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 distribute 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 Mr. Subas Goyal, Deputy Governor of Travel Association of Thailand (TAT) Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Vice President of Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) Mr. Paul Leung and Immediate Past President of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Mr. Tunku Iskandar, among others.

This year the theme of the Mart was “Tourism: Prosperity for Posterity”. Mr. Tunku Iskandar made a key-note speech on the theme which was highly applauded by all.

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 LAUNCHES
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.

Launched this weekend, the trains are powered by American-built engines, which pull Canadian-assembled carriages that pump oxygen to passengers. But 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 line's successful launch, a year ahead of schedule, is a political and engineering triumph for Beijing's communist leaders. 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.

Nepal's Buddhist Circuit promoted in Bangkok
The Nepal promotion programme concluded successfully in Thailand after China by organising Press and Tour Operators Meet in Bangkok on 7th July 2006. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation/Government of Nepal in cooperation with Nepal Tourism Board organized the event in Bangkok where over 90 tour operators, top media and friends of Nepal attended the function. Nepalese delegation disseminated latest tourism information and situation updates of the country. The delegation also unveiled recently launched Nepal's new tourism brand "Naturally Nepal - Once is not enough" to the travel trade and media of Thailand. Special presentation on Buddhist Circuits was also shown to the gathering during the function.

Highlighting the current political scenario of Nepal, the Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Pandey said that peace had now prevailed in Nepal. He also explained the importance of Nepal, the birth place of Lord Buddha, as a pilgrimage destination to the Thai visitors. Though there are many other Buddhist sites all over the World, Lumbini holds special significance as Lord Buddha himself told his disciples to visit this place. Secretary Pandey told that the Government of Nepal had given high priority to the tourism sector, and it was in process of preparing new tourism policy and masterplan for guiding Nepal's tourism development and marketing.
Welcoming the guests, Charge de Affaires at Nepal Embassy Mr. Arjun Pd. Mainali assured that Nepal Embassy, Bangkok was always happy to assist and avail all possible cooperation to the Thai trade as well as visitors.

Three among world's top 75 destinations from Nepal
Nepal has once again come to limelight globally as a popular adventure destination with the November issue of Wanderlust magazine based in the United Kingdom (UK) published the list of top 75 destinations from all over the world. The list is reported to be based on the request made by the magazine to vote for Seven Wonders of the World. In the list, Mt. Everest, the Himalayas and the Kali Gandaki Gorge have been placed on the 14th, 36th and 43rd positions respectively.

Climbers attempt new route up Mt. Everest
In 2006 a group of climbers plan to attempt to summit Mt. Everest via the mountain's last major unclimbed ridge.  Believing the ridge could be climbed only in fantasy, George Leigh Mallory named it “Fantasy Ridge.” For nearly 100 years his proclamation about Fantasy Ridge has proven true, but the 2006 team has said: “We seek a new route up Everest via Fantasy Ridge.  Our plans will be complicated; our expenses will be high.  Our task will be formidable, but our spirit will carry us forward.”