In the initiation of UFTAA, NATTA had participated in an Interactive Session via Conference Call with UFTAA Delegations on 29th March 2020 speaking on the current issues especially in the matter of IATA. The participating members were from various continents; Europe; Middle East; Africa; South Asia & Asia which brought greater awareness on industry happenings and shared a global perspective of challenges travel agencies currently face. UFTAA President Sunil Kumar R, shared about the communications UFTAA sent to IATA and demands made for an immediate positive response to support agencies honour refunds to passengers and to ensure the safety of passenger money. As COVID-19 has caused them large losses due to cancellation of flights. Associations sought support from UFTAA to endorse their communication to IATA requiring an extension of the payment deadline. As informed, UFTAA would continue to endorse to IATA all communications copied to UFTAA to seek an extension Read More
Amid widespread concerns in Nepal and the World Health Organization raising the global risk of the Covid-19 outbreak to “very high”, the government is now scrambling to step up measures to contain the possible outbreak of the deadliest infectious disease. Please find here the updates on the measures taken by government in regard to COVID-19:
CORONAVIRUS AFFECTS: Emergency Meeting called by MoCTCA As the outbreak of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) is having a major global impact in the Travel Trade and Tourism Industry the world over and in all of Nepal’s tourism industry. An emergency meeting had been called on this regard by the MoCTCA and NTB on 4th March 2020 at NTB Lecture Hall on the presence of President and General Secretary from tourism organizations of Nepal along with other line institutions. The meeting was held to address the ongoing crisis created with the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and to understand the plight faced by the respective stakeholders in order to tackle the crisis together. The meeting also dwelt on the effect of the miscommunication and colossal spread of rumors regarding the disease and emphasized the need for authentic information dissemination from the concerned body only. To address all suggestions and issues, Hon'ble Minister Read More
CORONAVIRUS AFFECTS: An Interaction and awareness program on Corona Virus (COVID-19) status in Nepal was organized on March 3, 2020, at Nepal Tourism Board, Lecture Hall. The interaction was organized for the private sector tourism industry of Nepal by the Department of Tourism in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The program was focused on giving information including facts and figures related to COVID-19. According to the Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Nepal has adopted all precautionary and safety measures to contain the virus and stay updated on the matter. He said so far only one person tested positive for Corona Virus, and the person was quarantined and released only after he tested negative. There have been no further cases to date, as per the official information. Similarly, safety measures and screening process are ongoing and intact at entry points and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), while the Sukraraj Read More
The first meeting of Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2020 Main Organizing Committee was held at Lecture Hall, Nepal Tourism Board on 1st March 2020 chaired by Secretary of MoCTCA and Chairperson of BITM, Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari. The meeting had the presence of the represents from the Main organizing committee. Senior VP of NATTA and Member Secretary of Buddhist International Travel Mart, Mr. Binay Basnet gave the PowerPoint presentation regarding the updates and plans for BITM 2020 promoting Nepal through Spiritual Travel Mart. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain also shed light on the BITM and said that the continual organization of BITM will be a milestone for Nepalese tourism especially in Spiritual Tourism. The meeting discussed on certain agendas. However, due to the rapid effect of COVID-19 around the world, Chair of BITM advised having internal preparation as of now until the lessening of the effect. Committee members Read More
In February 2020, NATTA embarked on a project to renovate its Secretariat building situated in Gairidhara Road. NATTA, the most senior and pioneering representative organization of national tour operators and travel agents in Nepal, and has already entered in fifty three years old. Its current Secretariat building is age old and seeks at least a firm renovation to represent as an Umbrella Organization of Travel Trade fraternity. Such being the situation, NATTA has started collecting and accumulating the funds from its well-wishers, peer member friends, seniors and industry allies as a contribution for the Building Renovation. Interested contributors who wish to support in this noble cause can contact at NATTA Secretariat. Every penny contributed to renovate NATTA Building will be counted as very important. A committee has been formed as a NATTA Building Renovation Committee chaired and initiated by Executive Member, Mr. Bharat Jung Pandey with Committee Members, Secretary General Read More
Govt taking precautionary measures amid fear of COVID-19 Amidst fear of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Nepal, the government is taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus from travellers. With the increasing reported cases in countries other than mainland China, the government has decided to stop issuing visa-on-arrival to the people from five countries that have recorded an increase in virus infection. According to the Department of Immigration (DoI) on the basis of global recommendations and measures of the WHO, Nepal has decided to temporarily suspend visa-on-arrival for nationals from China, South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran effective from March 10. However, the department has said that those willing to visit Nepal can obtain a visa beforehand from the Nepali missions abroad. The applicants in these countries are required to submit a recently issued health certificate with the visa application. The government has also issued a travel advisory Read More
A three-day-long event of 5th edition of Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2020 was held in Siliguri starting from February 22nd to 24th 2020 in Siliguri, West Bengal inaugurated by Mr. Gautam Deb Minister of Tourism Government of West Bengal. The business & technical sessions were brainstorming where a seminar on Responsible and Sustainable tourism was organized. There were various discussions and influences at the Forum in making Eastern South Asia as sustainable global tourism, developing destination and cross country tourism product. Likewise, wildlife conservation, strengthening and providing human resources in supporting host communities and train them for quality service were also discussed. The representatives of Nepal & Bangladesh poured their minds for promotion of Cross Border tourism in their respective countries. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain participated in the program and also apprised on the second edition of Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2020. BTM conceptualized by Eastern Himalayas Travel and Read More
A taskforce Committee has been formed by Nepal Tourism Board in direction of Hon'ble Tourism Minister, MoCTCA. Task forces for various International Markets on India, Buddhist Countries, Middle East, UK, Europe & Russia, Australia & NewZealand, China, America. Each Task Force had a Committee comprising of Nepal Tourism Board Official, Visit Nepal Year Official and private sector official. Representing NATTA, COO Ms. Shradha Chhetri has been a part of committee for Buddhist Countries and SEA. Several Meetings has been organized to apprise about the current situation of the promotional strategies along with the Market Research of the assigned promotional regions. The presented action and ways forward shall be compiled of all the committees and bring to an amicable procedure for further promotion.
Various necessary NATTA Committees have been formed to ease the solution of ever-increasing responsibilities of the associations: National & International Promotion Committee: Mr. Binay Basnet, Senior Vice President IRL & VAT Committee: Mr. Ramesh Thapa, Vice President APJC Committee: Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary General Outbound Tour Committee: Ms. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha, Secretary Banking, Finance & Resource Management: Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Treasurer Membership Committee: Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Treasurer Tour, Culture & Heritage Committee: Ms. Yubika Bhandari, Joint Treasurer Members Feedback & Solution Committee: Ms. Geeta Dhakal, Executive Member Budget Airlines Committee: Ms. Geeta Dhakal, Executive Member Printing & Publication Committee: Laxmi Karki Adhikari, Executive Member PR and Government Resource Management Committee: Mr. Bishnu Karki, Executive Member Transport & Hotel Coordination Committee: Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha, Executive Member BIMSTEC Countries Promotion Committee: Mr. Bharat Jung Pandey, Executive Member NATTA Training & Development Committee: Mr. Bharat Jung Pandey, Executive Member Read More
The main organizing committee of the International Buddhist Conference has started preparations for the event that is going to be held from May 5 to 7 on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. The three-day event will take place in Lumbini, in which participants from 21 countries will come to attend the conference. A meeting of main organising committee held on 17th February 2020 at the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) informed that participants from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, South Korea, Bhutan, Mongolia, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, America, United Kingdom, Russia, Costa Rica, France and Germany have confirmed their participation. Likewise, several researchers and students of Buddhism will also take part in the event. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese participants may decide to cancel their registration. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain participated in the meeting as one of the Member Read More
The newly elected NATTA Executive Committee took part in the 8th Convention and 25th AGM of NATTA Gandaki Province was held in Teeka Resort, Pokhara on 15th February 2020. The inauguration of Annual General Meeting was inaugurated by Mayor, Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City, Mr. Man Bahadur G.C. The Special Guests were Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation (MoCTCA). The Newly Elected Executive Committee of NATTA Gandaki Province were elected under the leadership of Mr. Sanjaya Kanta Sigdel at the 11th Election of New Executive Committee. The AGM & Election was held on 15th February 2020 at Teeka Resort, Pokhara. Similarly, Mr. Hariram Adhikari was elected as a First Vice President, Mr. Kishore Dahal as Second Vice President while Ms. Kamal Giri was elected in General Secretary of the association. Ms. Sangita Paudel as Secretary, Mr. Rajesh Pahari as Treasurer, Mr. Nawaraj Bhandari as Read More
On 11th February 2020, NATTA welcomed newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, H.E. Himalee Subhashini Arunatilaka at NATTA Secretariat, Gairidhara. Welcoming Her Excellency, the President of NATTA Mr. Achyut Guragain enlightened about the friendly ties between two countries Sri Lanka and Nepal and the cordial relationship that has been enduring since long between Embassy and NATTA. NATTA Executive Members present in the meeting had an interaction with Her Excellency. The interaction held talks on matters pertaining to mutual support, co-operation and exchange in the area of promoting tourism of both the friendly countries that could be harnessed effectively. Her Excellency Ambassador to Sri Lanka urged the tourism trade that we have to give our effort in both ways and give further economic benefit to Nepal. Madam Arunatalika also requested that travel agent should play an important role in promoting different places as there are not just Lumbini but Read More
A Workshop was held with General Sales Agents (GSA) operating in Nepal and aviation associated organizations and stakeholders on Friday, 7th February 2020 at Hotel Annapurna regarding the National Aviation Policy 2076. The program was organized by Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation (MoCTCA). As the National Aviation Policy 2076 is being prepared, Ministry organized such workshop with aviation experts to receive the suggestions in the development of Policy.
After the formation of the new NATTA Executive (2020-2022), a series of Welcome programs had been hosted. NARA hosted a program on 31st January 2020 in welcoming NATTA Executive Members who were newly elected on 17th January 2020 at 53rd AGM and Election. Likewise, in honor of NATTA newly elected Board, Society of Travel and Tour Operators (SOTTO) organized a Welcome program on 8th February 2020 at Tapesh Resort, Budanilkantha. Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA) organized a Welcome program in welcoming NATTA Executives together with TBAN Executives on 7th February 2020 at Hotel Landmark. Similarly, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) organized a felicitation program for the newly elected committee of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agencies (NATTA), Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) and Pacific Asia Travel Agencies (PATA) at NMA Secretariat, Nagpokhari on 20th February 2020. In all the felicitations, the Executive Committee and Read More
Despite the pandemic situation, the determination for the completion of the renovation of the building has been completed. All the Secretarial works have been resumed from the newly renovated building of NATTA Secretariat. In February 2020, NATTA embarked on a project to renovate its Secretariat building situated in Gairidhara Road. NATTA had started collecting and accumulating the funds from its well-wishers, peer member friends, seniors and industry allies as a contribution for the Building Renovation. Interested contributors who wish to support in this noble cause can contact at NATTA Secretariat. Every penny contributed to renovate NATTA Building will be counted as very important. Even during the period of lockdown, having following the precautions for COVID-19, the renovation of NATTA Secretariat Building was renovated. A committee had been formed as a NATTA Building Renovation Committee chaired and initiated by Executive Member, Mr. Bharat Jung Pandey with Committee Members, Secretary General Mr. Read More
Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOF) organized a homestay program in Dhunkharka, in Kavrepalanchok District with all the tourism personnel on 4th February 2020 to indulge in the Nepali village experience and promote the newly recognized destination. NATTA Secretary Ms. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha participated in this homestay program. Dhunkharka in Central Region (region) is a city in Nepal - about 16 mi (or 26 km) South-East of Kathmandu, the country's capital city. Bethanchwok GP-Dhunkharka is a village development committee in Kavrepalanchok District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal.
In making the Ghoda Ghodi Lake Area (GLA) more competent, qualitative and to promote this part of Province 7 as the main tourism destination, an Interaction Program was held at Hotel Lake Palace, Ghodaghodi Lake, Kailali on 1st February 2020. The program was organized by Comprehensive Ghoda Ghodi Lake and Tourism Development Board in the presence of the tourism stakeholders and tourism dignitaries. As Tourism Development Master Plan is being developed for sustainable development and conservation of the lake, the outline of the program was also in collecting suggestions from Travel agents/tour operators of different Provinces in incorporating the GLA destination in their tour/travel packages that will be the support on the promotion of the destination. A delegation from NATTA had participated in the Interaction program. NATTA Joint Treasurer Ms. Yubika Bhandari, Executive Member Ms. Laxmi Karki Adhikari presented their ways of action. Likewise, NATTA Members Mr. Amar B. Shahi, Read More
The Executive Committee of NATTA, led by IPP Mr. CN Pandey, congratulated the newly appointed Dr. Dhananjaya Regmi, the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board. While at the meeting, NATTA requested NTB to emphasize on international promotion. Mr. CN Pandey advised that Nepal Tourism Board should be digitalized and it should encourage and promote the best products of every province of Nepal. He also requested NTB to emphasize on tourism promotion of Nepal at international level instead of building monasteries and temples. Likewise Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet also requested NTB to incorporate NATTA’s several promotional programs in NTB’s yearly plan of action earmarking the necessary budget required to accomplish them. Dr. Regmi, on the meet, urged the associations to address the matters that will give influence on a long term basis. He assured that the workings and modality will be positively seen in the entire tourism Read More
On 31st January 2020, Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) organized a Breakfast Meeting with Executives of Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) at Apsara Boutique Hotel. The meeting attended by almost seventeen tourism related associations focused on various agendas including Tourism Act /Policies, Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 2020, Tourist Bus Park, Coordinating with Government and Tourism Board and other matters. The meeting finally concluded with a resolution that all associations will submit the list of their identified problems with suggestive measures to Tourism Ministry. The associations will also stress the Government to bring out the effective strategies to be taken for the effective Visit Nepal Year 2020 celebration. Soon, a Joint program will be organized with all the tourism associations and Government bodies and Nepal Tourism Board and discuss the Airport Read More
