On 17th November 2019, a Debriefing Session was held at NATTA Secretariat with the participants of PHILOXENIA Expo. On the Session, participants had a positive response towards the coordination of Nepal's Participation. However participants have given some of the suggestions such as increasing the space from the current year, a Press Meet to be organized in Greece as well at least before 2 days of the Expo, organizing a Sales Mission program in of the city if Greece like Athens, participating in Inauguration Program of the Expo and have the presentation and speech on Nepal and to start working earlier from the date of Expo with much more ideas. The suggestions and comments shared by the participants have been noted positively to implement for the greater success of the next participation.
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) took a lead to participate in a tourism promotional event titled PHILOXENIA Expo 2019 in Thessaloniki, Greece which started from 8-10 November 2019 in the coordination of Nepal Tourism Board. Honorable Tourism Minister of Greece Mr. Haris Theoharis graced Nepal Pavilion in the Expo and interacted with the participants from Nepal. The Pavilion was also visited by Consulates from different countries. During the Expo, NTB Senior Director Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa & Coordinator Mr. Ramesh Thapa presented Token of Love from Nepal to the Tourism Minister of Greece, Organizer as well as the consulates of different countries. At the expo, Honorable Consulate General of Greece for Nepal Mr. Bikram Pandey Kaji, also visited Nepal Pavilion. Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa also participated on Press meet held in Greece on the occasion of Expo where Nepal had an opportunity to Read More
A joint meeting was held in NATTA Secretariat on November 4th 2019, with NATTA Executive Board and the President and General Secretary of TAAN, NARA, NTVA and TURGAN. The meeting chaired by NATTA President Mr. CN Pandey had a comprehensive discussion on the concerns about contribution in the tourism sector by the associations for making Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 2020 successful. All the participants at the meeting expressed their suggestions and ideas to be implemented to the soonest possible for making our national campaign successful.
A press meet was organized at NATTA Secretariat on 3rd Nov.2019 to apprise the media about Nepal's 1st participation in PHILOXENIA EXPO 2019, promoting Destination Nepal in Greece. Numbers of media were present in the press meet. President Mr. CN Pandey and Coordinator for Nepal's Participation in Expo, Mr. Ramesh Thapa informed the media about the historic 35-year-old PHILOXENIA Expo and completion of the arrangements for participation. Mr. Thapa also apprised that the participation of Nepalese tourism stakeholders and promotion of Nepal in the Philoxenia Expo will also be supportive for VNY 2020. NATTA delegations, Nepal Tourism Board Delegations Mr. Sitaram Dahal & Mr. Diwakar Rana from were also present in Press Meet.
On the occasion of 40th World tourism Day, a Rally Program inviting all tourism associations, tourism stakeholders, diplomatic missions and media persons was organized on 27th September 2019 in which Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) also showed its active participation. The rally that started from the premises of Sanchaya Kosh Building Thamel to Gantantra Park, Narayanhiti was then converted into a formal programme at the Republic Monument in the Eastern part of the Narayanhiti Palace which was inaugurated by State Minister of MoCTCA, Mr. Dhan Bahadur Budha. The formal program and Rally was participated by high officials of MoCTCA, tourism entrepreneurs and organizations as well as general public took part in the Rally. The event was jointly hosted by Tourism Ministry, Nepal Tourism Board and Visit Nepal Secretariat. September 27 is being celebrated as World Tourism Day at the call of United Nations World Tourism Association. Nepal Read More
NATTA organized IATA/BSP Refresher Training on 27th September at Nepal Tourism Board, Lecture Hall on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Around 30 participants from different travel and tours agent participated this training program. Ms. Kyarina Maharjan from IATA Nepal trained and updated about the IATA/BSP amendments. CEO of NTB Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi at the end of training session cheered all the participants for their active participation and encouraged to be part of all the updates happening in this digital world was hopeful for the upcoming VNY 2020. This training event was coordinated by Secretary General of NATTA Mr. Ramesh Thapa.
Marking the 40th World Tourism Day, from the regular calendar of events of NATTA, NATTA organized a noble activity Eight NATTA Blood Donation Program in collaboration with Nepal Red Cross Society at Goma Ganesh Temple, Goma Ganesh premises on Wednesday, 25th September 2019. The program was inaugurated by President Mr. CN Pandey, where the number of participants participated in donating blood. The program conducted each year by NATTA was successful to involve the number of donors which was highly appreciated this year. 8th Blood Donation Program was coordinated by Executive Member Ms. Inu Thapa.
On the day of 22nd September 2019, NATTA XXII Convention and Special Program 2019 was held at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza amidst the presence of national dignitaries, media personalities, diplomatic communities, national and international airlines members and members of travel trade fraternity of Nepal. The theme of the celebration was, "Enhancing Tourism Through Digitalization" with an aim to bring tourism to the special focus of the country digitally. Inaugurated by Hon. State Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Dhan Bahadur Buda, XXII Convention and Special Program were also attended by Joint Secretary of MoCTCA, Mr. Ghanashyam Upadhyay, high ranking Government Officials, dignitaries from international and national airlines, diplomatic missions, presidents of tourism associations, former presidents and office bearers of NATTA, members from tourism fraternity, media etc. On the occasion, the website of Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) was officially launched by our Chief Guest. Likewise, NATTA also Read More
NATTA organized a Felicitation Program for newly elected tourism associations; HAN, TAAN, NARA and NTVA at Hotel Shangrila on 24th September 2019. President CN Pandey felicitated all the Presidents of the association while the Executive Members were felicitated by Executive Members of NATTA. Compered by Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Thapa, the program had the participation of all the newly elected Committee of the associations along with NATTA Executive Members. On the program, Presidents of all the associations speaking at the program thanked NATTA for organizing such a congratulatory program. Presidents also stressed that the mutual tourism issues faced in the industry should be presented to the concerned authority with one voice together. Also in the program, the associations present in the program agreed to put forward the concerns like; emphasis on digitalization in marketing strategies, authorized representative of private sector in NAC and NTB should coordinate with Read More
NATTA received an invitation from World Tourism Alliance (WTA) at the second annual Xianghu Dialogue in Hangzhou, China which was held from Sept. 18-21, 2019. This year’s Dialogue focused on “Today’s Travel & Tourism Industry: Responding & Adapting to Rapid Growth and Transition.” Important topics included the Global Travel & Tourism Developments and Trends; Destination Marketing and Big Data, Technology Advancement & Industries Innovation and many more relevant issues and challenges facing our industry were addressed in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), World Bank, European Tourism Commission (ETC), Global Tourism Economic Forum (GTEF) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). WTA has grown up one step after another into its second year. This year the event received the participation from more than 500 local and international attendees from the global travel and tourism industry. Senior Vice President Mr. Achyut Sharma Guragain participated in the event Read More
Nepal Association of Travels and Tour Agents (NATTA) had taken an initiative to make Nepal-Japan flight launched by Nepal Airlines Corporation more effective and long-lasting. NATTA organized an Interaction program with major tour operators, ticketing agents and Airlines at Hotel Shangri La on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 to collect suggestions from different tour agents on making Japan's Osaka flights effective. Most of the speakers speaking at the program suggested that NAC should make feasible packages for Osaka flights with competitive airfare, emphasizing on appropriate digital marketing attracting major agents from Japan and setting up separate desks for Japan and mobilizing great team for marketing. President of NATTA, Mr. CN Pandey, on the program said that Japan's tourism market is highly potential for Nepal and adding the corporation's Osaka flight should be emphasized not only with the financial terms but also to establish the identity of the country. He advised that the Read More
NATTA Delegation led by President Mr. CN Pandey visited Embassy of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to meet Her Excellency WS Perera. Her Excellency had invited delegates of NATTA as a courtesy meet before she completes her tenure on coming October. The meeting had the discussion on the Joint Promotion of two friendly countries Sri Lanka and Nepal mutually in coordination with Embassy of Sri Lanka and NATTA. President Mr. CN Pandey apprised Madam Perera about the NATTA's previous and upcoming program on Promotion of Sri Lanka and the eagerness to promote Nepal program. Her Excellency assured that a FAM Trip Program will be organized in the near future for Nepal and Sri Lanka Promotion.
NATTA is fully geared up in organizing several programs to mark the upcoming 40th World Tourism Day. The events to be organized are 6th NATTA Futsal Tournament, 8th Blood Donation and IATA/BSP Refresher Training. The Futsal event has been slated for 20th September at Dhanyantari Futsal, Blood Donation on 25th September at NATTA Secretariat premises whereas the IATA /BSP training on 27th September 2019 at Nepal Tourism Board. Likewise NATTA's biennial event, XXII Convention is slated for 22nd September at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza with the theme Enhancing Tourism Through Digitalization. The program will have sessions where well known Speakers will be presenting on the theme and discussions will be held. NATTA Special Program is coincided with the event on the same day after concluding of Convention on the same day. The details and invitation of event will be sent to all member agencies in due course of time. A Read More
The tourism exhibition brand, Sichuan International Travel Expo (SCITE) was held in Emeishan, Sichuan Province, China from September 6-9 2019. Themed as "Tourism and Culture Promote Each Other "，four core parts were planned for the expo, including "Display, Trade, Activity, Competition”. Over 1,000 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors from 50 overseas countries, 31 national provinces, cities and autonomous regions joined in SCITE. NATTA comprising of 15 delegation also participated in the Expo in promotion of Nepal projecting Nepal as a holiday destination. Tourism is a promising sector in China. Realizing this very fact, NATTA has been continuously promoting Nepal and China bilaterally since years.
A Joint Meeting was held with Hon'ble Tourism Minister Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai and NATTA Past President Council and Executive Members on 4th September 2019 at Hotel Shangrila. The meeting was held with the presence of Tourism Secretary Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Former NATTA Past Presidents, Executive Members and Special Invitees Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, Mr. Yogendra Shakya, Former Secy. General Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta and Mr. Madan Acharya. Firstly, President Mr. CN Pandey and Co - Convener of Past President Council Mr. Joy Dewan along with all the delegations welcomed Honorable Tourism Minister, MoCTCA Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai and Secretary Mr. Kedar Prasad Adhikari offering a bouquet and khada, on behalf of NATTA extended profound congratulations and best wishes for a great success of his tenure in office. The meeting had a comprehensive discussion on the concerns in the tourism sector. President Mr. Pandey presented the suggestions enlightening about it for Read More
Hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka and UFTAA member TAASL – Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka, UFTAA Board Meeting & Mid-Year Forum was successfully held at Colombo, Sri Lanka, from the 31st August, 2019 to the 2nd September, 2019. UFTAA Forum 2019 turned out to be a well-attended event where it witnessed over 140 attendees at the most elaborately presented sessions on Industry Trends; IATA updates & NewGen ISS and the new challenges in the evolving scenario and Tourism updates. There were quality of interaction between participants of associations of UFTAA which was also held in the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Colombo. On the Forum, there were presentations by UFTAA including the interaction with the Secretary Generals of the UFTAA Associations as well as the presentations on several subjects were extremely well received. Secretary General Read More
Nepal Airlines has successfully inaugurated the flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Osaka, Japan from 29th August 2019 after a break of more than a decade using Airbus A330 aircraft that can accommodate 274 passengers. The first flight took off on August 29 where it also had the delegation of dignitaries. President Mr. C.N Pandey was also a part of this delegation in the inaugural flight representing NATTA. The Nepalese delegation had a Destination Nepal program in Japan. We believe, the national carrier will initiate in promoting tourism in both friendly countries Nepal and Japan and be of great support in the campaigning for the Visit Nepal Year 2020 as well.
The 18th APJC Meeting was held at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel on 22nd August 2019. The meeting was chaired by BARN Chairperson which had the presence of various airlines representatives and NATTA APJC Committee Chairperson Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Committee Members along with IATA officials Mr. Amitabh Khosla and Mr. Rodney Cruz.
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agent (NATTA) had a meeting with the newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation office on August 27, 2019. NATTA Executives congratulated Mr. Adhikari for his successful tenure. While at meeting, number of suggestions was submitted to Mr. Adhikari to be implemented sooner in tourism industry. Some of the suggestions included excessive fees on airfare, 24 hours operation of TIA and its improvements in parking and cleanliness. Also the suggestions stressed on the completion of construction work of Nijgadh Airport as well as Pokhara and Bhairahawa airport on time alongside with the standardization of Biratnagar and Dhangadhi Airport.
A joint meeting was held between representatives of Domestic Airlines of Nepal and NATTA Executives chaired by President Mr. CN Pandey at NATTA Secretariat on 21st August 2019. The meeting had a discussion specially on removing the Hoarding Boards from local shops which is causing distress among the ticketing agents due online payment services like E-Sewa, Khalti and other online apps. Also updating the cash back refund in their System by all Domestic Airlines. Domestic Airlines Representatives were from Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Shree, Simrik Air. The meeting was coordinated by Domestic Airlines & Promotion Committee Chairperson Mrs. Sabita Bhattarai K.C on the presence of NATTA VP Mrs. Sangita Jirel Bade, Secy. General Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Jt. Treasurer Mr. Surendra Bhattarai.
