TIMS implemented from January 1st 2008
Government of Nepal has given authority to TAAN ( Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal ) and NTB (Nepal Tourism Board ) to issue and distrubute TIMS ( Trekker's information management system ) from 1st January 2008 with the objective of maintaining the database of trekkers and discouraging illegal operation in trekking business. Both organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the effective implementation of TIMS.
As per the provision, all trekkers should have the valid TIMS Certificate that is distributed free of charge by the TIMS counters of TAAN and NTB.
The TIMS mechanism would help secure business for government authorized trekking agents as it discourages independent trekking leaders that were robbing the trekking agents off their business.
TAAN has devised separate TIMS certificates for Organised and Individual Trekkers.
For the effective distribution of TIMS certificates, TAAN will use the offices of all its member agencies as TIMS Counter. Trekking agencies that aren't affiliated with TAAN, however, have to get TIMS Card from either TAAN Secretariat or NTB. Similarly, TAAN's Pokhara Chapter member agencies of TAAN Pokhara Chapter will distribute TIMS Card in Pokhara.
The database will become useful to rescue the trekkers during the emergencies. Also it will help to ascertain the number of trekkers in a particular trekking route.
TAAN's announcement to implement the TIMS was accepted by thunderous applause of its general members. The members requested the TAAN Executive Committee to fix the criteria for individual trekkers, lobby in maintaining one-window policy for all concerned services and the effective publicity of the TIMS.
Visitors Arrival in 2007 shows 27.1% growth (by air only)
December 2007 registered a growth of 13 % in the international visitor's arrival to Nepal by air route. Analyzing the growth trend of 2007, it has been recorded 27.1% growth over 2006 with the arrival figure reaching 360,350 all time high since 2000 against 283,516 in 2006. In 2000, the number of visitors arriving Nepal by air was 376914. Since then, it has continued to plummet due to various socio-political reasons. One of the main reasons for inspiring growth in 2007 in tourist arrivals is the ongoing peace process and political stability in the county. Another reason is the good air connectivity with many destinations ushered in by the operation of 9 new international airlines to Nepal in 2007. 2008 seems to be very promising year for Nepalese travel trade as more new airlines are coming and existing airlines are also extending their flight frequency to Nepal.
With the robust increase in tourist arrivals, all leading destinations in the country are getting overwhelming numbers of visitors. Trekkers in the Everest, Annapurna and Langtang Regions have grown impressively while Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini are also getting good number of visitors.
Buoyed by tourism growth, tourism enterprises have started upgrading their infrastructures and enhancing the quality of their services. Likewise, they have also started hiking their tourist handling rates.
Himalayan International Travel Mart held
The 2nd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart 2007 was held in Kathmandu from 11-13 May, in cooperation of the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation and Nepal Tourism Board.
The ceremony was graced by high-level foreign delegates including President of Indian Association of Tour Operators, Deputy Governor of Travel Association of Thailand (TAT) Vice President of Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) and Immediate Past President of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), among others.
This year the theme of the Mart was “Tourism: Prosperity for Posterity”. The Mart had 30 stalls showcasing different products of Nepal . China , Thailand and Malaysia too had put on display their products during the three days Mart. There was an overwhelming turn out of visitors till the final day of the Mart.
Tour operators from various countries of South Asia and South East Asia took part in the mart.
Chinese RAILROAD Link TO TIBET
ABOARD THE BEIJING-LHASA EXPRESS IN QINGHAI PROVINCE, China — The country that brought you the Great Wall has completed another daunting engineering feat: a railway that carries passengers up the icy, Tibetan plateau to Lhasa , called "the roof of the world" because of its altitude. The Chinese government is leaving no doubt about who to credit for the world's highest, and perhaps most controversial, railway.
"This is a magnificent feat by the Chinese people, and also a miracle in world railway history," President Hu Jintao said at a ceremony Saturday in the northwest city of Golmud . Once the end of the line, Golmud is the departure point for the first passenger train to Lhasa , Tibet 's capital and holiest city, 12,000 feet above sea level in the Himalayas . The railway showed China 's people were "ambitious, self-confident and capable of standing among the world's advanced nations," Hu said.
The rail link binds the troublesome and remote region closer to the rest of China . Beijing has controlled Tibet since Chairman Mao Zedong sent troops there in 1950.
To counteract the thin air when the trains reach the highest altitudes, oxygen is pumped through the carriage ventilation. If needed, passengers can access additional oxygen from a socket under the seat. The highest point the train reaches is Tanggula Mountain Pass at 16,640 feet
Nepal opens travel, trekking, rafting businesses to foreign investors
The Nepal Government has opened the travel, trekking and rafting sectors to foreign investment. The government has introduced this provision by amending the Travel and Trekking Regulations and promulgating Rafting Regulations.
These sectors were limited only to domestic investors. But foreign investors were allowed to invest in hotels, lodges, casinos and restaurants.
More foreign companies are likely to make investments in these sectors in Nepal . This could help Nepal 's entire tourism industry, as the bigger foreign companies will market the country in an effective manner.
Familiarisation trip to Khaptad, Rara
In order to highlight the nature-blessed Khaptad and Rara areas as premier holiday destinations, a familiarization trip for journalists was organized in June this year. The Tourism Resources and Product Development Department of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the team included representatives of television channels. The main objective of the trip was to highlight "Ganga Dashera Mela" of the Khaptad region. This is one of the most revered festivals of the far western Nepal . Meanwhile, a new concept of "Wild West Triangle" was introduced by NTB with the joint effort of Nepalese travel trade partners. Once Khaptad is added to the Wild West Triangle of Rara, Bardia and Shuklaphanta, the cultural and natural attractions of the region could lure more tourists.
Discussion held on prospects of sports tourism in Nepal
In a bid to share ideas among various persons and institutions associated with tourism and sports, a one-day workshop on "Prospect of Sports Tourism in Nepal " was organised at the Nepal Tourism Board.
The workshop pointed out the need for promotion of tourism and sports activities simultaneously and also emphasised that the government and private sector have to work together to give a boost to the sports and tourism sectors.
Tourism and Civil Aviation, explored avenues of co-relation between tourism and sports.
The tourism entrepreneurs called on the government to celebrate Sports Tourism Year so as to jointly highlight tradition, ethnic culture and adventure sports.
Likewise, a number of high level officials of His Majesty's Government, tourism entrepreneurs, chiefs of associations, representatives of the National Planning Commission (NPC), National Sports Council and others promoting sports tourism spoke about the need for exploring this potential sector.
Scrapping of provision of special permit for Manaslu area sought
Tourism entrepreneurs say that the provision of special permit for the Manaslu area has hampered the promotion of tourism in the region.
According to a news report published in a daily, seven Village Development Committees situated in the northern part of Gorkha district have been included in the Manaslu Conservation Area for the last nine years. As home to many species of flora and fauna and Buddhist monasteries, the area offers scenic view for tourists. This is the area where Mt. Manaslu lies.
A foreign tourist has to pay US$ 75 per week for entering the area from December to August. He/she has to pay additional amount of US$ 15 during September to November. Besides, tourists have to pay Rs. 2000 as entrance fee to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project that looks after the management aspect of the area.
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