Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has started imparting training virtually to the tourism entrepreneurs about the effective implementation of the protocol on precautions and safety measures to be taken since July 02 2020 while reopening the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic. The training has been conducted in coordination with the tourism organizations; Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) to enforce the ‘Operational Guideline with Health Protocol for Tourism Sector’ that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and NTB had prepared jointly. Some 600 tourism entrepreneurs is believed to be provided training in the first phase. The protocol includes measures to be taken by the people right from their arrival to their departure as well as by the service providers here. The protocol also encourages tourism entrepreneurs to do digital marketing to attract tourists in the Read More
On 3rd July 2020, NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain and Senior Vice President Mr. Binay Basnet met with Director General of Civil Authority Association of Nepal (CAAN) and President of Board of Directors of Nepal (BARN), Mr. Tanka Nidhi Dahal at CAAN Office, Babarmahal. As most of the IATA Agents are receiving interest on their due payment as Late Annual Revalidation Charge. Members have been sending a request to NATTA for the waive of the given Charge that IATA has been instigating. To express serious concern on this issue, NATTA submitted a letter and requested CAAN and BARN to take actions over it. In the pandemic of COVID-19, where Agents expect for the encouraging support from IATA, Agents have been getting charges. Also on the meeting, NATTA Executives apprised of the Refunds that hasn’t still been received of the unutilized Air tickets from the Airlines to the passengers or travel Read More
Nepal’s tourism is one of the sectors worst affected due to corona virus pandemic. Amid this, different tourism associations have requested their landlords to take only 50 per cent house rent and also provide a discount on their utility bills. Based on a decision taken during a meeting with tourism associations, 11 tourism associations jointly decided to ask the landlords to reduce their house rent. The meeting was held among Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), TAAN, NMA, NARA, NTVA, TBAN, TTDC, VITOF Nepal, Foreign Currency Entrepreneurs Association Nepal, Kailash Yatra Association and Export Council of Nepal. In progression of lobbying, further other tourism associations also showed their solidarity in this initiation.
Nepal Tourism Board organized an unveiling program of the Operational Guideline with COVID-19 Health Protocol for Tourism Industry, via Zoom meeting on 22nd June 2020. The Operational Guideline was released by Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai which was prepared by NTB in coordination with MoCTCA and the private sector based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Population and World Health Organisation. The objective of the protocol is to make the tourism sector safe and reliable during this pandemic. The guidelines are the operational modality for a smooth transition to reopen the tourism industry post-lockdown. The guidelines cover information for different tourism sectors, such as hotels, restaurants and tourism offices and how each of these shall follow safety, hygiene and sanitation measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. NATTA also had profoundly worked out on the draft of the Protocol and given the Read More
In the initial times of COVID-19, NATTA released a Press Statement requesting Government to increase the awareness and responsiveness and establish the Health/Help Desks in TIA, Borders and different check posts to prevent from the spread of the virus. To track the passengers from the flights of Qatar Airways, VISTARA Air, NATTA released a Press Release asking to provide the details if they have of the passengers and to follow the Lockdown and guidelines issued by Government. Regarding the Repatriation/Chartered Flights, NATTA released a Press Statement demanding for the Agent Commission on the allocated ticket from Airlines. The statement also mentioned that NATTA has been continuously coordinating with MoCTCA, CAAN and Airlines to make repatriation and chartered flights economical, managed and flexible. Various tourism associations released a Press Release stating Government to bring the Regulations for the tourism industry as tourism sector has been hit very hard due to COVID-19. Associations Read More
The tourism associations have recommended the government to incorporate provisions for promoting sustainable tourism and generating more jobs in the sector through the new Tourism Act. As the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has prepared a draft of the new Tourism Act, it had sought suggestions from the stakeholders. The new act will replace the existing 42-year-old tourism act. On June 11, tourism associations — Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Hotel Association Nepal, Tourist Bus Association of Nepal and other associations — had jointly submitted recommendations to Hon'ble Tourism Minister Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai and Tourism Secretary Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari. Meanwhile, the stakeholders have also requested the government to make it mandatory for tourists to hire a guide on a trip or a trek. They have also requested the government to give more space to Read More
Nepal Government planned on bringing Nepali citizens to Nepal from abroad in the period of COVID-19 via Chartered flights from the designated destinations. In this situation, during the arrangements of the travellers in returning to Nepal, NATTA urged the Government to let all the NATTA IATA agents of Nepal to provide the ticketing facilities for them systematized through NATTA. The appeal to the concerned Committee was in requesting to not give the authorisation to only specific travel agencies to handle the ticketing purpose which would be highly supportive to travel agencies of Nepal in this pandemic situation. In this regard, NATTA also had a Zoom Meeting with NATTA IATA Agents of Nepal on 4th June 2020 taking the consent of IATA agents where most of them expressed their support to carry on the responsibility of Chartered Flights in division of teams. NATTA submitted a letter and requested for the less Read More
On 29th May 2020, Meeting with Past President was held via Zoom Application with the presence of all the Past Presidents chaired by Convener of Council of NATTA Past Presidents (CNPP), Mr. RR Pandey. The meetings discussed on the several agendas of the meeting. NATTA has been working ubiquitously in the time of Pandemic for the restoration of tourism. Discussing on the situation, changed by COVID-19, Presidents advised that not being left behind than the other countries, Nepal should remain open for business taking full precautions. Likewise, Renovation of Secretariat Building had been praised by the Presidents and assured for full support on this admirable initiation. While talking on financial issues and Secretarial Arrangements, Past Presidents suggested NATTA Board to take decision as per situational favor. All the Past Presidents praised the active role of NATTA Board and President during this pandemic situation. This was the first meeting after the Read More
The 13th International Sagarmatha Day was celebrated with the theme of ‘Everest Inspires For Resilience’ on 29th May 2020 at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Singha Durbar. Amidst the various representatives from different government and tourism agencies, the day was marked with a special address to the mountaineering community and remembrance of the first ascent on Mt Everest on 29 May 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Extending best wishes on the occasion, Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai expressed confidence that Nepal's tourism will return to normal soon and the happiness of mountaineers will return. Chairman of 13th International Sagarmatha Day Main Organizing Committee and Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari thanked the representatives of various tourism organizations and government officials to make their time to commemorate the special day with Read More
COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown period have been a very hard time for the Tourism sector and the impact shall remain for the time even after this COVID 19 crisis is over. In this pandemic, NATTA had been having several interactions and meetings with different sectors to discuss and work on Revival Plans for tourism. Various ideas had been given suggested by the tourism industrialists. Promotion of Domestic Tourism has been a significant plan of action in the revival of tourism of the country. As for a certain time, there is the least prospect of welcoming tourists from abroad and now the Government has been focusing on promoting Domestic Tourism. There has also been proposed for Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) to the staffs for promotion in Domestic Tourism with the system of regular office times from Monday-Friday, having the weekend off i.e Saturday and Sunday so the nationals can utilize the Read More
On April 30, 2020, NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain and Senior VP Mr. Binay Basnet had the meeting with newly appointed Ambassador of Nepal to China, Hon'ble Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey at Nepal Tourism Board. The meeting was held in the presence of CEO of NTB, Officials of NTB and some of the Chinese Tour Operators of Nepal where the discussion revolved around the role and support to the promotion of Nepalese tourism in China especially in the post COVID19 scenario.
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.
