhi, Kathmandu-Karachi, Kathmandu-Doha, Kathmandu-Bengaluru, Kathmandu-Bagdogra and Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur routes. The airline is also planning to fly to other destinations in Europe and Asia, including Hong Kong in the near future.For this the airlline is planning to acquire two Boeing 737-800s and one ATR-72 to facilitate its expansion.

## Tara air introduces hot air ballooning in pokhara.html

[Tara Air introduces Hot Air Ballooning in Pokhara - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tara-air-introduces-hot-air-ballooning-in-pokhara.html): Things are hotting up for NTY 2011. Targeting Nepal Tourism Year-2011 (NTY-2011), Tara Air is introducing commercial hot air ballooning in Pokhara with two balloons from April, 2010. One can take the ride from Lake Side Pokhara and enjoy the panoramic vista of the Himalyan peaks from up above.A hot air balloon can carry six people at a time.

## Nepal to celebrate golden jubilee of dhaulagiri.html

[Nepal to celebrate golden jubilee of Dhaulagiri - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-to-celebrate-golden-jubilee-of-dhaulagiri.html): The government is preparing to celebrate the golden jubilee of the first ascent of Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m). According to government officials, a colorful ceremony will be organized in mid-May in honor of Austrian climber Kurt Diemberger, the only person alive to make first ascent on the 8,000 peak.

The successful ascent of Mt Dhaulagiri on May 13, 1960 marked the climax of a spectacular decade which saw all 8,000m peaks, including the majestic Mt Everest, in the country climbed. Mt Dhaulagiri was considered the world's highest mountain until the mid-1800s. 

The celebration will be organized in the premises of International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.   Along with Diemberger, legendary summiteers Ang Rita Sherpa, Apa Sherpa, Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler, Chris Bonnington and Ken Noguchi are also expected to attend the event.

## Natham to provide training for trekking guides.html

[NATHAM to provide training for Trekking Guides - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/natham-to-provide-training-for-trekking-guides.html): Taking into consideration the demand for skilled manpower for NTY 2011, Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHAM) is planning to provide training to more trekking guides.The academy is providing the training in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).

## Budget airlines may shift to tarai.html

[Budget airlines may shift to Tarai - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/budget-airlines-may-shift-to-tarai.html): The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is mulling directing budget airlines whose passengers consist mainly of migrant workers to operate out of airports in the Tarai to ease congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

TIA currently serves 26 international airlines. The ministry said that the number of international carriers flying to Nepal might reach 32 during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Considering the projected rise in flights and tourist arrivals during NTY 2011, the ministry wants to spread out flights carrying workers to the Middle East and the Gulf to the southern plains to avoid clogging TIA. "We are thinking about it," said Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, secretary at the Tourism Ministry.

"Shifting some international flights that are concentrated on the labour market to some regional airports can be an appropriate solution," said Bhola Bikram Thapa, managing director of President Travels and Tours.

He added that TIA was designed to handle 700 passengers per hour. However, 3,500 passengers are now passing through the country's only international airport hourly.

In 2009, a total of 583,139 Nepalis departed from TIA while tourist arrivals numbered 378,712.  Bhairahawa, Janakpur and other regional airports in the Tarai have been named as potential international airports. However, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said that it would be a difficult move.

"It may take a long time to upgrade the facilities to international standards at these airports," NTB senior director Aditya Baral said.

## Ntb taan deal inking to ease trek workers condition.html

[NTB, TAAN deal-inking to ease trek workers condition - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-taan-deal-inking-to-ease-trek-workers-condition.html): Trekking route workers will get more facilities and 70 per cent of their demands are going to be fulfilled, thanks to the new agreement signed by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) here today.

NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha and first vice-president of TAAN Bachchu Narayan Shrestha signed the agreement — with a little modification — for Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).

The agreement will become operational from April 1 with a charge of $10 per head for trekkers going through agencies and $20 with VAT per head for independent trekkers. Individual trekkers will be given green TIMS cards while trekkers going through companies will be given blue cards. Prachanda Man Shrestha said the concept of TIMS was employed on an experimental basis two years ago but now there is official agreement on it. According to him, the amount collected through TIMS will be used for the welfare of tourism sector workers, exploration of new trail destinations and as fund for the improvement and infrastructure development on trail routes.

TIMS will also control illegal trekking operations and ensure the safety and security of the trekkers in general areas through the mechanism of Prompt Information Service (PIS) as and when required. On January 1, 2008, TAAN made the provision of TIMS effective. TAAN and NTB will record trekkers’ details and issue TIMS cards to them. Due to the lack of a proper record system of trekkers, their exact whereabouts and information about trekking routes, rescuers and search missions used to face difficulties in tracing missing trekkers.

Meanwhile, TAAN general secretary Rajendra Bajagain said trekking is a seasonal business which has an advance booking system. “Only four months ago, we raised the wages by Rs 100 and we cannot increase them each month,” he said. Bajagain said TAAN is trying to bring an effective labour policy for the benefit of trekking route workers. He said a trekking guide charges Rs 700 per trek while a porter takes Rs 600. Jyoti Adhikari, Chairman at National Tourism Federation and immediate past president of TAAN, said the demands of the workers can be solved by mutual understanding. According to Adhikari, if Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is to be a success, the government should start working for it. He said that it has announced the event there is still no great excitement among the tourism entrepreneurs as preparations are not up to scratch.

Except for regular programmes, nothing new is being done for the development of infrastructure, identification of new destinations and fixing of new trekking routes.

Nepal is called a ‘trekkers’ paradise’, but it still lacks adequate infrastructure. Adhikari pointed out that good tourism prospects exist in the lowlands of the country.

## Nepal china to revisit airbus deal.html

[Nepal-China to revisit airbus deal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-china-to-revisit-airbus-deal.html): A high-level Chinese delegation is soon visiting Nepal to settle an airbus deal pending since five years between the two neighbours. The visit follows a request made by Nepal government some days ago.

Then Royal regime in 2005 had given $390 million in advance to Xian Aircraft Industry Group China for the purchase of two MA-60 turboprops for the use of Nepali Army. The deal, however, was cancelled following the end of the King’s direct rule in Nepal. The new government formed after the Janaandolan-II ruled that the aircraft was not necessary for the Nepali Army. Its argument was that Nepal wants civilian versions of aircrafts instead of military version. But the manufacturing company had claimed a compensation arguing that it had already started working on the military version of the aircraft as per the deal with the Royal regime, a source at Ministry of Defence said.

“Now as the company started demanding the compensation, we have called them to discuss intensely on all available options,” said the source. Meantime, the Nepali Army is pressing the government to purchase the aircraft from China as its 50 per cent aircrafts are grounded.

“Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is positive about buying them,” an NA source said. Similarly, during her China visit slated for next week, Defence Minister Bidhya Devi Bhandari is likely to raise the issue with Chinese officials. Officials have also readied agenda of Bhandari’s China visit. It is reported that objective of her visit is resuming Chinese military aid to NA.

## Four airlines applies license for international operation.html

[Four airlines applies license for international operation - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/four-airlines-applies-license-for-international-operation.html): Four airlines - Buddha Air, Shree Airlines, Unity Airlines and Dynamic Airlines have applied for license to MoTCA fly to international destinations.Buddha Air has announced Pokhara-Lucknow flights and is doing groundwork to start flights in the Biratnangar-Varanasi sector, while Shree Airlines has submitted application for license to operate chartered helicopter services in the South Asia region.Dynamic Airlines, has plans to operate flights to 11 destinations, including Doha, Dubai, Malaysia, New Delhi, Karachi and Dhaka from Kathmandu.

## Ntb homework on internal tourism.html

[NTB homework on internal tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-homework-on-internal-tourism.html): Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) will start research and compile domestic tourism statistics that will reflect a true picture of the tourism industry. The research will be first of its kind as till date there is no such research done on domestic tourism industry, said Kashi Raj Bhandari, director of planning and monitoring at NTB.

One can get indication data from Tourism Satellite Accounting (TSA) annually but for an exact picture of the tourism industry, the overall data after research on domestic tourism will help make exact evaluation.

“To retrieve data and statistics about domestic tourism, NTB will start household surveys from Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan regarding the domestic tourist scenario,” said Bhandari. He added that there is no statistical data on total domestic tourist movement in the country. “NTB is also trying to recognise domestic tourists as tourists in the Tourism Master Plan that will be prepared,” said nformed Bhandari. There are a number of destinations that are mainly visited by domestic tourists, not foreigners. “We will start data collection and do research on domestic tourism. We are hopeful of compiling the data by the end of the present fiscal year,” Bhandari added. Amongst the four main aims of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, development and promotion of domestic tourism is a priority.

Giving the example of New Zealand, Bhandari said that in the TSA report of New Zealand the tourism industry was worth $18 billion of which domestic tourism’s worth comprised $10 billion. “We are doing groundwork and will appoint researchers who will do research on domestic tourism,” he said. According Emery Express Travels managing director Pramod Kumar Shrestha, there is no age barrier in domestic tourism. However, it is mainly the teenagers and students who travel as per school curriculum. Emery Express Travels has been working since 12 years on selling domestic holiday packages promoting internal tourism.

Shrestha said nowadays there is growth in domestic tourism. Major destinations for domestic tourists are Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Palpa, Makwanpur, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. On an average, about 50,000 to 60,000 domestic tourists travel annually to Pokhara and Chitwan, Shrestha said. He added that private travel and tour operators should focus on promotion of domestic tourism with affordable domestic tour packages. Domestic tourism, also called internal tourism, consists of staying in one’s own country but visiting a different city that one does not live in.

Not only foreign tourists, even many internal tourists also prefer to stay in the comfort of a homely environment away from the hustle-bustle of city life. The desire for such holidays has given rise to the concept of domestic tourism.

## Fishtail airs second as350 b3 lands at tia.html

[Fishtail Airs second AS350 B3 lands at TIA - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/fishtail-airs-second-as350-b3-lands-at-tia.html): Fishtail Air’s second AS350 B3 helicopter landed at Tribhuvan International Airport on 1st March at 2:30 pm. The helicopter was purchased from Eurocopter South East Asia, Singapore, and flown to Kathmandu by Capt Deepak JB Rana and Capt Siddartha Jung Gurung, accompanied by Bishwo Gorkhali, Chief Engineer. With this new addition,Fishtail Air now has five helicopters in its fleet — a Bell 206 BIII Jet Ranger, an AS350 B and AS350 B2 and two AS350 B3s.

## Trail to dharche peak  new trekking route in gorkha.html

[Trail To Dharche Peak - New Trekking route in Gorkha - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/trail-to-dharche-peak--new-trekking-route-in-gorkha.html): Dharche Manaslu Tourism Committee, Gorkha, has organized a 7 day trek to Dharche Peak ( 3,245m) to map out a new trekking route, which they hope will promote tourism in the area.The team members include Constituent Assembly members, local leaders and journalists. They will be trekking through Lapu, Panchkhuwa, Duerali, Swara, Gumda, Laprak, Barpak, Saurpani and other areas in Gorkha.

## Air dynasty gets new chopper.html

[Air Dynasty gets new chopper - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/air-dynasty-gets-new-chopper.html): Air Dynasty, a Nepalese helicopter operating company, has acquired a brand new AS 350B2 helicopter from Eurocopter South East Asia, Singapore.With this, Air Dynasty's fleet has increased to four helicopters.

## Corporate travel in asia likely to expand.html

[Corporate travel in Asia likely to expand - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/corporate-travel-in-asia-likely-to-expand.html): Corporate travel is likely to grow by 10-15 per cent in Asia this year as business activities improve from last year's sharp falls, a major air ticketing and reservations firm said. Singapore-based Abacus International said the recovery will be gradual because most the austerity measures and travel policies implemented during the global economic downturn are likely to remain.

"As businesses resume to the 'new normal', we should also see an upward adjustment in travel budgets as business activities improve in a more thriving economic climate," said Abacus vice-president for marketing Brett Henry. "We are expecting to see a gradual 10-15 per cent growth in corporate travel in 2010, especially in traditional corporate travel markets like Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong," he said in a statement. Business travel declined by 15-20 per cent last year and the amount spent during these trips dropped between 25 and 40 percent, Henry said.

Despite the downturn, overall bookings for Abacus shrank a narrower-than-expected one per cent in 2009 from the year before, thanks to a pickup starting from the second half. Emerging markets in Central Asia as well as Nepal, Bangladesh and South Korea are seen as key growth areas. "There is certainly a strong sense of renewed energy and vibrancy in the market as the new year starts," Abacus president and chief executive Robert Bailey told reporters.

Abacus meanwhile said that the majority of Asian travel companies have yet to catch up with the use of Facebook and other online social media tools in their marketing strategies. Asian travel agents should also make full use of mobile technology applications to reach customers, Abacus said.

## Spanish climber aims for world record.html

[Spanish climber aims for world record - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/spanish-climber-aims-for-world-record.html): Spanish mountaineer Edurne Pasaban said she hoped to become the first woman to scale the world’s 14 highest peaks by conquering the Shisha Pangma and Annapurna mountains this spring. “I leave on March 4. I still have Shisha Pangma and Annapurna to do and I aim to try in the spring. I am going first to Shisha and then to Annapurna,” Spanish newspaper ABC quoted her as saying today. Last October, bad weather forced her to abandon an attempt to climb the 8,027-metre Shisha Pangma, situated in China’s Tibet region. That would have been her 13th summit of more than 8,000 metres, and left only Annapurna to conquer to become the first woman to scale all of the world’s 14 ‘eight-thousanders.’ Pasaban’s chief rival, South Korea’s Oh Eun-Sun, failed in October in a bid to scale the 8,091-metre Himalayan peak Annapurna, also due to weather conditions.

That would have been the 14th and final summit in Oh Eun-Sun’s record attempt. “The Korean only has Annapurna. We will see each other there if we manage to scale Shisha Pangma quickly,” said Pasaban, 36. Weather conditions are considered ideal for climbing in the Himalayas in the April-May pre-monsoon season.

Other competitors for the record are Austria’s Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner and Nives Meroi of Italy. Kaltenbrunner failed in August in a bid to climb the 8,611-metre K2, the world’s second highest peak situated on the Pakistan-China border and regarded as the most difficult and dangerous of the 14 ‘eight-thousanders’.

She remains at 12 summits, and must still scale Everest on the Nepal-China border, which at 8,848 metres is the world highest peak. Meroi has conquered 11. Italy’s Reinhold Messner became the first man to climb all 14 summits in 1986. The second to achieve the feat was the late Polish legend Jerzy Kukuczka, with many of his ascents on new routes or in winter. The 14 mountains are all located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges in Asia.

## Malaysia airlines to fly to nepal.html

[Malaysia Airlines to fly to Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/malaysia-airlines-to-fly-to-nepal.html): Malaysia Airlines is on its way to start its operation from Kathmandu. Secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) Nagendra Prasad Ghimire during a press meet informed that the Malaysian Airlines has applied for the Operating Authority from Nepal. According to him, by 2011 there will be around 32 different international airlines operating to Nepal, "hence by 2011 there will be no air accessibility problem."

Ghimire said that the increase of both national and international Airlines will help make the by NTY 2011 more successful. "There will be a total of 32 different airlines with international flights by then," he added.

Currently, there are 25 international airlines operating, while Spirit of Manila, and Oman Air have also applied to operate in Nepal. But Malaysian airlines Air Asia is undergoing feasibility study," informed Ghimire. There is a surge of tourists arrivals to Nepal as tourists arrivals by air increased to 19 per cent during the month of January," he said adding that by 2010 there will be recovery in the global economic recession which will definately boost low-cost airlines. MoTCA ha also issued a 45-day notice for the domestic operators to apply for international operation. Those airlines that have provided service for five years and with minimum five aircrafts can apply for the international operations.

In the yesr 2010, corporate travel is likely to grow by 10-15 per cent in Asia this year as business activities improve from last year's sharp falls, a major air ticketing and reservations firm said. Singapore-based Abacus International said the recovery will be gradual because most the austerity measures and travel policies implemented during the global economic downturn are likely to remain.

"As businesses resume to the 'new normal', we should also see an upward adjustment in travel budgets as business activities improve in a more thriving economic climate," said Abacus vice-president for marketing Brett Henry. "We are expecting to see a gradual 10-15 per cent growth in corporate travel in 2010, especially in traditional corporate travel markets like Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong," he said in a statement.

Business travel declined by 15-20 per cent last year and the amount spent during these trips dropped between 25 and 40 percent, Henry said. Despite the downturn, overall bookings for Abacus shrank a narrower-than-expected one per cent in 2009 from the year before, thanks to a pickup starting from the second half. Emerging markets in Central Asia as well as Nepal, Bangladesh and South Korea are seen as key growth areas. "There is certainly a strong sense of renewed energy and vibrancy in the market as the new year starts," Abacus president and chief executive Robert Bailey told reporters.

Abacus meanwhile said that the majority of Asian travel companies have yet to catch up with the use of Facebook and other online social media tools in their marketing strategies. Asian travel agents should also make full use of mobile technology applications to reach customers, Abacus said.

## Separate tia channel for outbound labour.html

[Separate TIA channel for outbound labour - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/separate-tia-channel-for-outbound-labour.html): There will be a separate channel for migrant workers at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) soon. The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) is mulling the concept to get details of overseas-bound Nepali migrant workers.

MoLTM is working on it as a priority programme for the current fiscal year, said Babu Ram Acharya, secretary at the ministry during the inauguration of Migration Resource Centre (MRC) today. "We want to build a data-base of migrant workers," he said. TIA is the only authorized airport in Nepal for foreign-bound labourers. As per the MoLTM plan, the channel will run with a well-equipped labour desk which will record the status of labourers based on gender, destination, job category, salary and benefits etc. MRC will play the role of coordinator of the labour channel at TIA.

MRC, which formally opened today, is designed to inform people about foreign employment and provide counseling to needy people. "It will provide informed choices to people wanting to go for overseas jobs," said Sthaneshwor Devekota, executive director of Foreign Employment Promotion Board (FEPB), which is operating the centre. Moreover, the centre will add value to migrant workers by informing them about foreign job markets. "After visiting the centre, they can make better decisions," assured Sarat Dash, chief of the mission of International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The international organization is facilitating the centre in training human resources and also providing logistics.

Speaking during the inauguration programme, Minister for Labour and Transport Management Mohammed Aftab Alam showed grave concern over growing number of cases of abuse and casualties in destination countries. "MRC should focus on a strategy to reduce abuse and casualties in destination countries," he said.

According to an estimate, three Nepali migrant workers die every two days while working and three Nepali women workers suffer from abuse daily.

## India okays air pact.html

[India okays air pact - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/india-okays-air-pact.html): The Government of India today approved the new Air Services Agreement (ASA) initiated between India and Nepal in September last year. The new legal instrument will allow a five-fold increase in the weekly air seat capacity from the existing 6,000 seats to 30,000. The agreement is expected to give Nepal's trade and tourism a significant boost. In the agreement, three new points have been given to Nepal -- Dehra Dun, Gorakhpur and Bagdogra, while India has been given Pokhara, Lumbini, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Dhangadi and Bhairahawa. "This ASA has the potential to spur greater trade investment and tourism and strengthen the cultural exchange between the two countries, besides bringing it in tune with the developments in the international civil aviation scenario," a statement issued by the Government of India here said. "Both the countries shall now be entitled to designate any number of airlines for operation of mutually agreed services for which the respective country shall grant appropriate authorisation and permission," the statement added.

Another important provision in the agreement is the facilitation of cargo services. The designated airlines of each party will be entitled to operate any number of all-cargo services between each other's territory with any type of aircraft with full right to fly passenger and cargo flights to each other's country, right to fly back passenger and cargo flights from each other's country and freedom traffic rights (right to take passengers and or goods from each other's country), according to the new agreement. Such all-cargo services may also be operated under co-operate marketing arrangements such as code sharing, blocked space etc. Sources at Nepal airlines said the new agreement opens avenues for Nepali private airlines to operate on the international route, while the seat increment was more than enough for Nepal.

## New addition to air kasthamandaps fleet.html

[New addition to Air Kasthamandaps fleet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-addition-to-air-kasthamandaps-fleet.html): Domestic airline Air Kasthamandap which operates flights to Surkhet to Simikot, Humla, Talcha, Rara, Jufal, Dolpa, Kolti, Bajura and Khalanga has added a new single-engine aircraft to its fleet.The aircraft, manufactured by New Zealand based Pacific Aerospace, is equipped with modern autopilot system.

## Promote home tourism.html

[Promote home tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/promote-home-tourism.html): Experts on Saturday said that tourism stakeholders should promote domestic tourism in order to forge a national integrity.

Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel, former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), said that it was imperative to carry out people-to-people mobilisation. “A message reflecting territorial, ethnical and cultural identity should be spread across the country.”

“The Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) should not only concentrate on bringing in foreign tourists but also focus on attracting domestic tourists that will help integrate people and strengthen national sovereignty,” said Pokhrel.

Kedar Bhakta Shrestha, former secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the national campaign should at least mobilise 15 percent domestic tourists.

He said that there are about 30-35 percent population have higher income in the country. Mobilisation of these people to different places will provide economic and income generating opportunity to the rural areas.

## Pokharel new nato chief.html

[Pokharel new NATO chief - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pokharel-new-nato-chief.html): The eighth annual general meeting of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) on Sunday unanimously elected a 14-member new executive body under the leadership of Ashok Pokharel for the next three years.

Manohar SJB Rana, Yadav Khanal, Shibesh Shrestha and Bhakta Bahadur Malla were elected first vice president, second vice president, honorary secretary and honorary treasurer respectively, said NATO in a press release.

Ambika Shrestha, Bikrum Pandey, Birendra Basnet, Joy Dewan, Shikher Prasai, Prabin B. Pandey, Suman Sachdev, Sanjay B. Mathema and Greesh Bindra were elected members.

## Aerosol thawing out himalayas report.html

[Aerosol thawing out Himalayas: Report - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/aerosol-thawing-out-himalayas-report.html): A new study has revealed that black carbon aerosols are one of the major causative agents for the rapid melting of snow in the Himalayas.

A journal of the European Geosciences Union states that Himalayan ice core records indicate a significant amount of black carbon deposition in the Everest region for 1951 to 2000, with a strong increase since 1990. The black carbon aerosols are released from an incomplete combustion of coal and fuel. “This research has given a new insight into the agents enhancing the melting of the snow in the Himalayas.

The argument needs to be to taken into consideration by the Himalayan nations,” said Ngamindra Dahal, a climate change expert. The research shows the snow cover in the Himalayas decreased by nearly 0.9 per cent between 1990 and 2000, due to the black carbon aerosols.

The finding was concluded by a team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory USA, Columbia University/NASA USA, Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology Pune, Climate Analysis Section USA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory USA after a long research. The study explains that an increase in aerosols increases cloud droplet number concentration and reduces cloud droplet sizes, inhibiting precipitation.

The report, mainly focused in India, has expressed worry as the rapidly growing energy demand could enhance the problem of deposition of the black carbon in the Himalayas. For the largest South-Asian country, power-generation capacity has to increase six fold by 2030, much of which to be met by the world’s fourth biggest coal reserve in India.

“Amid controversies over the cause of glacial melt in the Himalayas, the study comes as a supporting document to justify that the melting is rapid and unusual,” added Dahal. “Although we do not preclude the influence of large-scale circulation or green house gases on the spatial patterns of precipitation or snow cover changes, our results indicate that aerosols and the enhanced indian fossil and bio-fuel black carbon aerosols in particular may be responsible for some of the observed patterns and trends in snowcover and precipitation,” the report conclusively states.

## Skydiving license.html

[Skydiving License - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/skydiving-license.html): Earn your Skydiving License in Thailand!

Earn your skydiving license in Thailand with ThaiSky Adventures. You have a choice of training methods to obtain a Skydiving License. One method is the Traditional AFF (accelerated freefall) program where your first skydive is with your own equipment and the second one combines Tandem skydiving with the AFF program. Both are designed to make you a safe and self-sufficient skydiver. These methods follow the guidelines recommended in the USPA (United States Parachute Association) Integrated Student Program (ISP).

The Integrated Student Program is used to achieve this goal by advancing you through eight categories of proficiency (A-H) to qualify you for a USPA “A” License. Advancement is based upon accomplishment of the set goals, called Targeted Learning Objectives (TLOs). Your jumps are tailored based on your own abilities and completion of these TLOs.

## Second as 350 b3 helicopter joins fishtail air fleet.html

[Second AS 350 B3 helicopter joins Fishtail Air Fleet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/second-as-350-b3-helicopter-joins-fishtail-air-fleet.html): The second AS 350 B3 helicopter was delivered to Fishtail Air at the Singapore Air Show amid a function organized by the producer of the chopper, Eurocopter. The seven-seater copter, kept on display during the air show was handed over to Fishtail Air's chairman Bikash Rana by Eurocopter's president Lutz Bertling.

## Spain focus on himalayas.html

[Spain focus on Himalayas - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/spain-focus-on-himalayas.html): Nepal was highlighted as a premier tourist destination at the FITUR fair 2010 held in Madrid of Spain from January 20 to 24, with the slogan 'Naturally Nepal, Once is not enough'. The five-day fair was coordinated by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents (NATTA).

NTB interacted with tour operators, journalists, internet portals, travel televisions, travel magazines and the general public. Prominent travel media were also invited to Nepal for providing publicity coverage to the Spanish market.

Nepal’s stall offered tour packages and travel information to visitors. Some 15 travel trade companies of Nepal participated in the fair. With special facilities in terms of providing Spanish tour guides and aggressive marketing initiatives, Spaniards are sure to rate Nepal as one of their favourite destinations. Most younger generation Spaniards make travel plans well in advance and prefer to go to eastern countries with exotic culture like Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.

With Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Arkefly flying to Kathmandu via Doha, Bangkok and Amsterdam respectively and additional access points from Spain to India, Nepal receives around 14,000 Spanish tourists yearly.

## Swoyambhu stupa to bask in new glow.html

[Swoyambhu stupa to bask in new glow - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/swoyambhu-stupa-to-bask-in-new-glow.html): A two-year renovation of the Swoyambhu Mahachaitya (Stupa)—Swoyambhu Restoration Project — is nearing completion, thanks to ceaseless efforts of over 70 master craftsmen from across Nepal and volunteers from around the world, who have been providing expertise in diverse fields, including history, culture, management, restoration, documentation and architecture. The aim is to complete the restoration in February itself. At a press conference of the Swoyambhu Restoration Project Committee, Manish Ratna Shakya, the committee’s documentation officer, said this is the first restoration of Swoyambhu, believed to be the country’s oldest Buddhist monument, in as many as 90 years and the 15th major restoration in the last 800 years.

Built in the fifth century, the shrine was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Sarvagya Raj Tuladhar, president of the Federation of Swoyambhu Management and Conservation, said the restoration includes the nine shrines around the stupa’s base, the 76-foot-tall spire and Harmika, and the large Vajra and Dharmadatu Mandala situated on the stupa’s eastern side. The task includes cleaning metal plates of the stupa, repairing damaged sections and gold plating metal plates. “Gold plating of the stupa’s metal plates requires over 18 kg of gold,” according to Tuladhar. “We have, to date, gold plated the Vajra and Dharmadhatu mandala, the nine shrines, the Harmika (the cube above the dome and below the spire) and 13 discs of the spire. Only the Chhattra (decorative parasol crowning the spire) remains to be done.” People involved in restoration are sticking to traditional arts and restoration techniques. Bharat Suwal, a gold plating expert, said gold mixed with mercury is applied to the copper sheets and then heated to burn off the mercury. This technique leaves a layer of gold covering the entire surface. Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Centre is overseeing and funding the entire project.

## Grand plan to develop tibet areas.html

[Grand plan to develop Tibet areas - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/grand-plan-to-develop-tibet-areas.html): China’s top leaders say Tibet’s development must include Tibetan areas in neighboring provinces - a move likely aimed at tying the region tighter to the rest of the country after deadly riots two years ago. Chinese President Hu Jintao told the first highlevel meeting on Tibet in nine years that the development would require hard work to prevent “penetration and sabotage” by separatists working for Tibet’s independence, the staterun Xinhua News Agency reported late Friday. Hu also said at this week’s meeting that residents’ awareness of being part of China should be constantly enhanced, Xinhua reported. The meeting was the first of its kind since the deadly riots in March 2008, the largest uprising against Chinese rule in decades.

## Airport security upped.html

[Airport security upped - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/airport-security-upped.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal put security at its international airport on Saturday on high alert after neighbouring India increased security at its domestic terminals. “We have put security (at Tribhuvan International Airport) on high alert with a view to possible hijack attempts,” said Keshav Raj Khanal, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. India stepped up security at its airports and warned the country’s airlines about a possible hijack attempt following a tip-off from Western intelligence services. “We will deploy more security forces and beef up our vigilance at the Tribhuvan airport,” Khanal told AFP. “The Nepal government has increased security so that there will be no incidents on Nepalese soil,” he told AFP.

## Chisapani a latent tourist destination in west.html

[Chisapani, a latent tourist destination in west - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chisapani-a-latent-tourist-destination-in-west.html): Chisapani, the entry point of beautiful far-west, is a sought-after destination.

Chisapani bazaar had been one of the most affected areas during the conflict. But good days seem to have come now. Both domestic and international tourists visiting the far-west region do not return without tasting the fish at Chisapani.

The bridge over the Karnali river is the second of its kind in Asia. The single-pillar bridge was constructed by the Japanese government. But this is not the only attraction in this region. The Bardiya National Park connected to the area, Karnali River and the beautiful scenery with the delicious fish have enhanced the beauty of the region.

After the decade-long conflict, economic activities in the area had diminished. But such activities are now on the rise.

Chiasapani bazaar had given the feeling of a cemetery when three ordinary people and three Maoist combatants were killed beside the Karnali bridge in a clash that took place in the last month of Paush 2061 B.S.

At that time, Parwati Thapa, an operator of Dolphin Hotel, who served delicious fishes to the visitors, was not only injured but her entire hotel had been destroyed. There was a total loss of about Rs. 475,000.

Netra Bhujel, operator of Sunrise Hotel, said that after the conflict there were no visitors in the area, except for police personnel. But after the peace agreement, Bhujel sells 25-30 kgs of fish daily to the visitors.

Bajir Singh Dhami, sub-inspector of police, said that as the area was secure and peaceful and also a nice place to visit. About 2000-2500 tourists visit the area daily.

Bhujel said that he had a daily business of Rs. 12,000. Like Bhujel, there are other 13 hotels operating in Chisapani.

Dinesh Rajbhandari, president of the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that hotel business had flourished in Chisapani bazaar also because they presented as a main centre for visitors walking in the circuits of Sugarkhal, Pandaun of the northern hilly Village Development Committee (VDC) in Kailali, Doti district, Surkhet, Achham, Jumla, Humla and Kalikot.

He added that as Karnali Chisapani was the entry point of the Far-west, the chamber planned to build an entry gate in the area. For this a district level committee had been formed under the presidency of the Chief District Officer (CDO).

Man Bahadur Bishwakarma, an owner of local Look Hotel, said that the all the visitors who came to Kanchanpur or the Far-Western Region through airways said that they came to the view the Karnali bridge and also taste the delicious fish. According to him, an average of 20 kgs of fish was in the 13 hotels and daily 2 quintal 60 kgs of fishes were consumed.

Dhami said that though the bazaar had been in a deplorable condition after the conflict, it has revived such that about 1500-2000 vehicles operating in the  area stop there for snacks.

He said that there were crowds of people came to the area on Saturdays for picnics. Local businessmen said that foreigners came there for tours and delegates from the UN, INGOs and NGOs also came there for their programmes.

Rajbhandari, president of the Kailali Chamber of Commerce, said that Chisapani bazaar was also a popular destination as it was connected to different areas and local products such as honey, ghee and dry meat were available there. The area is special also because though the market and producers were of small scale there was a daily business of about Rs. 2,000,000 – Rs. 2,500,000.

Though Chisapani is an attraction for tourists, it has its hazards as well. The security bodies are worried as mishaps take place during summer for swimming sites have not been built in Karnali River. Under the Far-western region campaign, the Chamber has taken initiatives to build an entry gate, disseminate information on the tourist destination of Far-west and construction of swimming pools.

If the far-western region is connected with the tourist destinations, the Karnali bridge of Chisapani could be a major tourist attraction.

## Bus park to open soon.html

[Bus park to open soon - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bus-park-to-open-soon.html): KAKARVITTA: Tek Bahadur Bus Park, considered the biggest in the eastern region and to be equipped with modern facilities, will open from Baishakh, Nepali New Year day. Construction and management committee chairman Uddhav Thapa said all construction work will be completed by then. The bus park sprawling over two bighas of land in Birtamod is being constructed at a cost of over Rs 35 million. The terminal building, entrance road and compound wall have already been completed. The blacktopping of the inner parts of the bus park is in the final stage. The construction was launched five years ago.

The bus park is expected to meet the demand for a bus park in the eastern region’s busiest market hub for the coming 50 years. The Indian embassy provided Rs 28 million and the rest of the amount was provided by different authorities including DDC, National Planning Commission, Anarmani VDC and Shanischare VDC for the construction of the bus park. Once the park comes into operation, it can handle 96 buses and over 50 taxis at a time. All buses operating on East West Highway and Mechi Highway from Birtamod will be parked there.

## Tiger meet to bolster regional cooperation.html

[Tiger meet to bolster regional cooperation - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tiger-meet-to-bolster-regional-cooperation.html): The government has played a proactive role to implement the recommendations made by the Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop (KGTW) organised in October 2009 to save the endangered tiger species from extinction, said an official on Sunday. The Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, which is participating at the ministerial-level tiger summit scheduled for Jan. 27- 29 in Bangkok, will discuss the progress Nepal has made to conserve the tiger and its habitats. Shiv Raj Bhatt, spokesperson at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), said the government has decided to declare Banke National Park to expand the habitat of the big cats. Bhatt said plans are afoot to establish Crime Control Bureau and National Tiger Conservation Authority to curb wildlife trafficking and formulate strategies on tiger conservation as per the recommendations of KGTW. Other recommendations made by the fourday workshop include extension and maintenance of favourable habitats for tigers and adoption of innovative science and technology in conservation efforts. The Bangkok meeting will dwell on transborder cooperation among the tiger range countries and enhancement of institutional capacity of the stakeholders, among others. “The meet will focus on strengthening regional cooperation to address the illegal trade of tiger skin and its derivatives,” said Diwakar Chapagain of the World Wildlife Fund. The tiger meet will be attended by the heads of the states of 14 tiger range countries — Nepal, India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, Malaysia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Laos, Myanmar, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. A 2009 estimate puts the number of adult tigers in the country at 121.

## Hotel numbers go up in pokhara.html

[Hotel numbers go up in Pokhara - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/hotel-numbers-go-up-in-pokhara.html): KASKI: The number of hotels, travel and trekking agencies is on the rise in Pokhara. In 2009, 22 new hotels were opened in Pokhara while some others are in the process of opening soon. With this, the number of hotels has reached 475 in the town. Similarly, 14 new travel and four trekking agencies have been registered. Now, the city has 83 travel and 67 trekking agencies. According to the data available from the Tourism Office, Pokhara, investment in the hotel sector increased by nearly 11 percent in 2009 compared to the previous year. Hotels, travel and trekking agencies in the city have provided direct jobs to nearly 4,000 people. Similarly, investment in the trekking and travel sectors increased by Rs. 430 million in 2009 compared to 2008.

## Recognise tourist police.html

[Recognise tourist police - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/recognise-tourist-police.html): The nation’s tourist police have asked the Home Ministry and Police Headquarters to recognise their role in writing in the Nepal Police Regulations.

“The role of the tourist police has not been defined and we are facing difficulties while dealing with different tourism-related issues,” said Arjun Kumar Timilsina, Police Inspector of the Tourist Police Department (TPD) at the Tourism Board.

The TPD sent a letter to the Nepal Police last week asking that their department be included and their role defined under Section 3 of the Nepal Police Regulation. “If not under the Nepal Police, our duties and rights must be secured at least under the Tourism Ministry,” said Timilsina. Timilsina also stated that whereas the Traffic Police, Community Police, and Armed Police Force (APF) were all recognised by concerned parties, recognition had not been given to the tourist police.

Raju KC, Sub-Inspector at the TPD stated that the tourist police must also be given complete authority to deal with tourists visiting the country. “ Right now, we only make reports of cases filed by tourists and send them to the District Police Office, which is a problem for the visiting tourists,” KC said, adding “ A special court to deal with tourists would also speed up the amount of time spend deliberating such cases.”

The tourist police was established three decades ago with the aim of referring cases filed by tourist to the District Police  Office. However, KC claimed, “The situation is not like it was earlier. The inflow of tourists has increased, and with this, the number of cases.” 

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General Bigyan Raj Sharma, spokesperson of the Nepal Police, said that the Police Headquarters was in the process of creating recognition for the tourist police. “We are working on defining the role of the tourist police. It has to go through ministry, cabinet, and parliament, however, before we can include it to our regulations,” Sharma said.

There are presently 38 tourist police for the 500,000 tourists who in the country. The tourist police have it that at least 600 cases are registered every year, of which approximately 80 percent of cases are theft and robbery.

## More tourists attracted to adventure activities.html

[More tourists attracted to adventure activities - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/more-tourists-attracted-to-adventure-activities.html): Despite sporadic bandas and strikes witnessed in the country in 2009, major tourism activities saw a growth compared to the previous year.

The number of tourists putting down trekking, mountaineering, rafting and golf as their purpose of visit has gone up. Tourism entrepreneurs are optimistic of increasing visitor numbers in 2010 and doubling arrivals during the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY 2011) national campaign.

Following the government's ambitious target of bringing one million tourists, different tourism related stakeholders are hopeful of achieving the target but raised concerns about the deteriorating political environment. "We are targeting about 200,000 trekkers in 2010," said Sitaram Sapkota, president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN).

He said that the 2011 campaign would be more crucial to trekking agencies as they have targeted to host around 300,000 tourists. Sapkota said that there were 125,000 trekkers in 2008. The number increased to 130,000 in 2009.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, more than 75,058 trekkers visited the Annapurna region in 2009. Similarly, 1,769 trekkers visited Manaslu in the same year.

The Kanchenjunga, Khumbu, Mustang, Upper Mustang, Lomanthang, Langtang-Helambu, Dolpo and Gauri Shanker trekking trails are popular in the country.

Ang Tshering Sherpa president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), said that visitors for mountaineering in the country increased to 7,500 in 2009 from 6,500 in 2008. According to him, the NMA hosted 1,800 mountaineers in 2008 and the number had increased to around 1,950 in 2009. He, however, said that the number might decrease in 2010 as the Pakistan government had slashed the royalty for mountaineering by 50 percent. He said that royalty rates should be reduced in 2011.

Gopal Prasad Kharel, president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), said that there was a slim increase in the number of rafting tourists. According to him, in 2008, NARA hosted 15 percent of the total tourist arrivals.

Deepak Acharya, Nepal's professional golfer and golf director of the Gokarna Golf Course, said that they had targeted 12,000 golf tourists in 2011.

"We have projected about 50 percent increase in golf playing tourists this year as against the earlier year," he said.

## Waterbird count birdwatchers delight.html

[Waterbird Count: Birdwatchers delight - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/waterbird-count-birdwatchers-delight.html): Hundreds of avid bird lovers, including ornithologists, locals and students across the country, are taking part in the 24th Midwinter Waterbird Count from Jan. 9 to 25, the longest-running monitoring programme of any wildlife done on an annual basis in Nepal.

Nepal first participated in the midwinter waterbird count in January 1987 on behalf of Wetlands International. Since then, it has been participating every year along with other Asian countries including Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Japan and Korea.

Hem Sagar Baral, senior ornithologist and national coordinator of the Midwinter Waterbird Count Programme under Wetlands International said, a large network of passionate volunteers are mobilised nationwide to count birds in at least 30 different wetlands, which are known to harbour both residential and migratory water birds.

The programme is jointly supported by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife 

Conservation, National Trust for Nature Conservation and the Wetland Project, Nepal among others.  Bird counting has commenced with the involvement of community-based organisations in Ghodaghodi and Jagdishpur lakes, Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park (CNP) from Saturday. The wetlands of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Pokhara, Bardia National Park and the remaining parts of CNP will be covered next week. Last year’s midwinter waterbird count put the total population from 79 species of water birds at 30,144. “Midwinter bird counting has become like a festival for many conservationists and passionate bird watchers who see it as an occasion to celebrate,” Baral said.

The data generated during the count provide an outlook on the status, distribution and population of waterbirds in the country. “This (count) also helps update the national red data list on birds of Nepal and feeds information to those who update the global bird list,” he added.

Of the 864 species of known birds in the country, nearly 200 are dependent on water. As many as 34 species of ducks have been known to Nepal, 30 of them are migrants with some coming from as far as Siberia.

## More animals in makalu barun area sankhuwasabha.html

[More animals in Makalu Barun area SANKHUWASABHA - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/more-animals-in-makalu-barun-area-sankhuwasabha.html): Makalu Barun National Park has recorded an increased number of wild animals, an estimated 20 per cent rise in the number of leopard, bear and deer, among others. Poaching has been curbed since the park set up its central office in Seduwa of Makalu VDC.

## Bagh gupha discovered.html

[Bagh Gupha discovered - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/bagh-gupha-discovered.html): A new cave has been found in the Manjushree cave at Kirtipur Municipality-14 of Kathmandu, with the initiative of Jalbinayak Community Forest Consumer’s Group. Believed to be the third longest cave of Asia and the second longest of the country, the cave is named Bagh Gupha (tiger cave). The treasurer of the Group Sujindra Maharjan said the new cave was different from others as it had peculiar natural shapes and artistic ponds.

## A whole new ball game for tourism.html

[A whole new ball game for tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/a-whole-new-ball-game-for-tourism.html): SAURAHA - Baghmara Chaur in Sauraha saw a different ballgame on Saturday, the opening day of the sixth Chitwan Elephant Festival.

The fun started right after Vice Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly Purna Kumari Subedi inaugurated the festival aimed at promoting tourism. Elephants sweated it out to outpace their opponents at the day's race. Twelve out of 21 domestic and international teams advanced into the second round. While in the jumbo football match, the major attraction of the festival, DCBL defeated the Chaudhary Group 1-0.

The jumbo match was not much different from soccer. It had its set of diehard fans, who would shout and cheer whenever their favourite player moved the ball towards the goalpost.

“I came here mainly to watch elephant calves play football,” said one among thousands of people, who had poured in to watch the three-day festival.

“Eight elephant calves were trained for two weeks to kick the ball,” according to Rameshwor Chaudhary, chief at the Khorsor Elephant Breeding Centre.

Local communities and various organisations staged cultural processions to mark the opening day.

The festival has given rise to hope that tourism will bounce back in the popular destination of Sauraha. Local hotels and restaurants are packed with domestic and international tourists.

## Tourist information centre at nagarkot.html

[Tourist Information Centre at Nagarkot - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourist-information-centre-at-nagarkot.html): 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.

## India tightens tourist visa rules.html

[India tightens tourist visa rules - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/india-tightens-tourist-visa-rules.html): India has tightened its rules for long-term tourist visas, officials said today, in a move that is causing confusion for travellers and will affect thousands of foreigners in the country. Under previous rules, tourists on five or 10-year visas were required to leave the country every 180 days. But many would simply go to a neighbouring country such as Nepal for a brief stay before returning. Now they will still face the same 180-day deadline, but will have to stay out of the country for two months before they can re-enter. "We have changed the rules to prevent the misuse of the long-term tourist visa," a senior official at the foreign ministry said, asking not be named.

The new rules have been implemented since November 4, he said, although the British and the US embassies in New Delhi said the changes were being applied inconsistently and had caused problems for a number of its nationals. In a posting on its website, the US embassy detailed a number of tourists who had left the country to visit a neighbouring country for a holiday but who were then denied entry back into India. "These new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently and are not finalized," the US advisory stated. Over 100,000 tourists apply for long-term visas each year, according to the foreign ministry. The British embassy said they were aware of the new visa rule and have discussed the issue with Indian authorities as it will impact a large number of British nationals.

"There is no real clarity over the details of the proposals or how they might be implemented," said Kitty Tawakley of the British High Commission. "We understand that the Indian government is reconsidering its plans." About 700,000 British citizens visited India in 2008 on long-term and short-term visas, she said. Nationals from 14 countries are eligible for the long-term visas and they are particularly used by US and British citizens who bypass the complicated process of acquiring a business or employment visa. "We realised that most countries follow the two-month gap rule and India needs to do the same," the official said. The ministry has made no change to short-term visa rules, which most visitors to the country use for their holidays, but it has recently tightened up business visa rules.

In October, India announced a crackdown on the misuse of business visas -- short-term visas meant for a specific trip to India -- which meant thousands of expatriate workers had to leave the country. A final draft of visa regulations on tourist visas and business visas is expected to be issued in December and will be made public by Indian embassies across the world.

## Alpine air to start regional flights by third week of jan.html

[Alpine Air to start regional flights by third week of Jan - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/alpine-air-to-start-regional-flights-by-third-week-of-jan.html): KATHMANDU: Alpine Air Pvt Ltd, a Nepali international airlines, is operating flights from the third week of coming January. This airlines is starting its regional flights from Kathmandu-New Delhi-Kathmandu route by Airbus 319-100, said managing director Surendra Malla.

Alpine Air has an investment of $11 million and has leased two Airbuses from Bahrain Air. “We are starting operation with one aircraft and will add one more aircraft in 2010,” said Malla. According to Malla, the airlines has a sufficiently wide network to compete in this competitive market. Alpine Air will definitely establish itself in the market, he added.

As per the plan, the airlines will start flights to Kuala Lumpur in April 2010 followed by flights to Guangzhou in Chan and Doha in Qatar. “These are the prospective markets we have explored,” he said, “Flight operation on the eve of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 can be an advantage.”

Alpine Air’s Airbus 319-100 has 132 seats — 12 business class seats and 120 economy class seats — suitable for regional flights. The company has not fixed the fare for Kathmandu-New Delhi-Kathmandu flight yet. It is a full service carrier and the fare will be competitive, said Malla.

## Kingfisher gets ok to fly ktm del mum.html

[Kingfisher gets OK to fly KTM-DEL-MUM - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/kingfisher-gets-ok-to-fly-ktm-del-mum.html): KATHMANDU, DEC 13 - The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has granted permission to Kingfisher Airlines, India's only five-star airline rated by Skytrax, to operate in Nepal.

According to the ministry, the airline is likely to commence its Delhi-Kathmandu-Mumbai daily service from July-end.

"As per the recently concluded air service agreement between Nepal and India, Kingfisher has been given permission to connect Delhi-Kathmandu-Mumbai," said Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, Tourism Ministry spokesperson.

He added that increasing international flight accessibility was expected to give a big boost to the Nepali tourism industry. Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) president Ram Kaji Koney said that connectivity with the Indian business hub of Mumbai would help Nepal's tourism to flourish.

The number of tourists from the southern part of India can be expected to swell as they are interested in Nepal's pilgrimage spots, he added.

Jet Airlines and Dubai Air have recently received permission to fly to Kathmandu.

Spice Jet Air is also seeking operational approval to link Nepal. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in May 2005 by India's well-known UB Group.

## Panchase developing into rural tourism hub.html

[Panchase developing into rural tourism hub - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/panchase-developing-into-rural-tourism-hub.html): PANCHASE: Panchase, a place not far from Pokhara and which epitomizes natural beauty combined with cultural heritage, is located on the tri-junction of Kaski, Syangja and Parbat districts. It is developing into a rural tourism destination.

The place is famous for its biodiversity, historical and religious heritage and sight-seeing. Locals have started providing 'home-stay' services to tourists as more and more tourists are visiting the place and tourism activities have increased.

Home-stay services have started at Bhadaure Tamagi village in Kaski, Bangsing in Syangja and Chitre in Parbat. These villages are among the half a dozen villages in the three districts that are covered by Panchase circuit. "We have started home-stay services in 80 houses to provide tourists a glimpse of Gurung culture and tradition and also the taste of local cuisine," said Hitmaya Gurung, chairperson of the mothers' group at Bhadaure Deurali village.

Home-stay service for two tourists has started at Chitre village in Parbat district, according to Sushiladevi Gurung, secretary of Chitre women's group. Prominent people of both villages have taken a five-day training on hosting tourists and managing home-stay services by observing the practice in Sirubari, Syangja, that is a model village of rural tourism. Panchase, which is at an altitude of 784 metres to 2,517 metres above sea level, is spread on 5,500 hectares. "Rural tourism can be boosted if home-stay service is provided by the nearly 20,000 houses here," chairman of Machhapuchchhre Development Association, Dil Bahadur Bhattarai, said. The place is about four hours' trek from Pokhara if one goes up to Bhadaure Deurali by bus. There is another route leading to Panchase from Pokhara.

This one starts from the dam site at Phewa Lake and passes through Raniban, Stupa, Bhumdi and Bhanjyang offering splendid views of the Himalayan mountain range and Pokhara Valley. Panchase is rich in biodiversity. Some 113 species of orchids, including three species not found anywhere in the world, are found here. The place is also the source of the Aandhikhola, Setikhola, Jarekhola, Ratikhola and Harpankhola watersheds.

There is large forest cover, of which 1,500 hectares have been given to the local communities for managing it. The rest is national forest. There are 12 different kinds of trees, 589 species of flowers, 150 different species of herbs, 56 species of wild mushrooms and 98 species of ferns.

## Spicejet to spice up nepali air horizon.html

[SpiceJet to spice up Nepali air horizon - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/spicejet-to-spice-up-nepali-air-horizon.html): KATHMANDU: SpiceJet, India’s most preferred low fare airline has announced that it will be flying on short haul international routes including Kathmandu from May-June, 2010 when it completes the pre-requisite of flying for five years before being allowed to operate internationally. Talking to The Himalayan Times, company vice-president Kamal Hingorani said that SpiceJet will start its daily flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu from June. He also informed that SpiceJet also plans to serve Southeast Asia and Gulf countries from May 2010.

Aiming to deliver the lowest air fares with the highest consumer value, SpiceJet operates a fleet of 19 Boeing 737-800/737-900ER aircraft, with 129 flights daily to 18 Indian destinations including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bagdogra, Chennai, Coimbatore, New Delhi, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Jammu, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam.

The Kathmandu flights will see the start of SpiceJet’s foray abroad, he added. According to Hingorani, the revised Air Service Agreement (ASA) also makes it easy for SpiceJet to start Nepal operations. Civil aviation officials of Nepal and India on September 10 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the revision of bilateral ASA and a technical accord, facilitating five-fold increase in air seats between the two countries. Hingorani also expressed confidence that the new effort would be appreciated by both business and leisure travellers alike.

Zenith Travel has been appointed the General Sales Agent (GSA) for SpiceJet with immediate effect. “It is an honour for us to represent SpiceJet. We are very happy with this partnership and expect to meet the growing demands of travellers in the country,” said Zenith Travels managing director Joy Dewan.

Tourism entrepreneurs are highly encouraged by the announcement. SpiceJet’s entry in Nepal is going to cause ripples in the country’s aviation and tourism sectors, said Samrat Tours and Travels chief executive officer CN Pandey. The budget airline SpiceJet was also honoured with World Travel Market Award for multi-channel approach in distribution in 2009. Meanwhile, Kingfisher Airlines, a private Indian airline that boasts of “premium first class service on domestic route”, will soon spread its wings overseas with flights to Nepal.

The three-year-old company run by UB Group has begun recruitments in Nepal for flights likely to commence from July-end, sources told. The first flights will likely be from Mumbai or Bangalore to Kathmandu via New Delhi, sources added. Following its merger with Deccan, Kingfisher now connects 64 cities with 484 daily flights. On December 2, Jet Airways introduced a direct five-days a week service between Mumbai and Kathmandu. With this service, the number of Jet flights between the two countries has gone up to 26.

Meanwhile, Buddha Air, the country’s private airlines, has also said it will start its service from Pokhara to Lucknow of India from the first week of March 2010. It has planned to start with two to three flights a week in the beginning.

India will be the major market for Nepal in the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign, officials at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said. They said that they took positive note of the interest shown by foreign airlines to operate flights in the country in view of NTY 2011 that aims to bring in one million tourists including 2,62,000 from India. Tourist arrival from India during November was up by 16.1 percent, according to Nepal Tourism Board.

This is the sixth consecutive month that country has witnessed a growth in international tourist arrivals.

## Janakpur airport to be upgraded.html

[Janakpur Airport to be upgraded - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/janakpur-airport-to-be-upgraded.html): The government plans to upgrade Janakpur Airport to Internationa0l Airport. According to MoTCA Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, the plan was made as part of the first phase to develop Janakpur as a town with religious and tourism significance.The government plans to extend the airport´s existing 1300-meter runway to 1,600 meters.

## Conference on buddhism at lumbini.html

[Conference on Buddhism at Lumbini - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/conference-on-buddhism-at-lumbini.html): Buddhist pilgrims from neighbouring India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar have come to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha, to particpate in the Dharamodaya Assembly. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the 10th national Buddhist conference today.

## Flydubai first airline lands in kathmandu.html

[Flydubai first airline lands in Kathmandu - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/flydubai-first-airline-lands-in-kathmandu.html): Flydubai's maiden flight landed at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu on 15th December. The airline, a Dubai Government enterprise, is Dubai’s first low cost carrier. Flydubai operates four flights a week to Kathmandu ( on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays).The airline will depart from Dubai international Airport at 7 AM and arrive in Kathmandu at 12:40pm Nepali time.From Kathmandu the flight will depart at 13:40 pm and arrive in Dubai at 17:10pm.The price for Kathmandu-Dubai one-way ticket has been fixed at $175, inclusive of taxes.

## Cartographic center turns into tourist spot.html

[Cartographic center turns into tourist spot - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cartographic-center-turns-into-tourist-spot.html): BHAKTAPUR, DEC 21 - At a height of 2,200 m, the Nagarkot View Tower is currently a popular tourist destination for all those who come to this hill station. That was not the original purpose of the tower, however. The tower was constructed for a more serious purpose, that of drawing up cartographic maps of Nepal, and lack of concern by authorities has meant the tower could soon lose this purpose, and in turn, affect the drawing and geological survey of Nepal as a whole.

According to Niraj Manandhar, chief survey officer at the Department of Survey, if the Trigonometrical Station, which is the tower’s original name, is not conserved, it will affect the maps and the border of the country. The Department of Survey is responsible for the tower’s maintenance, as well as to put a check on people climbing it, but government apathy has meant it has not been able to deter tourists or to maintain the tower. 

The tower is vital for cartographers in Nepal as it is the fundamental point from where the country’s borders are measured. Nepal’s international borders are drawn by taking this tower as the central point. “This tower has played a vital role in national security,” Manandhar said.

Even the lock that is supposed to secure entry to the tower has been broken. Nearby, benches have been placed for people to sit on, and there are no means to dispose waste. Small restaurants dot the area around the tower, and people can be seen regularly climbing the tower for a better view of the Valley. Government apathy to the tower is so evident that even a barbwire around the tower can deter visitors, but that has not been installed.

The tower’s construction was initiated in December 1970 on the occasion of the 29th birthday of the late-king Birendra, and operations finally began in 1973. The tower uses several geographical and cartographical instruments to determine Nepal’s exact position and boundaries in the world. Besides the old survey methods, new techniques such as global positioning system (GPS) are also employed at the tower.

Bishnu Kumar Neupane of the Department of Survey said that cartographic and geographical instruments such as trigonometrical bases and GPS tracking devices have been employed at several tourist places that offer a view of the Himalayan ranges. The Nagarkot tower, besides these devices, is also used for tracking weather changes around the country.

Due to the lack of information about the sensitive area, Nagarkot Naaldum Tourism Development Committee had proposed in a letter that it would manage the area near the tower. But after they were informed about the nature of the tower, the tourism professionals have stopped construction works in the area. The committee had asked permission from the Survey Department to construct a garbage collection centre and a parking area. 

Rajaram Chhatkuli, director-general at the Department of Survey, said that due to Nepal’s unstable condition, the department was unable to carry out any constructive work at the tower. “We have sent a letter to the police and the district administration requesting them to stop people from climbing the tower but they have been unable to stop them.”

## Conference on machhapuchre model trek.html

[Conference on Machhapuchre Model Trek - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/conference-on-machhapuchre-model-trek.html): A national conference was jointly organised by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research - North South (NCCR N-S)on the newly opened Machhapuchhre Model Trek in Kathmandu on 14th December. The trekking trail covers seven village development committees – Lahachowk, Ghachowk, Machhapuchhre, Rivan, Lwangghalel, Dhital and Sardikhola VDC – in Kaski district.

## Work on international airport in pokhara begins.html

[Work on international airport in Pokhara begins - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/work-on-international-airport-in-pokhara-begins.html): KASKI, NOV 30 - Ground levelling and fencing for the construction of a regional international airport at Chhinedanda in Pokhara will be completed within the current fiscal year.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has directed the high-level committee formed for the constriction to complete the design of the strip area and runway of the airport within the current fiscal year.

Organizing a press meet, the committee said the authority had released Rs. 1 million for an engineering survey and detailed design of the airport as well as to level the ground. The authority has allocated Rs. 50 million for the airport construction. The high-level committee was formed by the CAAN board last year under the chairmanship of CA member Rajkaji Gurung.

The Chinese government has given high priority to supporting the construction at the request of the Nepal government. The committee will stop farming on the 3,106 ropanis of land acquired for the airport from this year. The airport will have a 2,500-metre long and 50-metre wide runway after the upgrade. On the approach side, construction of any physical infrastructure has been banned for up to 400 metres.

## Closed cnp hotels get a new lease of life.html

[Closed CNP hotels get a new lease of life - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/closed-cnp-hotels-get-a-new-lease-of-life.html): The Cabinet today granted the permission for the seven hotels inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) to operate their business as usual for three more years. The hotels have been closed inside the CNP area since July 15.

"We decided to allow the hotels to operate as usual till 2012 after which they have to quit," said Deepak Bohara, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation. "Three years is ample time for them to prepare for an exit and relocate their businesses outside the CNP area," he added. A controversy surrounding the hotels inside the CPN area became manifest after the agreed time period of the hotels to run their businesses ended in July.

The case was then taken up by the Public Account Committee (PAC) for investigation. In view of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the PAC at first recommended the government to allow the hotels to operate till that year but the parliamentary committee on natural resources intervened halting the implementation of the PAC decision arguing that the matter was a concern of the natural resource committee and not the PAC. According to article 3 of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Regulation 1973, CNP has the power to permit any lodge and resort inside the CNP but it has to follow a tender process. But under an agreement, which was renewed in 1993 for 16 years, the hotels had been allowed to operate inside the CNP without going through a formal tender process.

"With the new decision, there is no need of a tender process. Hotels inside the park will leave in 2012 once and for all. We have given three years extra-time for them to make necessary preparations for an exit," Minister Bohara said.

The hotels inside the CNP are blamed for degrading natural habitat of the wildlife. An overwhelming majority of the staffers at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) along with the local residents and conservationists had solidly backed the proposal for the closure of the hotels.

In yet another development, the Cabinet today decided to declare two more conservation areas -- Gaurishanker Conservation Area (2,035 sq km) in Dolakha and Ramechhap, and Api Nampa (1,900 sq km) in Darchula district, said Shanker Pokharel, Minister for Information and Communications.

## Nepal stands out at indian travel mart.html

[Nepal stands out at Indian travel mart - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-stands-out-at-indian-travel-mart.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourism Board in cooperation with private travel trade companies recently participated in the India International Travel Mart (IITM). The mart was held at Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad of India from November 28 to 30. Hyderabad, a fast developing hi-tech city of south India is one of the major tourist market especially of those who wish to visit Nepal for a religious cause.

The three-day fair was significant in disseminating tourism information about Nepal to consumers and interacting with new and existing tour operators as well as local media. Nepal, with its slogan “Naturally Nepal — Once Is Not Enough” was presented to the Indian tourists with various packages by participating Nepalese tour operators.

The message of the government-led national tourism campaign ‘Nepal Tourism Year 2011’ was highlighted during the entire mart among the consumers, business people and local media. Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs offered religious tours to Pashupatinath in Kathamndu, Muktinath in Jomsom and pilgrimage transit tour to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal. The mart was organized by Sphere Travel Media Pvt Ltd and supported by Andhra Pradesh State Tourism. The stall put by the Nepalese team bagged ‘Best Destination Promotion Award’ during the mart. Dubai, Switzerland, Egypt and Sri Lanka also participated in the mart.

Three Nepalese tour operators — Explore Kailash Treks and Expedition, Samrat Tours and Travels and Satyam Tours and Travels participated in the mart.

## Cnp hotels to operate for 3 more years.html

[CNP Hotels to operate for 3 more years - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cnp-hotels-to-operate-for-3-more-years.html): Nepal government has granted permission to seven hotels operating inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) to carry on their business for three more years. The hotels have been closed inside the CNP area since July 15. The hotels have been blamed for degrading the natural habitat of the wildlife and local residents and conservationists had solidly backed the proposal for the closure of the hotels.

## Tourist police face manpower crunch.html

[Tourist police face manpower crunch - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourist-police-face-manpower-crunch.html): KATHMANDU, NOV 30 - At a time when preparations for tourism year 2011 are ongoing, the tourist police, considered a security lifeline by visitors to the country, is facing a human resource crunch.

"Owing to a lack of manpower, we are facing difficulties in managing all the problems that are coming up with visiting tourists," said Arjun Timalsina, inspector of Tourists Police Department at the Tourism Board. "At present, we are working in coordination with the local police."

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, there are presently 38 tourist police deployed in the Valley to attend to approximately 500,000 tourists who visit Nepal. The tourist police say that at least 600 cases are registered every year, of which approximately 80 percent are cases regarding theft, and robbery. "It's pretty difficult to go through each and every case." Timalsina stated. 

Laxman Bhattarai, spokesman for the Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation said, "We are working on increasing the number of police personnel. We sent a letter about this issue to the Home Ministry last month, but we haven't gotten a response."

Tourist police were introduced in the Valley over three decades ago with the deploying of seven police personnel.

## Interation on trash management in tsum valley.html

[Interation on trash management in Tsum Valley - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/interation-on-trash-management-in-tsum-valley.html): Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) together with Tsum Welfare Committee on Novermber 25 organised an interaction on trash management in Tsum Valley.

The tourism possibilities of Tsum Valley, lying in the northern reaches of Gorkha district, explored by TAAN last year. The Valley borders with Tibet in the north and is home to a sparse population of Gurungs with their own religious and cultural identity.

Speaking on the occasion, Jyoti Adhikari, immediate past president of TAAN, talked about tourism prospects of Tsum Valley. "The Valley holds great possibility for trekking tourism as popular trekking trails in Annapurna region have been curtailed due to expansion of road network," Adhikari said. He also stressed on the need to promote eco-friendly tourism in the area.

Jack Moore, an American national who recently returned from Tsum Valley, made a slide presentation on the area. "The pristine Valley is littered with the wastes taken there by trekkers. If we are to make tourism in Tsum Valley sustainable, we must initiate measures for effective trash management," Moore suggested. He also elaborated trash management measures practiced in popular destinations in the US.

Lhakpa Phuti Sherpa, president of Women Mountaineering Federation (WMF), suggested local stakeholders to encourage trekkers to take back non-degradable wastes with them. "WMF is ready to join hands with local community for better trash management in Tsum Valley," she added.

The interaction was organised to seek inputs from stakeholders for better trash management in Tsum Valley. Trekkers, travel trade people, representatives of different travel trade associations and mediapersons participated in the interaction.

## Yeti airlines donates million.html

[Yeti Airlines donates million - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/yeti-airlines-donates-million.html): KATHMANDU: Yeti Airlines donated Rs 10,79,784 to four social organizations amid a function here today. The airlines gave Rs 2, 69,946 to Helpless Children Welfare Mission, Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Women for Human Rights, each.

Earlier, it had handed over an amount of Rs 11, 37,768 to the above-named four organizations. In addition, Yeti Airlines has donated Rs 48,12,568 to Tewa, OCCED, Maiti Nepal, Nepal Leprosy Relief, Nepal Glaucoma Eye Clinic (Tilganga) and Sewa Kendra Leprosy.

The airlines is providing 50 per cent discount in airfare to disabled people, 25 per cent to senior citizens and 20 per cent discount to UN-affiliated organizations.

## Thai airways for hotspots.html

[Thai Airways for hotspots - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/thai-airways-for-hotspots.html): KATHMANDU:Thai Airways International is looking into possibilities to operate beyond Kathmandu to connect popular destinations like Lhasa and Middle-East. Th ai Airways fficials said at a programme held here today to mark the 41st anniversary of the airline’s operation in Nepal.

“Many other international airlines have joined the sky race after Nepal adopted liberal air service policy. As such, we are seriously considering the demand prospects of Nepali civil aviation, “they said. The airways has also promised to support “Nepal Tourism Year 2011” campaign by introducing attractive packages and offers.

Thai Airways was the first commercial airline to operate with SE210 Caravelle aircraft between Bangkok and Kathmandu. In 1968, it started once a week flight between Bangkok and Kathmandu and soon after one more flight was added. Thereafter, five flights a week to were scheduled to cope with the growing number of passengers.

The airlines currently operates nine flights a week. Aside from existing service it is planning to resume one more additional flight with the modern Boeing 777-200 with configuration of 30 Business Class and 279 economy class.

## Jet airways mumbai ktm flight.html

[Jet Airways Mumbai-KTM flight - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/jet-airways-mumbai-ktm-flight.html): KATHMANDU: Jet Airways, India’s premium international airlines, has started Mumbai-Kathmandu-Mumbai flights from Wednesday. The airlines will conduct five flights — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday — between Kathmandu and Mumbai a week by Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Jet Airways flight 9W 266 will depart from Mumbai at 8:05 am and arrive in Kathmandu at 10:55 am. Flight 9W 265 will then leave Kathmandu at 11:55 am and reach Mumbai at 2:20 pm. “We are planning to make daily flights from next year,” said PK Singha, vice-president of Jet Airways. Jet Airways currently operates 26 flights between Nepal and India. There are two Jet Airways flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi in a day. JetLite, a subsidiary of Jet Airways, offers one daily flight on these destinations.

Jet Airways has good domestic and international network from Mumbai. “Mumbai is a good place of transit to Gulf countries, North America, Europe and South-East Asia,” Singha said adding Kathmandu-Mumbai flights will provide seamless connectivity between Nepal and other destinations. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha said, “NTB believes the flight link will be beneficial for Nepal Tourism Year 2011.” The number of Indian tourists has rapidly increased in recent months — experiencing a growth of 20 per cent and 16 per cent in October and November, respectively.

Jet Airway’s Mumbai-Kathmandu flight has 144 seats including 20 business class seats. The introductory price of the Kathmandu-Mumbai flight is NRs 16,000.

## Etihad to fly daily.html

[Etihad to fly daily - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/etihad-to-fly-daily.html): Etihad Airways, the national flag carrier of United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced that it will increase its Abu Dhabi - Kathmandu services from four flights to seven flights a week from January 2010.The step was taken in view of the rising popularity of the airlines among travellers and to celebrate the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011, according to the airlines.

## Pokhara to be countrys model city.html

[Pokhara to be country's model city - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pokhara-to-be-countrys-model-city.html): Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada today said that the government was contemplating over developing Pokhara into a model city.

He floated the proposal for model city during the inaugural function of the National Industrial Fare, which began here today. Dr Khatiwada also welcomed suggestion and cooperation from local residents to move forward the plan.  The proposal as outlined by Dr Khatiwada, calls for constituting what is called `grand Pokhara development corporation', which is to help realise allround development of the Lake City.

Earlier, the Ministry of Tourism and tourism entrepreneurs had floated the proposal for a Pokhara tourism development corporation to boost tourists in the picturesque Lake City. Khatiwada also hinted that Pokhara would be merged with Lekhnath Municipality and adjoining VDCs. He, however, said before taking such a move, local residents would be consulted.  Speakers on the occasion, however, said that two prerequisites for a model city were plastic-free city and lush green surrounding.

Plans are also afoot for a regional airport, fast-track road connecting the city with Lumbini and a road network with India and Tibet. Kush Kumar Joshi, Chairman, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the country would leapfrog economically if the political parties renounced bandh and strikes.

## Buddha air for policy change.html

[Buddha Air for policy change - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddha-air-for-policy-change.html): KATHMANDU: Buddha Airlines, which is planning to operate international flights, needs a policy change so that it can operate its turbo-propelled aircraft on international flights, with Pokhara as its second hub. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), the proposal for the international flights operation by Buddha Airlines has been forwarded to the cabinet and the airlines needs to fulfill Terms of Reference to get the permission for international flight operations.

Buddha Airlines senior marketing manager Rupesh Joshi said the only hurdle is that for the domestic airlines in operating international flights is the lack of a jet engine, but they are trying to operate its ATR-72. Currently, the airline is operating its ATR-42 that has 47-seat capacity but as soon as it gets permission to operate its international flights it will operate its ATR-72 that has 70-seat capacity. The ATR-72 will be a low budget airliner which will have 2-3 flights per week. The frequency of flights will be increased according to passenger requirements.

“ Tribhuwan International Airport is suffering from air congestion, and to reduce airport congestion there is a need to establish a second aviation hub. Pokhara is one of the major tourist destinations which can be developed as a second hub,” said Joshi. The India-Nepal agreement allows airlines from both countries to offer 30,000 seats per week to and from Nepal to five cities and 21 other destinations in India including Dehradun, Bagdogra, Lucknow and Gorakhpur — an increment in the number of seats available. These moves would launch a flood of Indian tourists to Nepal. Indian airlines currently allow 6,000 seats per week.

Domestic airlines targeting quality tourist and planning to boost Nepal in term of pilgrimage tourism are now planning to airlink a major tourist destination — Pokhara — with Indian cities to attract more visitors from the neighbouring country.

Buddha Air is working to establish direct flight connectivity between Pokhara and cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Patna and Varanasi. The initiative is also aimed at easing travel hazards of pilgrims to Muktinath Dham, a shrine of Lord Vishnu, besides boosting local trade. “Lucknow has almost been confirmed followed by Delhi as its next destination and rest of the Indian cities later,” said Joshi. Pokhara, a picturesque valley town 200-km west of Kathmandu is a hot destination for three-pronged tourism in adventure, pilgrimage and air-sports.

Pokhara is being promoted as a pilgrimage centre, especially to attract Indians. The valley is the gateway to Muktinath Dham. Thousands of pilgrims from southern parts of India and Kolkata flock the town every year. However, maximum Indian arrivals are from Delhi and National Capital region which includes Gurgaon, Noida, Faizabad and Ghaziabad.

In context to air sports, Pokhara is the only place in the Himalayan nation to host paragliding, mountain biking and Ultra-light aircraft, which gives a feeling of flying like a bird. Air sports can be enjoyed in Pokhara. Capitalising this, Pokhara will be focused for its promotion. The lake city has great potential to become an adventure tourism hotspot.

## Save the karnali say conservationists.html

[Save the Karnali, say conservationists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/save-the-karnali-say-conservationists.html): KATHMANDU: Almost all of the rivers in the nation have been exploited/reserved for hydropower development and in few decades it would be no wonder that no river in the country would remain in its pristine form. River conservation activist and adventure tourism entrepreneurs are worried about the brand name 'white water rafting' as the hydropower development would leave no river free flowing.

"To date almost all the big rivers have been exploited for hydropower but Karnali remains unexploited. So we want that Karnali be declared a free flowing river," said Megh Ale, President, Nepal River Conservation Trust. Karnali has been categorised as one of the top five rivers as per International rafting standards. "Our international brand name is naturally Nepal, but what would remain to say natural if all the rivers will be turned into the concrete dams, "reiterated Ale.

However, the government has already announced for tenders for the proposed Karnali-Chisapani and Middle Karnali Hydropower Project. Authorities are unwilling to consider the issue as the government has a strategy for bigger hydropower plants.

Not necessarily that river have to be exploited for power, our rivers could be a good agents of link between Indian and China, said Anil Chitrakar, an environmentalist. Conservationist maintained that the last free flowing river in Nepal should be declared as a Himalayan river heritage. They also urged the government to declare Karnali watershed as the national park and promote ecotourism.

## Nepal tourism board celebrates 11th anniversary.html

[Nepal Tourism Board celebrates 11th anniversary - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tourism-board-celebrates-11th-anniversary.html): Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) celebrated its 11th anniversary on November 18. It was established in 1998 under Public-Private Partnership while seeking the opportunity and scope to promote and establish Nepal as a prominent tourist destination worldwide by maintaining, improving and diversifying the available tourism products and services.

With different tourism campaigns under its belt, it is moving towards future achievement showing commitment and effort for making Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success. NTB is a successful example of Public-Private Partnership with concerted effort to promote Nepal as a popular tourist destination in the global travel market. In addition, the government has placed tourism on the priority list of national income resources. It has already 2011 as Nepal Tourism Year. NTB also unveiled the new 'In Focus 2009' -- its publication. Awards were also given to different NTB employees regarding NTB Corporate Cup TT Singles and Doubles, Quiz competition 2009 and NTB CEO Cup TT Singles and Doubles.

## New air cargo deal.html

[New air cargo deal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-air-cargo-deal.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal Transit and Warehouse Management Company Limited and Tribhuvan International Airport Civil Aviation Office on Wednesday signed an agreement for the operation and management of the air cargo godown at Tribhuvan International Airport. The go-down is under Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Acting General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport CAAN office Dinesh Prasad Shrestha and Chairman of Nepal Transit and Warehouse Management Company Limited Yogendra Mahato signed the Memorandum of Understanding to this effect on behalf of their respective offices.

## Ministry urged to decide fate of cnp hotels.html

[Ministry urged to decide fate of CNP hotels - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ministry-urged-to-decide-fate-of-cnp-hotels.html): KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources failed to come up with concrete decisions regarding the fate of the seven hotels and resorts inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP). The committee today ordered the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) to take the decision without “violating the present rules and regulations”.

Following the expiry of their contract, the hotels inside the CNP are closed since July 15. Earlier, the Public Account Committee (PAC) had instructed the MoFSC to let the hotels run till 2011 in view of the Tourism Year 2011. But the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources ordered the ministry not to implement any instruction given by the PAC as the issue was under its jurisdiction. “We are not violating the rules and I always said that the ministry is the executive body to take decision in this regard,” said Deepak Bohara, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation.

“We advised the MoFSC not to violate any rules and regulations and give the conservation issues top priority,” said one of the members of parliamentary committee.

The hotels are blamed for the degradation caused to the natural habitat of the wild animals as well as the environment inside the CNP, which the hoteliers are not ready to buy. “Our business depends on the natural beauty and the wildlife of the national park. Hence, there is no question that we do such works that affect the natural beauty of the locale and the natural habitat of the animals here,” said Bharat Basnet, owner of the Gainda Wildlife Camp, a hotel inside the CNP. However minister Bohara did not precisely say as to when the hotels will be resumed or shut down.”It will take some time for discussion and to decide on the matter,” he said. But the MoFSC sources claimed that the ministry was considering to let the hotels resume their business.

With the prolonged debate over the hotels’ fate, the business has gone to dogs. “The four month-long discussions have been futile,” said Yadav Bantawa, general manager of Tiger Tops, another hotel. Even as the future of the hotels is in jeopardy, conservationists have been putting forth their strong view in favour of the closure of the hotels.

## Han dismayed at worker union protest.html

[HAN dismayed at worker union protest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-dismayed-at-worker-union-protest.html): KATHMANDU: The ongoing protest of All Nepal Hotel and Restaurants Workers Union (ANHRWU) might disturb hotel bookings, affecting Nepal Tourism Year 2011, said Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotels’ Association Nepal (HAN).

“If the agitation launched by the union persists, we will be compelled to cancel hotel bookings,” said Shrestha. “Currently, the workers are demanding 40 per cent increment in basic salary and 100 per cent increment in dearness allowance,” he said.

Meanwhile, ANHRWU central committee president Ramesh Pant said that the demands placed by the union are reasonable. “It’s a month that the demand was forwarded but there has been no concern shown,” said Pant.

## Miura to conquer everest at 80.html

[Miura to conquer Everest at 80 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/miura-to-conquer-everest-at-80.html): TOKYO: A Japanese mountaineer who just lost his title as the oldest man to climb Mount Everest to a Nepali fellow septuagenarian vowed today to do one better and scale the peak aged 80. Japan’s Yuichiro Miura, 77, was officially the oldest man to have reached the roof of the world until Nepal’s Min Bahadur Sherchan said on Monday that the Guinness World Records had now named him as the oldest Everest conqueror. Sherchan, 78, said he had battled for months for the recognition of his feat, collecting proof that he reached the 8,848-metre summit in May 2008 when he was 76 — a day before Miura who was 75 at the time.

“I congratulate Sherchan on his success to substantiate his feat,” Miura told AFP by telephone from Japan’s Sapporo, where he was skiing despite having broken his femur and pelvis in a ski accident in February. “It is quite awesome to climb Everest after the age of 70,” he said. “It is still more awesome to do it at 76. In a sense, he has helped expand the possibilities for people in an ageing society.” However, undeterred by his rival, Miura announced an even bolder plan.

“If possible, I want to assault Everest from China’s side in 2013,” he said, having ascended it twice from the Nepali side. To prepare for the feat, he is planning three Himalayan trips. “I will start at around 5,000 (metres) sometime next autumn,” Miura said. “Then I will go for 6,000, 7,000, and Everest.” Miura, a veteran adventurer, in 1970 became the first person to ski down Everest. His parachute-aided descent was documented in the 1975 film “The Man Who Skied Down Everest” which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

In 2003 Miura first became the world’s oldest conqueror of Everest when he reached the summit aged 70. However in 2007 his record was broken by another Japanese man, Katsusuke Yanagisawa who was 71 at the time. “I have not done it for the sake of Guinness records,” said Miura about his two conquests of the world’s highest peak. In January, Miura plans to tour Antarctica in an oceanographic ship. “The tour will have no adventurous element, but I am looking forward to it,” he said.

## Tourism council wakes up to life finally.html

[Tourism Council wakes up to life finally - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-council-wakes-up-to-life-finally.html): KATHMANDU, NOV 21 - The National Tourism Council (NTC), the apex body formed to streamline tourism related activities, has met after a gap of 10 years. Earlier, NTC meetings used to be held annually or biannually.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who chaired Friday's meeting, directed NTC officials to make a schedule for holding its meeting two more times before Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

He directed the council to expedite development activities with more planned and commercial value that would bring positive outcomes in overall development. He said that golf and skiing could be valuable products for Nepal's tourism. 

He added that the Sri Lankan government had shown interest in resuming direct air links between Nepal and Sri Lanka and that the flights could help to bring large numbers of Buddhist pilgrims to Nepal.  "The plan to construct a second international airport at Nijgadh and a regional airport at Lumbini is making headway," he said. 

He said that the government was discussing building a fast-track highway between Pokhara and Lumbini that would help boost tourism and help contribute to the country's economic development.  Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari said that the government planned to develop Janakpur as a marriage destination; and that Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts would be developed as Birat tourism destination.  Similarly, other Tarai regions popular for different historical, religious and indigenous customs and cultures have been proposed to be developed as pilgrimage destinations, he said.

Representatives of the private sector and other concerned stakeholders expressed concern over the declining market share of Nepali airlines at the international level and recommended increasing the national flag carrier's flight movements. 

Nepal Airline Corporation's market share has plunged to 10 percent from 56 percent a couple of years ago. The number of passengers flying Nepal Airline annually has nosedived to 21,000 from 150,000.  Similarly, the meeting also focused on the inadequacy of hotels and beds to support Nepal Tourism Year 2011 that has targeted to bring one million tourists. The overall capacity of hotels is 785,000 annually.

## Conservationists in the uk elated at nepal reviving rhino population.html

[Conservationists in the UK elated at Nepal reviving rhino population - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/conservationists-in-the-uk-elated-at-nepal-reviving-rhino-population.html): KATHMANDU: The reviving population of the one-horned rhino in Chitwan and Bardiya has made the conservationists in the United Kingdom more enthusiastic. Experts discussing Nepal's one-horned rhino at a seminar at the London Zoo also expressed happiness over the authorities' all-out efforts to contain the rhino poaching in the recent times.

Marking the Nepal Nature Conservation Year 2009, the Zoological Society of London and the United Kingdom Trust for Nature Conservation had jointly organised the seminar to discuss efforts made to conserve the Rhino in Chitwan and Bardiya of Nepal. According to officials there has not been any poaching of rhinos since last eighteen months after special guards were recruited. The guards trained to recognise individual rhinos have been adhering to strict scientific monitoring of the rhinos since one and half year ago.

The British embassy in Nepal in a press release quoted Dr Richard Kock of Zoological Society of London as saying, "When we first arrived in Nepal, the barbed wire fence and machine gun mounts were still evident, but the losses of rhino were horrific.” Bardiya was initially sought as a safe haven for rhinos translocated from Chitwan National Park. However, heavy poaching had turned the park into a killing field rather. After the special patrolling arrangements through the trained guards, the parks have turned to be rhinos' safe haven again. Nevertheless, invasive species, deforestation and encroachment by human settlements are still the threats for the rhinos.

## Buddha air to operate pokhara india airlink.html

[Buddha Air to operate Pokhara-India airlink - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/buddha-air-to-operate-pokhara-india-airlink.html): Buddha Air Private Limited, which is going to launch its service from Pokhara to Lucknow of India from the first week of March, has planned to start with two to three flights a week in the beginning. Speaking at a press meet here today, Buddha Air managing director Birendra Bahadur Basnet said that they will fix daily flight later if their venture succeeds.

It is a 50-minute air-trip from Pokhara to Lucknow. The two-way fare from Lucknow to Kathmandu via Pokhara has been fixed at Rs 16,000. This attempt by Buddha Air will join Pokhara to a foreign city for the first time. Destination of most Indian tourists is Pokhara. Nepal Tourism Board member Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai said Indian tourists will be facilitated by this air link. The company decided to start air service beforehand the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. NTB expects one million tourists to visit Nepal that year.

Buddha Air is preparing to provide service with ATR-42 in the beginning and has plans to import another plane, ATR-72, having 66-seat capacity to link the lake city with India's capital, New Delhi, if its first attempt is successful. The company said it requires 50 passengers daily to start the flight to New Delhi. The participants in the press meet demanded to keep landing, navigation and passenger service taxes as before. They also demanded to establish an immigration and customs office in Pokhara immediately.

A nine-member Concern Committee has been formed headed by Anandaraj Mulmi, former chairman, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Pokhara, to put pressure for the fulfilment of the demands. The participants also said that there was probability of extending air services to other different Indian cities.

People of Pokhara also hoped that it also would enable them to put pressure on the government for the construction of a regional international airport in Pokhara. After the launch of international air flight from Pokhara, it will be easier for other airports such as Nepalgunj and Biratnagar to commence international flights.

After ASA between India and Nepal held on 25 September in New Delhi of India had opened the path to start air services to Indian cities. As per the agreement Nepal is allowed to launch air service to 21 different places of India. Tourism entrepreneurs are hoping to develop Pokhara area as the first tourist destination of Nepal after the city gets linked to foreign cities directly.

## System snag hits eastern airport.html

[System snag hits eastern airport - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/system-snag-hits-eastern-airport.html): Devices that help transmit the information about a plane’s distance and direction from the airport tower to the cockpit have gone haywire at Biratnagar Airport after Sunday’s accident. Pilots have been notified to follow Visual Flight Rule (VFR) for three days to steer their planes to Biratnagar till the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Non Direction Beacon (NDB) are fixed.

Under VFR, pilots guide the plane based on their sight, flight skill and experience. The weather has to be clear for making flights under the VFR. Usually, planes are guided according to Instrumental Flight Rule, where pilots should guide planes based on the aircraft’s instrument panel. It is safe and reliable. 

“We had to resort to VFR after the airport’s DME and NDB were broken,” said Sudhir Chaudhary of Civil Aviation Corporation, Biratnagar. “ Under the VFR, flights will have to be cancelled when the weather is bad.” On Sunday, Biratnagar Airport had suddenly gone powerless after the airfield’s power supply board blew up due to a short-circuit.

## Unusual rescue by fishtail air helicopter.html

[Unusual Rescue by Fishtail Air Helicopter - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/unusual-rescue-by-fishtail-air-helicopter.html): An unsual rescue operation was performed by Fishtail Air’s Newly arrived AS 350 B3 Helicopter this morning in Mt. Langtang Lirung 7234m. Fourty yrs old Slovanian Climber, Tomaz Humar who had been missing in the mountain since 10th of November was Air lifted by the Helicopter through specially performed rope operation however, the ill fated climber could not be brought back alive.

The team from a rescue company of Switzerland, Heli Zermat arrived yesterday evening for this special mission under the leadership of Chief, Rescue Officer, Bruno Zelk which included the Rescue Pilot, Robert Andenmatten and a popular young climber, Simon Anthamatten.

The As 350 B Piloted by Capt. Sabin Basnet and support by the Swiss Rescue Pilot, Andenmatten from the Passenger’s seat left for the mission at 7.15 this morning which made and aerial survey over the Mountain First. After locating the Climber at a height of 18000ft, the chopper returned back to Base Camp at Kyangjin and flew back over the site with Climber Simon Anthamatten hung on a 30m long rope through Sling operation. Once reaching close to the Climber in the middle of a cliff, Simon detached himself from the rope, hooked on the dead climbers body harness and signaled the hovering Chopper to fly off. Mr. Simon was brought back in same way on the second load.

This is first time in the history of Nepalese mountaineering that an evacuation had been done through rope work in such way. Pilot Andenmatten thinks that it is usual in the mountains of Europe and they would be willing to help the Nepali part through exchange of technology to such missions so that Mountaineers could be rescued and evacuated from extremely difficult conditions. “This would not have been possible without an AS 350 B3 Helicopter “said Bruno Zelk, chief rescue officer of the Company, Heli Zermat.

Late Climber Tomaz Humar is considered to be one of the best and popular climbers of the day and has climbed Mt. Dhaulagiri from the South Side, Pumori from South, Amadablam from North ridge and Mt. Nuptse from the North Face. His reputation stands for taking up most difficult and challenging routes on the mountains allover in Alpine Styled Solo climbing. According to Mr. Jagat Limbu, his base camp companion from the agency, Asian Trekking, He had left Base Camp and was off on 7th of November to make a solo ascent of the mountain and was last in contact till 10 Am, 10th of October after falling into accident with broken leg and the back.

## Winged visitors skip koshi.html

[Winged-visitors skip Koshi - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/winged-visitors-skip-koshi.html): Many migratory birds have given Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve --- a home to hundreds of migratory birds in the past-- a skip this time, thanks to “climate change”. 

The reserve witnessed a sharp plunge in the number of migratory birds this year. The number of incoming migratory birds as recorded by the Koshi sanctuary shows 25 percent less compared to the same time last year.   Why large number of winged-visitors gave a skip? “Due to climate change,” claimed Chief Conservation Officer Nilambar Mishra. 

Besides climate change, depleting natural habitats mainly due to erosion by the Koshi River and human encroachment are also contributing to the low arrival of migratory birds, he added.  In the previous years, nearly 100 species of birds including ducks had landed in reserve to escape unfavourable climatic condition since first week of Oct. The Koshi sanctuary is considered a favourite place for migratory birds.  

“The Koshi wildlife reserve one of the best habitats for winter migratory birds because it is considered a suitable breeding place for most of their species. These birds stay for around six months inside the reserve before returning to their respective habitats,” said Mishra.  Every year during winter, according to Mishara, hundreds of migratory birds can be seen in the protected area of the reserve and its wetland area. 

But different is the scenario this time, he said. “During the construction  of the breached embankment aftermath of the Koshi flood the birds’ natural  habitats were greatly disturbed,” Mishra said.

## Jet airways enhances connectivity to nepal.html

[Jet Airways Enhances Connectivity To Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/jet-airways-enhances-connectivity-to-nepal.html): Airline to introduce new, daily service from Mumbai to Kathmandu, effective December 2, 2009   November 09, 2009: Effective December 2, 2009, Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will connect India's commercial capital with the Nepalese capital city of Kathmandu, with the introduction of its new daily services on the Mumbai-Kathmandu sector, aboard a state-of-the-art Boeing 737 aircraft.*

The airline currently operates two services on the Delhi-Kathmandu sector, one a daily flight and the other operating six days a week, totaling thirteen weekly frequencies on this sector. Effective November 17, 2009, however, the airline will operate two daily flights on the Delhi-Kathmandu sector, or fourteen weekly frequencies.  

Jet Airways flight 9W 266 will depart Mumbai at 0830 hrs, arriving in Kathmandu at 1115 hrs. Flight 9W 265 will then depart Kathmandu at 1245 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1530 hrs.*  

According to Mr. Nikos Kardassis, Acting CEO, Jet Airways, “The Indo-Nepal sector is a very busy one, in terms of leisure and business air traffic. With the success of our services to Kathmandu, there has been increasing demand for direct air connections between the Indian commercial hub of Mumbai and Kathmandu from both business and leisure travelers. Having introduced the same in the festive season, we are confident that our new daily services on this sector will be much appreciated.”  * Subject to Government's approval

## Call to make palpa a tourist hotspot.html

[Call to make Palpa a tourist hotspot - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/call-to-make-palpa-a-tourist-hotspot.html): Palpali entrepreneurs have urged the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) to promote Palpa district as a tourist spot.

A delegation led by FNCCI district chapter president Bhushan Rajalwat met FNCCI president Kush Kumar Joshi and vice-presidents Krishna Prasad Tamrakar and Pradeep Jung Pandey and placed their demand today. Palpa has tremendous possibility of being promoted as a tourist hotspot, said Rajalwat.

“It has unique locales, natural beauty, culture and art,” he said. The Palpali entrepreneurs also asked for FNCCI’s support in lobbying to build the Butwal-Tansen fasttrack road and include it in the world heritage sites list. The visiting team also urged FNCCI to include Palpa in the ‘One village, One product’ programme and open a skill development centre there. Rani Mahal, situated on the bank of Kali Gandaki river, Bhairav temple, Srinagar, Randi are major attractions of Palpa. Responding to the demands, Joshi assured that FNCCI will play a vital role in developing Palpa as a major tourist destination of Nepal. Palpa can be a hotspot for tourism, education and the health care sector, he said.

## China nepal sign mou to boost tourism.html

[China, Nepal sign MoU to boost tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/china-nepal-sign-mou-to-boost-tourism.html): The Third Joint Coordination Committee meeting for the promotion of tourism between Nepal and the autonomous Region of People’s republic of China today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint promotion of tourism.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both the sides signed the Agreed Minutes stipulating the areas for cooperation as operation of Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flight by designated Nepali airlines, Operation of Canton- Lhasa-Kathmandu flight by Chinese airlines, promotion of joint rafting industry by the private sector of both sides, developing an action plan to establish a trekking trail from Komanthang to Mansarowar. Under the MoU, Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents (NATTA) and TTA of China/Tibet will hold meetings and share issues related to the promotion of tourism.

Meanwhile, informing about another MoU signed between NTB and the Tibet administration as per the promotional agency, NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Singh said there has been an agreement between the two sdes to simplify the procedures of entry and exit regarding vehicles and tourists in both regions. According to the agreement, three important decisions have been made — regular data update for third country tourists’ entry and exit, regular tourist vehicle operation through tour operators besides the regular transportation and making tourist movement between Nepal and Tibet easier with bilateral tourism promotion. Tibet Tourism Administration (TTA) deputy director Wang Songping expressed pleasure at the bilateral trade agreement and wished for the success of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Nepal and China are endeavouring to improve tourist flow in order to facilitate more tourists in each others’ regions.

Songping also informed about the initiation of Kathmandu-Lhasa road way by February 2010. NATTA first vice-president Arjun Prasad Sharma hailed the agreement between the two countries. According to Sharma, Kathmandu is the gateway to Tibet and the agreement will greatly facilitate matters. “The road transportation will definitely benefit both destinations while increasing the number of tourists arriving from China and other countries,” said Sharma.

## Three new rural tourism destinations identified.html

[Three new rural tourism destinations identified - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/three-new-rural-tourism-destinations-identified.html): For the promotion of the tourism sector in Nepal, new tourism destinations are being identified. According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), there are more than 10 destinations that are suitable for rural tourism. The new destinations that have been identified are Chum Valley (Gorkha) and Panch Pokhari and Bhairav Kunda — both in Sindhupalchowk. Among them, Chum Valley in Gorkha is about 75 kilometres west of Kathmandu. Panch Pokhari and Bhairav Kunda both are about 40 kilometres northeast of the valley. According to tourism entrepreneurs, Nepal is a diverse country and the diversification can be used as its strength to promote it as a diverse tourist destination. With the tourist season on, more tourists are coming to Nepal which can be quite helpful in promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011. According to people related to rural tourism, though Nepal has greater possibility to enhance village tourism there is still need for special concern about this sector. Village tourism can be a good way to increase the stay duration of foreign tourists.

## Aviation news.html

[Aviation News - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/aviation-news.html): According to reports, Buddha Air will start operating its flights between Pokhara and Lucknow from March 2010. The airline will use its current fleet of ATR-42 for the Lucknow flight. The airline is mainly targeting Indian pilgrims bound for Muktinath.

Jet Airways, an Indian air company, is going to start its daily service between Mumbai, the economic capital of India and Kathmandu from November 17, 2009, according to the airline.

Air Arabia increased its weekly flights to 11 from November 10, 2009. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) issued its permit to the airline to operate 11 flights a week effective from October 25.

## Hans community room concept.html

[HANs Community Room concept - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/hans-community-room-concept.html): To meet the demand of tourists and the target of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) is coming up with a Community Room Concept. As the number of tourist reservations is scaling new heights and the demand for rooms in hotels are increasing, HAN has floated the concept to meet the demand. HAN executive director Madhav Om Shrestha said that as hotel room bookings and reservations are peaking, they are trying to introduce the concept of Community Room. Under the Community Room Concept tourists who fail to get reservations or bookings in hotels can stay in spare rooms nearby any hotel area at economy rates. According to Shrestha, tourists can stay in the community rooms till they get accommodation in hotels. “Under this concept, there will be negotiation between the hotel and the community room holder and the price that an individual should pay to the house owner will be decided as per the facility provided by the house owner and the standard of the community room,” Shrestha said. He also said that the minimum charge per room in five-star hotels here varies from $150-200 per day during the tourist season.

Talking about the process for the establishment of the new concept, Shrestha said that HAN is working with a view to legal implications and trying to coordinate with the government about the community room concept. This October, there was a rise of 10.8 per cent in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) immigration office statistics, visitor arrivals this October increased by 10.8 per cent to 56,009.

“Though there are agitation programmes going on, the government and the people are aware of the economic support that the tourism sector grants to the country’s economy. Therefore, there is no such disturbance for the tourist here as was the case in the earlier days. As a result, the number of tourists coming here is increasing,” said Shrestha.

With the tourist season on, most hotels here are flush 90 per cent reservations and bookings which is a growth of 10-15 per cent compared to the same period last year. Soaltee Crown Plaza, Radisson, Hyatt, Everest Hotel, Yak and Yeti, Shangri-La, Hotel De la Annapurna and Hotel Malla are the five-star hotels in Kathmandu. The majority of these hotels are designed according to traditional Nepalese architecture, adding to a satisfying and well-rounded Nepalese experience.

## Nepal one of top 10 travel destinations.html

[Nepal one of Top 10 travel destinations - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-one-of-top-10-travel-destinations.html): Nepal has found its way into the list of top ten travel destinations in the world. The Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2010’ has listed Nepal along with El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, Suriname and the United States as one of the top ten travel destinations, states according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

The lists, released yesterday is the travel company’s fifth in its annual collection of the best places to go and things to do in the year ahead. “This is a collection of destinations and experiences that we rate as the stuff people really should consider for next year. Whatever your own style dictates, you should be able to find inspiration in these destinations,” said Asia-Pacific communications manager Adam Bennett. “They’ll take you from the familiar to the far away, both geographically and culturally, and more than likely have you reaching for your travel bag.”

The top regions are Alsace, France; Bali, Indonesia; Fernando de Noronha, Brazil; Goa, India; Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, Cambodia; Lake Baikal, Russia; Oaxaca, Mexico; Southern Africa; Lake District, England; Southwest Western Australia and the top cities are Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and others like places in the USA in the west and in Singapore in the Asian region.

## Entry fee for swoyambhu revised.html

[Entry Fee for Swoyambhu revised - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/entry-fee-for-swoyambhu-revised.html): According to a circular distributed by the Federation of Swoyambhu Management and Conservation (FSMC), the entry fee for tourists visiting the World Heritage site Swoyambhu has been fixed at Rs. 50/- for SAARC Nationals and Rs. 200/- for visitors from other countries,effective from16th November 2009.

## Better air link with india.html

[Better air link with India - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/better-air-link-with-india.html): Kingfisher Airlines is all set to start its operations in Nepal within a month or so. The Vijaya Mallya-owned Indian private air carrier will connect Kathmandu with New Delhi and Mumbai. While, Naresh Goyal’s Jet Airways will add a new destination in Mumbai soon. A Jet Airways spokeswoman said the airline was “constantly evaluating new routes and destinations”, and would make a formal announcement once the plan was firmed up.

## Ntb names new destinations for rural tourism.html

[NTB names new destinations for rural tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-names-new-destinations-for-rural-tourism.html): The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has identified more than 10 new destinations suitable for rural tourism.  These scenic spots are expected to add an important dimension to the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY 2011) that has targeted  to bring one million tourists.

Lila Baniya, manager, Sustainable Tourism Development, NTB, said that the move to diversify tourist destinations was aimed at enticing 40 percent of the visitors expected during NTY 2011 to visit rural destinations.  He added that the government expected the private sector to invest in infrastructure development in these areas.  Baniya said that the government of Nepal had allocated Rs. 20 million to promote NTY 2011 but the funds had not been released due to a delay in endorsing the budget.

He, however, said that selection of potential destinations, houses or resorts, providing training, making tour packages, fam trips and market promotion for the selected destination were underway.  "There are challenges as we need to launch new activities and products including the basic infrastructure that will determine the length of stay in the villages," he said.

According to him, last year, the government of Nepal initiated a pilot programme from Khaptad  to Ilam to discover new potential destination.

Similarly, the Tara Gaon Development Board (TGDB) including other organizations was also studying on sustainable village tourism development across the country.  According to the NTB, villages like Sirubari, Ghalegaon, Nar Phu, Lumbini, Chepang, Pasgaon, Dhading, Sailung, Siklish, Siurung, Balanthali, Sivapuri, Bhujung, Gorkha, Ganga Jamuna and Nagarkot have already gained popularity for village tourism.  It said that a number  of travel and trade enterprises have tour packages for some of these destinations.

Surya Prakash Shrestha, president of the Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF Nepal), stated that both international and domestic visitors were giving positive response for rural tourism.  "The potential of village tourism is gradually increasing, however, there is no support and priority provided by the government for tourism diversification," he said.

Shrestha said that village tourism was a promising way to diversify destinations and prolong their length of stay besides reflecting Nepal's indigenous communities and their culture, religion and ethnicity.

## Three cnp hotels yet to pay dues.html

[Three CNP hotels yet to pay dues - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/three-cnp-hotels-yet-to-pay-dues.html): Three hotels inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) that had been shut down after the government did not extend their lease contract have not yet paid the conservation charge and revenue dues. A total of seven hotels inside the park were closed down after the government decided not to renew their lease contract of 15 years at the end of the last fiscal year.

According to the park administration, Gainda Life Camp has yet to pay royalty of Rs 4.5 million. Similarly, Machan Wildlife Resort and Tiger Tops have not paid their dues of many years to the Inland Revenue Office. According to the Bharatpur Inland Revenue Office, Gainda Life Camp has yet to clear the dues of over Rs 0.6 million while Machan Wildlife Resort and Tiger Tops are yet to pay around Rs 4. 9 million and Rs 1.7 million, respectively. The office said despite several letters already dispatched to these hotels asking them to clear the dues, none of them has come forward.

## Traffic banned in thamel.html

[Traffic banned in Thamel - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/traffic-banned-in-thamel.html): The government decision to declare the 120-meter area in Thamel - stretching from Kathmandu Guest House Chwok to Nursing Chwok- a no-go zone for vehicles will come into effect beginning tomorrow. The move came in the wake of increasing nuisance caused by heavy traffic to tourists on foot in the area. The decision to this effect is expected to help ease the movement of tourists who come in large numbers for sightseeing.

According to Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, all kinds of vehicles, including bicycles, rickshaws and three-wheelers will be banned from entering the restricted zone. "No vehicles will cross the restricted zone from 10 am to 4 pm and 6 pm to 10 am each day," DSP Bikash Shrestha, Valley Operation In charge at MTPD, warned.

"The two-hour concession is not allowed on all public holidays.  Police will keep a vigil round-the-clock," he added.  DSP Shrestha maintained that the traffic police had already put this decision in public notice through pamphleteering.

As per the decision, the locals will get respite from the restriction only for two hours - from 4 pm to 6 pm. Still more to come, similar plans are afoot in the second phase for the road stretching from JP School to Saat Ghumti. 

In the successive phases, the government plans to declare Ason, New Road and the entire Thamel area vehicle free zone, said Shrestha.  "We'll enforce the rule in right earnest. This will also help us make rightful decision before we begin implementing the second phase," he added.  Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Range (MPR) at Hanumandhoka has made an elaborate security arrangement for tourists.

As per the plan, the government is to deploy more than 200 police personnel to man the Thamel area, according to SP Nawa Raj Silwal, in-charge, MPR.

## Hoteliers enjoying good business.html

[Hoteliers enjoying good business - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/hoteliers-enjoying-good-business.html): Oct 29th: With the rise in the number of tourist arrivals, hotels in Kathmandu and Pokara are doing brisk business. According to a report on 'The Himalayan Times', hotel entrepreneurs, bookings and reservations are nearly full for the tourist season now. Aside from the tourist season, the increase in the number of tourists is also due to various seminars, games and other incentive programmes launched this season, said Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Ram Kaji Koney.

## Nac may lease aircraft for delhi flight.html

[NAC may lease aircraft for Delhi flight - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nac-may-lease-aircraft-for-delhi-flight.html): The national flag carrier is seeking to lease an aircraft in January for six weeks, as one of its Boeing planes will go for a regular C check to Israel. Executive Chairman of the Nepal Airlines Corporation Sugat Ratna Kansakar told THT that an aircraft will be leased to maintain the scheduled flights and reliability of the carrier. The aircraft is required to operate daily flights on the Kathmandu-New Delhi-Kathmandu sector and Kathmandu-Dubai-Doha-Kathmandu sector four times a week. "We do not want to disturb the schedule during the tourist season," he added.

However, NAC Managing Director Captain KB Limbu thinks that it is not economically viable to lease an aircraft for short term. He opines that NAC can fly its passengers on another low-cost airlines for six weeks. Kansakar said NAC might do a rethink on the leasing idea if it turned out to be economically unviable. NAC has sought an aircraft not older than 15 years from the date of manufacture on Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (wet lease) -- ACMI -- basis for six weeks beginning January 3 with 375 guaranteed block hours during six weeks.

The interested parties should send their offers with detailed specification, manufacturing date, configuration, present registration number, valid insurance, present owner, present operator of the aircraft and ACMI rate per block hour by November 12, said NAC. The aircraft should have a capacity of 150 to 200 seats. Delivery and re-delivery of aircraft will be done in Doha. "We'll decide whether to lease or not on the basis of ACMI rate per block hour," Kansakar said.

## Nac decides to buy two airbus aircraft.html

[NAC decides to buy two Airbus aircraft - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nac-decides-to-buy-two-airbus-aircraft.html): Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has finally decided to buy two aircraft – one wide-body and one narrow-body – from European manufacturer Airbus. The committee formed to decide on the type of aircraft on October 26 decided to purchase one A320-200 series and one A330-200 series aircraft.

The A330-200 is a wide-body aircraft will have a seat capacity of 279 and costs $92.845 million, while the narrow-body A320-200 has seating capacity of 150 and will costs $41.289, the NAC said in a statement.

The NAC had called bids for the purchase of aircraft on April 7. Along with Airbus, US manufacturer Boeing had also submitted a proposal.

The NAC decided to go for Airbus after learning that the operating cost of wide-body Airbus aircraft would be 40 percent less than wide-body Boeing 767 and Boeing 777. This is the first time in more than two decades that the NAC has decided to acquire new aircraft. It had purchased two Boeing 757 aircraft in 1987 and 1988. The purchase is a part of a five-year plan under which the national carrier aims to add six jets.

## Air kasthamandap.html

[Air Kasthamandap - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/air-kasthamandap.html): Air Kasthamandap has brought its second single engine aircraft in the country on October 28. The aircraft with autopilot system has been manufactured by the Pacific Aerospace Pvt Ltd of New Zealand. The aircraft will come into operation soon after getting its Nepali registration number and airworthiness certificate. It will fly from Surkhet to Jumla, Simikot, Kolti, Rara and Jufal transporting food products to these places.

## Plans on to expand bardiya national park.html

[Plans on to expand Bardiya National Park - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/plans-on-to-expand-bardiya-national-park.html): According to a report on Nagarik Daily, the government is preparing to expand the area of Bardiya National Park (BNP) to double its present size by annexing 898 sq. km of forest area along the east-west highway in Dang, .The area of the National Park at present is 968 sq. km.The expansion of the National Park is vital for the conservation of Tigers as the area proposed to be annexed is considered an important area for habitat and food for tigers, according to wildlife experts.

## Tourists flock to nagarkot and bhaktapur.html

[Tourists flock to Nagarkot and Bhaktapur - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourists-flock-to-nagarkot-and-bhaktapur.html): According to an official estimate, there has been an impressive increment of some 40 percent in the number of tourists visiting Nagarkot and Bhaktapur this year compared to the previous year.In September, a total of 20 thousand tourists visited the Bhaktapur district filling up the coffers of the Bhaktapur Municipality by Rs 10.261 million, in terms of revenue collected from tourists.The local hotels and resorts are also doing brisk business as a result of the rise in tourists arrivals in these areas.

## Fishtail air adds as350 b3 to its fleet.html

[Fishtail Air adds AS350 B3 to its fleet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/fishtail-air-adds-as350-b3-to-its-fleet.html): Fishtail Air has added AS350 B3 helicopter to its fleet.The new helicopter arrived in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) from Singapore on October 18. The new AS350 B3 helicopter has a capacity to land at an altitude of 23,000 feet. Explore Himalaya congratulates Fishtail Air for the acquisition of the new aircraft!

## Tourism promotion gaindakot.html

[Tourism promotion GAINDAKOT - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-promotion-gaindakot.html): Locals of Gaindakot in Nawalparasi district have demanded declaring Gaindakot a tourist destination. They have been enthusiastic in developing Gaindakot into a major tourism destination after thousands of domestic and foreign tourists started visiting Maulakalika Temple -- a religious and tourism site. Immediate past president of the Religious Service Committee at the temple, Man Bahadur Sapkota said they are committed to developing Gaindakot as a religious tourism centre. He said that the plan is expected to develop Gaindakot into a tourism resort town.

## Nac holding short end of business stick.html

[NAC holding short end of business stick - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nac-holding-short-end-of-business-stick.html): Ninety per cent of the international air business has been taken over by foreign airlines, with just a 10 per cent share left for the national carrier, according to experts. However, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) and Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) both are working to increase the share of the national carrier.

“Domestic airlines should target for the rest 90 per cent share also,” said Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari during a programme on ‘Aircraft Financing in Nepal — Problems and Prospects,’ here today. He also said that if the domestic airlines want to compete in the international market too, government is open to supporting their initiative.

“Here, we do not lack money in the market. It is the flow of investment that is lacking,” Bhandari said adding that along with NAC, the private airlines sector should also come up with new plans. T alking about NAC, Bhandari said that NAC should make proper business plans and enhance its corporate and management sectors to garner profits. 

“Currently, 22 international airlines operate in Nepal and even these existing international airlines are on their way to increasing the frequency of flights and seat capacity,” said MoTCA secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimire. According to Ghimire, foreign airlines are profit-oriented so they will stay here as long as they get benefits from their flights operations.

Thus, they can also minimise flight operation if their business goes down. Ghimire also informed about the preparations going on for a second full-fledged international airport. He said, “The government has come up with a plan to establish an international airport at Nijgarh. The feasiblility study for it is going on and the study should be completed within 10 months. Within five years, Nepal can be developed into an international standard transit hub.”

Talking about plans for boosting the number of NAC aircraft, NAC executive chairman Sugat Ratna Kansakar said, “We are planning to purchase aircraft rather than take them on lease as leasing aircraft creates numerous problems.” “However, for the purchase we need investments and funds,” he added. According to Kansakar, Employee’s Provident Fund is ready to grant Rs 10-12 billion but only if the government is ready to stand guarantee.

“Not only international flights, we are facing pressure to increase domestic flights too,” added Kansakar. During the programme, people from the civil aviation sector urged for establishing financial discipline along with responsible corporate behaviour so that the airlines corporation can get major financing support. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal director general Keshab Raj Khanal, domestic banks are not capable of major financing in this sector. “The Cape Town Convention should be ratified and the government should allow funding in this sector,” Khanal suggested.

## Taan executive committee nominates three new members.html

[TAAN executive committee nominates three new members - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-executive-committee-nominates-three-new-members.html): TAAN executive committee nominates three new members The executive committee of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) held on October 15 nominated three members in the executive committee as per the organization's statute. 

Those nominated are Dhan Bahadur Lama of Euro Vision Adventure Treks and Expeditions, Rajesh Bahadur Singh of Panda Treks and Expedition and Nawang Tharchen Sherpa of Hiuchuli Treks.

The names were proposed by TAAN president Sitaram Sapkota and unanimously approved by the executive committee. Sapkota administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly nominated members on the same day.

According to the TAAN Statute, 14 members of the 19-member executive committee are elected by general members while three are nominated by the executive committee. Immediate past president of TAAN and president of TAAN Pokhara chapter are also in the executive committee as ex-officio members.

## Chinese in mustang for talks.html

[Chinese in Mustang for talks - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chinese-in-mustang-for-talks.html): A Chinese delegation representing Jhung Ba County of Tibet led by Cheng Zhu, the county's chief, arrived in Mustang on Sunday for the bilateral talks scheduled to take place at Jomsom on Wednesday. The two sides holding talks after two-year hiatus.

The meeting slated to take place in Nepal in 2008 was stalled—primarily due to burgeoning Free Tibet Movement. The following year after 2007 meet, Chinese authorities tightened the border security  to stem incursion of  free-Tibet campaigners inside the Tibetan territory, which largely cut off the market and access of Mustang locals to Tibeat  as well.

The Wednesday's meet is expected to stretch the access of Mustang locals to Tibetan markets and enhance the cross-border trade.

## Future haunts resort workers.html

[Future haunts resort workers - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/future-haunts-resort-workers.html): The future of workers employed in jungle resorts inside the Chitwan National Park has become uncertain as the government has not decided whether to let the resorts resume their operations. Seven resorts inside the park were idled three months ago after contract expiration.

Around 1,400 people, working for seven resorts inside the park, have nothing to do these days. For the last few months, they have been living without salaries and other facilities, with hope that the government would renew the contract for the resorts’ operation.

“Now is the peak season for tourists, but here we are lazing around doing not much these days. We’ve been waiting for the government’s go-ahead, but nothing has happened. It will be hard for us to sustain this way,” says Badri Mishra, who works as a nature guide for a resort.

Many others like Mishra say they will look for other jobs if only the government clearly states that the hotels will shut down. As that has not happened, these people hope the resorts will reopen and they will start plying their trade as usual.

“Regardless of the delay on the part of the government and the parliamentary committee concerned, the workers still hope that the resorts will reopen,” says Ramsingh Gurung of Tiger Tops Resort.

Workers are angry with the government for putting their future in limbo. “We’ve had enough already,” Dilu Rana Magar fumes, “The government has no right to play with our livelihood.”

## Nepal  a favorite vacation destination for hollywood producer emo philips.html

[Nepal - A favorite vacation destination for Hollywood Producer Emo Philips - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal--a-favorite-vacation-destination-for-hollywood-producer-emo-philips.html): In an interview for Chicago Tribune , Hollywood producer and comedian Emo Philips has mentioned Nepal as his favorite vacation destination.(Full story)

## Nepal to host adventure travel mart.html

[Nepal to host Adventure Travel Mart - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-to-host-adventure-travel-mart.html): The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in association with other stakeholders including the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is hosting an international conference on adventure travel and tourism on Feb. 1-5, 2010.

The event named Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2010 is expected to help meet the government's target of bringing in a million tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011, according to first vice chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter and NTB CEO Prachanda Man Shrestha. NTY 2011 aims, among other things, to establish Nepal as a premier holiday destination with a definite brand image and enhance the capacity of the service providers. 

The conference will have multiple sessions with deliberations on adventure travel, responsible tourism, adventure sports tourism, zero waste challenge and other issues of sustainable tourism. PATA has received important backing from two influential organisations -- Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) -- for its 2010 Adventure Travel Mart.

Shrestha said that the conference would create an important platform for tourism stakeholders to discuss and promote environmental protection and social sustainability.

According to PATA, confirmed speakers at the mart include Shannon Stowell, president of U.S.-based ATTA, Jose Dominic, CEO of CGH, India, Naranjan Khatri, GM for Environment at ITC Welcome Group in India, Tony Jones, founding director of Nepal's Himalayan Encounter and Australia-based Intrepid Travel CEO Darrell Wade and others.

As official carrier for the programme, Nepal Airlines Corporation is offering preferential fares for delegates from several Asian cities to Kathmandu including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, according to PATA.

## Lack of information affects tourists in bandipur.html

[Lack of information affects tourists in Bandipur - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/lack-of-information-affects-tourists-in-bandipur.html): The tourists visiting Bandipur are facing problems for the Tourist Information Centre there, has remained closed for the last 10 months Two office staffers and 18 tourists guide had padlocked the office since December 14, 2008. The staffers informed that they had padlocked the office after the chief of the centre Kashinath Bhattarai informed that he was unable to pay them their salary. The centre was being run by Bandipur Social Development Committee. Chief Bhattarai informed that the staffers were provided salary while a project called `Eco Culture Tourism Project' was running there earlier. "We could not provide any salary to the staffers now, he added.'' Social Worker Bhairab Sulpe said,'' Tourist trade of the area has been adversely affected as the information centre remains closed.'' However, Bhattarai has claimed that he would reopen the office within the next fifteen days.

## Library established in memory of tourist.html

[Library established in memory of tourist - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/library-established-in-memory-of-tourist.html): Himalayan Foundation, a New York based social organisation, has set up a library at a local school at Dubachaur VDC of Sindhupalchowk district with financial assistance fromy Americans and non-resident Nepalis living in the US. 

Awanda S. Jawbsen, an officer at the cultural department of the US Embassy in Nepal, inaugurated the Edward Jr. Memorial School Library established at the premise of local Balsudhar Secondary School amid a function on Saturday.

Jawbsen said the US Embassy would provide necessary support to run the library. She also handed over books to the library on behalf of the US Embassy.

The library was established in memory of late Edward Jr. Miller, the son of Prof. Edward Miller. Prof. Miller provided significant help to the library established in memory of his late son who died a year ago at the age of 48.

Prof. Miller said he was very happy to help establish the library. “My son who had visited Nepal was the great lover of this beautiful Himalayan country,” he said.

## Chinese tourist arrivals up 14pc.html

[Chinese tourist arrivals up 14pc - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/chinese-tourist-arrivals-up-14pc.html): Chinese tourist arrivals have been increasing significantly over the last one decade indicating that China is becoming one of the top markets for Nepal's tourism.

Compared to the arrivals from January to September in 2008, Chinese inbound during the same period this year surged by 14.6 percent to 11,583 persons. Arrivals had declined 2 percent in 2008 due to political instability, protests, strikes and bandas, said tourism entrepreneurs. In 1999, Nepal hosted only 3,977 Chinese tourists.

Even if the China has been recognised as one of the major tourist source countries, there is no official data on the arrival of tourists before 1996. According to a report on tourist arrivals in Nepal, India was the number one market for Nepal in 1998. It remained in the top position till September 2009.

Tourism experts said that increased flights between Nepal and China mainly supported the growth in tourist arrivals. But still, tourist arrivals from China is less than from India. Till September, a total of 65,967 Indian tourists had visited Nepal, whereas arrivals from China numbered 11,583 persons. Every year, 450,000 Chinese tourists visit India.

Entrepreneurs said that promotional programmes conducted by tourism organizations such as the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) played an effective role in increasing Chinese arrivals in Nepal.

## Nepali to take climate message to us.html

[Nepali to take climate message to US - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepali-to-take-climate-message-to-us.html): As a part of the call for action on climate change, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, record holder for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest plans to meet US President Barack Obama next week and deliver his message on the crucial number 350, which denotes the safe upper limit of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.

Earlier this month, Sherpa took the banner--"350-Save Our Himalayas''--to the Everest Base Camp and handed it over to an expedition heading for the summit.

He is leaving for the US on November 7, where he plans to meet Obama with help from 'Friends of the Earth', a US-based organisation working on climate change. "I am positive I will get to meet Obama as it is not a personal message I want to deliver. I want to convey a message about a global issue called climate change and urge him to act on it," Sherpa said.

Meanwhile, as part of a campaign against impacts of climate change, people living across the globe are joining hands for a global day of climate action and sending the message of 350 to all world leaders on October 24, 2009. Similarly, communities will gather at thousands of places around the world, from Taj Mahal in India to the Great Barrier Reef to draw attention to the need for a dramatic international agreement to reduce carbon emissions, on the same day.

For leading scientists, 350 is the safe upper limit of CO2 content in the atmosphere, measured in parts per million (ppm). The current CO2 level in our atmosphere, which stands at 390 ppm, poses a threat to the Himalayas and the livelihood of all in Nepal.

At present, leaders from more than 150 countries are involved in a growing movement to set 350 ppm as the benchmark for international action on climate change.

## New members for ntb.html

[New members for NTB - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-members-for-ntb.html): Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has nominated five members from the private sector as the board of directors in Nepal Tourism Board. The nominated members are Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshyapati from the hotel sector, Ram Kaji Koney and Shikhar Prasai from the travel agency sector, Phurba Gyalzen Sherpa from trekking sector and Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai from tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara.

## Statues unvieled at ntb premises.html

[Statues unvieled at NTB premises - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/statues-unvieled-at-ntb-premises.html): Statues of Everest heroes Tenzing Norgay & Edmund Hillary, and pioneer of tourism in Nepal , Boris Lissanevitch were unvieled amidst a function at NTB on 11th October.The statues were jointly unvieled by Tourism Minister, Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari and Mr.Alexander Tipalovin, Minister for Culture of Kaluga State of the Russian Federation.

## Glaciers at heart of cilmate change.html

[Glaciers at heart of cilmate change - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/glaciers-at-heart-of-cilmate-change.html): The melting of the glaciers in the Himalayan belt may be a hot topic linked to the ongoing debate on climate change. 

But experts claimed that the existing data is inadequate to conclusively predict that glaciers would cease to exist in the near future.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report stated that the total area of the glaciers would shrink from 500,000 to 100,000 sq km by 2035.

Richard Armstrong Professor, Colorado University, USA, however, has debunked this forecast. “The data is baseless since the total area of Himalayan glaciers is less than 1, 00,000 sq km,” said Armstrong. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), too, has supported Armstrong. “I’ve no idea about the source of the WWF’s data. As per our study, the total area of the Himalayan glaciers is around 100,000 sq km,” said Pradeep Mool, glacier expert, ICIMOD.

Armstrong has pointed out that several articles on the meting of glaciers in popular scientific journals were misleading. “The global map on the fourth assessment report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that the Himalayas as a blank spot due to lack of adequate and authentic data on the glaciers,” said Andreas Schild, Director General, ICIMOD.

“The available data on the melting of the Himalayan glaciers reflects a sweeping generalisation, which is largely incorrect,” explained Armstrong. There is a lack of data on all in the Himalayan region, especially in the higher altitudes. 

Studies reveal that the altitude above 5,400 metres has less than 0 degree Celsius throughout the year. Hence, the meltdown of glaciers in this altitude is virtually impossible. The existing data has only been collated from the altitude below 5,400 metres, which are prone to meltdown.

## Statues of tenzing hillary and boris to be erected in ntb premises.html

[Statues of Tenzing, Hillary and Boris to be erected in NTB premises - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/statues-of-tenzing-hillary-and-boris-to-be-erected-in-ntb-premises.html): Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari on October 11 laid foundation stone to erect man-size statues of tourism heroes late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Sir Edmund Hillary and Boris Lissanevitch in the premises of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Tenzing and Hillary were the first summiteers of Mt Everest while Boris had opened Nepal's first tourist standard hotel -- Royal Hotel. Many tourism entrepreneurs regard Boris as a pioneer of Nepali tourism. According to ministry sources, the statue of Boris is being erected also because of the request of non-resident Nepalis.

This is the first time that the government is erecting statues of foreign nationals.

## Ntb gets new board members.html

[NTB gets new board members - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-gets-new-board-members.html): Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has nominated five members from the private sector as the board of directors in Nepal Tourism Board.

The Ministry nominated Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshyapati from the hotel sector, Ram Kaji Koney and Shikhar Prasai from the travel agency sector, Phurba Gyalzen Sherpa from trekking sector and Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai from among tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara.

Kakshyapati is the treasurer of Hotel Association Nepal, Koney is the president of Nepal Tour and Travel Agents Association (NATTA), Prasai is the former president of PATA Nepal Chapter and Bhattarai is the former president of Pokhara Tourism Council.

Eleven member board of NTB has five members each from the government and the private sector. Chief executive officer of NTB is the member secretary of the board.

## Taan workers union ink deal.html

[TAAN, workers union ink deal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-workers-union-ink-deal.html): Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and All Nepal Tourism Workers' Union (ANTWA) inked a five-point deal on 11 October, raising the daily wage of trekking workers by Rs 150 a day on tea-house trekking and Rs 100 a day on camping trek with immediate effect. However, porters will get a raise of Rs 150 on both treks. 

They also agreed to form a task force of concerned stakeholders to address other demands of workers, including clothing bank, insurance and permanent appointment to the workers in a package. 

"The task force will submit its report by December 15 and its recommendations would be implemented from January 2010. A representative of Ministry of Labour and Transport Management will also be included in the task force," TAAN president Sitaram Sapkota, said after signing the agreement. 

Sapkota, 1st vice president Bachhu Narayan Shrestha, executive member Suman Dahal, former 1st vice president Nima Nuru Sherpa and former treasurer Mohan Lamsal signed the agreement on behalf of TAAN and Govinda Poudel, president-ANTWA, Mukunda Pokharel, general secretary-ANTWA, Prakash Shrestha, representative-All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) and Nirmal Pandey, member-ANTWA signed the agreement on behalf of the workers.

Following the agreement, ANTWA has called off its protest programmes. 

According to the agreement, company will not be compelled to provide food to workers in tea-house trekking. If the workers arrange food on their own on camping trekking, they will get additional Rs 150 per day.

## Nepal good spot for tourism dutch team.html

[Nepal good spot for tourism: Dutch team - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-good-spot-for-tourism-dutch-team.html): A team from Netherlands has found Nepal a suitable site for tourism. The team that had arrived in Nepal by TUI ArkeFly of Netherlands on Wednesday has visited many places in Nepal.

At a programme organised here today, manager of TUI group Manfred Lahe said, “I found possibilities of tourism market here,” he said adding that the Dutch people are interested in spending their vacation in Nepal.

The airlines made its first flight to Kathmandu from Amsterdam on October 7 with 153 passengers. It has selected Malla Travels as its authorized agent in Nepal.

## Nepal caves becoming popular among tourists.html

[Nepal caves becoming popular among Tourists - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-caves-becoming-popular-among-tourists.html): According to the Kathmandu based English daily, The Himalayan Times, 1,250metres long Manjushree cave( probably the second-longest cave in Asia) located at Chovar, Kathmandu is becoming popuar among tourists. The cave is located near Chovar gorge, which according to local legend ,was created by Boddhisattva's Manjushree sword. Only 342 metres of the 1250 metres long cave has been opened to visitors. Siddhagufa cave at Bimalnagar in Bandipur is also proving popular among tourists.

## Nepal lhasa economically benificial pm.html

[Nepal-Lhasa economically benificial: PM - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-lhasa-economically-benificial-pm.html): A railroad linking Nepal with Lhasa could give new high to Nepal-China economic relations, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, opined here today. 

Such a network of railways could also help infrastructure development of the Nepal-China hilly borders , he said, inaugurating the fourth China Festival 2009, organised at the Nepal Academy to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the people's republic China.

“The railway could be a business route for the entire mid-and South-Asia," He said, adding, “Nepal is optimistic about China's help in exporting tax-free Nepal's goods to Chinese market”. The PM assured the Chinese that Nepal would not allow any anti-China activities in Nepali soil. "We are committed to one-China policy and we will be firm in our stance in the days to come," PM Nepal said, highlighting the Panchashil as the historic base of Nepal-China relations.  He said that the Nepal-China relation is 1,600 years old and the two countries have cemented their relations with years of economic and political ties. 

The PM said it would further enhance the relations should both countries work towards establishing people-to-people-level relations. He also underlined the need to explore immense tourism potentialities of both the countries.  "We are thinking about giving a new dimension to traditional economic relations between the two countries," the PM said.

## Russia to host   nepal house.html

[Russia to host - Nepal House - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/russia-to-host---nepal-house.html): Kathmandu - Director of Russian Cultural Centre Dr. Vladimir Novioc emphasised the need for more people-to-people exchange between the citizens of Russia and Nepal, and not just official visits of political leaders, while addressing a press meet at the Centre located in Kamaladi on Friday.

“A centre representing Nepal is missing in Russia,” he said. Keeping this in view, and to mark the 30th anniversary of Russian Cultural Center in Nepal, said Novoic, Nepal Pavilion Company, an event management group, is coordinating Russian Cultural Exchange Festival 2009 in the valley.

General Secretary of NRN, Russia, Dr. Badri KC said that people in Russia are interested in Nepali culture, but a platform to showcase its was still missing in the country. “Therefore, a Nepal centre -- a la the Russian Culture Center in Kathmandu -- will soon be established in Russia.” The ‘Nepal House’ will be established in Kaluga region of Russia, a commercial project where Nepalis will be able to showcase Nepali craft and open authentic Nepal restaurants.”

## Nty 2011 sub panel.html

[NTY-2011 sub-panel - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nty-2011-sub-panel.html): To stage the national campaign of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 more successfully, formulate programmes and execute them effectively, an NTY-2011 working sub-committee has been formed under the chairmanship of secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The ministerial decision on August 30 also nominated Yogendra Shakya as its vicechairman. Including Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, there are 11 members and Subhash Nirola, senior director at NTB is the member-secretary.

## Intra tourism promo bid.html

[Intra-tourism promo bid - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/intra-tourism-promo-bid.html): To compete with Far Eastern region, SAARC countries are developing regional concepts to boost intra-tourism with South Asian regional tourism cooperation. The SAARC region alone has a population of 1.5 billion which itself is a huge market for intratourist movement.

"During a meet organised at Dhaka, we have come up with a regional concept of tourism promotion within SAARC countries," said Ram Kaji Koney, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA).  According to him, the Dhaka declaration has been made and its draft is prepared which will be sent to all SAARC members to get approval for operation.

After the approval, the regional concept will be declared during the NATTA Himalayan Mart that will be organised in Nepal. Far Eastern region with Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore has a broad tourism market and is a tough competitor for the South Asian region. The region is having economy tour and travel packages with number of tourism promotions. 

"If the regional concept gets declared, SAARC region will be able to compete with the Far East region's huge tourism market which is giving us tough competition," said Koney. According to him, along with the regional concept Nepal can also get its tourism promotion. 

"Once the tourism cooperation gets established, we are confident there will be overwhelming increase in tourist arrivals to Nepal too," Koney said adding that Nepal is centrally located according to the flight distance among the SAARC countries. The average flight distance is only one-anda-half hours which is a plus point for Nepal, he said. 

"We have to forward positive messages regarding peace and stability here. We have diverse products and other tourism products like pilgrimage, trekking, tour, mountaineering, adventure tourism products and many more, which will definitely help increase tourist movement," he added. 

While intra-tourism cooperation will increase tourist movement, tourists may still face visa problems. So, there must be facilitation from the government's side for the SAARC region and cooperation between the public and private sectors. It can be either be economy tour and travel packages, development of sustainable tourism and eco tourism.

## Tips for women traveling alone.html

[Tips for women traveling alone - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tips-for-women-traveling-alone.html): Now more than ever, women are traveling by themselves for business or pleasure. And although their reasons for traveling are similar to their male counterparts, women traveling alone have very different concerns. From safety issues to cultural variations, women travelers encounter a variety of difficulties that can be avoided if the necessary precautions are taken.

“ASTA travel agents understand that both men and women need to be educated travelers, but women, especially, need to plan every step of their trip - from packing a suitcase to choosing a hotel room - to ensure a safe return,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo.

To learn how you can travel safer, ASTA has provided the following tips:

Know before you go
- Learn as much about the destination as possible, especially when traveling to a foreign country. An area's religious or cultural beliefs can directly impact you, compelling you to adapt your dress and demeanor to comply with local customs.

Welcome to hotel safety
- Get to know the staff, who will be familiar with guests and are able to more effectively monitor who enters and exits the building.
- Ask for a room on a higher floor near the elevator but away from emergency exits, stairwells, and any renovation work.
- Never accept a room if the clerk loudly calls out your name and room number.

Getting around
- While at the front desk, grab a card or matchbook from the front desk with the hotel's name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card on you at all times. This is especially helpful in foreign countries where you taxi driver might not speak English or in case there are several hotels with similar names in the area.
- Explore transportation options available at your destination ahead of time, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. Travel agents can help determine the safest choice and make the necessary arrangements.
- If renting a car, carefully examine maps, or rent a GPS to help you navigate unfamiliar roads.

Packing smart
- Pack light so you won't be weighed down and look weighed down, both of which could make you an ideal target for pickpockets.
- Avoid expensive looking baggage and clothing, lock all suitcases and only use covered luggage tags with your office address written on it rather than your home.
- Carry only one credit card, and don't keep all your money in one place.

Know your surroundings
- Study a map of the area you will be visiting. If available, consider downloading area maps to your phone.
- Learn as much as possible about getting around the streets to avoid looking like a lost tourist.
- Ask the concierge about where - and, more importantly, where not - to go.

There may be safety in numbers, but there is also safety in knowledge. With some advance planning and the advice of a professional travel agent, your vacation or business trip can be safe, hassle-free and memorable. Contact a trusted ASTA travel agent today at TravelSense.org and get professional assistance and advice for your next trip.

## Nepal participates in bttf.html

[Nepal participates in BTTF - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-participates-in-bttf.html): Nepal has participated in the three day Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair, BTTF held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1-3 October, 2009.

The fair was organized by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB). This is the second BTTF organized by the TOAB. Over 100 travel operators from 8 different countries participated the fair. Nepal Tourism Board participated in the fair for the first time. With over 30,000 visitors the fair was successful in showcasing the diversified products of the sub-continent.

## New myagdi mustang trekking route.html

[New Myagdi-Mustang trekking route - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-myagdi-mustang-trekking-route.html): The construction of a new trekking route has started for linking Narchyang of Myagdi with Kunjo VDC of neighbouring Mustang district.

The new route has been explored after the construction of BeniJomsom road eclipsed the old trekking route, said Tek Bahadur Pun, chairman of trekking route construction committee. Constaruction began with Rs. 500,000 financial assistance from Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari and locals' contributions, Pun said. He said the Narchyang - Kopchepani route has already come into operation and the remaining portion will be completed within next year. According to Pun, beautiful streams, flora and fauna, breathtaking natural sceneries and the rich culture of Magar community are hallmarks of this trekking route.

## Dutch airlines to resume flights here.html

[Dutch airlines to resume flights here - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dutch-airlines-to-resume-flights-here.html): After an interval of five years, a Dutch airline company, Arkefly, is all set to resume direct flights from Amsterdam to Kathmandu. Its direct air service that began in 2001 was stopped on April 18, 2005 citing low bookings.

Earlier, Martin Air, Transavia, ( KLM), operated in the sector between 1998 to 2001. There is no direct flight to Kathmandu from anywhere in Europe now as many of the airlines cancelled their flight services to Nepal due to poor business.

The flight is chartered by TUI, a Dutch travel company. The inaugural flight is on October 7. This will be the only flight that will connect Nepal to Europe directly. With this flight, travel time will come down to a maximum of 12 hours from 22 hours and flight costs will also go down. Airline officials say there will be a short refuelling stopover in Manama, Bahrain.

According to statistics over 7000 tourists from the Netherlands arrived in Nepal via air. The direct flight is also likely to attract visitors from Belgium and Germany while at the same time providing service to increasing numbers of Nepalese in nearby regions. The official flight will start from October 17. Arkefly is a Dutch low-cost airline based at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and was established in 2005. It offers short, medium and long-haul flights as well as charter service to various destinations like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, North Africa and South America.

## Nilambar acharya for eco tourism.html

[Nilambar Acharya for eco-tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nilambar-acharya-for-eco-tourism.html): CA Constitutional Committee chairman Nilambar Acharya today said tourism should feature high on the list of priorities. Speaking at a programme organised by Youth Network on Social and Environmental Development here in the capital, Acharya said, "We should unite and commit to promote tourism as it has a high potential in the country."

"We have many things to boast of, to boost tourism in the country. It's high time we all should overcome the dilemma and put it in the priority," said Shanta Chaudhary, president of the parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources. 

Professor Dr Shiva Subedi, secretary of Ministry of Local Development Krishna Gyawali, assistant DEAN of Institute of Science and Technology, TU, Prof Dr Madan Koirala, among others, also urged all to come into a single platform to promote ecotourism in the country, which would help boost the country's economy a good deal. The programme was organised by so as to promote the ecotourism in the western district of Dang.

## Arkefly to connect nepal directly with europe.html

[ArkeFly to connect Nepal directly with Europe - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/arkefly-to-connect-nepal-directly-with-europe.html): A Dutch airline ArkeFly will fly directly to Kathmandu from Netherlands from Wednesday, reconnecting Nepal with Europe by air after five years. ArkeFly has decided to start direct flight to Nepal as per the Air service Agreement (ASA) between Nepal and European Union (EU). This new air service is expected to give a boost to Nepal Tourism Year 2011. ArkeFly is scheduled to fly its Boeing 737 once a week initially.

## Temperature rises in mustang apple production declines.html

[Temperature rises in Mustang, apple production declines - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/temperature-rises-in-mustang-apple-production-declines.html): The climate change has been causing ample natural, agricultural and health hazards in the mountainous district of Mustang.

It was revealed by a team of Constituent Assembly members and climate experts who had visited the district, recently. They had studied the impacts of climate change during their four-day visit beginning September 21. The team comprised 14 lawmakers and four representatives of National Trust for Nature Conservation. Talking to The Himalayan Times today, Sunil Babu Pant, one of the team members, who is also the coordinator of the Parliamentary Taskforce on Environment, Climate Change and Harm Reduction, said, “Due to climate change, the production of apples in Mustang has decreased by 50 per cent.” The produced apples were also not as healthy and attractive as used to be before due to the attack of various insects and other unknown diseases, he added.

The temperature used to be below zero degree Celsius in the past. While due to climate change impact, it has climbed to 22 degree in September, the report of the team quoted local residents as saying. “Due to such changed weather pattern, the production of fruits and vegetables that require low temperature is dwindling while the vegetables that grow in high temperature such as spinach, pumpkin and others were growing more in comparison to previous years,” Pant stated.

The team also cautioned as the firewood being used by security personnel to cook their food was badly affecting the climate and causing soil erosion. The team demanded that the government replaced the firewood with LPG or other alternatives to control deforestation and resulted natural calamities.

The team has also recommended non-government organisations, government and other concerned sectors in agricultural, health and natural sector to launch preventive programmes to mitigate the possible hazards resulted due to the climate change in the district.

## 70 tibetans arrested for anti china protest.html

[70 Tibetans arrested for anti-China protest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/70-tibetans-arrested-for-anti-china-protest.html): Police today arrested at least 70 Tibetan protesters from various locations across the capital Kathmandu. They were taking out a protest, distributing pamphlets and preparing for a demonstration against the 60th anniversary of the communist rule in China.

Nawa Raj Silwal, SP of Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu, said Tibetan protesters were held from Gaushala, Sorhakhutte, Bouddha, Kamalpokhari, Hattisar, Thamel, Jawalakhel and other adjacent places for chanting anti-China slogans and calling free Tibet. “We’ll set them free only after completing an investigation,” Silwal said. The authority has taken a stringent zero-tolerance view towards Tibetan following a series of high-level visits and exchanges between the two neighbours.

“We’ve mobilised additional security personnel to ensure that they do not demonstrate against China,” he added. Tibetan community in Kathmandu have been staging anti-China demonstrations on various occasions; the latest spate of protests came in the wake of China celebrating its 60th anniversary of the Communist rule. 

A special security meeting at the Metropolitan Commissioner’s Office had fielded some 700 security personal to ward off the Tibetan and protect Chinese nationals, on Wednesday. The meeting also decided to provide tight security to Chinese Embassy in a bid to curb anti-Chinese activities.

## Sag opens flagship store.html

[SAG opens flagship store - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/sag-opens-flagship-store.html): Sherpa Adventure Gear (SAG), a Seattle-based climbing and outdoor clothing company, Thursday announced the opening of its new flagship store and bed and breakfast at Durbar Marg. The store will serve trekkers and climbers besides foreign experts, says a statement issued by SAG. Sherpa Adventure Gear's unique position in the marketplace, a technical outdoor brand producing 95 percent of all its technical clothing in Nepal, has great appeal among climbers and trekkers who travel half way across the globe to experience and explore Nepal's vast mountain ranges, the statement added.

## Nepal tourism year 2011 guests are gods.html

[Nepal Tourism Year 2011-Guests are Gods - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tourism-year-2011-guests-are-gods.html): Government of Nepal in consultation with Nepalese travel trade sector and concerned organizations/experts decided on October 25, 2008 to launch a national tourism campaign "Nepal Tourism Year 2011". This announcement reflects the government’s anticipation to bring into Nepal at least one million international tourists by the year 2011 and tourism industry’s exigency to organize a tourism promotion campaign for wider impact.

With the badge of adventure destination glittering and the adage “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guests are Gods) embedded in our culture, the portfolio of tourism products never cease to mesmerize the visitors. The unparallel cultural, geographical, ethnic and bio diversities of the country allure visitors to Nepal time and again which truly substantiates the spirit of Nepal tourism brand Naturally Nepal, once is not enough !

## Apf to guard border with china.html

[APF to guard border with China - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/apf-to-guard-border-with-china.html): Nepal is all set to mobilise armed police personnel at the northern border of Mustang and Tibet. The move follows a recent border talk that concluded between Nepal and China. A team led by Home Minister Bhim Rawal reached the upper Mustang today and inspected the border. A source said the Parbat-based Chandika APF Battalion has been given responsibility to study on the security force to be stationed at the border.

A team of 25 led by APF inspector Damodar Dhodari has already been dispatched to the border for a study. A report would be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs upon the completion of the study, Dhodari said. "The team will study on the border security and the infrastructure required for the upkeeping of the border security force," he added. 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rawal said the government was ready to provide expenses for the infrastructure development at the border. Along with Minister Rawal, home secretary Govinda Kusum, investigation Chief Ashokdev Bhatta also visited upper Mustang, Muktinath temple area and Jomsom before setting out to Manang.

Talk team member and then CDO of Mustang Sundar Raj Aryal said that Nepal had already given an affirmative nod for the keeping of security force at the Nepal-China border. A dialogue towards that end conlcuded recently at Lhasa between Nepal government and its Chinese counterparts.

## Corridor project brings hope for eastern wildlife.html

[Corridor project brings hope for eastern wildlife - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/corridor-project-brings-hope-for-eastern-wildlife.html): Construction of Eastern Himalayan Bio-corridor has started linking hilly and mountainous areas of Mechi zone with Bhutan via Darjeeling. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has initiated the bio-corridor project in association with some other organisations of Nepal, India and Bhutan. The project, expected to complete within five years, aims at conserving rare wild animals and birds, natural herbs, bio-diversity and environment and promoting rural tourism. Out of 4,305.60 square kilometers area in the three countries, it covers Mount Kanchenjunga, Taplejung, Panchthar and 19 VDCs of Ilam in Nepal and the width ranges from 10 meter to 10 kilometer. Thirteen national parks of the three countries, including Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project, will fall under the project’s area, said Ram Rimal, a member of Ilam Support Council, a partner organisation. 

Another beauty of the project is direct participation of tourism entrepreneurs, farmers, forest users, women’s groups and common people. Rimal said people falling under the project area will be provided with practical knowledge and skills required for commercial farming of indigenous herbs. “At the same time, forestbased products and rural will be marketed and promoted and poaching of wild animals will be controlled.” Thirty-five various rare animals such as snow leopard, black bear, red panda, musk deer, leopard, 70 types of birds like spiny babbler, lophophorus, 120 types of Himalayan herbs and 20 lakes and ponds are found in the corridor.

## Yeti wins award.html

[Yeti wins award - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/yeti-wins-award.html): Yeti Travels, Nepal's premier DMC has received the award for earning the highest foreign exchange in its sector during the last fiscal year 2008 / 2009. Yeti Travels has been receiving this award since 1989. The award was presented to Mr. Manohar SJB Rana, CEO of Yeti Travels by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari, says a statement issued by Yeti Travels.

## Khokana youths on domestic tourism campaign.html

[Khokana youths on domestic tourism campaign - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/khokana-youths-on-domestic-tourism-campaign.html): Local youths of Khokana, a medieval Newari settlement situated on the outskirts of the Valley in Lalitpur district, have now rolled their sleeves up for promoting domestic tourism these days.  Krishna Saran Dangol, president of a recently established organisation —Organisation for Socio-Economic Development (OSED) — said that they had mobilised a good number of their youth members for the promotion of domestic tourism in their village. Around two dozen youths are involved in the plan.  “Just today itself, our volunteers guided some 32 domestic tourists from Kathmandu, Patan and Kirtipur and clarified about the local people, traditional culture such as the Shikali Jatra, a major festival organised here,” he said. 

The small yet densely populated area, mostly inhibited by people belonging to Newar community, lies south-west of Lalitpur’s Patan Sub-Metropolis. The mustard-oil industry has been the living heritage of the village.  The youths have also been organising other programmes with a view to reducing the poverty and making the public aware on socio-economic, cultural and environmental state of backward areas of Lalitpur. “Until two years ago, guthis — social organisation of local people — used to take care of the festivals and other activities during the Shikali Jatra. But now, they are adamant for  the same which prompted us to take initiatives for preserving our culture and  promoting internal tourism,” he added.

Shyam Krishna Maharjan, vice president, OSED, added they were organising programmes to spread awareness on education, health, sanitation, inter alia.

## Beijing cleared for anniversary.html

[Beijing cleared for anniversary - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/beijing-cleared-for-anniversary.html): China’s capital was wrapped in tight security and thick fog Wednesday as police blocked off Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and other popular tourist landmarks ahead of a massive parade marking 60 years of communist rule. Many tourist spots, hotels, restaurants and shops in central Beijing had already been closed ahead of the celebrations Thursday, which are expected to rival last year’s Olympic opening ceremony. The Forbidden City and the Great Hall of the People were shut along with many businesses located on Chang An, the major boulevard that runs east-west through the city, including the Raffles and Beijing hotels, supermarkets, Starbucks coffee shops, tiny mom-and-pop noodle stalls and tourist boutiques.

Armed pairs of helmeted SWAT police stood guard beside armored vehicles at many intersections along Chang An, while underground subway riders passed through metal detectors and had their bags scanned. State media said most of the subway stations in the Tiananmen area were to be closed late Wednesday or early Thursday. Flags, flowers and celebratory posters dotted the city and thousands of mostly elderly and student volunteers were tasked with making sure the streets were clean and tidy.

Some mobile phone users were surprised by a new patriotic flourish to their service. China Mobile automatically swapped the ringing sound people hear while waiting for someone to answer their mobile phone to a patriotic pop song by martial arts movie star Jacky Chan. A service representative with the company who refused to give her name said the song, “Guojia” or “Nation,” was being given away free to all users as a gift until the end of October. People who don’t want the song to play are free to change their settings, she said.

A heavy fog lay over the city - threatening to diminish the planned fighter jet flyovers and fireworks display. The official Xinhua News Agency quoted Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Station, as saying 18 planes were on standby to clear the air with cloud-seeding, which is believed to induce rain showers, if it was deemed necessary. Similar actions were undertaken last year during the Olympic Games, when Beijing fired off 1,100 silver iodide rockets to disperse rain on the eve of the opening ceremony. Chinese officials claimed the rockets succeeded in holding off a rain belt that threatened to reach the capital and drench the ceremony. International scientists say there has never been proof that such methods produce results. Rehearsals in the past few weeks have included jets and helicopters flying in formation over the city, releasing streams of red, blue and yellow smoke as they pass by.

Primarily a chance to showcase the country’s might with a massive military parade, the celebrations are to include a “civilian parade” with about 100,000 people taking part and 60 floats. Tens of thousands of doves, 5,000 balloon-toting children and a chorus of thousands are to be part of the show, Xinhua said. Beijing resident Cui Jin, 65, said she felt the elaborate display of military power was an appropriate way to mark the anniversary.

Few other details have been given on the schedule for the celebrations, but a keynote address from President Hu Jintao is expected, followed by the two parades. Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics, will oversee the evening fireworks display.

## Climate change poses twin threats.html

[Climate change poses twin threats - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/climate-change-poses-twin-threats.html): Climate change poses fundamental threats to Asia’s food and energy security which, if left unchecked, will result in an upsurge of migration into already overburdened mega cities, according to three major new studies funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Draft versions were released today in Bangkok on the sidelines of a major United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations on a new climate change treaty to succeed Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012.

Findings are impacts of rising temperatures in Asia will fall disproportionately on the region’s poor, and rural women in developing countries will be among the most affected groups due to dependence on subsistence crops, limited access to resources and lack of decision-making power. “The food and energy security of every Asian is threatened by climate change, but it’s the poor — and especially poor women — who are most vulnerable and most likely to migrate as a consequence,” said ADB vice-president Ursula Schaefer-Preuss.

More than half of Asia’s total population lives below the $2-per-day poverty line, and it is this sector of the population that depends on rain-fed agriculture and lives in settlements highly exposed to climate change. The agriculture, energy and migration studies were produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); USA, Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India and the University of Adelaide, Australia, respectively.

The agriculture study warns that the sector — and therefore food security — is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Some 2.2 billion Asians rely on the sector for their livelihoods, which are now threatened by falling crop yields caused by floods, droughts and erratic rainfall. Current climate models indicate food prices may increase — rice by 29 per cent to 37 per cent, maize by 58 per cent to 97 per cent and wheat by 81 per cent to 102 per cent — by 2050.

According to the energy report, Asia’s access to affordable energy is under increasing threat due to factors including demand-supply gaps, high reliance on traditional biomass fuels, and the high-energy intensity of the region’s economies

## New strategy to curb forest encroachment.html

[New strategy to curb forest encroachment - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-strategy-to-curb-forest-encroachment.html): The encroachment of forest land is rampant across the nation, especially in the Tarai. Finally, the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) has waken up to this growing ecological threat.

It has prepared a new strategy to keep the encroachment under control.  Deepak Bohora, Minister for MoFSC, maintained that a firm commitment from all political parties could help curb the menace.

As per Article 49 of the Forest Act, 1992, an individual can be penalised for encroachment on the forest land. While, Article 16 of the same Act prohibits the registration of forest as private asset.  Be that as it may, the regulation is only a paper tiger. "It failed to live up to its spirit, thanks to frequent interference from leaders of various political parties," said Krishna Chandra Paudel, Director General, Department of Forest.  The latest MoFSC data suggests that 88,367 hectare of forest land were encroached in 30 districts.

Though the figures reveal that the Tarai is the biggest offender, there is lack of information for hilly and mountainous districts.  The novel strategy aims to create a central forest encroachment control division. It will rope in various agencies like the Nepali Army, police, community forest users' group, home, finance, forest and local development, ministries to realise its ambitious plan. "Politicians adopt a convenient strategy for encroachment of forest land.

Usually, they goad the locals in the forefront in the name of championing their rights. This often leads to conflict of interest, resulting in frequent clashes between the encroaches and government authorities," said a Kailali-based forest officer. This brings to the moot question. Who all are encroaching upon forest land? Squatters, land mafia, freed kamaiyas, displaced along with people associated with government projects, army and police personnel are found to be the biggest offenders. As per the five-point strategy, plans are afoot to conserve at least 40 per cent of the nation's total land area as forest.

"We want to include this provision in the new statute," said Bohora. Lawmakers, however, are all for protecting the rights of the landless.  "Encroachment is a genuine problem. The squatters need to be rehabilitated. While, the frauds should be brought to book," said Shanta Chaudhary, chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources.

## Ntb eyes auto rallies for nty 2011.html

[NTB eyes auto rallies for NTY 2011 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ntb-eyes-auto-rallies-for-nty-2011.html): The team of French and Swiss individuals that came to Kathmandu on Wednesday evening in a motor rally visited Lumbini on Thursday and left for Mumbai yesterday. A convoy of 22 classic Citroen automobile made it from Beijing to Kathmandu in nine days. The 30-year-old cars managed to scale mountainous regions of Tibet after winding their way through China’s Yunnan province. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is expecting an auto-rickshaw rally from Goa of India next week. It is looking to encourage tourism rallies with the intention of promoting tourism in Nepal in a big way.

After four rallies using Nepal as their destination, the group of French and Swiss nationals made Kathmandu their destination in their rally from Beijing to Mumbai. “We have already had four rallies come in this year and are expecting a few more by the end of the year, including one auto rickshaw rally from Goa next week,” said NTB media consultant Sharad Pradhan.

NTB is looking to support many more road trip rallies coming into the country to further tourism for the year 2011, where the board is including rallies of various kinds as a part of their attraction for Nepal Tourism year 2011. “It’s a very great way of promoting a destination, when groups such as these come into the country. Word of mouth is more effective than any other kind of promotion,” added Pradhan.

NTB is looking at 2011 in a big way as it has been designated the year for tourism in Nepal. “By supporting these rallies we are expecting many visitors in 2011. The fact that people involved in these rallies make Nepal a destination on their route map is a big deal in itself,” said Pradhan.

## Para trekking kicks off in pokhara.html

[Para-trekking kicks off in Pokhara - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/para-trekking-kicks-off-in-pokhara.html): While the government prepares to celebrate Tourism Year in 2011, Pokhara —one of the most favourite tourist destinations in the country — has launched a strange yet adventurous event Para-trekking. Para-trekking a combined lexicon of ‘Paragliding’ and ‘Trekking’ would mean Paragliding upwards the sky and again soaring down to the starting point. 

The Paragliding company, Pyonova Nepal formally launched this adventurous game since last Thursday. According to Yogesh Bhattarai, president of the company, tourists are flown in sky up to Tanahun’s Bandipur, Kaski’s Korchon and Syangja’s Sirubari and again taken back to Pokhara. Bhattarai said that only the foreigners were participating in Para-trekking till now.

Not only Pyonova but there are other four such companies catering the needs of the tourists from home and abroad. According to a pilot, Rajesh Bamjan, annually 400 to 500 para-pilots come to Pokhara for Paragliding and a few choose to take part in Para-trekking.

Owners of this adventurous game said that para-pilots fly with the foreigners and bring them back to Pokhara. However, it is more interesting in case the tourist know how to glide by themselves. The Company have managed six pilots that include Nepalis and foreigners.

Indian national Debu Chaudhary who has been Paragliding for 11 years said, “For Paragliding, Pokhara is safer than India because one can also land in Fewa lake. The service which at present is only for 5 months starting September should be operated round the year, Paragliding pilot Narayan Parajuli said. Pokhara is one of the best five destinations for Paragliding in the world. International Paragliding competitions have been held in Pokhara for the last ten years.

Bhattarai a Para-pilot himself, said that concept of Para-trekking was brought to Pokhara after more than ten glorious years of Paragliding. Meanwhile, Canadian pilot Danbenoit said Paragliding was adventurous and risky at the same time. French pilot Serge said Pokhara was not only destination for Paragliding but it could be a good spot for training too.

## Hans csr.html

[HAN's CSR - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/hans-csr.html): Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee is working fix the water supply problem of residents and tourists in world heritage site and popular tourist destination Swayambhu area. HAN organised an interaction programme in which Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari appreciated the steps taken by HAN to mitigate the problem.

## Dragon air increases weekly flight on kathmandu route.html

[Dragon Air increases weekly flight on Kathmandu route - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/dragon-air-increases-weekly-flight-on-kathmandu-route.html): Dragonair announced new arrangement for its services to Dhaka and Kathmandu starting from October 1 which will offer passengers travelling to and from Nepal a greater number of flights per week to choose from. The night flight to Kathmandu from Hong Kong and the return early morning flight from Kathmandu will both operate via Dhaka. The new arrangement will bring improved service benefits to passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Kathmandu, with the frequency increasing to five times a week from the existing thrice-weekly service. Moreover, the flight will be operated using an A330 aircraft which offers greater capacity for both passengers and cargo. "We are pleased to announce increased frequency for our flights to Kathmandu, which will mean more convenience as well as better service quality for passengers travelling to and from Nepal," said Dragonair CEO Kenny Tang. "The increased capacity will definitely play a part in helping to meet Nepal Tourism Board's target of one million tourists in 2011. The airline will also help increase the number of inbound tours to Nepal via Hong Kong using the extensive worldwide network offered by both Dragonair and sister airline Cathay Pacific," Tang added. The flight schedule under the new arrangement, subject to government approval, is as follows: Dragonair announced that it will launch a new service to Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong and the biggest city in the fast-growing Pearl River Delta region, on September 14. The twice-daily service, to be operated by A320 and A321 aircraft, will provide passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Guangzhou with more choice and convenience.

At the same time, the new flights will offer improved connectivity via Hong Kong to the rest of the world, enhancing Hong Kong's status as one of the world's premiere international aviation hubs. It is exciting that Guangzhou which extends our network's coverage into the Pearl River Delta. This is one of the most affluent and most economically dynamic regions in Mainland China and is home to a population of 45 million — six times greater than that of Hong Kong.

In July 1985, a Boeing 737-200A took off from Hong Kong International Airport bound for Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. The event marked the start of a new chapter in Hong Kong's aviation history, as it was the first commercial flight of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, an airline which was to grow into Hong Kong's international carrier and become known as Dragonair.

Dragonair's fleet now comprises 14 wide-bodied A330s, six single-aisle A321s and 10 A320s. The airline's network covers 29 destinations in the world with 17 in Mainland China.

## Ppp must for boosting tourism.html

[PPP must for boosting tourism - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ppp-must-for-boosting-tourism.html): Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari today said that public private partnership ought to be developed for the promotion of Nepal’s tourism industry and develop Nepal Tourism Board according to international practices. Speaking at a programme organized here on the occasion of 30th World Tourism Day at the Nepal Tourism Board office, Minister Bhandari urged for promoting the diversity of Nepal as a tourist attraction for Nepal Tourism Year 2011. MoTCA secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimire breifed the audience about the procedures going on for travel and trade renewal along with solutions to problems that occurred due to bank guarantee. He also spoke about the 50 per cent customs charge discount on tourist coaches and work going on to settle disputes in Nepal Mountaineering Association.

Nepal Tourism Year 2011’s national programme coordinator Yogendra Shakya updated the gathering about the working committee’s activities and said that the committee in coordination with the main committee would work according to the vision set for NTY 2011. NTB chief executive officer Prachanda Man Singh urged for creating a brand image of Nepal and promoting it. Singh also said Nepal is a marvel of diversity and should be packaged to promote each destination according to its diversity.

On the occasion, NTB also announced the launch of Ramechhap’s Numbeur Cheese Circuit of 14-16 days’ trekking route and Indigenous People’s Trail.

## Yeti airlines signs mou with nibl.html

[Yeti Airlines signs MoU with NIBL - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/yeti-airlines-signs-mou-with-nibl.html): Yeti Airlines and Nepal Investment Bank Limited (NIBL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on e-ticketing. Now NIBL account holders can book and purchase air tickets via NIBL e-Banking.

## More than 5300 lakes in nepal.html

[More than 5,300 lakes in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/more-than-5300-lakes-in-nepal.html): A recent study has found that Nepal is home to more than 5,300 lakes. Researchers from the Nepal Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) - a government body under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation - found a total of 5,358 lakes across the country.

## Tara air   a new domestic airlines company.html

[Tara Air - A new domestic airlines company - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tara-air---a-new-domestic-airlines-company.html): Tara Air, which began its operation last month with two Pilatus Porter aircraft has now added six aircrafts ,four DHC 6 300 Twin Otters and two PC-6s ,to its fleet . The airlines is planning to operate 15 flights from Kathmandu to Lukla per day and daily flights to Jomsom from Pokhara and to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. The airlines have also added flights to Bharatpur and Meghauli of Chitwan, besides operating charter flights to remote destinations like Syangboche, Langtang, Dhorpatan and Jiri.

## Nepal promoted in incheon global fair south korea.html

[Nepal promoted in Incheon Global Fair, South Korea - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-promoted-in-incheon-global-fair-south-korea.html): The Nepalese pavilion put up by Team Nepaliana at the Incheon Global Fair & Festival is proving to be quite popular among local visitors.Team Nepaliana have put up a pavilion, a souvenir shop and a Nepali restaurant for this fair. Each designated section is showcasing Nepal’s culture, tourism destinations and rich local art and handicrafts as well as Nepali cuisine.The fair opened on 7thAugust and will continue till 25th October.

## Han seeks pms aid in china.html

[HAN seeks PMs aid in China - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-seeks-pms-aid-in-china.html): Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has urged Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to promote Nepal in China during his visit there. A delegation led by HAN president Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey meet PM Nepal today and briefed him on the possibility of the country’s promotion in China.

Pandey urged PM Nepal to mobilize the diplomatic mission and private sector regarding this issue for the benefit of the Nepali tourism sector. He added that the country should initiate steps to take a soft loan from Axim Bank of China to build a regional airport in Pokhara, a major tourist destination. The Ministry of Finance has asked the bank for the loan.

Pandey also requested the PM to create a suitable environment between Nepali and Chinese private sector for the expansion of Nepal’s tourism industry. He also urged the PM to solve labour-related issues in tourism industry. A high level committee should be made to solve the problems permanently, he said.

HAN also requested that hotels and lodges in Chitwan National Park area be reopened by September 20. They are lying closed since July 16 after their lease contract expired.

## Shrine struggle panel opts for peaceful stir.html

[Shrine struggle panel opts for peaceful stir - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/shrine-struggle-panel-opts-for-peaceful-stir.html): Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee (PAJSC) today said it would now opt for peaceful protest programme to ease the devotees’ access to the Pashupatinath Temple. Talking to The Himalayan Times, Paramananda Shakya, deputy coordinator of the agitating body, however, reiterated that they would not give up the stir until their demands were met.

“We’ve decided to put off the street protests and rallies at the behest of general public. But, we’ll continue with signature collection and public awareness campaign on the same,” he informed. The number of devotees in the temple has remarkably gone down in the wake of snowballing tension over the priest appointment row due to the protests by the UCPN-Maoist supporters and members of PAJSC for over a week now. However, the padlocks fixed by PAJSC in a dozen of offices under Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) are yet to be opened.

Their demands include appointment of priests through open competition, maintaining transparency of temple account, monthly allowance to priests and Bhandaris.

## Cnp hotels run up to tourism year.html

[CNP hotels run up to Tourism Year - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/cnp-hotels-run-up-to-tourism-year.html): KATHMANDU: The sub-committee - formed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) - today took a decision about the hotels and resorts that are located inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP). The panel decided to extend the deadline for the closure of the hospitality establishments in the CNP till 2011. “We’re likely to submit the report tomorrow,” said Mahendra Dhoj GC, a committee member. The government has declared 2011 as the Nepal Tourism Year. Seven hotels in the CNP were closed since July 16. The matter has come to a head over the timeframe for the closure of these hotels. 

Meanwhile, the case did its usual circuitous rounds of the CNP, the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation and the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation till the PAC special sub-panel took charge of the matter. The panel, headed by Narayan Dahal, was urged to find an amicable solution to the crisis. “We held rigorous discussion with the stakeholders and undertook a field visit as well. A few options were mulled over, include letting the hotels to operate till 2011 in view of the new agreement,” said Dahal.

The CNP authorities had earmarked areas to the hotels’ management to conduct their own safaris. Dahal opined that the hoteliers should get some incentives since they were playing a stellar role in employment generation in the tourist spot.

“The closure also raises question marks about the livelihood of around 800 employees who are working in these hotels. But, one thing is certain. They have to move out from the CNP within the timeframe,” he added.  Initially, the panel was urged to submit its report within 15 days, which had elapsed on August 25. The matter now rests with the PAC once it receives the detailed report, complete with recommendations, from the special sub-committee.

## Mustang   emerging as a popular pilgrimage destination.html

[Mustang - Emerging as a popular pilgrimage destination - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/mustang---emerging-as-a-popular-pilgrimage-destination.html): According to 'The Himalayan Times' an increasing number of pilgrims are thronging various religious sites in Mustang and Myagdi districts. The Muktinath Development Committee has reported the entry of more than 1,000 pilgrims in Mustang district within the past one week. Clear weather and accessibility of transport facility are accredited for the increasing number of pilgrims and foreign tourists.

## Close shave for aircraf.html

[Close shave for aircraf - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/close-shave-for-aircraf.html): A plane of Sita Air —9NAHA — met with an accident at Nepalgunj airport today. The plane was dragged about 200 metres after a wheel came off the plane during the test flight, a Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal staffer said. The plane caught fire shortly after as a result. Three crew members aboard the plane are safe and sound. According to Nepalgunj CAAN chief Suresh Ajad, the incident caused the scheduled flight of prime minister to Kathmandu to be cancelled.

PM Madhav Kumar Nepal had to stay in Nepalgunj today. His press advisor Bishnu Rijal said the PM Nepal was in a hurry to attend a cabinet meeting in Kathmandu tomorrow.

## Wildlife at poachers mercy.html

[Wildlife at poachers mercy - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/wildlife-at-poachers-mercy.html): The absence of a security mechanism at Makalu-Barun National Park (MBNP) has left animals in the park at the mercy of poachers and wildlife traffickers.

"Incidents of wildlife trafficking are rife due to the absence of a security mechanism to discourage traffickers and poachers in the park," says Durgakiran Rai, chairman of the park's buffer zone management committee.

It is learnt that animals are trafficked from here to bordering regions of China for skin and other body parts. The park, which covers a swathe of 2,330 sq. km. between Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu districts, is home to endangered animals, including red panda, snow leopard and musk deer. 

Last year, 17 musk deer were poached at the park's Tamku region.

## Yeti airlines pioneers e ticketing.html

[Yeti Airlines pioneers e-ticketing - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/yeti-airlines-pioneers-e-ticketing.html): Now you can book your ticket from your own house or office via the internet. This is the first time in the country that plane tickets are being made available through internet booking system after an airlines company and bank signed an agreement. It has opened up the vista of a completely new travelling experience for Nepalis. Yeti Airlines (Domestic) Pvt Ltd and Everest Bank Ltd (EBL) today signed an Memorandum of Understanding on e-ticketing.

EBL deputy general manager BK Pradhan and Yeti Airlines director sales and marketing of Yeti Airlines Pradeep Bikram Shah signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. Under the agreement, an EBL account holder can book the ticket and pay from the account online.

Customers can check available flights on required dates and do not need to visit travel agents. “One need not depend on agents,” said Shah. The airlines is also planning to sign agreements with other banks to make domestic travel more easier. “Domestic travel will get easier with an EBL account,” said EBL chief executive officer R K Ummat. He said that EBL is also planning to add international airlines to give its customers added services. “We are planning to sign such agreement with international airlines as well,” confirmed EBL chairman B K Shrestha. Yeti airlines with its over a decade of flying experience in the domestic sky has flights to Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bhairawa, Bhadrapur and Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. With the agreement between Yeti Airlines and EBL, customers with Internet banking facility can reserve air tickets through the internet and get electronic air tickets.

EBL with its one-and-a-half decade of experience in banking in Nepal has also offered a zero balance account for the Sky Club members of Yeti Airlines. “From any of our branches Sky Club members of Yeti Airlines can open a zero balance account to get this value-added service,” Shrestha added. Yeti Airlines has its flights to 29 places while Everest Bank also has a total of 34 branch offices across the country.

## French trekkers rescued.html

[French trekkers rescued - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/french-trekkers-rescued.html): DHUNCHE: The Nepali Army (NA) has rescued two French trekkers, who had gone to Gosaikunda. “A NA team from Indrabaks Battalion rescued Siman Liuren (35) and his wife from Chandanbari in Rasuwa,” said Lhakpa Sherpa, a tour guide. The couple had suffered high altitude sickness. The duo has been sent to the capital for treatment

## Han natta on promotional tour for nty 2011.html

[HAN, NATTA on promotional tour for NTY-2011 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-natta-on-promotional-tour-for-nty-2011.html): The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) completed Shanghai and Beijing promotional campaigns yesterday. The team is in Shanghai to promote Nepal in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarad Singh Bhandari and Nepali ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Tanka Prasad Karki and joint secretary of MOTCA Pursottam Paudel took part in the Beijing campaign coordinated by the Nepal Embassy in Beijing. There were more than 100 tour operators and media who actively interacted with the Nepali Tour operators in Beijing, said the NATTA.

Similarly, more than 90 Chinese tour operators including the media personals joined the meeting in Shanghai. Similarly, ambassador Karki highlighted Nepal as the birth place of Lord Buddha and the great potential China holds for Nepal in Tourism. Meanwhile, NTB and Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) also organised a press meet on September 1 at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) at Bangkok to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY 2011). They were briefed on Nepal’s peace process, the road map of the country regarding Foreign Investment in tourism industry and the challenges it faces in consolidating the peace process, tourism potentiality and the economic transformation of the country.

Bhandari formally launched Nepal Tourism Year -2011 programme internationally in Bangkok. CEO of NTB Prachanda Man Shrestha, made a presentation on theme: one million tourists in NTY-2011. Nepali ambassador to Thailand Naveen Prakah Jung Shah, president of HAN Prashiddha Bahadur Pandey, president of Thai Travel Agents Association, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand and many more were present on the occasion.

## Atta and iucn to endorse pata conference in nepal.html

[ATTA and IUCN to endorse PATA Conference in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/atta-and-iucn-to-endorse-pata-conference-in-nepal.html): PATA has received important backing from two influential organisations for its 2010 Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart in Nepal. The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are endorsing this important PATA event, taking place at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu on 1-5 February 2010.

## Sino nepal trade fair starts.html

[Sino-Nepal trade fair starts - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/sino-nepal-trade-fair-starts.html): Chinese and Nepali businesses gathered in Xigaze City in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday for a five-day long trade fair that highlights Buddha statues, Tibetan medicine and other commodities from the Himalayan region.

A total of 171 businesses from the two countries have set up booths at the fair that opened Thursday morning at the Mt Qomolangma Exhibition Centre in Xigaze — at the foot of the world’s tallest peak. Most of the Nepali businesses have brought traditional artwork, textile products and food, while Chinese companies are displaying herbs, art-ware and electrical appliances. “The trade fair is expected to further boost Nepal’s trade relations and cultural exchanges with China,” said Purushottam Ojha, secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies. “It will enhance the two countries’ traditional friendship, expand trade and promote economic and technical exchanges,” said Deng Xiaogang, vice-chairman of Tibet’s regional government.

The Nepali ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tibet’s regional government on Wednesday. According to the MoU, the two sides would establish a trade coordination committee to promote trade and investment by simplifying procedures in customs clearance, transportation and other aspects. The committee will meet annually in Lhasa and Kathmandu every alternative year and the first meeting will be held in six months. — Xinhua

## Tourism secy promises friendly policies.html

[Tourism secy promises friendly policies - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-secy-promises-friendly-policies.html): Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Nagendra Prasad Koirala has promised to formulate favorable policies for the tourism sector. 

Inaugurating the 31st annual general assembly of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) on 28 August, Ghimire said the government was committed to making the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign a grand success. He also said the amendment to the Travel and Trekking Regulations would help address genuine demands of trekking agencies.

Earlier, TAAN president Jyoti Adhikari demanded the government to make the trekking sector more managed by implementing the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) under the one-door system through TAAN.

Ram Kaji Koney, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), extended best wishes for the success of the TAAN’s annual conclave.

In the closed session, the annual general meeting approved annual progress report prepared by general secretary Navaraj Dahal and financial report presented by treasurer Ishwori Poudel.

## Nepal china trade fair.html

[Nepal-China trade fair - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-china-trade-fair.html): To strengthen economic and trading ties between Nepal and Tibet, the autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China, the Nepal-Tibet Trade Fair 2009 will be organised in Shigatse from September 3 to 7. This kind of trade fair has already been organised in 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005 at Lhasa.

The first Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1990 between the two governments for holding such fairs in Lhasa and Kathmandu alternately every two years. According to a press statement, the MOU was signed on April 8, 2009 between Department of Commerce, Tibet, the Autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China, and Nepal’s Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) for this year. 

MoCS secretary Purushottam Ojha is leading a four-member delegation including MoCS joint secretary Surya Prasad Silwal and executive director Ramesh Kumar Shrestha and deputy executive director M N Bhattarai of Trade and Export Promotion Centre.

Different organisations like Federation of Handicrafts Association of Nepal (FHAN), Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC), Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI), Federation of Small, Medium, Entrepreneurs Nepal (FSMEN), Nepal Trans-Himalayan Trade Association (NTHTA), Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) will participate in the trade fair. According to the release, 59 companies with 194 members will actively participate in the fair.

## South asia climate change conference kicks off.html

[South Asia Climate Change Conference kicks off - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/south-asia-climate-change-conference-kicks-off.html): Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated ‘Kathmandu to Copenhagen: South Asia Climate Change Conference’ in Kathmandu on August 31.

All SAARC nations along with China and some other mountainous countries are taking part in the event. Ministers from Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are attending the regional meet on climate change. Bhutan is, however, not participating in the conference. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mohan Munasinghe, vice-chairperson, Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said that sustainable development approach could only help reduce the impact of climate change on the Himalayas.

Andreas Schield, director general, Integrated Centre for Mountain Development (ICIMOD) urged the government to declare the Himalayan region as the hotspot for climate change. He appealed for more focus to mitigate the risks of the global problem. 

The conference is slated to reach a consensus on the agenda for the Copenhagen Conference. 

The SAARC Environment Ministerial meeting, held in Dhaka last year, adopted the SAARC Action Plan and Declaration on Climate Change and the SAARC summit, held in Colombo in August 2008, reiterated the need for strengthening the cooperation in the region to tackle the problem.

## Qatar airways to increase nepal flights.html

[Qatar Airways to increase Nepal flights - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/qatar-airways-to-increase-nepal-flights.html): Qatar Airways has announced to increase its flights to Nepal from 11 to 28, including seven cargo flights, according to Doha-based The Peninsula daily.

The expansion of flights became possible after aviation authorities of Nepal and Qatar inked an agreement to this effect on 31 August.

The two sides have also agreed to update provisions of the air transport agreement, especially the ones related to air safety, the daily reported.

Qatar Airways link Kathmandu to Doha, one of the major hub in the Middle East, bringing in Nepali workers from the Middle East and visitors from European countries, a niche market for Nepal’s tourism industry.

## Nepal gets its due as tourist spot for chinese.html

[Nepal gets its due as tourist spot for Chinese - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-gets-its-due-as-tourist-spot-for-chinese.html): Increased number of flights and air seats has swelled the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Nepal. According to Arjun Sharma, first vice-president of Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents (NATTA), it is around eight years since Nepal was identified as a holiday destination for Chinese but due to seat capacity problem and lack of promotion the number of tourist arriving to Nepal was small. “Now, the scenario has changed. Nepal is regulary getting promotion as a holiday destination for Chinese. This has created a positive impact on the number of Chinese tourists’ arrival,” said Sharma.

“ Air China, Southern China and Dragon Air are some airlines while China Eastern is soon starting from September 20,” Sharma said adding that due to awareness about the demand for tour packages to Nepal the number of flights from China to Nepal are also increasing and commercial flights are getting added. Air China has its route from Chandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu while Southern China comes in from Ghaunzau and Dragon Airlines from Hong Kong.

With the increase in number of flights to Nepal air tickets will be cheaper resulting in more tourist arrivals. Currently, the individual cost for Chinese tourists is expensive and this is one reason for less Chinese arriving in Nepal, opined Sharma. 

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Immigration Office figures show this August there has 87 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from China. Arrivals from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand also increased by 27 per cent, 44 per cent, 21 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. The Asian markets to decline in this month were Malaysia (13 per cent) and Chinese Taipei (21 per cent). In aggregate, the Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 26 per cent.

An overall positive growth of 11 per cent happened from the European markets.

## Nepal to organize tourism year promotion in china.html

[Nepal to organize tourism year promotion in China - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-to-organize-tourism-year-promotion-in-china.html): KATHMANDU, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) is going to organize China Road Show in various Chinese cities with the aim of promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011, The Kathmandu Post reported on Friday.

According to the daily, the road show is scheduled to be held in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong on Aug. 29-Sept. 5. 

Nepali tourism entrepreneurs will be showing documentaries about Nepali tourism products and selling various packages to Chinese travel agents.

"As many as 25 Nepali travel agencies will be participating in the promotional campaign which the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Airlines will be supporting," said Ram Kazi Kone, president of NATTA.

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharad Singh Bhandari is scheduled to participate in the road show to be held in Beijing.

Chinese tourists account for just 27 percent of total tourist arrivals in Nepal. A total of 33,316 Chinese tourists visited Nepal last year.

## New leadership in taan.html

[New leadership in TAAN - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-leadership-in-taan.html): The 31st annual general meeting followed by an election programme of Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN) on Friday elected a new executive committee under the leadership of Sitaram Sapkota for two years´ tenure. 

The 14-member panel led by Sapkota defeated the panel led by DB Koirala to lead the umbrella organization of over 650 trekking agencies in the country. Bachchu Narayan Shrestha, Mahendra Singh Thapa, Rajendra Bajgain, Nima Dorjee Sherpa and Khum Bahadur Subedi have been elected as 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, general secretary, secretary and treasurer respectively.

Likewise, Nima Sherpa, Manila Sherpa, Nima Dendi Sherpa, Suman Dahal, Kul Bahadur Gurung, Bhimraj Poudel, Ramesh Dhamala and Rashmi Tamot were elected as members.

Sapkota has already served as the general secretary of TAAN, while Bachchu Narayan Shrestha and Khum Bahadur Subedi were in the outgoing committee as 2nd vice president and member respectively. 

According to TAAN statute, the elected executive committee will nominate three members in the 19-member executive committee. Immediate past president Jyoti Adhikari and president of TAAN Pokhara chapter Basanta Duwadi are the ex-officio members in the panel.

## 6000 saplings planted north of tia.html

[6000 saplings planted north of TIA - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/6000-saplings-planted-north-of-tia.html): Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today inaugurated a tree plantation programme at Gothatar VDC, in the north of Tribhuvan International Airport. About 6,000 saplings were planted in a single day as a part of the campaign initiated by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and National Trust for Nature Conservation. Addressing the programme, PM Nepal said, "Let's be serious about environmental issues and try to convince others about it. I would highly appreciate this move to increase our forest area and to check environmental degradation." The government has announced the policy of 'one person ond tree' this fiscal year.

"The campaign will be carried out throughout the year," said forest minister Deepak Bohora. "The forests play an important role in ground water recharge by helping water percolate deep into the soil," said Juddha Gurung, NTNC member secretary.

Saplings have been planted in such a way that when they grow, they will outline the map of Nepal, giving tourists landing at the TIA a majestic shape of the country. Chiefs of Nepali Army and Nepal Police, ministry secretaries, representatives of NGOs working on the Bagmati, students and locals participated the programme.

On August 21, one lakh saplings were planted in the hills surrounding Kathmandu valley. The task was led by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and other high-ranking government and non-government officials.

## Han eyes thai market for nty 2011.html

[HAN eyes Thai market for NTY 2011 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/han-eyes-thai-market-for-nty-2011.html): Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has geared up preparations for Nepal Tourism Year 2011(NTY). A 70-member HAN delegation is leaving for Bangkok tomorrow to make preparations for Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY) in collaboration with the Nepalese embassy in Thailand and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). HAN is also organising a Nepal Night in Bangkok on Tuesday to promote destination Nepal amidst prom-inent hotel entrepreneurs, travel agents, tour operators, prominent locals, international media personalities and high government officials of Thailand.

The programme will be jointly inaugurated by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari and Thailand’s Tourism Minister. It will focus on promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and on meeting the target of bringing one million tourists to Nepal in 2011, said HAN president Prasidha Bahadur Panday.

The objective of the programme is also to highlight the importance of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 among Thai travel agents, tour operators and media, he said adding that Prachanda Man Shrestha, chief executive officer of NTB, will also make a presentation on the theme — a million tourists in Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The presentation will focus on promotional activities that will be carried out during NTY.

Minister Bhandari, Thailan’s Tourism Minister, Nepal’s ambassador to Thailand Naveen Prakash Jung Shah, acting governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, senior vice-president of Asia Pacific, Thai Airways officials and chairman of PATA International will take part in the fair.

On Wednesday, prominent travel agents & tour operators of Thailand will have Business to Business (B2B) Meeting with Nepali hotel entrepreneurs.

## Tia sees huge ic haul.html

[TIA sees huge IC haul - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tia-sees-huge-ic-haul.html): The Tribhuvan International Airport-based custom office on Saturday held a Pakistani citizen with Indian currency worth 2.39 million in Indian 500 rupee notes. The arrested Pakistani has been identified as Abdul Gafar, who had concealed the sum in the false bottom of a suitcase. He was caught during a routine check up at the TIA.

Sources suspect that the Indian currency notes might be counterfeit. However, the police are yet to confirm it. "Only a lab test can determine whether the notes are counterfeit or genuine," said the source at the TIA. The man disembarked at TIA from a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. Gafar confessed to the Police that he was only being used as a carrier.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a Kuleshwore-based businessman had demanded the sum from Doha, and the arrested man had visited the country two times before. Police said further investigation was underway to unearth the motive behind the travel with such a large amount of Indian currency. According to the country's monetary policy, air travelers must go to the custom office to declare the sum before checking in the baggage.

## Natta to promote nepal in china.html

[NATTA to promote Nepal in China - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/natta-to-promote-nepal-in-china.html): According to NATTA, a team of 25 representatives from different Nepali travel companies is visiing Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong from August 29 to September 5. NATTA president Ram Kaji Koney said the main aim of the visit is to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the 3rd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart and the 43rd World Congress of UFTAA.

## Workshop on ecosystem management.html

[Workshop on ecosystem management - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/workshop-on-ecosystem-management.html): A four-day regional workshop on innovative tools and experiences in Mountain Ecosystems Management on Hindu Kush-Karakoram Himalaya (HKKH) kicked off here today. HKKH is the most recent mountain in the world spread over Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

Peter Shadie, programme coordinator, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Asia Regional Office, said, "The delicate balance between nature and humans in the HKKH region is under increasing pressure from land use change, fragmentation, development and climate change but there are ways to neutral the threats by following the sustainable development approach."

The final version of the Decision Support Toolbox, designed to support the decision making process in social and ecological system management, was released. Experts and practitioners from government agencies, academia and NGOs engaged in the management of mountain ecosystem from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, China, Afghanistan, Burma and Bangladesh are participating meet.

## New amazing cave has been found.html

[New Amazing Cave has been found - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-amazing-cave-has-been-found.html): Amazing Cave has been found in Sindhuli Majhua Village Development , near to arubote river’s jungle – amazing cave have been found by sheeper .

Three stone of shiva, two giant elephant, two snake, still bhuddha, ganesh, three faces shankha (musical instrument found in sea) .

Status of mahadev (Shiva)’s status has been found more than ten times than halese mahadev temple. After crawling about 5 meters there is there is wide space, in which up to 50 people can stay there. In the wall, there are numerous art of god and goddess. This cave’s name is gauri Shankar.

If we reserve and give plus maintenance , it can be attractive place for holy reason and tourism industry.

## Uk based travel group to operate kathmandu amsterdam flights.html

[UK based travel group to operate Kathmandu-Amsterdam flights - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/uk-based-travel-group-to-operate-kathmandu-amsterdam-flights.html): A UK based international leisure travel group, TUI Travel PLC is all set to start direct flights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Kathmandu from October according to nepalnews.com. The group has received permission to operate flights from Amsterdam to Kathmandu from October to April .

## Code of practice for hotels soon.html

[Code of practice for hotels soon - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/code-of-practice-for-hotels-soon.html): KATHMANDU: Of late, the government is working out a 'code of practice' which when implemented would make it mandatory for all restaurants and hotels to maintain quality and minimum standards of food they serve to public. "We are doing a homework to introduce the first ever Hotel and Restaurant Code of Practice in Nepal," said an official at the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC).

The move comes in the wake of public outrage over hotels and restaurants serving ill-fated food. DFTQC is the only state-owned mechanism entrusted with responsibility of drafting the first ever Code of Practice, which will help the law enforcement agency to combat unscrupulous hoteliers and restauranteurs playing with their clients. The Code of Practice has already been formulated and is awaiting stakeholders signatures to become operational. "It will be introduced once the stakeholders sign agreement in this regard.

We are soon holding talks with the stakeholders," informed Pramod Koirala, senior food researcher at DFTQC.  Koirala added that the Code of Practice would apply rules to all categories of restaurants and hotels and they are based on international standard. On our part too, we will keep a vigil over them and monitor personal hygiene of employees to ensure that the food they serve meets safety standards.

Among other things, the proposed Code of Practice will ban on the use of food colours not prescribed by the Food Act- 2023. "We have found that many hotels and restaurants have been using the hazardous food colours. To make the matter worse, they cook the dish items once mixed with the colours. Such practice can cause long-term health implication," Koirala revealed. It will require the hoteliers and restauranteurs to store the foodstuffs in line with the prescribed rules.

## Govt to develop tourist spots.html

[Govt to develop tourist spots - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/govt-to-develop-tourist-spots.html): Minister for Local Development Purna Kumar Sherma Limbu has voiced the government’s commitment towards the development of religious and tourist sites across the country. Minister Limbu said this while talking to journalists after inaugurating the boating festival organized by the local women’s group at Biratpokhara, Anarmani, today.

The boating event was organized on the occasion of Teej festival. The minister said that the government would provide whatever assistance possible for the development of Biratpokhara, a place of historical significance in Jhapa district.

The minister also stressed that the local people should themselves strive for the development of their area. He said the government will bring special programmes for the reconstruction of the physical infrastructure damaged by floods and landslides and for the management of rescue and relief to the flood-affected people. Minister Limbu ruled out any change of government and said the reason why the Maoist-led government collapsed was its own shortcomings and also because it lost the confidence of the House majority.

He also claimed the new Constitution would be drafted within the stipulated time and sought the cooperation of all to that end.

## Future of jungle resorts discussed.html

[Future of jungle resorts discussed - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/future-of-jungle-resorts-discussed.html): CHITWAN, Aug 20 - Chitwan-based entrepreneurs, political parties and stakeholders associated with wildlife conservation have asked the government to make the final decision on the closure of the seven jungle resorts inside Chitwan National Park only after studying their negative and positive outputs.

Most of the stakeholders stressed the need to keep the hotels open till Nepal Tourism Year 2011. They have presented the suggestion to the sub-committee formed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to study the dispute arising from their closure.

Representatives of the seven resorts and their employees have demanded that the resorts should be allowed to operate as before.

The committee started its work on Tuesday and met with representatives of the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chitwan and Ratnanagar.

During the meeting, the representatives said that the government should not remove the resorts without conducting a study about their impact. They said that the resorts had been set up with huge investments and that the national benefit should be taken into account.

"The resorts should be allowed to stay open till 2011," said Mitra Raj Dawadi, president of the Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The government should also understand the problems of the investors."

Similarly, Abinash, district deputy in charge of the UCPN (Maoist), said that the safari resorts should be removed because Chitwan National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site. He added that all the political parties had agreed that they should be shut down.

Nepali Congress district secretary Devendra Gurung said that the government should make public the negative and positive impacts of the resorts. The committee also met with hotel operators of Sauraha, Chitwan. They have requested the government to remove the resorts from the park.

"Every tourists is equal," said Hari Bhakta Ghimire, president of the Regional Hotel Association. "The hotels located outside the park are enough to provide accommodation and service to the visitors."

## The hotelicopter.html

[The Hotelicopter - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/the-hotelicopter.html): The flying hotel and largest helicopter in the world,the Hotelicopter is modeled on the Soviet-made Mil V-12, of which there were only two prototypes ever made by the Mikhail Leontyevich Mil helicopter plant in Russia. The Hotelicopter Company purchased one of these prototypes from the Mikhail Leontyevich Mil helicopter plant in 2004 and have turned it into the world’s first flying hotel.The hotelicopter is 42 m(137 ft) long and 28 m(91 ft) high.The Hotelicopter promises a truly unique and memorable travel experience.It features 18 luxuriously-appointed rooms . Each room is soundproofed and equipped with a queen-sized bed, fine linens, a mini-bar, coffee machine, wireless internet access, and all the luxurious appointments befitting a five star hotel.

## Flights halted at tia.html

[Flights halted at TIA - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/flights-halted-at-tia.html): KATHMANDU: Owing to the cracks on its runway, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) authorities halted flights for about three hours on Thursday. No plane landed and took off between 11.20 am and 2.30 pm, said TIA officials. Two flights were diverted to Kolkata. However, the operation resumed after 2.30 pm, following the repair of the cracks, according to the TIA’s Information Centre. An official informed that the runway sustained cracks due to the pressure of heavy aircraft that landed on the airport in the last three days. “Some planes were far more heavier than the runway capacity,” he added.

## Pata conference to be held in nepal.html

[PATA Conference to be held in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pata-conference-to-be-held-in-nepal.html): PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart will be held in Nepal next February. The event is taking place at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kathmandu from 1-5 February. Official carrier Nepal airlines is offering special fares for all delegates.

## India and pokhara to be airlinked.html

[India and Pokhara to be airlinked - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/india-and-pokhara-to-be-airlinked.html): POKHARA: Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Saratsingh Bhandari said that the government was preparing ground work so as to begin air service from Pokhara to different cities of India.

Speaking at a programme organised by Pokhara Tourism Council here today, Minister Bhandari said that such direct air service was possible provided that the Indian government was ready to allow the flights in its internal air routes. “We’re working to get permission of the Indian government,” he said, adding, “For which, we’re hopeful to get green signal from the Indian side.” Tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara have been demanding to establish direct air relation with Indian cities such as Patna, Banaras, Lucknow, among others. The entrepreneurs believe that such facility would boost the tourism industry. As of now, tourists visit this scenic town by road or from air service from Kathmandu. The entrepreneurs said the number of tourists would automatically surge once Pokhara is linked with direct air service from other countries, specially from Indian cities. There are more than 400 hotels in Pokhara. According to statistics, 186,643 tourists visited the town in 2008, of whom 41,623 were Indian citizens. Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, a tourism entrepreneur, opined that the government should add national and international flights, bring especial plan for the writers and journalists to visit the city and increase the number of tourist police targeting the Nepal Visit Year 2001.

Minister Bhandari also informed that they were planning to develop Pokhara as a “special tourist destination”. The minister also informed that they were planning to establish Pokhara Tourism Corporation. “The corporation will have full authority for the development of Pokhara.” On the occasion, he also informed that six different foreign companies were showing interests for the construction of a the regional airport in the town. 

Chairman of Tourism Council Pokhara, Bachhuram Tiwari, said that not only the Pokhara denizens, people of adjoining districts too would be benefited if the things went ahead as planned.

## Ktm hong kong flights to increase.html

[Ktm-Hong Kong flights to increase - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/ktm-hong-kong-flights-to-increase.html): HONG KONG: Dragonair Thursday announced new arrangement for its services to Dhaka and Kathmandu starting from October 1 which will offer passengers travelling to and from Nepal a greater number of flights per week to choose from. The night flight to Kathmandu from Hong Kong and the return same midnight flight from Kathmandu will both operate via Dhaka.

The new arrangement will bring improved service benefits to passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Kathmandu with frequency increasing to five times a week from the existing thrice-weekly service. Moreover, the flight will be operated using an A330 aircraft which offers greater capacity for both passengers and cargo.

"We are excited to announce the increased frequency for our flights to Kathmandu, which will mean more convenience as well as better service quality for passengers travelling to and from Nepal," says Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tang.

“The increased capacity will definitely play a part in helping to meet the Nepal Tourism Board's target of one million tourists visiting in 2011. The airline will also help increase the number of inbound tours to Nepal via Hong Kong using the extensive worldwide network offered by both Dragonair and sister airline Cathay Pacific,” Mr Tang added.

## Now swiss embassy in nepal.html

[Now Swiss Embassy in Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/now-swiss-embassy-in-nepal.html): Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal inaugurated the newly opened Swiss Embassy in Ekantakuna, Lalitpur amid a function on Monday.Switzerland, one of the Nepal's long-time development partners, has finally opened up its embassy in Nepal.

## Nepal tourism year main organsing committee meeting held.html

[Nepal Tourism Year Main Organsing Committee meeting held - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tourism-year-main-organsing-committee-meeting-held.html): According to a press release issued by NTB the second meeting of the Main Organizing Committee of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 national campaign was held on August 16, 2009 under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Tourism Minister and Chairman of Main Organizing Committee Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari. During the meeting, Member-Secretary and CEO of NTB-Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha presented the programs prepared by 14 sub-committees and 5 regional committees after the first meeting on January 18, 2009 and the publicity received till date.

## Pac task force to visit cnp hotels.html

[PAC task force to visit CNP hotels - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pac-task-force-to-visit-cnp-hotels.html): CHITWAN: A team of Public Account Committee has arrived in Chitwan to decide whether or not to renew the contract of hotels within the Chitwan National Park. Lawmaker Narayan Dahal, PAC member, held discussions with the district based office chiefs and others stakeholders in this regard.

Informing that the the committee would continue its work till August 20, he urged everyone to extend cooperation and support. The government would make its decision as per the report presented by the committee, he added.

The committee will visit Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts on its four-day inspection. It will also visit the seven closed hotels inside the CNP, political representatives, CNP administration, buffer zone management committee, hotel associations and hotel workers, among others.

Meanwhile, Tiger Tops Hotel, the oldest and most renowned hotel run by a British citizen, organising a press conference, said that the government had closed the hotels without prior notice.

## Plans underway to woo more tourists to nepal.html

[Plans underway to woo more tourists to Nepal - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/plans-underway-to-woo-more-tourists-to-nepal.html): Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari has asked the tourism sector to launch programmes to attract the tourists from neighbouring India and China. Speaking at the 4th anniversary of Gantabya Nepal in capital, Bhandari also pointed out the role of media in creating public awareness about the importance of tourism and promoting the country’s unique tourism products at domestic as well as international markets.He informed that the government was preparing to work out package programmes for the event

## Global warming benefits to tibet.html

[Global warming benefits to Tibet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/global-warming-benefits-to-tibet.html): Global warming could prove devastating for the Tibetan plateau, the world's third-largest store of ice, but it helps farming and tourism, Chinese state media said Tuesday, citing a leading expert. Qin Dahe, the former head of the China Meteorological Administration, made the comment in an otherwise gloomy assessment of the impact that rising temperatures will have on Tibet, according to the China Daily newspaper. "Warming is good for agriculture and tourism. It has increased the growing season of crops," said Qin, now a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China is banking on tourism to help fund development in Tibet, one of its poorest regions, hoping that a railway to the region's capital Lhasa will boost visitor numbers. From January to July this year, more than 2.7 million tourists visited Tibet, nearly triple the number in the same period of 2008, the Tibet Daily said recently.

While agriculture and tourism stand to benefit, Qin underlined a series of negative consequences that global warming will have in Tibet and surrounding areas. Temperatures are rising four times faster than elsewhere in China, and the Tibetan glaciers are retreating at a higher speed than in any other part of the world, he told the paper.

"In the short term, this will cause lakes to expand and bring floods and mudflows," Qin told the paper. "In the long run, the glaciers are vital lifelines for Asian rivers, including the Indus and the Ganges. Once they vanish, water supplies in those regions will be in peril."

## Sherpa trains in us for everest.html

[Sherpa trains in US for Everest - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/sherpa-trains-in-us-for-everest.html): DENALI NATIONAL PARK: PhuNuru Sherpa does not climb the world's highest mountain for thrills. It's his job. The job is dangerous, often deadly. That's because many of the Sherpas working for expedition climbing groups on the more than 29,000-foot (8,839-metre)-tall Mount Everest don't have basic skills necessary to safely do the job. PhuNuru wants to change that.

"We have a big problem on Everest," he said. The 29-year-old married father of two girls spent a month this summer in Alaska getting job training on 20,320-foot (6,194-metre) Mount McKinley. He also spent three weeks on 14,411-foot (4,393-metre) Mount Rainier in Washington. It turns out that Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, was the perfect classroom. PhuNuru was part of a five-person mountain patrol. While on McKinley he joined in a half-dozen rescues, including helping a climber suffering from high-altitude pulmonary edema, a woman buried in an avalanche and a man who lost his sight. About once a week PhuNuru brought rescue supplies up the mountain. "If something needed to be done, his pack was on and he was ready to go in five minutes," said Brandon Latham, a mountaineering ranger at McKinley.

PhuNuru joined McKinley's high mountain ranger patrol on June 3. He had barely settled in when rangers at the 14,200-foot (4,328-metre) camp got an emergency call. Two men who were roped together had fallen a couple of thousand feet (metres). PhuNuru was one of the first rescuers to reach the climbers.

"Me and two friends go running up there, take some oxygen, some medical kits and everything we can carry," he said. "We go there and they both already dead." PhuNuru helped recover the bodies of Dr. John Mislow, 39, of Massachusetts, and Dr. Andrew Swanson, 36, of Minneapolis. The bodies were flown off the mountain. Four people died on McKinley this year. Since 1932, 106 people have been killed on the mountain - about half as many as on Everest.

Thirty-nine bodies remain on McKinley. As many as 150 bodies remain on Everest. PhuNuru received a scholarship from the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation in Montana to come to the United States for training.

Alex Lowe was one of the world's most talented mountaineers who twice summitted Everest. He died in an avalanche in the Himalayas on Oct. 5, 1999, where his body remains. "He loved the people in Nepal and Tibet," said Jennifer Lowe-Anker, president of the foundation and Lowe's wife when he died. "He talked to me about how scary it was, how untrained any of them were on the mountain." In 2004, the foundation established the Khumbu Climbing School in PhuNuru's village in Nepal. About 30 students were in the first class and about one-third had already summitted Everest, but not one of them knew how to tie a figure-eight knot used in rock climbing to secure climbers to their harnesses, Lowe-Anker said. "Many were using what they called yak knots, kind of a granny (knot) tied a hundred times. They now know how unsafe that was," she said.

PhuNuru, who has summitted Everest four times, is an instructor at the school. When he returns to Nepal at the end of October, he will share what he learned. The knowledge will save lives, he said. "All people (are) trying to go to summit and people get sick on the mountain and taking them down is very critical," PhuNuru said.

PhuNuru said his goal is to establish a professional rescue team on Everest. Even though more than 200 people have been killed on Everest, the mountain has no rescue team. If a climber needs help, it is up to expedition guides to decide if a rescue should be attempted. Sometimes that means telling clients who have paid tens of thousands of dollars to summit Everest that their dream will have to wait. Sometimes it means that help comes too late. That was the case with British climber David Sharp in 2006. Dozens of climbers who were headed to the summit walked past Sharp lying in a rock alcove on Everest as he slowly froze to death.

By the time the decision was made to send a Sherpa to help Sharp, it was too late. The Sherpa pulled Sharp from a rock alcove and placed him in the sun and gave him oxygen, but his limbs were frozen in place. He couldn't walk, even with assistance. Sharp was placed back in the alcove where he was found dead the next day. A week later, Sherpas rescued another climber who was left for dead near the same spot.

Author Nick Heil wrote about the infamous 2006 climbing season on Everest in which 11 people died in his book "Dark Summit." "It is an extremely risky proposition to try and stage a body removal up high," Heil said. "Nowadays people are kind of prepared when they go up to a place like Everest to see corpses." Some of the bodies of people who have died on Everest are within sight of the climbing routes, remarkably preserved in the extreme cold. PhuNuru said it would be better to get the bodies off the mountain, but Heil said removal is not always possible.

"After a season or two these bodies are effectively welded into the landscape," he said. "You literally have to chisel them out." PhuNuru said body removal pays better than other jobs on Everest but many Sherpas find the work distasteful. For those that want to do it, the rescue and roping techniques he learned this summer will be useful, he said.

"We don't want to leave any body on the mountain," PhuNuru said.

## Border talks with china on cards.html

[Border talks with China on cards - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/border-talks-with-china-on-cards.html): Officials from Nepal and China will hold border talks in Lhasa on Saturday and Sunday. The talks will deal with the entire gamut of problems.

Kishor Lama, Additional Inspector General of Armed Police Force, will lead the 21-member Nepali delegation comprising officials of Nepal Police, National Investigation Department, Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry officials and CDOs of adjoining border districts.

China had proposed setting up a high-level mechanism to look after border security and management in February, but Nepal wanted such a mechanism formed at the CDO level in the bordering districts of the two countries. No decision has been taken so far. "The Chinese intention at that time (February) was to form such a mechanism at the ministerial or secretarial level, similar to the arrangement between Nepal and India. But, we are considering setting up the mechanism at the CDO level at first and later upgrading it to the secretary level," said a Home Ministry official.

Responding to the February visit of Chinese military officials, the upcoming meeting will focus on a dozen issues. Nepal will raise the issue of illegal immigrants from Tibet--who mostly enter Nepal from the Tatopani entry point--which is posing security threat to both sides. Cross-border crime is also a priority agenda, said an official. The smuggling of arms from China to Nepal is another prime concern for Nepal. For the first time, the issue of fake currency will also be discussed, the official said. Similarly, promotion of bilateral trade, control of human trafficking, and easy access to essential commodities for the northern belt of Nepal via the Chinese route will figure in the talks.

According to officials, China may again raise the issue of Extradition Treaty with Nepal, which it had raised last February. 

The meeting is the seventh in the series of Third Joint Committee talks that will digitise the existing boundary with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to survey markers and the Geographical Information System (GIS) to draft a new boundary agreement.

Nepal and China had signed the first protocol of boundary maps in 1962 and the second protocol in 1978. Survey officials from both countries had prepared 57 sheets of digital maps of the 1,414 km-long border with 98 boundary pillars and 79 markers.

Nepal and China have demarcated the boundary maps except for Kalapani, which is a juncture of Nepal, China and India. There are some boundary disputes in Kimathanka of Solukhumbu district but local officials hadn't apprised the centre of the problem due to lack of proper boundary maps.

Although both countries had agreed to review the boundary maps every 10 years, they have not done so after 1988.

## Plea to renew hotels contract.html

[Plea to renew hotels contract - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/plea-to-renew-hotels-contract.html): KATHMANDU: Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has urged to renew the contracts of the hotels — that were closed after the government’s decision — in Chitwan National Park (CNP).

“The role of these hotels has been important for developing Nepal as a tourist destination,” Prash-iddha Bahadur Pandey, president of HAN said adding that it was unfair to close them without notice. They were closed down since July 16 after the contract span expired.

The president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Kush Kumar Joshi warned that the foreign investment would be hurt, if the government continues to violate the clauses mentioned in the contract. “The government should provide adequate time for the hotels to develop their infrastructure to meet the criterion as prescribed by the government,” he said adding that the members of HAN were denied the tender.

He also said that the government should award contract after tender. The contract of seven hotels should be renewed according to their existing contracts,” Joshi added. The hotels in CNP were generating the revenue worth Rs 300 million and contributing in the employment generation to about 3,000 people.

Ram Kaji Koney, president of NATTA said that the government decision has directly hit the 3,000 employees and locals of Chitwan.

“The hotel entrepreneurs have been facing great difficulties due to the inability of the hotel entrepreneurs to address the frequent enquiries of the tourists about booking confirmation,” president of NATO Basanta Mishra said. “If the government do not address demands of hotel entrepreneurs within a week, the entire season would be wasted,” he said adding that it will affect the tourism sector in a long-term.

“Environmental and wildlife conservation have also been top priority of these hotel entrepreneurs,” Pandey said adding that the government should implement strict provisions if the hotel entrepreneurs fail in conservation programmes.

“If the closed hotels are not opened soon, Chitwan might be wipped out of the tourism destination map,” the entrepreneurs warned.

## Lhasa to build 1st ever tourist information service center.html

[Lhasa to build 1st ever tourist information service center - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/lhasa-to-build-1st-ever-tourist-information-service-center.html): First-ever tourist information office and service center will be build by 2011 in Lhasa. According to Wang Ping, chief of Lhasa's tourism administration, travelers would be able to arrange accommodation, transport and guide services from the travel agencies in the center by phone or online. The center would offer assistance for independent travelers, as well as emergency help & complaint center for tourists. Large screens would provide latest travel information & pictures of tourist destinations in Tibet. Currently tourist information are available on the tourism bureau website as well as on outdoor screen at Potala Palace Square.

## China eastern to start kathmandu kunming flight.html

[China Eastern to start Kathmandu-Kunming flight - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/china-eastern-to-start-kathmandu-kunming-flight.html): One more Chinese airline is all set to start service to Nepal. The Nepal government has given permission to China Eastern Airlines (CEA) to start its air service to Nepal. It has been given the operating authorization by the Nepal government as per Article 4 (3) of the air service agreement (ASA) signed between Nepal and China in 2003.

China Eastern Airlines is the third Chinese airline allowed by the Chinese government to operate in Nepal. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the company has presented a plan to the ministry to start Kunming-Kathmandu service thrice a week from September. It will be using Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the route.

The ASA has a provision that airlines authorized by both countries can operate 14 flights per week between Nepal and China. As per that provision, Air China is operating seven weekly flights between Beijing-Kathmandu and China Southern Airlines is operating three weekly flights between Guangzhou-Kathmandu.

Based in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines is one of the biggest airlines of China. Established in 1988, CEA is the controlling shareholder of China Cargo Airlines, China Eastern Jiangsu Airlines and China Eastern Wuhan Airlines.

CEA operates over 80 international and regional routes and over 330 domestic routes which connect 110 cities in China and abroad. It has 200 large-to-medium sized modern jets, comprising of A340-600, A340-300, A330, A320 series, B767 and B737 series.

With CEA starting its operation from the first week of September, the number of international airlines providing air service in Nepal has reached 19.

Tourism entrepreneurs expect CEA's Nepal operation to boost tourist arrivals from China.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), tourist arrivals from China declined by 2 percent in 2008. The NTB data shows that 14,706 Chinese came to Nepal in 2008 against 14,426 of 2007. However, the number is encouraging this year with air arrivals up by 4 percent in the first seven months. Chinese tourists have a negligible share in overall tourist arrivals in Nepal.

## New species of flora and fauna discovered in the eastern himalayas.html

[New species of flora and fauna discovered in the Eastern Himalayas - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/new-species-of-flora-and-fauna-discovered-in-the-eastern-himalayas.html): A decade-long study made by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Nepal, India and Bhutan has revealed the discovery of at least 353 new species of flora and fauna in the Eastern Himalayas between 1998 and 2008.The discoveries include 242 plants, 16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, two birds, and two mammals and at least 61 new invertebrates.Forest minister Deepak Bohara released the report at a function in Kathmandu, Monday. Some of the species have been named 'nepalensis' attributing their orgin to Nepal.

## Air india to have own security post at tia.html

[Air India to have own security post at TIA - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/air-india-to-have-own-security-post-at-tia.html): The government has given permission to Air India (AI) to run its own security checking at the run way of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).The government is currently working on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for such security checks by officials of a foreign airline at the country´s only international airport. Once the procedures are ready, AI will be allowed to basically second-screen passengers and luggage with portable x-ray machines in the sterilized zone of the tarmac. Currently, officials of the Indian airline are only allowed to carry out manual-frisking of passengers at the ladder of the airplane.

## Doi to introduce online visa application system.html

[DOI to introduce Online Visa Application System - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/doi-to-introduce-online-visa-application-system.html): The Department of Immigration (DOI) will be introducing online visa application system for foreigners intending to visit Nepal soon. Once the new system is put in place, a foreigner can apply for visa online and collect it upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without having to stand in queue for hours. Immigration officials will be able to issue visa immediately as the details of the visiting guests will be available online. .The DOI announcement comes in the wake of the government plan to increase the number of inbound tourists to 1 million in the tourism year 2011.The DOI is also developing integrated computerized data of foreigners visiting Nepal

## Nac to add to its domestic fleet.html

[NAC to add to its domestic fleet - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nac-to-add-to-its-domestic-fleet.html): KATHMANDU: Ailing Nepal Airlines Corporation plans to add new aircraft to its domestic fleet soon.

“NAC is planning to add two new aircraft with a capacity of 50 to 70 seats on trunk routes like Pokhara-Kathmandu,” Sugat Ratna Kansakar, NAC executive chairman, told The Himalayan Times today.

“A technical committee will be formed to prepare specifications of the aircraft,” he said, adding that the board will evaluate the report before purchasing new aircraft for the domestic fleet. “Some of the local banks are keen to finance the aircraft,” he added.

If economically feasible, NAC is also eyeing 10 to 20-seater aircraft to operate in small airports. “Smaller aircraft will suit small domestic airports. We can increase the frequency of flights,” Kansakar added.

NAC is operating only four of the seven DHC-6-Twin Otter aircraft with 19-seat capacity on domestic routes. “We’ll make that five in a month,” Kansakar said, adding that the decision on operating two others will be taken soon. “The board will decide whether to sell the two or operate them,” added the executive chairman, who got the executive powers after Supreme Court decided yesterday not to issue a stay order restraining him from exercising executive powers.Managing Director Capt Kul Bahadur has moved the SC seeking a stay order against the appointment of Kansakar as executive chairman. The government appointed Kansakar as executive chairman on July 26.

When Kansakar was NAC Managing Director in January, he had planned to add six aircraft to NAC’s international fleet. If everything goes as planned, NAC will have a new aircraft by the first half of 2010 for the international route. In next five years, NAC will have a fleet of six new aircraft.

NAC is operating two B-757 Boeing 757-200 aircraft — Karnali and Gandaki that have 190-seat capacity each — on the international routes. Erstwhile Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation had bought two Boeing 757: Karnali on lease in 1987 and Gandaki in 1988.

The government-owned airlines company may be able to add one narrow-body aircraft soon and a wide-body aircraft by October 2010.

After people’s movement in 1990, successive governments of the Nepali  Congress and the CPN-UML had leased the aircraft from Lauda Airlines and China South Western Airlines, with a fair share of controversy. NAC incurred an operating loss of around Rs 50 million in the last fiscal year due to unavailability of one of the aircraft and rising fuel prices. The new aircraft can give NAC a new lease of life.

## Pemba plea to reduce carbon emission.html

[Pemba plea to reduce carbon emission - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/pemba-plea-to-reduce-carbon-emission.html): The world's fastest man to climb Mount Everest, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, appealed to the Government of Australia to reduce its carbon emission by half within five years to help control global warming. Issuing a press statement in the capital today, Friends of the Earth informed about Pemba's appeal to the Australian government to help stop the rapid melting of the Himalayas. "The impact of global warming is two-to-four times higher in the Himalayas compared to the global average. This rise in temperature and the melting of the glaciers will increase hazards such as avalanches, landslides and flash floods," read the statement.

Pemba had also requested Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to take initiatives to save the Himalayas by reducing the country's carbon emission by helping to control global warming. Pemba and executive director of Pro Public Prakash Mani Sharma had joined the friends of Earth Campaigners to climb Australia's highest peak, Mt Koskuisko, to protest the failure by developed countries like Australia to adopt strong measures and fair policies in international climate negotiations.

"We demand climate justice. Many countries in Asia are least responsible for global warming. It is the rich countries that are more responsible for the rise in temperature. Therefore, Australia must do more to save our Himalayas," said Sharma.

Pemba and Sharma also met politicians and departmental officials of Canberra seeking immediate action to help save the Himalayas.

## Switzerland to open embassy from aug 17.html

[Switzerland to open embassy from Aug 17 - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/switzerland-to-open-embassy-from-aug-17.html): Switzerland will be officially opening its embassy in Kathmandu from August 17, according to Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). Switzerland has appointed Thomas Gass as its first envoy to Nepal. He will be presenting his letter of credential to President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav on Friday. 

“Marking the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Swiss Development Cooperation, we are going to set up an embassy at SDC premises. Martin Dahinden, Director General of SDC will inaugurate the embassy,” Chewang Nudup, officer at SDC told the Post. 

Currently, the honorary consulate general is looking after visa and other regular affairs. 

After establishment of the Swiss embassy here, the number of foreign missions in Kathmandu will reach 25, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

## American airlines launches fare finding feature.html

[American Airlines launches fare-finding feature - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/american-airlines-launches-fare-finding-feature.html): American Airlines announced that it has added a new “fare-finding” feature to its Travel Bag application within facebook, the popular networking platform. And, because the feature has not yet been given an official name, American has launched a sweepstakes that enlists its customers’ participation to name the feature. One lucky winner will be selected by random drawing, and the winner will be awarded 25,000 AAdvantage miles. The new feature enables customers to automatically search for great low fares on American, without ever having to leave the Facebook site.

American Airlines customers who are Facebook fans may already be familiar with the popular American Airlines Travel Bag application, which makes it easy for users to share travel experiences, reviews, comments and travel photos with friends and other Travel Bag users. Now, with the latest fare-finding feature, users can personalize and plan up to three trips at one time. They can name the trips, set the departure and return cities and dates, and share their trip searches with friends in their network. Each planned trip will be stored automatically on Facebook until the user decides to delete it or the departure date passes.

The new fare-finding feature allows Facebook users to find the lowest American Airlines fares for their desired trips, since the feature searches American’s prices in real time - all from within facebook - for a more integrated customer experience. If users then opt to book a trip, they will be taken to AA.com to do so quickly and easily.

“We’re excited to offer American Airlines customers even more seamless interaction with our airline through our Travel Bag application and give them easy access to our great low fares via Facebook,” said Derek DeCross, American’s Managing Director – Interactive Marketing. “And, we look forward to receiving their name ideas for this powerful, new, fare-finding feature within Travel Bag.”

## Museum on the brink of collapse.html

[Museum on the brink of collapse - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/museum-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html): KATHMANDU: The dilapidated building of the only biodiversity museum in the country — Natural History Museum — is on the verge of collapse, all thanks to the authorities’ indifference to put it high on the list of priorities.  Umpteenth attempts to build a well-equipped building have been unsuccessful even after its genesis 33 years ago. Although it was established in 1975, Tribhuvan University had provided 200 ropanis of land on the university premises in Kirtipur for the construction of the museum in 1999. “But we’re still confined in a dilapidated and congested ordinary hut-like house,” said Prof Dr Keshab Shrestha, chief, NHM. “The building has begun crumbling now.”

According to him, thousands of specimens of flora and fauna, which have been accumulated in the dilapidated building, are on the verge of extinction along with the building. The NHM has so far collected 55,000 specimens of wildlife, plants and fossils — 60 per cent of the total species’ samples. 

The problem persists due to lack of mutual coordination among TU, Ministry of Education, University Grant Commission and Ministry of Finance, according to the NHM. Besides, the MoF also seeks approval from the National Planning Commission to carry out the project, said Shrestha. 

Shrestha also lamented as this fiscal budget too failed to address their plight as after the UGC submitted its recommendation only after the fiscal budget announcement.

The coordination process is very much intricate as various line ministries — forest and soil conservation, environment, science and technology — and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology have to give green signal for the making of the biodiversity museum. “TU has been including the plan in its annual programme since 2002. However, we are waiting for the government will to materialise it.”

Lekhnath Paudel, spokesperson at the MoE, said that a proposal for the assistance for the purpose had been sent to the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) through the MoF recently.

## Call to reopen closed hotels.html

[Call to reopen Closed Hotels - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/call-to-reopen-closed-hotels.html): KATHMANDU:A central committee of the NEpal Independent Hotel workers Union issued a press statement on tuesday expressing serious concerns over the government decisions to shut down seven hotels located inside Chitwan National Park(CNP).

The government had on Jult 15 ordered a halt to yhe issuing the licenses to seven hotels inside the CNP,after the contract of 16 years given to these hotels expired on July 13 this year. The statement said the government should work to reopen the closed hotels.It is said that the hotels are providing employment to more than 1000 locals.

## Blog surf on treks.html

[Blog Surf-On treks - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/blog-surf-on-treks.html): This important energy building skill is great training for high altitude trekking. It’s very important for high altitude training to practice energy absorption, lung cell stimulation, cleansing breath and deep breathing. 
Walk with your head up, chin drawn in slightly, shoulders back and take measured steps. Inhale a complete breath through your nose, counting (in your head), making the inhalation extend over the eight counts. Exhale slowly through the nostrils, counting as before. Always do the same number of steps breathing in as breathing out. Then repeat and try increasing the length of inhalation and exhalation counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, one count to a step breathing normally. Repeat as long as you choose. Eventually there is no need to stop the practice on a thirty to forty minute walk. In the 
Himalayas, you may need to modify this practice because there is less oxygen in each breath. It might be counting 1,2 for inhale and 1,2 for exhale. — walkinspired.com

## Nepalese food festival held in sri lanka.html

[Nepalese Food Festival Held In Sri Lanka - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepalese-food-festival-held-in-sri-lanka.html): The Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, in association with Nepal Tourism Board, organized a “Nepalese Food Promotion” festival at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo from 02 to 12 July 2009. This is the first-of-its-kind program organized to promote Nepal in Sri Lanka. 

The 11-day fete was attended by over 1000 guests, including nearly 200 special guests of the Embassy drawn from among leaders of business community, tourism professionals, social and political personalities and senior government officials of Sri Lanka as well as ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior diplomats based in Colombo. 

Hon. Hussain Bhaila, Deputy Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka; Dr. A T Ariyaratne, Founder President of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement; Mr. Nihal Rodrigo, former Secretary General of SAARC, and many other eminent friends of Nepal in Sri Lanka attended the event as distinguished guests. 

Welcoming the prominent guests on various days of the fete, His Excellency Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, shed light on various aspects of food habits and food items as well as music and crafts of Nepal, and expressed the confidence that the event would help bring Sri Lankan people closer to Nepal, and fuel their interest to visit Nepal several times in future. 

Chefs Yuba Raj Pokhrel and Shyam Krishna Nagarkoti of Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu, entertained the guests with a wide range of authentic Nepali cuisine for dinner from 7.00 PM to 11.00 PM everyday during the period. The Chefs were nominated and supported for the purpose by the Hotel Association Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board respectively.

The guests were also entertained with Nepali folk songs and music by a group of artistes led by popular singer Bom Bahadur Karki of Radio Nepal, at the invitation of the Embassy. The team’s musicians Krishna Bahadur Gandharba (Sarangi), Chitra Kumar Magar (Bansuri) and Udi Ram Khadka (Madal) added a distinct Nepali tone to the event and remained a good part of attraction throughout.

A continuous multimedia presentation on Nepal and a permanent display of the ‘Nepal Tourism Year 2011’ banner and other promotional materials supplied by Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Trade and Export Promotion Centre, enhanced the festival.

## Lawmakers against renewing lease of resorts in cnp.html

[Lawmakers against renewing lease of resorts in CNP - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/lawmakers-against-renewing-lease-of-resorts-in-cnp.html): Constituent Assembly members have strongly objected to the practice of granting lease contract to operate resorts inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) without inviting tender. 

“What is the reason behind the practice of awarding contract without open competition?” questioned lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari. He also demanded with the government to recover the dues that the resorts owe to the government at the earliest. 

The Public Accounts Committee of the legislature-parliament had summoned Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Deepak Bohora and secretary Uday Raj Sharma to seek clarification in disputes surrounding the closure of jungle resorts.

The resorts owe Rs 19.2 million as revenue and conservation charges to the government. 

Secretary Sharma said extending lease contract without bidding is against the existing National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1972, its regulation 1973 and Buffer Zone Act 1998. 

The CNP administration directed the resorts to cease their operation after their lease contract expired on July 15.

## Interaction on nepal tourism year campaign.html

[Interaction on Nepal Tourism Year campaign - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/interaction-on-nepal-tourism-year-campaign.html): Nepal Tourism Board on July 22 organised an interaction to discuss various issues relating to tourism industry and the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign. 

The interaction saw the participation of tourism minister, secretary and chiefs of travel trade associations among others. 

During the interaction, representatives from the privates sector apprised the government of the difficulties faced by them in making the tourism campaign a success. 

"Instead of focusing on trivial issues, we should seek the holistic approach to promote and develop tourism. Issues of developing and promoting main tourism products including attraction resources based in Tarai area should be given due priority as the sector has immense potential to attract tourists from far and wide", Minister Bhandari said. 

Also speaking on the occasion were Jyoti Adhikari, president-TAAN, Ram Kaji Koney, president-NATTA, Basanta Mishra, president-NATO, Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey, president-HAN and other tourism entrepreneurs. 

They requested the government to create a conducive atmosphere for tourism business and encourage the private sector to play a leading role for the success of the campaign.

## Tourism minister for holistic approach.html

[Tourism minister for holistic approach - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/tourism-minister-for-holistic-approach.html): KATHMANDU: Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari today stressed on a private sector-led mechanism for tourism development in the country. Speaking at an interaction here, he said the emphasis of the budget was on accessibility and marketing of tourism products of the country. “Instead of focusing on trivial issues, we should adopt a holistic approach to promote and develop tourism. Issues of developing and promoting main tourism products including attracting resources based in the Tarai area should be given due priority as the sector has immense potential to attract tourists from far and wide.” 

During the interaction organised at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), tourism entrepreneurs also discussed the various issues relating to the tourism industry and Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011. They spoke of the difficulties faced by the private sector and the role of private sector in making NTY 2011 a success.

Talking about attracting tourists, Bhandari said tourism promoting endeavours should focus on neighbouring markets like India and China. He stressed the need for working together in favour of NTY 2011 campaign.  On the occasion, During the interaction programme Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) Ram Kaji Koney, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) president Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) president Jyoti Adhikari, Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) president Basanta Mishra and other tourism entrepreneurs expressed their views about NTY 2011 and stressed on the need to provide a working atmosphere for the private sector in order to allow it to play a leading role in promoting tourism in the country and NTY 2011. 

Dragonair to add flights

HONG KONG: Dragonair on Thursday announced that it is frequency increasing flights between Hong Kong and kathmandu to five times a week from the existing thrice-weekly. The new arrangement that will be effcetive to Dhaka and Kathmandu will start from October 1. The night flight to Kathmandu from Hong Kong and the return same midnight flight from Kathmandu will both operate via Dhaka, said Dragonair. The flights will be operated using an A330 aircraft which offers greater capacity for both passengers and cargo. “We are happy to announce increased frequency of our flights to Kathmandu, which will mean better service quality for passengers travelling to and from Nepal,” said Dragonair CEO Kenny Tang. “Increased capacity will help meet NTB’s target of one million tourists in 2011. It will also help increase the number of tours to Nepal via Hong Kong using the extensive worldwide network offered by Dragonair and sister airline Cathay Pacific.” — HNS

## Airlines to collect overhead on tickets.html

[Airlines to collect overhead on tickets - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/airlines-to-collect-overhead-on-tickets.html): KATHMANDU: The government has made arrangements for Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to reach an agreement with airlines companies for collecting the Rs 1000 per passenger on the air ticket itself, that has become effective from July 16. 

According to NTB corporate director Hikmat Singh Ayer, the charge will now be included in the air ticket itself. “Now we can make the arrangement through Nepal Tourism Board’s regulation,” said Ayer. 

He added that NTB was now free of the hassle of waiting for the economic bill every year. “We have taken charge as our source of income will be utilized in implementation of programmes,” he added. 

The budget 2009-10 stated that the provision of Tourism Service Fee collected by NTB would be dropped from July 16. “Tourism tax on the air ticket will not affect tourists as the amount will vary between Rs 500 to Rs1000,” Ayer said. 

He, however, added that it was still not clear whether Nepali citizens would have to pay the tourism tax or not.  Ayer said that this aspect has not been made clear in the budget statement and that NTB is holding discussions over that. 

The budget has also touched on the preparations for Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011.  Preparations will be made to observe NTY 2011 with the aim of bringing 10,00,000 tourists into Nepal with the slogan of “Nepali Temperament, Welcome and Hospitality to Guests”. 

Under this programme, a package will be developed to attract tourists in partnership with successful organizations and institutions of the tourism sector along with dissemination of information and publicity. An interaction with all climbers of Mt Everest will be conducted in the coming fiscal year.  Nepal will be developed as an attractive venue of international and regional conventions’ centre.

HAN plea to government

KATHMANDU: Though the budget has addressed the tourism sector as a national Industry the sector still lacks the facility as per industries, read a Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) release on Friday. HAN urged the government to refund the three per cent VAT amount on non VAT items like agricultural products and added that the tourism industry should be granted free visa for at least two years in order to promote Nepali tourism abroad. HAN also asked that electricity charge be allocated separately for the hotel sector and that discount in foreign currency be allowed. —HNS

## Taan concerned at resorts closure.html

[TAAN concerned at resorts closure - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/taan-concerned-at-resorts-closure.html): Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal’s (TAAN) on June 29 said that its attention had been seriously drawn to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation’s (DNPWC) decision to close seven jungle resorts operating inside Chitwan National Park from July 15.

“TAAN feels that the concerned government offices kept hundreds of tourism professionals in dark by not informing industry people about the terms and conditions of the lease agreement on time,” TAAN said in a statement. 

TAAN also urged the government to address the demands of hundreds of tourism professionals – ignoring the demands of a handful of people close to power centers – and close the resorts forever. 

“At a time when our protected areas are becoming the example of conservation in global arena, we urge the government not to take any decision that puts our protected areas in peril,” the release stated.

## Nepal tibet destination tourism promotion.html

[Nepal-Tibet destination tourism promotion - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tibet-destination-tourism-promotion.html): KATHMANDU: Dr Wang from Tibet Tourism Administration highlighted the possibilities of extending the visit of Chinese tourists to Nepal, who come to Tibet, by providing adequate information to tour operators based in major tourist generating areas of China. 

Addressing the Tourism Promotion Interaction Programme organised by the Consulate General of Nepal in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Tibet Tourism Administration (TTA), he said said Lhasa could be a hub for Chinese tourists to come to Nepal if sufficient air transportation facilities are created with easy frontier formalities. 

Dr Wang said TTA is very hoping to work together with Nepalese authorities and Nepal Tourism Board to promote tourism in Nepal and Tibet. He also voiced the need for regular exchange trips between authorities of the two countries to explore and implement tourism promotion. 

In his address in the opening session, NTB CEO Prachanda Man Shrestha recalled his visit to Tibet during 1985 and 1994 in the context of tourism development and expressed great satisfaction at witnessing the development of tourism infrastructure and quality of facilities for tourism in Tibe. He said there was a need to work together to match the changed global dimensions of tourism. He added that Nepal and Tibet have been able to draw the attention of global tourist generating market as a combined destination.

Shrestha said this was the right time to work together to develop combined tour packages for Nepal and Tibet for Chinese and tourists from other countries. Along with combined tour packages, joint publicity promotion for wider information dissemination, improvement of air and surface transport for convenient accessibility and facilitative policy coordination should be instituted.

He proposed to have three tier cooperation in tourism: first, mechanism established between bilateral government authorities to be activated for broader discussion and policy coordination; second, memorandum of understanding to be established between promotional agencies to disseminate flow of regular information, and third, establishing closer business-to-business ties between tour operators and handling agencies.

The programme — organised in Lhasa — was attended by airline representative from Air Chinam who announced his company’s full support to tourism and mentioned increasing flight frequency between Lhasa and Kathmandu.

The programme was organised to inform Tibetan tourism authorities, travel operators, airlines and media about Nepali tourism and promote Nepal-Tibet destination among international tourists to make Nepal Tourism Year-2011 a success. More than forty representatives from travel trade of Tibet, Air China, China Southern Airlines and Lhasa based media attended.

Welcoming the guests, Consul General Nagindra Upadhyay from Consulate General of Nepal at Lhasa expressed his gratitude to authorities of Tibet Tourism Administration, Nepal Tourism Board, and Foreign Affaires Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region of the PR China for their support in organising this meeting for the first time to promote tourism between two countries.

He mentioned the tremendous potential of getting benefit from tourism promotion of Nepal and Tibet as it has unique elements of attraction not only for Chinese tourists but international tourists also.

## Nepal tourism year 2011 promoted.html

[Nepal Tourism Year 2011 promoted - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/nepal-tourism-year-2011-promoted.html): KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with five private travel trade companies and the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation participated in the ATM- 2009 held in Dubai, UAE, from May 5-8, 2009, says a release from Nepal Tourism Board. Considering the increased air accessibility to the Middle East region Nepalese tourism industry gave the continuity to the Arabian Travel Market participation for the third time to keep tapping the expatriates as well as the Emirate travelers’ market for Nepal from the UAE countries.

This year the special focus was to create awareness for Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, inaugurated the ATM on May 5, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Arabian Travel Market 2009 boasted more than 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from 69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives, as well as nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents. Organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, ALUMINIUM Dubai featured 166 travel trade participants from 24 countries and kept the steady flow of buyers to ATM 2009 for three continuous days. The last day was exclusively for consumers and careers, and brought the mix nationality individual travelers to ATM 2009 to look for various holiday options.

## High powered body for tourism development.html

[High powered body for tourism development - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/high-powered-body-for-tourism-development.html): KATHMANDU: Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarad Singh Bhandari, speaking at an interaction in Pokhara, stressed on the need of high powered body-Pokhara Tourism Development Authority, which will take ownership of all tourism products of the region and promote them in domestic as well as international markets. “Such authority will formulate master plan and seek participation of all stakeholders till grass-root level in implementing it,” he said addressing the interaction on ‘Development of tourism in and around Pokhara’ that was organised on Friday at the premises of Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) Regional Office Pokhara.

Participants in the interaction also requested the Minister to expedite the process of construction of the regional airport in Chinndanda, Pokhara and up-gradation of existing airport for the connectivity from major tourist places of Nepal and India in the onset of Nepal Tourism Year 2011. “Coordinated and collective efforts of all the stakeholders are a must for the development of tourism in the region,” Bhandari added.

Representatives of tourism related associations and bodies participating in the interaction programme appraised Minister about various problems faced by the region in tourism promotion. Establishment of Regional Standard Airport in Pokhara, encroachment of the Fewa Lake, promotion of new tourism products, extension of greater Pokhara were the major issues raised during the interaction. 

Presentations were made by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Pokhara Tourism Council and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in relation to promoting tourism in and around Pokhara. Baikuntha Prasad Acharya, In-charge of NTB Regional Office Pokhara welcomed all the participants for their active participation in the interaction. Representatives of Syangja Tourism Development Committee, Tanahun Tourism Development Committee, Machhapuchre Development Organisation, Mattikhan Development Committee, Sahara Youth Club, Lekhnath Hotel and Restaurant Association, Paschimanchal Hotel Association Pokhara (PHAP), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Nepal Air Sports Association, member of Constituent Assembly and members of Political Parties taking part in discussion raised various issues pertinent in tourism development of the region. Ram Chandra Man Singh, secretary at the Ministry of Tour-ism and Civil Aviation than-ked participants for their ti-me and valuable feedbacks.

## Minister for allowing hotels resorts to operate in cnp.html

[Minister for allowing hotels, resorts to operate in CNP - Sports Tour and Travel](https://www.sportsnepaltour.com/minister-for-allowing-hotels-resorts-to-operate-in-cnp.html): KATHMANDU: Members of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today suggested that the five hotels and resorts inside the World Heritage site of Chitwan National Park (CNP) should be relocated elsewhere as their contract period already expired in mid-July. 

The five hotels and resorts inside the CNP and two others in the adjacent areas are yet to clear outstanding fines amounting to Rs 19.2 million to the government. 

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Dipak Bohara, and secretary at the ministry Dr Udayaraj Sharma were invited at the meeting for discussions on the same today. Minister Bohara said that the hotels would let run their business as the closure might take toll on tourism industry. 

The hotels and resorts have been shut down since July 15.

According to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 BS, and related regulations, any kind of services to be provided inside a park or a reserve needs to be selected through a competitive bidding.  But these hotels were given permission to operate inside the CNP in 1993 without following any bidding process. After their 15-year contract expired in mid-July, the MoFSC asked the hotel operators to shut them down. A review report prepared by a six-member team led by Madhav Prasad Acharya, chief, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, MoFSC, last year had recommended relocation of the hotels from inside the CNP. The team also found that the hotels inside the CNP had caused negative impact on biodiversity and wildlife habitat. It recommended only the tent camps to be suitable inside the park.

Mahendra Dwoj G C, a NC lawmaker from Nawalparasi constituency-2 — the district bordering the CNP — observed that there had been serious negative impacts on the biodiversity and wildlife habitat due to the presence and activities of people in the hotels. “Poaching of the one-horned rhinos is on the rise and no mastermind has been booked,” he said. 

Other lawmakers — Rabindra Adhikari, Keshav Nepal, Bishwo Bhakta Dulal “Ahuti,” Narayani Ghimire, Sunita Sah, Anil Kumar Jha and Dip Kumar Upadhyaya — also echoed similar views. They insisted that it was not appropriate to renew the contract just for revenues.

“There won’t be any negative impact in the revenue collection even if they are relocated outside of the CNP. Most of the other hotels outside the park are also doing a fairly good business,” said G C. Minister Bohara, however, argued that the hotels inside the CNP would not pose any threat to the biodiversity and habitat of the wildlife. 

He said around 15 tourism associations had also called for allowing the hotels to continue their businesses as the Visit Year Nepal 2011 was approaching. “If the hotels are asked to close their shutters, there will be negative impact on tourism industry,” he said.

“The hotels and resorts inside the CNP are renowned in Asia for jungle safari,” Bohara said.  Bohara had proposed to renew the contract of those hotels at a recent Cabinet meeting. Subsequently, the Cabinet formed a team, led by the Finance Minister Surendra Pandey to look into the issue.  GC claimed that the people living close to the buffer zone were also in favour of relocating those hotels outside the park. 

Outstanding tax

Hotels/Lodge/Resort Dues of fine to Govt (Rs.)
• Tiger Tops 3,311,084
• Chitwan Jungle Lodge 467,754
• Gaida wildlife (outside CNP) 8,593,215
• Machan wildlife 5,640,443
• Temple Tiger 213,308
• Narayani Safari (Outside CNP) 360,003
• Island Jungle Resort 642,267
Total 19,228,077

‘We didn’t pay as we’re exempted from tax’

Kathmandu: Bharat Basnet, owner of Rhino Wildlife Camp, who is among the hotel proprietors not paying the tax, said, “We have got the exemption from the government as a war affected industry so we don’t have any obligation to pay the amount.” However, the government has not decided to give the exemption of the tax to hotels. After the suggestion of the Khatiwada Commission in 2004, necessary processes were initiated to this effect but the government decided not to provide the exemption in 2008. The General Manager of Tiger Tops, Yadav Bantawa says, “There was a dealing about exemption of the fine with the authorities while paying the conservation and general tax, so we left to pay the fine. If they decide then we are ready to pay the fine too.” 

According to him, the matter is not of paying and the hotels were not closed because of delay in payment but due to expiry of the contract. “The government presented us as a fraud which is really not justifiable,” said Bantawa claiming that he had cleared all the tax. “All hotels should not be portrayed as such just due to a few hotels who are denying paying.” — HNS