NATTA in close coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a webinar on Nepal's Buddhist sites with the motto of ‘Following the Footsteps of Buddha for Universal Peace and Prosperity' on 10th January 2021 at Kathmandu. Started with the Promo video covering the whole of the journey of our first edition of Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2019 and the special video of Goodwill Message shared by Venerable Metteya Sakyaputta, Vice Chairman, Lumbini Development Trust, the Webinar was officially inaugurated by lighting the lamp, by President of NATTA, Mr. Achyut Guragain at NATTA Secretariat. Mr. Guragain then continued with the Welcome Speech where he apprised about the Buddhist Circuits in Nepal and also assumed that the discussions shared on the Webinar shall help to reach a positive message to the number of people and aspire to visit Buddhist Sites of Nepal at least once in a lifetime. A special remark Read More
On January 10, 2021, Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) invited tourism related private stakeholders for the interactions at Singhadurbar. On the interaction, tourism stakeholders shared their concerns and difficulties as the tourism sector has been suffering and been closed for almost a year due to pandemic. They demanded the government to prepare standards to facilitate the tourism sector and urged to make provisions for the revival of the tourism sector. Also, entrepreneurs demanded to work on the promotion of domestic tourism. President of NATTA, Mr. Achyut Guragain, taking a moment requested for the coordination with Ministries; Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the foreign tourists who want to visit Nepal. Mr. Guragain also stressed on the non-requirement of quarantine to the tourists coming to Nepal following the health protocols. Read More
While Nepal had been under a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) had been in the process of renovation. Taking advantage of the lockdown, TIA management has improved the facilities of both domestic and international terminals to help maintain social distancing and hygiene at the airport. Along with that, the runway of an airport, construction of parking bay and construction of new departure/arrival boarding gates, lounge area have been renovated. Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) invited all the stakeholders of travel associations on 9th January 2020 for excursion and briefing on the renovated airport. Mr. Binay Basnet, Senior Vice President, Sudhir Kr. Upadhyay Secretary General and Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Treasurer participated in the program representing NATTA.
A meeting with Committee members of Outbound Committee of NATTA was held on 4th January 2020, chaired by Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha. The cascading effect of the coronavirus is crippling the tourism industry, especially in the outbound tourism sector that had been hit very hard. In a discussion of the current situation and to address the glitches that have been occurring during the Outbound tourism and planning for the coming days, the meeting was organized at NATTA Secretariat. Realizing that the present state could be consumed by lobbying with the concerned authorities to have the ease in the regulations set by the government to the travellers, several matters had been addressed during the discussion. As currently there is the provision of requiring the No Objection Letter (NOC) to travel via India to third countries who are travelling for the tourism purpose which has been realized as Read More
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) celebrated its 22nd Anniversary on 31st December 2020. NTB CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi warmly welcomed the guests and presented the promotional and development work conducted by NTB in 2020 and shared his vision for 2021 to promote Nepal as a safe and beautiful destination worldwide. On the occasion, NATTA also received Letter of Appreciation awarded for the contribution and support in rescue and evacuation of tourists during the Lockdown period. NTB also released domestic tourism song for “Deshdarshan” Campaign and launched: Friends of Nepal website www.friendsofnepal.travel to engage Nepal lovers all over the world; NTB official Wechat for communication with China market; NTB Tiktok Deshdarshan Campaign for promotion of domestic tourism. NTB annual publication “InFocus 2020” was officially unveiled as well at the program. The program was attended by Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Secretary of MoCTCA Mr. Yadav Prasad Read More
Domestic Airlines of Nepal started flying from September 21 after the government announced that it would be allowed to resume services. Resuming the service of domestic operation had given sight of encouragement to the stakeholders in the tourism sector. To have the conversations on the current situation and also the guidelines, NATTA invited Domestic Airlines Representatives in the meeting on 29th December 2020 at NATTA Secretariat. The meeting also discussed the payment approach set by the airlines to the travel agents. NATTA strongly demanded that online portals or any applications should have the permission from the concern authority to sell the air ticket or packages. Buddha Air, Saurya Airlines, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines participated in the meeting. For the information, Domestic passenger traffic at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport in 2020 fell to its lowest level since 2009. But airline officials said that domestic carriers had recovered close to 90 percent of pre-Covid Read More
After the consecutive exercises on bringing the Financial Statute for the Secretariat, a Statute has been developed by Treasurer, Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Jt. Treasurer, Ms. Yubika Bhandari. A committee had been formed at NATTA Secretariat for designing the Statute. The prime objective of bringing this Statute is to manage the ongoing financial transactions of Secretariat . The Financial Statute of the Secretariat will be put up in the forthcoming AGM of the association for the approval of the general body of NATTA.
The Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Tour Operators was virtually held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 08-09 December 2020. Delegations from all the Member States attended the Meeting. The meeting was held on a virtual platform due to the COVID Pandemic where except for the Sri Lanka delegation, all other member states delegates joined online for the two-day session. NATTA was represented by Secretary Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha. Detailed discussions were carried out by respective Travel Industry representatives of Member States in establishing a BIMSTEC Tourism Information Centre and monitoring and utilizing the BIMSTEC Tourism fund which comes under the Ministry of Tourism in India. Several presentation and discussions were made by each countries highlighting the potential of Outbound Tourism to the Member States which could be promoted together by BIMSTEC Counties. After a lengthy discussion with member states, it was decided to form a working group for tourism Read More
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) held an interaction program to discuss survival and revival of the tourism industry with key tourism stakeholders including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai, Secretary of MoCTCA Mr. Yadav Prasad Koirala, Association Heads, and Senior Tourism Professionals at NTB premises on Nov. 25, 2020. CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi presented to the audience the steps taken by NTB, currently and in the recent past, to overcome the crisis caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives from the private sector including NATTA requested for the restart of tourism with clarity in communication and facilitation in entry protocol, for a speedy recovery of the industry in the program.
NATTA welcomed Mr. Puskar Shah at NATTA Secretariat on his courtesy meet on 19th October 2020. Mr. Shah who is a World Cyclist and Everesteer, apprised on his upcoming project about Nepal Cycle Festival. NATTA together with Mr. Shah on this initiation is planning for this program in aid of Domestic Tourism Promotion.
NATTA delegates headed by President Mr. Achyut Guragain met newly appointed Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Mr. Dim Prasad Poudel on 14th of October to congratulate him for his successful tenure. The delegation also emphasized that the national flag carrier must refurbish itself and concentrate on capacity building by adding fleets and destinations as well as creating the environment to lift the ban from the blacklist of European Union regarding Aviation. NATTA also assured its commitment to extending its support and cooperation to consolidate the flag carrier for joint promotion and brighter future of tourism in the country. The NATTA delegation was comprised of Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay and Executive Member Mr. Dendi Sherpa.
On 28th September 2020, Dignitaries of tourism associations were called on by Valley Tourism Office at its office at Hattiban, Lalitpur to discuss and take the opinions on the ongoing COVID -19 difficulties and the effort to make solutions to them that benefit the tourism industry. Together with nine different tourism associations, on coordination of NATTA, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay submitted 15 pointed suggestions and demands to the Valley Tourism Office on 13th October. Addressing the letter, Valley Tourism Office has referred the submitted Letter to the concerned offices for the consideration and further implementation.
On October 9, 2020, Nepal Academy of Tourism & Hotel Management (NATHM) organised a farewell program in honor of Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, retiring Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation and outgoing Chairperson of NATHM Board. On this occasion, Board Member of NATHM and President of NATTA, Mr. Achyut Guragain expressed gratitude and thanks to Mr. Adhikari for his unwavering support and guidance for the upliftment and expansion of the Academy and tourism industry. Mr. Adhikari as well praised for the support of NATTA President in the initiation of the opening of tourism colleges being opened outside Kathmandu Valley.
Plan International conducted a virtual workshop on Co-Creative Process to understand the current challenges and opportunities, policy gaps of Government to support towards gender-equal Hotel and Tourism sector, to identify the key solutions of the problems and its roadmap for follow-up steps jointly with multi-stakeholders. The workshop focused on multi-stakeholder cooperation with participation from Government stakeholders, private sector engagement, business associations, CSOs and young women working in the sector. As a major stakeholder in the Hospitality and Tourism sector, NATTA had been invited for the participation in the discussion from 6th –8th October 2020, where Joint Treasurer Ms. Yubika Bhandari had active participation in the sessions.
After realizing the need for expanding hotel and tourism management related education for the overall development of hospitality sector, the government has decided to open Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM)’s branches outside Kathmandu valley and in all the seven provinces. Recently, NATHM college had been set up in Nepalgunj and Bardibas to start the study from the next academic session whereas work for Birtamod is the next in line. On the inaugural programs and for the visit of the sites in the initial phase of the establishment of Colleges, NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain as a Board Member of NATHM had coordinated and actively participated. Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) on its board meeting had decided to launch Bachelors in Hotel Management (BHM) and Bachelors in Travel and Tourism Management (BTTM) programmes at Birtamode of Jhapa district in Province 1, Bardibas of Mahottari district Read More
The Kakarvitta Province of NATTA organized its 9th AGM at Birtamode, Hotel Hicola on 2nd October 2020. The AGM was followed by the election of the new executive committee. On the Election, Mr. Uday Shrestha has been unanimously elected as President of NATTA Kakarvitta Province, with the new Executive Committee Members; Senior Vice President Mr. Punyaprasad Bhattarai, Vice President Mr. Rishiraj Timsina, Secretary General Mr. Nabin Kharel, Secretary Mr. Surendra Prasad Poudel, Treasurer Mr. Sanit Tamang and Executive Members Mr. Jeevan Parajuli, Mr. Manarath Silwal, Mr. Dharmaraj Shiwakoti and Mr. Chakrabahadur Karki for the year 2020-2022. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain accompanied by Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay and Executive Members Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha and Mr. Dendi Sherpa of NATTA Central committee participated in the NATTA AGM.
Conceptualizing from the BIMSTEC, BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Tourism Forum Nepal has been formed for the tourism promotion. The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative is a subregional architecture of countries in Eastern South Asia, a subregion of South Asia. The Forum will be having a meet through the official representation of member states to draw out the ideas and implement on the tourism sector. Representing Nepal, on the BBIN Tourism forum Nepal, President Mr. Achyut Guragain has been nominated as the Vice President of the Forum. Likewise, NATTA Past President Mr. Arjun Prasad Sharma, President of NATTA Gandaki Province Mr. Sanjay Kanta Sigdel and Former Secretary General Ms. Mihika Dhakwa has been nominated as the Member of BBIN Forum.
NATTA celebrated the World Tourism Day -2020 this year with the major programs on the WTD-2020 theme Tourism and Rural Development. BLOOD DONATION NATTA 9th Blood Donation Program was organized at the premises of Goma Ganesh Temple at Naxal on 25th September, '16 from 10 am - 2 pm. Humanitarian gesture at the event was shown by the members of NATTA, and other generous people. About 35 people donated blood on the occasion. HERITAGE CLEANING AT BUDHANILKANTHA NATTA in association with Budhanilkantha Municipality on the occasion of 41st World Tourism Day organized a Heritage Cleaning Program in Budhanilkantha on 26th September 2020. This novel initiative was inaugurated together by Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality Mr. Uddhav Kharel and President of NATTA, Mr. Achyut Guragain. Joined by NATTA Members and associates of NATTA, the cleaning program was prepared in and around Budhanilkantha temple premises. The objective of the program was to clean the heritage sites Read More
This year Sichuan International Travel Expo (SCITE) Expo collaborated with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) which took take place from September 23 – 27 virtually. NATTA had been regularly invited in the SCITE Expo for years. This year due to the situation of COVID, the program was organized virtually as a PATA Travel Mart. Participants also had the involvement in the Sichuan International Travel Expo through the Virtual PTM 2020 platform. The event also had some of the networking opportunities as well as gaining some insights into the industry during the presentations. NATTA Executive Member and Chairperson of China Tour Promotion Committee Mr. Subarna Shrestha virtually participated in the Expo. The event had been organised in conjunction with the Sichuan International Travel Expo with the support of the Leshan Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau powered by official virtual partner Dragon Trail Interactive.
NATTA Delegation, President Mr. Achyut Guragain, Secretary General Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay and Treasurer Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya had an online meeting with Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari on 25th September 2020. The meeting emphasized on the rescheduling of loan repayments deadline, for businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic especially the tourism industry. The government had earlier announced the budget of Rs 50 billion to provide loans at 5 per cent interest for fiscal year 2077/78 to the tourism industrialists. Hence, NATTA requested for the loans to be provided to the small and medium enterprises based on the guarantee of Registration, Tax Clearance simply without the hassles in the travel, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, transportation companies of the tourism sector who have taken overdraft loan or term loan. As tourism stakeholders are unable to pay their previous loans due to the situation, NATTA also requested to provide Read More
