Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) organized the Heritage walk on the occasion of International tourist guide day at Patan Durbar Square on 21st February 2021. NATTA President, Mr. Achyut Guragain and Senior Director of NTB, Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa were invited as Chief Guest for the inauguration of the Heritage walk. Including NATTA, several other tourism committees and stakeholders were also invited to the program. Speaking at the program, President Mr. Achyut Guragain assured the full support from NATTA in any of their endeavors. There was also an interaction about the necessity of cleaning of the Lalitpur area, promotion from the different associations, plans to extend the number of stay of tourists and also the development & promotion of the heritage sites.
Nepal Rastra Bank organized an online Zoom Meeting with the entrepreneurs of Nepalese industries to have the interaction on the Half-Yearly Monetary Policy of 2077/78 on 9th February 2021. The interaction discussed the current policy and the changes to be made in the coming days in keeping with the situations. Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Treasurer of NATTA participated in the program. NATTA had been submitting the specifics to be adjusted in the coming Monetary Policy.
Newly appointed Board Members of NTB Executive Committee Mr. Chandra Rijal, Mr. Ngawa Ngima Sherpa and Mr. Krishna Kumar Shah, were welcomed by Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation and NTB Chairman, Mr. Yadav P. Koirala at a program on February 9, 2021, at Nepal Tourism Board. Similarly, Mr. Deepak Mahat, Mr. Awadesh K. Das and Mr. Krishna B. Mahara were given a farewell at the program with an appreciation for their contribution to the development of Nepal’s tourism during their 3-year tenure. NTB CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi apprised the officials on the responsibilities borne and the work carried out by NTB in terms of crisis management and communication, destination visibility, virtual promotion, branding, product development and research in the past year. President of NATTA Mr. Achyut Guragain, taking a moment at the program welcomed the new Board Members and anticipated the support from Board to Read More
On February 7, 2021, The Namkha Municipality of village executive office held an interactive seminar for the promotion and development of the destination of Namkha municipality with the Nepal Tourism Board and tourism-related sectors. As NATTA Representative, Senior Vice President, Mr. Binay Basnet participated in this program which was conducted at Nepal Tourism Board. It was an interactive seminar with a draft presentation where they discussed the development and implementation, promotion of the area and its certain issues with the solution, particularly of Namkha Municipality. The objective of organizing such a seminar was also in promoting the destination as ‘Treasures of Humla’ with pictures presentation of the cultures and heritage sites.
TAJ Riverside Resort and Adventure Pvt. Ltd., organized a 2-day FAM Trip 2021 as a promotion for domestic tourism with the participation of different tourism related industries and associations on 6th February located at Sunkoshi 5, Mulkot, Sindhuli. As a representative of NATTA, Executive members; Mrs. Laxmi Karki (Adhikari) and Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha attended this trip where they also discussed on focusing promoting, uplift and aware people of domestic tourism.
The 3rd edition of the Tour De Thakurdwara Cycling event was held on February 5th and 6th, 2021 at Nepalgunj. The 2-day cycling event was organized for the support in the revival of domestic tourism that was shattered due to Corona impacts and also to promote cycling tourism at the Nepalgunj with the benefits of cycling on both humans and the environment. The event was participated by around 200 cyclists. Also organized in the coordination of the NATTA Banke Chapter, there were several tourism committee members present from different Provinces including NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain for the encouragement of the event.
TAAN organized a felicitation program for the Nepali Summiteers who successfully ascended Mount K2 in Pakistan. The program was organized inviting all the tourism related association on the occasion of this achievement on 5th February 2021. Participating in the event, NATTA Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kr. Upadhyay, Executive Members Mrs. Laxmi Karki Adhikari and Mr. Dendi Sherpa congratulated the summiteers of Mount K2 for their successful mountain climbing in history and heightening the image of tourism industry of Nepal. One of the most historic moment for Nepalese, as our Nepali climbers achieved to climb the great Mount K2 on January 16th located at the border of Pakistan and China. It is to be considered the most dangerous and Killer Mountain in the world and also is the second highest mountain in the world.
MoCTCA and Nepal Tourism Board jointly organized an "Orientation and Interaction Program on Centralized Electronic Tourism Management Information System CeTMIS" with all the tourism stakeholders on 3rd February 2021. On the program, there had been discussion on the advantages and the challenges of making the central tourism information system. With the growth in technologies and systems, there had been a dire need for a system that supports the effective planning of the tourism standard of Nepal. Joint Treasurer Ms. Yubika Bhandari participated in the said interaction program.
In promotion of Domestic tourism, Domestic Tourism Revival Committee (DTRC) had been formed in collaboration of NTB and NATTA with a motto of preserving, promoting and developing the different destination of Nepal. The CEO of Nepal Tourism Board and Coordinator of DTRC, Dr. Dhanajaya Regmi, President of NATTA Sudurpaschim, Mr. Maya Prakash Bhatta and Former Tourism Board Member, Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara and the tourism enterpreneurs visited the destinations; Dhangadi, Dadeldhura, Dipayal and Badimalika from January 30 till February 1 in introducing and promoting the potentials of the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.
NATTA Delegation met with newly appointed Ambassador of Government of Nepal to the USA, Dr. Yubraj Khatiwada on 31st January 2021. The delegation congratulated Dr. Khatiwada and had a short goodwill discourse regarding the tourism sector. Present in the meeting were Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary Ms. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha, Treasurer Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Jt. Treasurer Ms. Yubika Bhandari. During the meeting, various ideas were exchanged on how to make most out of the existing potential that Nepal has in tourism and promote Nepal in US Market. Also, embassies emphasizing on multinational companies to bring their staffs into Nepal with some programs were suggested by NATTA in the program. H.E Dr. Khatiwada assured to support the travel trade sector in the promotion of tourism in Nepal and showed eagerness to work together with NATTA in the coming days.
NATTA Central had a virtual meeting with President of all NATTA Provinces on 20th January 2021. There was a discussion on having suggestions for the role of the Provinces in local tourism promotion. Role of NATTA in Provinces had been active since prior days. But the impact of COVID on tourism has affected in all places. Domestic Tourism Promotion has been one of the keys as of now for the revival of tourism. In this case, to have an active involvement by the Provinces, the role and the planning of programs were discussed for the domestic promotions. The interaction was also held on establishing NATTA Province 2 and NATTA Province 6, Karnali and prepare for an ad-hoc committee regarding it. Likewise, some of the suggestions for the amendment of NATTA Central Statute were also discussed in the meeting. NATTA Central President Mr, Achyut Guragain and Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Read More
Since the COVID -19, there has been a financial crisis and the tourism sector, as we all know has been hit very hard. Many travel agencies have been in difficulty failing from their renewing of tourism license. In this regard, a letter had been sent to Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment including Tourism Department, Kathmandu and Lalitpur requesting to extend the renew date of Tourism until the end of Ashad for the year 2078. The letters have already been received by concerned authorities and are positive on this matter. A small Survey regarding the Evaluation of Member's Tourism License was held via Google for the persuasion in the Department of Tourism, Bagmati Province.
NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain has been nominated for the Co-Chairperson of FNCCI Tourism & Air Transport Committee for the term 2020-23. Mr. Guragain will have the responsibility of leading Tourism Development in Province Subcommittee and will be involved in support of taking the FNCCI to a newer height in the sector of tourism.
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in coordination with Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) organized a welcome and felicitation program on 26th January 2021 in honor of the 10 members Nepali Team who successfully created history by summiting Mt. K2, the World’s second tallest mountain, the first time ever in winter season. The ascent was also historical as Mr. Nirmal Purja MBE, the team leader summited without using bottled Oxygen. The Team arrived Nepal on 26 January 2021. The team was impressively welcomed at the TIA by officials from Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and members from Nepal Mountaineering Society. Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal K.P Sharma Oli felicitated the Team Members with Letter of Appreciation at a separate program organized by NTB at the PM’s residence, Baluwatar. The Team presented Prime Minister with the Nepali flag which they hoisted atop K2 Peak. Nirmal Purja, the team Read More
In coordination with NTB and entrepreneurs of Province 1, NATTA Kakdvitta organized a tour program started from January 23, Janakpur with the slogan "Ghumau Purwa Pradesh Number 1". Gandaki Province in coordination with NATHM organized a Tourist Guide Training with theoretical and practical courses starting from 22nd December. Also, NATTA Gandaki had the agreement with Nepal Cancer Relief Society, Pokhara. NATTA Gandaki has agreed to help the cancer patients by providing free bus tickets to and fro Pokhara-Kathmandu service. Likewise, several programs had been organized marking the occasions. NATTA Province 5, Lumbini in coordination with Lumbini Development Trust is organizing several programs. Banke Chapter under Lumbini Province is organizing a rally program Tour De Thakurdwar in the first week of February. NATTA Province 7, Sudurpaschim organized FAM Trip on December 21 for a week in various destinations of Sudurpaschim including Kailali, Darchula, Dadeldhura and others. Besides several other interaction programs Read More
On January 25th, 2021, Tourist Guide Association Nepal (TURGAN) organized its 27th Annual General Meeting. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain was invited as Chief Guest for the program. President Mr. Achyut Gurgain speaking at the event congratulated and wished for their better upcoming future to the newly appointed TURGAN President Mr. Badri Nepal and the whole association on behalf of NATTA. Mr. Guragain also shared the existing problems being tackled by the industrialists due to the impact caused by COVID-19 on tourism. The program was held at Swastik Party Palace, Kathmandu, in the celebration of their 32nd year and also for the discussion on the betterment of the tourism industry.
The segment that has been hard-hit by COVID-19 pandemic is the financial segment which is not only in the native country but worldwide. The private stakeholders from Nepal have been demanding to the Government for the rehabilitation and revival of it since a long time as its impact has led to a tough time for the businesses due to financial crisis. All the private sectors have united and worked together to express the grievances to the Government as the request has not yet been heeded. The stakeholders have been requesting for the significant and swift measures to support the industries. Providing a Relief package in terms of an economic part to protect the stakeholders by waiving of VAT/Tax of the office that is closed currently, providing Soft Loan with easy provisions, assisting in NRB Monetary policy supporting employees are some of the demands requested to Government of Nepal. A meeting Read More
An interaction was held on January 17, 2021, by NTB with representatives from the private sector tourism industry of Nepal regarding recommendations to facilitate quick recovery of tourism and relief for the industry. As per the interaction, the existing protocol had quiet compacted Nepal’s image in the international market and urged the government to relax provisions. After the interaction with tourism stakeholders, NTB made this conclusion by proposing the following provisions in revising the protocol: On-arrival visa service should resume. The PCR test requirement should be waived for the children below five years of age whereas others should submit a report certifying they are coronavirus negative from a test done 16 hours before they began the journey. Tourists from other countries except India should undergo a PCR test after arriving in Nepal, and testing negative in it should allow them to travel freely without quarantine. Provisions for Indian nationals should Read More
The government had brought a concept of refinancing for the recovery of industries and businesses that were adversely affected by the COV- ID-19 pandemic. NATTA had been lobbying with Nepal Rastra Bank and concerned financial authorities regarding providing easy Refinancing to the small and medium enterprises, industries as per the guidelines for the long term. With the urging of NATTA and other associated associations, NRB has extended its refinancing timeline to the industries until 29th January 2021. A survey had been done by NATTA to its members querying on the refinancing details and any difficulties to process. Aiming at providing relief to COVID-19 affected industries and businesses, the NRB brought a policy of providing loan at five per cent interest rate. According to the Refinancing Guidelines, loans that businesses acquire from BFIs and NRB will have a maximum maturity period of one year and such loans will not be renewed. Read More
Since the adoption of the Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda, the G20 committed to aligning its policy actions with the universal 2030 Agenda to ensure that no one is left behind in the group’s efforts to achieve sustainable development, and build an inclusive future for all. This implies putting sustainable development front and centre on the G20 agenda, leveraging the group’s political weight to enhance policy coherence and foster a long-term and common vision. On 12th January 2021, Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet participated in the above-said program where the actions had been discussed to be implemented specially in the time of COVID-19.
