NEWSFLASH - February 2009
British pilots dominate National Open Paragliding Championship
February 28th: In the recently concluded 10th National Open Paragliding Championship held in Pokhara , British paraglider Jami Messenger won the Open Class Championship in the male category while Isabella Reibling of Germany emerged as the female winner. In the competition among the DHV-1-2 graded pilots, Graham Saunders Griffith of the United Kingdom finished first. Another Britisher Phil Gefferies won the event of DHV-1 graded pilots. The title of best spot landing was bagged by Binod Bomjan of Nepal.
The event was held from February 19th to 21st 2009 .
Mountaineers from Nepal and Bangladesh plan joint Himalayan Expedition
February 28th: Mountaineers from Nepal and Bangladesh are planning a joint expedition to a Himalayan peak that would eventually be named Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Peak.
Narayanhiti Palace inaugurated as Museum
February 26th: The Narayanhiti Palace has been opened as a museum from today, nine months after the abolition of monarchy. The museum was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahl. Ministers, foreign delegates, lawmakers, government officers and other senior citizens attended the inauguration function.
Nepal at BIT, Italy
February 26th:A delegation of Nepali tourism entrepreneurs participated in the BIT Tourism Fair (February 19-22) in Italy. Jointly coordinated by Nepal Tourism Board and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal, the fair saw the participation of some six Nepali adventure outfitters. The fair was visited by more than 1.5 lakh people, including representatives of media and tour operators.
KMC increases entry fee for Kathmandu Durbar Square
February 25th: Kathmandu Metropolitan City has hiked the entry free for foreign visitors to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the new fee structure, that comes into effect from February 26, visitors from the SAARC countries are required to pay Rs 100 per person. The entry fee for foreign visitors (except SAARC countries) has been hiked from Rs 200 to Rs 300 per person.
Bahrain Air set to launch flights in Nepal
February 24th: Bahrain Air, a private carrier of Bahrain, will launch flights to Nepal from 3rd March 2009. The airline will fly to Nepal three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The airline will operate Airbus A319, with 12 premium class and 150 economy class seats, for the Nepal sector.Bahrain Air is the fifth international airlines – after Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Ettihad – from the Middle East to launch its Nepal flights.Bahrain Air is the fifth international airlines – after Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Ettihad – from the Middle East to launch its Nepal flights.
Presentation on Rescue Operations using Helicopters
February 19th: Himalayan Rescue Association on February 16 organised a programme on the use of helicopter to conduct rescue operations in mountains.
Renny Jackson, co-coordinator of rescue team of Grand Teton National Park of the USA, made a special presentation on the use of helicopter to conduct rescue operations in mountains.According to him lives of mountaineers can be rescued by the effective use of helicopters and added that they are very important for mountainous countries like Nepal to assure safety and security of mountaineers. HRA president Bikram Neupane and founding president Tek Chandra Pokharel also spoke on the occasion.
Nepal - Pakistan sign agreement to promote tourism
February 18th: Nepal and Pakistan has signed an agreement on bilateral tourism cooperation.Nepali ambassador to Pakistan, Bala Bahadur Kunwar and Pakistan’s tourism secretary, Ali Arif on behalf of their respective countries signed the accord. The agreement is expected to open doors for mutual cooperation in the fields of tourism and archaeology, contacts and exchanges between tourism organizations, and travel and tour operators; and production of tourism-related visuals and joint investment.
NATTA delegation meet President Ram Baran Yadav
February 18th: Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) seven member delegation met President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter's office in Shital Niwas on Monday. They informed him the president about the 43rd UFTAA world congress to be held in Kathmandu this November. The President was also requested to initiate dialogue with the Indian government to include Nepal as an extended travel destination for the Indian government employees.
Tourism in Tibet shows positive growth
February 17th: Figures released by the Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region show a marked rise in tourist arrivals to Tibet. Tibet saw a 2.2 percent growth in the number of tourists arrivals during this Chinese Lunar New Year holiday over last year .Tourism officials and entrepreneurs expect more tourists in Tibet to celebrate the week-long festivities to mark the Tibetan New Year on Feb 25.
3 Nepalese Brothers plan 24 hours atop Everest
February 17th: According to BBC South Asia, three Nepalese brothers are planning to break a world record by staying on top of Mount Everest for 24 hours. Pemba Dorje Sherpa , and his two younger brothers Nima Gyalzen and Phurba Tenzing, who are from Rolwaling, intend to use their stay on the summit to pray for peace in Nepal and the world. Pemba, Nima and Phurba have made 16 ascents between them and Pemba is already in the record books having made the summit from base camp in a still-unbeaten eight hours, 10 minutes in May 2004.
The current record for staying on top is 20 hours and this was set by the late Babu Chiri Sherpa.
New Dates for 10th National Open Paragliding Championship
February 16th: New dates has been announced for holding the 10th National Open Paragliding Championship in Pokhara. The championship which was scheduled for January has been postponed and will be held from February 19th to 21st in Pokhara. According to the organisers, the event has been postponed owing to some technical problems .
Nepal participates at TTF & OTM New Delhi
February 16th: Nepal Tourism Board along with Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and three travel trade companies participated in 70th Travel and Tourism Fair & Outbound Travel Mart (TTF & OTM) at Ashok Hotel in New Delhi from 12th-14th February 2009. Major queries during the Fair were regarding having Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) own office in New Delhi.Visitors also inquired about soft adventure and religious tours in Nepal.
Air Kasthamandap Pvt. Ltd to launch Air Taxis
February 15th: Air Kasthamandap Pvt. Ltd is preparing to launch a fleet of Pilatus Porter for air taxi and charter flights within two months .According to a press statement issued by the company, it planned to bring air taxies and Pilatus Porter as such single-engine aircraft are the most suitable for Nepalese terrain. Air Kasthamandap's target is o provide an affordable service. Since the operating cost of the aircraft is much lower than those of twin otters and Dornier,the airline stated that the fares will also be much lower .The airline will have Nepalgunj as its base.
Narayanhiti Museum to be opened for public from 26th Feb 2009
February 13th:. Narayanhiti Palace, the royal seat of the ousted Shah monarch, now renamed Narayanhiti Museum will be opened for public observation from February 26, 2009.The residential area of the royal family, public meeting place and Tribhuvan Sadan is expetced to be the main areas of attraction. Hitler's gift to Tribhuvan, a Daimler Benz car will also be kept for observation. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is expected to inaugurate the museum.
Nepal at TTF & OTM, Mumbai
February 12th: Nepal Tourism Board along with national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and four travel trade companies participated in the 69th Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) & Outbound Travel Mart (TTF & OTM) from 7th-9th February 2009 at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra- Kurla Complex in Mumbai. TTF & OTM Mumbai had over 500 participants from 26 countries and from all over India. During the fair Nepal particularly highlighted the upcoming soft adventure options such as paragliding and ultralite flights, rafting and alsopilgrimage packages like the Mt. Kailash Mansaorovar packages along with Muktinath and Damodar Kund yatra.
Chinese envoy asks Nepal to upgrade tourism infrastructure
February 11th: Speaking at an interaction programme on 10th February, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Qui Guohang remarked that Nepal needs to upgrade its tourism infrastructure in order to substantially increase the number of Chinese tourists to the country.The interaction programme was organized by Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the capital on Possibilities for Tourism promotion between Nepal and China. Minister(MoTCA) Hisila Yami, who was chief guest of the programme, said that the government is serious towards exploiting the tourism potential between Nepal and China.
Etihad’s ‘Inspired Service’ campaign
February 10th: Starting February 9, 2009 Etihad Airways is offering special deals for its customers under its new Inspired Service campaign.Under Etihad's Inspired Service, the guest will enjoy the service of Diamond First Class for the price of Pearl Business Class and the service of Pearl Business Class for the price of the Coral Economy Class, a press release issued by the airlines stated. To avail the special services customers need to book their tickets within 9 to 28 February 2009 but the outbound travel period is extended till 31 March 2009 while the travel can be completed by 31 May 2009.
NTB’s ‘SEND HOME A FRIEND’ campaign to continue
February 9th: In order to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success NTB has decided to continue with the ‘Send Home a Friend – Nepal for all seasons’ campaign for two more years. ‘Send Home a Friend’ campaign was internationally launched in London, UK, on Nov. 17, 2007, by the Government of Nepal to forge partnership with the NRNs in different parts of the world and to get their support in promoting Nepal's tourism. The campaign was actively promoted in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board and the Non Resident Nepalis' Association
TAAN & NATHM Organize Trekking Guide Training
February 3rd: A month-long trekking guide training organized by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) began today at NATHM. A total of 512 participants, including six women, are taking part in the training. The training is being conducted to produce skilled manpower in the trekking sector.
Visas for Tourist from Pokhara - Tourism Entrepreneurs' Demand
February 1st: Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have asked the government to issue visas for tourists from Pokhara . The tourism entrepreneurs put forth their demand to MoTCA minister Hisila Yami on Saturday, 31st January 2009.
