NEPAL TOURISM NEWS VIEWS & INFO – DEC 2021
HIGHLIGHTS OF NOV 2021 ISSUE
Editorial Tourism Kick started in Nepal!
The first kick just produced splutter. This comment is shared widely by tourism entrepreneurs. It needed more kicks in the months to come to actually start.
- Highlights: # Tourist arrival in October 2021 # Asian destinations are opening for tourism # Status of Corona infection # Expected slow growth in tourism # Dampened expectation and kindled hope
Now the stake is very high. Post covid-19 condition requires different strategy. Year 2023 would be best time to begin this national campaign.
“Nothing is forever except change” Gautam Buddha (born 563 B.C)
Tourism: Tourist Arrival in Oct 2021
After the first lockdown in March 2020, total tourist arrival in October 2021 reached 23,284 (Nepal Tourism board). In 10 months starting from January till October total tourist arrivals by air had reached
100,148. In October 2019 total tourists arrival was 134,096; total annual arrival was 1,197,191. Nepalese government opened the country with minimum restrictions in August 2021 for the first time after 17 months of restrictions due to the pandemic. October is the peak tourist season in Nepal. The weather is good for trekking, sightseeing and various tourism activities. Last year in October 2020, tourism recorded only 2,025 visitors’ arrival. Compared to this October 2021 figures is a big leap forward.
Tourism Israel Government is in process to hire Nepal Airline to take labourers to Israel
Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Henan Godar is working out a deal with Nepal Airlines to take Nepalese labourers to Israel from the coming weeks. He plans to take about 1000 Nepalese in two weeks. The press release said Mt. Goddar met Minister of Tourism Prem Bahadur Ale to discuss this matter. The Israel Ambassador has expressed his country’s interest to operate direct air service to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairawa. It is expected to operate in 2022. Once it is in operation it will be second international airport in Nepal. The airport has 3,000-metre-long and 45-metre-
Airline: Tourist airfare is reduced
Buddha Air on their 24th anniversary has announced to reduce tourist airfare almost to the existing fare on the trunk sector from January 2022. It is the only airline that has responded to complaints about the excessive charge airlines were making on tourist airfare. Buddha Air has announced their plan to operate schedule flights from 2023 to remote mountain airports. They plan to make hubs at Manthali of Ramechap for eastern region, Pokhara for western region and Nepaljung for far western region. It has a plan to buy 4 Twin Ottar aircrafts in the beginning and add more planes later to service these remote mountain airports.
Climbing: Accident in Mera Peak in October 2021
A freak storm on Tuesday 18 the October caused havoc in the mountain. In the snow storm four climbers, one British and three Nepalese on Mera peak (6476 m), located in the eastern edge of Khumbu, got lost. A rescue team immediately went there and reported three climbers were rescued but one was missing. The rescued climbers were in bad shape.
Climbing First Nepali women to Summit Mt. Dhaulagiri
It is the first time two Nepalese and two Indian women summited Mt. Dhaulagiri in autumn 2021 climbing season. Pasang Lhamu and Purnima Shrestha become first Nepali women to scale Mt Dhaulagiri (8167m/ 26,795 ft). Baljeet Kaur and Piyali Basak are two Indian nationals to have scaled Dhaulagiri – I. They were the first Indian women on the summit of world’s seventh highest mountain.
Trekking Travel Requirements to enter Khumbu (Everest region)
Before the start of autumn tourist season Khumbu village administration, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, published a notice informing all trekkers arriving Lukla by flights that they must produced fully vaccinated certificate against Covid-19 infection. Minimum requirement is negative PCR report to enter into Khumbu. Those travelling on foot will be tested with antigen test at Kharikhola and Chaurikharka community health centers. The village administration claimed that 98 percent of the residents in Khumbu, above 18 years of age, are fully vaccinated.
Airline Sri Lanka to Help Nepal in its Tourism
Earlier Sri Lanka and Nepal signed a deal to operate commercial flights between the two developing countries. Due to several reasons Himal to Sea flight initiated three decades ago by Nepal Airlines with Boeing 727 flight Kathmandu-Colombo-Male was not fruitful. Now her Excellency is eager to see air link as key to establish business and cultural network between the two countries. As part of mutual cooperation and strengthening age old cultural ties between the two countries, one at the top and another at the bottom of the South Asian continent,
Airline Indonesian Garuda Airlines Plan to fly to Kathmandu
Indonesian Government has shown interest to initiate direct flight by their national flag carrier to Nepal. Ministry of Tourism is doing its home work to find possibility in areas two countries can mutually benefit specially in tourism. The airlines have direct flights to Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. London is the second gateway of the airline in Europe; its first gateway is Amsterdam.
Airline Nepal Airlines has spread its reach to key International destinations
NA made Interline agreements with Thai Airways, Etihat, Kuwait Airways and Nippon Airways to connect its end points to Europe, Australia, Japan South Korea and further on to Middle East Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) in its statement announced that the national flag carrier has made bilateral agreement with several international airlines to sell air tickets that connects to several international destinations. Destination includes Sydney (Australia), Seoul (South Korea), Kuwait, Bahrain, Europe and various Asian cities. The airline is perusing to have similar arrangement to connect cities in USA. Inter airlines arrangement allows Nepal Airlines to expand its reach where they have not been able to do..
Destination Bandipur – 3 days tour
Bandipur is 145 km/4 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Original inhabitants of Bandipur (1030m) are from Magar ethnic group. Later in middle of 19th century Newar from Bhaktapur settled in this picturesque hill top settlement for trading. The settlements are now a neat city that has retained its traditional Newar culture outside Kathmandu valley. Its location in between Kathmandu and Pokhara is a perfect break to stay and explore the city and experience its hill culture, mountain view and surrounding hills for easy and short hikes though Magar villages. It is known for temples, scared caves, and lively festivals.
Destination Tsum Valley Trek – 19 days
Posted by Adarsh Yonghang Limbu in his FB Oct 11, 2021 at 4.24 pm.“Tsum valley beats all the odds of nature, there is a sense of strange feeling when you enter the valley. It is believed that Saint Milereppa mediated there in the caves, now there are around 42 nunnery around the valley. Best is done camping way or no way Thank you Aart Last Sir for this beautiful pictures Enjoy”
Destination Mustang Overland Tour – 11 days
The land and people of Mustang that mesmerized famous Swiss geologist Tony Hagen, Giuseppe Tucci, an Italian scholar and a French adventurer Michael Peissei when they travelled this enigmatic land in between 1952 to 1962 still have the same charm. Little has changed since then until the trade road was opened from the northern border to link the road at Jomsom.
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Featured News Nepal Airline Corporation
Troubled National Flag Carrier: National flag carrier established in 1958 has been in deep red ever since it was mired in commission scandal three decades ago. It was a leading airline in South and South East Asia. With its fleet of eight Twin Otters, Three Boeing 727S and two state of the art Boeing 757 it had served 38 domestic and 10 international destinations. Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei were the only airlines that flew Boeing 757-200 at that time. It has become lamduck because of its organization failure to address its employee long standing grievance. Recent restructuring plan to. Nepal Airline Market Share Increased
Economy Tourism slowdown effect foreign exchange reserve
Nepal Rastra Bank (RB), Nepal Central Bank, flagged country’s foreign currency reserves when it reached a level enough to fund imports for 10 months. RB said there has been a sharp drop of about Rs100 billion. In middle of July of Fiscal Year 2020-21, Nepal’s foreign exchange reserve was at Rs 1399.03 billion ($11.75billion). This was sufficient to import goods and services for 10.2 months. After two months, by middle of September, foreign exchange reserves had decreased by nearly Rs100 billion to Rs 1306.95 billion ($11.14 billion). It was sufficient enough to imports of goods and services for 7.8 months. (Nepal Rastra bank. At that point a foreign exchange earnings from tourism was at Rs2.7 billion.
Product: Hyatt Palace Kathmandu
A new deluxe hotel is now open for business. A new Hyatt branded hotel has announced that they are in business now. Hyatt Place Kathmandu is a new address of another deluxe property in Kathmandu. It is a fresh addition in the up market hotel profile of Kathmandu. Hyatt Place is located in Tahachal, Kalimati, next door to Hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza, the oldest five star property in Nepal
PRODUCTS Soaltee Hotel Ltd extends its wing
Soaltee Hotel the oldest five star hotel announced that it will be opening two deluxe hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara very soon. It will built a five start property in Pokhara in Lake side and a four star property in Tilganga, near International Airport in Kathmandu. Soaltee plan to built and bring it into operation in 2024. The five star properties in Pokhara will be built in 28 ropani (14,245 sq m) of land. It will have 100 deluxe rooms
TOURS IN KATHMANDU VALLEY Kathmandu Heritage Tour – 9 Days
In 1951 Boris Lisanevich opened first hotel for tourist in Kathmandu. Prince Basundhara was his business partner. This famous ‘Royal Hotel’ brought and served first tourists to Kathmandu. Tourists started arriving in Kathmandu in 1960. Since then the three cities in Kathmandu valley became popular sightseeing places. It is must program in all tourist itinerary. The cultural heritages are in the core centers of the Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur cities. Visitors agree that they are open museums. Now, tourist with leisure time treads further outside the city. Bungamati and Khokna have become popular villages to experience traditional Newar culture
Sustainable Tourism IUCN Report
IUCN (@IUCN) tweeted at 9:34 PM on Fri, Jul 09, 2021: Nature can make sustainable development work for communities, countries and humanity. Learn more from global experts and organizations at the IUCN Congress.IUCN Congress closes with call for a post-pandemic recovery based on nature. Marseille, France, 10 September 2021 (IUCN) – The IUCN World Conservation Congress closed today in Marseille and online, setting the nature conservation agenda for the next decade and beyond. The IUCN Congress urged governments to implement a nature-based recovery from the pandemic, investing at least 10% of global recovery funds in nature, and adopted a series of resolutions and commitments to urgently address the interlinked climate and biodiversity crises.
Hospitality & Culture Home stay at Pilatse in Patan
After earthquake in 2015 local of Pilatse in Patan rebuilt their destroyed house and buildings in traditional Newari style. 120 households in this locality got together to start home stay for visitors. They started with two house hold in the beginning. By end this year their plan is add 40 households in the scheme. Many houses are still yet to be rebuilt. In the home stay each house host 2 to 8 bed rooms. They have included cultural programme and full board meal prepared in Newari house. Visitors will have chance to sample their traditional culture and tradition. In some houses they also have service apartment and guest house
Hospitality & Culture Home stay in Gurung Village
Home Stay – A personal experience with a family in a mountain village. Stay in a Gurung Village situated in the lap of Annapurna Himalaya.Home stay is not an experience to stay at a place ‘home away from home.’ It is neither an authentic travel experience with local people nor learning of unique culture. I believe it provide an opportunity for the visitors to stay with a local host, either in a village or city, and stay as a paying guests. In the villages usually visitors are given a local treat when you stay for a short time.
Wild Life: See Tiger in the Wild. The best places to see tigers in the wild in Bardia National Park
Bardia National Park is the best location spot to see one of the 80 tigers that are spread across the park. The Bardia National Park is located in the foot of the Siwalik Hills in the eastern bank of Karnali river in southern plain (Terrain) of far west Nepal. This is an undisturbed wildlife park. Some of the inhabitants were resettled to another area to create this park. Natural vegetation and forest in the park is an important sanctuary for thriving wild life. The park covers an area of 968 Sq km. It has sal forest, grassland, savannah and riverine. Here is a standard jungle safari 4 night 5 days programme
Tourist Destinations Visit Popular Tourism Places in 2022 Revisit the Destinations
Kathmandu is a major tourist destination and gateway for international visitors. Most of the interesting places, events and monuments are clustered around Kathmandu. Patan and Bhaktapur are two other adjoining large cities in Kathmandu valley. It is a treasure house of prominent and historical arts and crafts. Many restoration works were done to preserve ancient works of arts. Kathmandu valley is sometime called an open museum by visitors because all historical palaces, temples and monasteries are scattered and clustered around the open valley floor. These cities are also hubs of cultural event of local Newar communities 1. What are the popular touring places 2. When is the best time to visit 3. Kathmandu Valley 4. Other places of interests 5.Annapurna Foothill and Pokhara 6. List of other center of attraction
Wild life – Chitwan National Park White Water- River Rafting in Trishuli River
17 Reasons to Travel to NEPAL in 2022 NEPAL Perspective
Trekkers and climbers who visited Nepal in 2020 and in spring 2021 found mountain villages and mountain peaks like in early 90’s. Unlike in the past trekking and mountaineering too suffered the consequence of covid-19. So, there were very few adventure seekers on the mountain trial. The lodges are almost for themselves. Early 2022 would be almost similar. There is a good side of corona virus: It has closed or limited human encroachment to nature; at least for some time. Sir Edmund Hillary used to lament about environment concern of Mt. Everest. He once remarked to allow no climber for a period of time to let the mountain rejuvenate and regenerate itself. The greed and aspiration of human being have consistently put pressure on the mountain for its sustainable climbing activities. 17 Reasons to Travel in 2022
- Covid-19 is here to stay 2. Vaccinated Travel 3. International Airlines are ready to fly in to Kathmandu 4. Domestic airlines are flying (most are 35 to 45 min flight) 5. Transportation service will be normal 6. Travel protocol restriction measures would be lowered or relaxed. 7. Mountain are safe environment 8. Proactive vaccination drive is in place 9.Government are prepared 10. Infection rates would be receding 11. Best time to travel when tourism revival activities are beginning to pickup. 12. Extreme weather conditions are becoming shorter. Winter season is pushed further 13. Experience Nepal like when it was just opened to tourist. The only difference is very much improved facilities and amenities 14.You will find empty trek lodges and un crowded touristic places 15. You can visit anywhere 16.National Parks, trek destination and touristic places will be opened 17 Most of the damaged monuments and architecture by 2015 earth quack have been reconstructed and restored.
TRAVEL Trend in Europe Some Facts about European travel trend in the next six month
Source Statistics Survey result from February to September 2021. ETC Survey: Europeans Eager to Travel in Next 6 Months, Poles Lead the List. October 28, 2021
- More European nationals plan to travel in the next six months, the European Travel Commission (ETC) has revealed. According to a press release issued by ETC, two-thirds (66 per cent) of Europeans intend to travel during the autumn and winter seasons, which showcases a positive trend for tourism in the Union, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. About 5,769 respondents participated in the survey during the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth wave of COVID-19 starting from early February to mid-September 2021. Furthermore, the following nationalities were the # Who are in top five to claim planning to travel in the next six month? # Do You Know Vaccination has been a key factor for Europeans’ confidence to travel again as 48 per cent of the travelers said they would very likely book a trip as soon as they get vaccinated. # Do you know most skeptical nations in Europe? Do you know what top travel confidence booster is? However, the top travel confidence boosters are considered the following: 1. Vaccination (15.4 per cent) 2. Flexible cancellation rules (12.2 per cent) 3. Abolishment of travel restrictions (9.9 per cent) 4. Well-managed COVID-19 situation in the country of destination (8.9 per cent) 5. Health and safety rules at the destination country (8.3 per cent) 6. Attractive deals ( eight per cent) 7. New Visa Rule effective from September 2021 to enter Nepal
Featured Articles How Mount Everest was mapped a hundred years ago Recommended reading
By Savoy Das LAST UPDATED 11.07.2021 | Mint Lounge / On 5 June 1921, on a windswept plain in Tibet, Lt Col Howard-Bury, the leader of the Mount Everest Reconnaissance Expedition, had an unhappy task to perform. He was to preside over the last rites of Alexander Kolas, 53, who had died en route, before the team could even reach the foot of Everest. So, as Howard-Bury read from the Corinthians, surrounded by his team of Everest climbers and Sherpa’s, Kolas was buried near the Tibetan fortress of Khamba Dzong in the shadow of the three mountains he alone had climbed—Kangchenjau, Pauhunri and Chomiomo. The team made its way to the Rongbuk base camp on the north face of Everest but the loss of Kellas and his experience would prove to be a major setback. Mount Everest, or Peak XV as it was originally known, was “discovered” in the 1850s when a Survey of India team, with surveyor general Andrew Waugh and Indian surveyor Radhanath Sikdar, among others, plotted the peak as the highest point on earth.
Environment Peril and pachyderms: Memories from Nepal’s rhino survey. Written by Rabin Bahadur K.C. Recommended reading
A wildlife researcher relates the thrills and dangers involved in determining how many greater one-horned rhino – Asia’s second-biggest land animal – survive in Nepal. The resurgence of the greater one-horned rhino is claimed as One of Asia’s greatest conservation success stories. After hunting and habitat loss drove the species close to extinction in the 20th century, sustained conservation efforts and collaborative partnerships brought the species back from the brink, as seen in Nepal’s 2021 rhino census. The entire global population of the greater one-horned rhino, numbering around 3,500, is restricted to a few protected areas
Entry Procedure & Visa Entry Procedure & Visa Latest Published on 27 Sep, 2021
This is continuation of our update on entry rules of Department of Immigration for visitors irrespective of type of tourism related travel – trekking, climbing tours, sightseeing or family visit.
TRAVELLERS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE MANAGEMENT REGULATION 2021
This new regulation is enacted by the Neal government to manage post Covid-19 fully relaxed restrictions that was imposed after April 2020 to contain infections from Covid-19 pandemic
This Regulation is Applicable to all Visitors (Tourist)
All visitors entering Nepal must get antigen test at the point of entry. This rule is binding irrespective of nationalities and their status. If the antigen test is positive they will be transferred or taken to isolation place or hospital designated by the Health Ministry. This is mandatory and standing order to all concerned government officials. In case of failure to get antigen test at the entry point the visitors must remain in quarantine for 10 days in a hotel at their own expense.
Expenses: The travelers themselves must bear all cost of antigen test, PCR tests, hotel expenses, and any other expenses incurred during isolation
In the event of covid-19 infection or sign of covid-19: they must get Covid-19 test immediately. And remain in isolation if the report is positive
FULLY VACCINATED VISITORS
On Arrival Visa Additional Documents: Beside the regular documents required for visa following additional documents must be submitted at the immigration point of entry:
- Fully Vaccinated Certificate (#1) that certify14 days of completion of the vaccination shot.
- PCR Negative Test Report takenwithin 72 hour of check in time at the first port of departure. This is required at the airport
- Copy of hotel reservation / booking
- For trekkers and climbers or any subject that require permission a copy of trek, climbing permit or related permit
- A duly filled printed copy of the online form (International traveler online arrival form) that you must fill by logging inwww.ccmc.gov.np must be submitted at the Immigration at the point of entry
- Travelers obtaining tourist visa from the Nepalese diplomatic mission, beside the regular documents, they must submit PCR Negative Report (#2), Hotel booking copy (#3) and for trekkers and climbers a copy of trek or climb permit (#4)
Highlights
UNVACCINATED VISITORS Additional Documents
DEPARTURE FROM NEPAL Additional Documents
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
ENTRY BY SURFACE
TRANSIT PASSENGER
We Suggest
“If you really want to see real Nepal, trekking and walking is best”
It doesn’t matter how long or short, difficult or easy, any walk in the mountain or villages gives you reasons why Nepal is beautiful and people are friendly. You discover diversity in nature and culture. This is what makes Nepal a special tourism destination
You get pleasure, enrich your knowledge, experience local peoples hospitality and thrill in the activities you do. All these in return help local communities. This is what we say by ‘Sustainable Tourism’
TRAVEL IS ONLY THING YOU BUY THAT MAKES YOU RICHER
Santa Subba, Managing Director, Kailash Himalaya Trek
Quote from Buddha “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world”
