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Celebrating 1st International
Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day
Government of Nepal
has announced May 29 as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest)
Day to commemorate the heroic achievement of late Tenzing Norgay
Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary for their historic ascent of
Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) on May 29, 1953. Government of Nepal
and Tourism Board in association with various tourism
associations and stakeholders of tourism are jointly organizing
different programs to celebrate this day on 28 and 29 May, 2008.
(See the attachment for detail program)
Objectives of this event are: to pay tribute and remember the
first climbers for their heroic achievement in human history,
promote Nepal as a world-class adventure tourism destination,
create awareness about the importance of our mountains for our
livelihood, maximize the involvement of all stakeholders for
their respective roles in preserving the mountain environment
and help to preserve Sagarmatha (Everest) region as an icon of
Nepal.
There will be a grand procession in the morning of 29 May
followed by Inaugural program in Kathmandu. Similarly, a
symposium on adventure and responsible tourism, a workshop on
water painting of mountain theme, a wall climbing and quiz
contest programs among school/college students, mountain film
festival and various programs are being organized in association
and leadership of the Ministry, Nepal Tourism Board, Tourism
Associations and Non-governmental organizations based in
Kathmandu and Sagarmatha area. Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon
in Sagarmatha region is going to coincide the event. Likewise,
many foreign dignitaries related with our mountains are also
joining us in celebrating this day. UAAA council meeting is
being organized in Kathmandu by NMA on 29 May. TAAN is taking
the lead in organizing the morning procession on 29 May at
6.30AM from Bhadrakali, Sahid Gate. We invite all to join us and
express your solidarity to make this celebration a success.
Being the first program to celebrate 29 May as International
Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day, we look forward to receiving
active support of the media and all our stakeholders/partners
specially the Ministry, NMA and TAAN for the success of this
event. We also request all concerned to provide their suggestion
and comments to Nepal Tourism Board after completion of the
event so that we can work to make our future celebrations more
visible and effective.
Nepal goes colorful in ATM Dubai- 2008
Nepal Tourism Board, along with four private companies
participated in the ATM- 2008 held in Dubai, UAE during May 6-9,
2008. The fair was keenly observed and visited by the media,
travel related agencies and the common public in the Gulf
Region.
The Gulf region is the fastest growing region in the world and
the ATM reflected that. The 14 year old international exhibition
has doubled in size in the past four years with the space of
25,000 sqm; the success of the event reflects the growth of the
region's travel industry. With 2,208 exhibitors from all aspects
of industry from all corners of the world, the ATM is
undoubtedly a special platform to showcase the tourism
attractions and to meet with the travel related organizations.
Nepal was very well received in Dubai by the media and the
travel industry. With many new airlines flying to UAE and
connecting the Gulf region to Nepal, there seemed numerous
queries, interests and attractions towards to Nepal. The
Nepalese companies enjoyed unprecedented meetings and flow of
the visitors; and Nepal seems to have great tourism potentials
in the region. On May 8, Nepal organized a short presentation on
Nepal to address the inquiries of the media, travel
professionals and common people and to brief them on the current
scenarios in Nepal.
The Nepal stand was visited by His Excellency Mr. Arjun Bahadur
Thapa, the Nepalese Ambassador to UAE and by the Embassy
officials. Yeti Travels, Flyyeti.com, Shangri-La Hotel and La
Meridian Resort were the private companies that participated in
the fair.Mr. Gahendra Rajbhandari – Officer participated the
fair from Nepal Tourism Board.
TIMS to be implemented from January 1
An agreement has
been signed between Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) and Trekking Agents
Association of Nepal(TAAN) with an objective of maintaining the
database of trekkers and discouraging illegal operation in
trekking business to implement the Trekkers' Information
Management System (TIMS) from 1st January 2008.
As per the provision, all trekkers should have the valid TIMS
Certificate that is distributed free of charge by the TIMS
counters of NTB and TAAN. Nepal Tourism Board will provide TIMS
Certificate free of cost to both trekkers who wish to go to
trekking through government registered trekking companies and
individual trekkers(FIT).
As per agreement, TAAN would use the offices of all its member
agents as TIMS Counter. Trekking agencies that aren't affiliated
with TAAN, however, have to get TIMS certificates from either
TAAN Secretariat or NTB. Similarly, TAAN's Pokhara Chapter
member agencies of TAAN Pokhara Chapter would distribute TIMS
Certificate in Pokhara.
It is believed that the database will become useful to rescue
the trekkers during the emergencies and it will also help us to
ascertain the number of trekkers in a particular trekking route.
TIMS Certificate can be obtained from NTB Office, Bhrikutimandap,
NTB Office Pokhara, Belahia-Bhairahawa, Gadda Chauki-
Mahendranagar, Kakarvitta and other designated counters by NTB
in future.
Rogers' "Rhythms of Life" project completed in Nepal
The Nepal Tourism Board is delighted to announce that Australian
Sculptor, Andrew Rogers has just completed the tenth segment of
his global "Rhythms of Life" Land Art Project against the
stunning vistas of Jomson and Pokhara in Nepal. Andrew Rogers
and his team were in Nepal creating the sculptures, 22 March to
5 April, 2008.
Rogers' "Rhythms of Life" project is the largest contemporary
land art project in the world – 12 sites in disparate exotic
locations (from below sea level and up to altitudes of 4300
metres). Up to three Geoglyphs (land sculptures), each measuring
up to 660 feet x 660 feet, are created on each site.
Since 1999, "Rhythms of Life" sites have been completed in
Israel, Chile, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Iceland, China,
India and Turkey.
The "Rhythms of Life", derived from his earlier bronze
sculpture, and "Labyrinth" which is a symbol of contemplation
associated with both the Hindu and Buddhist religions, are
located in Jomsom, in the deepest gorge on earth. They face a
sacred 7,000m snow covered mountain called Nilgiri, and are
adjacent to the Kaligandaki River, one of the most famous rivers
in Nepal, which becomes a raging torrent in monsoonal times and
is held sacred by the local river people.
The third Geoglyph "Knot", which is one of the eight auspicious
symbols of Buddhism, was created in Pokhara, in the Seti Gorge.
These three Geoglyphs are connected by the idea of the Rhythms
of Life and together form the tenth of the twelve sites, which
are in the process of creation.
The construction of this segment of the Rhythms of Life project
involved over 450 people from the local Nepalese community. The
lines of the Geoglyphs stretch approximately 2550 metres and
comprise over 4500 tonnes of rocks, which were shifted by hand.
Lisa Choegyal and Carolyn Syangbo coordinated the Nepal
logistical arrangements. By completion the project will have
involved over 5,000 people on six continents.
"Geoglyphs constructed in desert and altiplano landscapes
comprise my "Rhythms of Life" – metaphors for the eternal cycle
of life, growth, and all the attendant emotions that colour
human existence. They are optimistic symbols of life and
regeneration – expressive and suggestive of human striving and
introspection. Geoglyphs embrace a wide cultural vision linking
history and heritage, and the pursuit of the spiritual," says
Rogers.
Andrew Rogers is one of Australia's most distinguished
contemporary sculptors with an international reputation. He
exhibits internationally and his critically acclaimed sculptures
are in numerous private and prominent public collections in
Australia, S.E. Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United
States of America. He has received many international
commissions and the eleventh segment of his Rhythms of Life
project commences in mid May in Slovakia on the side of a 2500
year old Castle, with the assistance of hundreds of Romanian
Gypsies.
Govt. waives royalty for Mid and Far West Mountain peaks
In an attempt to promote Nepal for All Seasons, the Government
of Nepal has waived the climbing fee for all peaks of Mid and
Far Western Development Region of Nepal for five years,
according to a letter issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism
& Civil Aviation on April 29, 2008. The royalty for climbing
Everest and other peaks has been slashed by 75 per cent during
winter and rainy seasons and 50 percent during the autumn
season. The royalty for the spring season will remain the same.
Royalty for other 326 peaks over 6,500 metres that are open for
climbing have been slashed on a similar basis.
Visitors Arrival in April 2008 (by air only)
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, TIA indicate
that visitors' arrivals to Nepal in April 2008 reached 32,665,
which is a marginal decrease of 1% as compared to same month
last year. However European Sector remains unchanged with almost
the same figure as compared to the April 2007. France grew up by
21%, Austria with 20%, Netherland & Israel with 28%, Switzerland
with 66%, Spain with 25%, but UK, Sweden & Germany decreased by
20%, 31%, & 20% respectively.
There are some significant growths recorded; Australia & New
Zealand arrivals show a growth of 51%. Closely following the
trend are Canada & USA with the growth of 25%. The arrival
figure shows a decrease of 18% for the Asian countries. SAARC
countries arrival is decreased by 14% where India has the share
of 19% decrement. Bangladesh on the other hand shows an
extraordinary growth of 60% which may be the positive impact of
the recent Bangladesh Sales Mission program held vigorously.
Taking the data into consideration, the main reason for the
decrease in arrival might be the prediction of uncertainty in
the minds of travelers due to our Constitutional Assembly (CA)
Polls.
Analyzing the total number of arrivals in the first four months
of this year, it shows 1,28,802 visitors to Nepal with an
increment 11.15% than the total arrival of the same period of
last year. Therefore, we are still hopeful of getting a healthy
growth in days to come. The successful completion of the
Constitutional Assembly Election with peace being reinstated in
the country will definitely give a good message to the potent
travelers and also to the travel trade fraternity of the world. |
