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Visitor Arrivals by air continues to grow
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan
International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the
month of August 2009, compared to the same month last year, have
increased by 5% to 27,676.
In August this year, there has been a robust growth of 87% in
tourist arrivals from China. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan,
Singapore, South Korea and Thailand have also increased by 27%,
44%, 21% and 9% respectively. The Asian markets to decline in
this month were Malaysia (13%) and Chinese Taipei (21%). In
aggregate the Asian segment has registered a positive growth of
26%.
In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan have
witnessed positive growth of 23% and 22% respectively. However
the arrivals from India have decreased by 10% compared to the
same month last year. Sri Lanka also witnessed a negative growth
of 1% this month.
An overall positive growth of 11% has been observed from the
European markets with arrivals from France up by 9% , Germany by
34%, The Netherlands by 20%, Spain by 9% and Denmark by 50%. The
only market to decline in this month was the UK by 24%.
Tourist arrivals from New Zealand and Canada have also
registered robust growth of 22% and 88% respectively. The
arrivals from United States of America remained stable whereas
the Australian market declined by 4 % compared to the same month
last year.
This is the third consecutive month Nepal has witnessed positive
growth in the international tourist arrivals. Recovery in the
arrivals to Nepal in the beginning of second half of 2009 is in
line with the marginal improvement observed in some of the
economies. Moreover, it also reflects the rebounding confidence
of the international tour operators and the resilient nature of
tourism economy.
A total of 33,685 foreign tourists departed from TIA in August
2009 up by 20% compared to the same month last year. The number
of Nepalese arrivals stood at 46,852 while 51,653 Nepalese
departed from TIA in August 2009.
Meeting of Nepal Tourism Year Main Organsing
Committee held
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 through series of
meeting and discussion after the first meeting on January 18,
2009 and the publicity received till date.
The Secretaries of Government of Nepal giving suggestions
committed to work in the areas concerned to their ministries for
making NTY a success. Similarly private sector participants also
gave suggestions towards areas to be improved in tourism sector.
After the discussion it was decided by the Main Organizing
Committee that to make NTY a success as a campaign wider
participation in the Main Organizing Committee should be sought,
execution of programs should be done through high-level
empowered working committee under the Main Organizing Committee,
and more than 25 jobs that need to be carried on by the
different ministries and the government offices should be
executed with the support of the Tourism Council.
The meeting of the Main Organizing Committee was participated by
58 persons including Hon'ble Member of National Planning
Commission-Dr. Pushkar Bajracharya, Secretaries of different
ministries, representatives of the government agencies, Heads of
tourism associations and officials of Ministry of Tourism &
Civil Aviation.
NTB Notice for Int'l Travel Trade Fair
Participation
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are
encouraged to apply and participate. Application form for
participation is available with Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms
can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our website)
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit,
Corporate Services Department, NTB, along with full
participation fees and necessary documents before the deadline.
Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served
basis.
* Rs 1,650,000 is for individual table. Cost for staying in
common area will be Rs.79,000 (max. four first time
participating companies and other conditions apply)
Note: Travel, hotel and visa arrangements will have to be made
by the participants themselves.
Interaction program on NTY 2011 held
An interaction program was organized on July 22, 2009 at Nepal
Tourism Board to discuss various issues relating tourism
industry and Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011. Participated by the
President of almost all tourism related associations, the
program was organized in the presence of Hon'ble Minister for
Tourism & Civil Aviation Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari.
President of the tourism associations appraised the Minister
Bhandari the difficulties faced by the private sector and the
role of private sector in making NTY 2011 a success. Minister
Bhandari speaking in the program stressed in the private sector
led mechanism for tourism development in the country. He further
said the priority of the budget is focused on accessibility and
marketing of the tourism products of the country. "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 Terai area should be given due priority as the sector
has immense potential to attract tourists from far and wide", he
said on the occasion. Minister Bhandari said overnight change in
tourism sector is not possible, so effective plans should be
formulated to mitigate present challenge in tourism.
Talking about attracting tourist, Minister Bhandari said our
tourism promoting endeavors should be focused on our neighboring
markets-India and China. He explained the need to work together
in favor of NTY 2011 campaign in the changed context. During the
interaction program Mr. Ram Kaji Koney-President of Nepal
Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA), Mr. Prasiddha
Bahadur Pandey- President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Mr.
Jyoti Adhikari- President of Trekking Agents Association of
Nepal (TAAN), Mr. Basanta Mishra- President of Nepal Association
of Tour Operators (NATO) and other tourism entrepreneurs
expressed their views about NTY 2011 and stressed on the need to
provide working atmosphere for the private sector to play a lead
role in promoting tourism in the country and NTY 2011. Amidst
the function CEO of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha deliberated
meticulously about the ongoing and prospective elements of
tourism promotion and its present status.
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