Hello! Come, Participate in Buddhist International Travel Mart “BITM 2019” Logo Competition Win Cash Prize of Rs. 20,000/- Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents invites YOU to participate in the creation of “BITM 2019” logo. Guidelines for Logo Design Logo should carry the message “Exploring Buddha Land” The Design should be Vibrant, Unique and Appealing-depicting Buddha’s Home Land, Lumbini and Buddhist vibes. The Logo should depict at its maximum to the Nature and origin of Buddhism in Nepal The logo should be easy to replicate. The colour, the font and the artworks used should be simple and eye-friendly. The logo should be of International Standard to appeal for national and international travellers. Requirement of the logo Logo shall be used as the main Branding Tool for the entire Campaign and will be featured in website, social media platforms and other printed and online materials. Logos cannot contain copyrighted material and must be Read More
Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) is an annual marketplace of the Buddhist pilgrimage industry conceived by Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA). The main objective of organizing the Mart is to exploit the immense potentials that Nepal has in Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. The Travel Mart will not only promote Buddhist heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini, but will also offer new tourism products that Nepali tourism entrepreneurs can sell in the international market. Also, the Mart will play a key role in diversifying and decentralizing Nepali tourism which is heavily reliant on adventure tourism and focus on handful of areas of the country. NATTA plans to organize the Mart under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, together with Nepal Tourism Board and Lumbini Development Trust as well as different travel trade associations of the country for the month of January 2019.
As per the decision of 12th NATTA Board Meeting, the rate of remuneration of Tourist Guide service was decided by certain percent with effect from 1st January 2019. But there seemed to be unease with the decision by concerned associates. For mutual alliance amongst all in this regard, NATTA had a meeting with some major tour operators at NATTA Secretariat on 13th September 2018. There was several discussions in the meeting in relating to revision of rates of tour guide. As advised in the meeting, it was decided that Coordinator of Tour, Heritage & Culture Committee will converse with the concerned associates to have mutual cooperation.
From September 8th to 10th, 2018, Hangzhou hosted the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) · Xianghu Dialogue and the second session of the first Council Meeting and Annual Meeting of WTA. WTA, through the dialogue, the communication among members was strengthened and provided a platform for multiple subjects like government, industry associations and enterprises be built to share experience and exchange ideas, so as to make tourism better to promote poverty reduction, development and peace service. In addition, the second session of the first Council Meeting & Annual Meeting of WTA was held in the same period. The council meeting had a detailed summary of the work of the alliance between 2017 and 2018 and studied on the annual working plan from 2018 to 2019 considering the specific statutes of the alliance’s work. The following meeting had the attendance of more than 300 representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Read More
Nepal was a special part of the opening ceremony of the 5th Sichuan International Travel Expo 2018 on Sept. 7. Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Rabindra Prasad Adhikari, attended the program as a part of the high-level Government delegation from Nepal to forge new partnership between the Sichuan Province of China and Nepal for joint promotion of the shared Buddhist heritage. At the opening ceremony, Hon'ble Tourism Minister appreciated the role of the Chinese Government for their support to initiate promotional partnership with Nepal, welcoming close association and looking forward to productive results ahead for both countries. The Minister- led delegation also attended the Emei Global Summit for signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Leshan Municipality in China and the municipalities of Ramgram and Tansen, and the Lumbini Development Trust, in Nepal. The first day of the Travel Expo went well at Mt. Emei, which Read More
NATTA honoured and congratulated newly crowned Miss Tourism 2018 pageant holders on 2nd September 2018 in the presence of Board Members of NATTA Secretariat. Winner of Title Ms. Manita Paudel, 1st Runner Ms. Prakriti Dhakal and 2nd Runner Ms. Shruti Thapa interacted with Executives Members of NATTA at the meet.
NATTA held a Joint Meeting with Airlines and Executive Members of NATTA at Hotel Shangri-La on 29th August 2018. Introduced by Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Thapa on outline of the Joint Meeting, meeting was well-attended by almost all the country managers of major airlines operating in Nepal. Mr. CN Pandey, NATTA President chaired the meeting and spoke about the objective of the meeting envisaging the importance of mutual support and co-operation between NATTA and Airlines. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current issues in the aviation industry along with its solutions facilitating for aviation, tourism industry and prominently NATTA Members. Secy General & Chairman of APJC Committee Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Executive Member & Chairman of IATA & Aviation Committee Mr. Ramesh Paudel reflected on below issues as per suggestion and feedback received from NATTA Members: GDS: Travel agencies (IATA/Non IATA) having legally completed procedures according to Read More
In regard to discussion on Recent Taxation Issues and its impact in tourism and business fraternity, a Joint Meeting was held with tourism associations, FNCCI, CNI and Nepal Chamber of Commerce on 26th August 2018 at HAN Secretariat, Gairidhara. The meeting was held to have the views from all the associations and prepare for further collective strategy to bring out the solutions to the government of Nepal. NATTA had also circulated its general members to send their suggestions/views regarding Recent Local Municipal Taxation Issues with which representing NATTA, 2nd Vice President Mrs. Sangita Jirel Bade put forward the difficulties faced by members at the meeting.
As per the decision of 12th NATTA Board Meeting, the following rate of remuneration of Tourist Guide service has been decided with effect from 1st January 2019. No. of Pax English Language (Half Day) Other Language (Half Day) 01-02 Rs. 1,130/- Rs. 1,370/- 03-10 Rs. 1,550/- Rs. 1,780/- 11 & above Rs. 1,800/- Rs. 2,350/- The above rates are for the Half- Day Sightseeing Tour and should be doubled up for Full Day Tour. Over-night Allowance and Remuneration shall be Rs. 5,500/- per day Outside valley, within Nepal to be provided including night stay & allowances fixed for all number of Pax and language. If the accommodation and food provided by their concerned company, allowances deducted to Rs. 2,000/- As per the current Labour Act and Regulations, TDS is applicable in the given amount and Guide should abide by the responsibilities assigned. Mountain flight, Arrival, Departure transfers, accompanying the cultural Read More
NATTA has granted membership to a new applicant Across World Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd. as NATTA Member. President CN Pandey handed over the Certificates with related documents. NATTA Executive Board Members also expressed their best wishes to the newly joined member in the last 13th Board meeting held at NATTA Secretariat on 19th August 2018.
NATTA Tour, Heritage & Culture Committee was held on 17th and 19th August simultaneously at NATTA Secretariat. The first meeting of the committee convened by its chairman and 1st VP Mr. Achyut Sharma Guragain. The series of meeting was held with representative from Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square and secondly with Swoyambhu and Bouddha Heritage site along with Tour & Heritage Committee Members. The meeting focused on quality issues in terms of garbage management problem from the cities, safety terms, environment and lack of toilet in heritage visitor attractions. The meeting also stressed on the hassles faced by tour operators in sites and parking difficulties particularly in Patan Durbar Square and Bouddha Heritage site. The representatives from heritage sites have committed their words of assurances in safeguarding and eliminating the issues. The meeting has decided to conduct a Joint Workshop with Nepal Tourism Board inviting all the concerned officials Read More
There had been several deliberations since years with tourism luminaries in regard to unite of three associations; Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and Society of Travel and Tour Operators Nepal (SOTTO – Nepal) who have been working for common interest of the tourism industry. Therefore, in accordance with the decision of 12th NATTA Board Meeting, it has decided to initiate discussion to unite the three associations. Committees has been formed by NATTA to execute the joint endeavor.
In initiation of Ministry for Information and Communication in digitizing Nepal, the ministry conducted an interaction program on Digital Nepal Framework with associated industrialists from government, private and public enterprises, broadcasting and telecom. The interaction program requested on suggestions and views on implementation, strategy, challenges and priorities of digitization of the country. The Digital Nepal Framework is a blueprint that provides a road map to how digital initiatives can find innovative ways to solve major challenges facing society in a shorter period with fewer resources. The Government of Nepal has targeted to penetrate the whole country with digital connectivity by 2020. NATTA was represented by Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Thapa.
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has demanded for the growth of the aviation sector for the development of tourism sector in the country. A delegation led by NATTA President Mr. CN. Pandey visited Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Mr. Sugat Ratna Kansakar and high administrators on August 16, 2018. NATTA has requested NAC to provide and maintain the quality service and encouraged on initiation for partnership with foreign airlines to increase the capacity of the national flag carrier to develop Nepal tourism sector. Similarly, as the flights operating to neighboring countries are quiet expensive and NAC has minimal presence in most non-SAARC foreign countries, the delegation urged NAC to expand flight operations to those destinations and bring good number of inbound tourists. NATTA also pointed out high rates charged by the NAC for domestic flights and its refusal to conduct flights to major tourism destinations, Read More
A special session on Exponential Innovations for startups and Entrepreneurs was held on 14th August at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu, Nepal. The session was given by Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA, chaired by Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Rabindra Adhikari. NATTA 1st Vice President Mr. Achyut Sharma Guragain participated in the said workshop. The session was part of their continued workshop of Human Capacity Building Programme with theme of the Art of Storytelling held from August 13-14 jointly organized by PATA and NTB.
A discussion between NATTA Executive Committee and team of SAMARTH was held on 14th August 2018 at NATTA Secretariat regarding mutual collaboration with NATTA and SAMARTH throughout the tenure of SAMARTH, a project funded by DFID that has been working in multiple aspects of tourism primarily focusing on the areas. The meeting focused on how both the organizations integrated programs in contribution of tourism industry. SAMARTH had supported NATTA in most of its every endeavors and desired to work with NATTA in the issues that fit the scope of its work, previously.
Tourism Associations NATTA, TAAN, HAN, NARA, NMA and SOTTO submitted a five point petitions to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Bagdurbar, Kathmandu. The delegates representing their respected associations met Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Mr. Bidya Sundar Shakya and handed over the petitions on, 10th August 2018. One of the major request, associations were alleging that Metropolitan Office should only collect local municipality tax from the current Fiscal Year 2075/76 from the tourism trade. However in urge of the associations in the meeting, Mr. Shakya informed that from now onwards the tax will be collected only from the fiscal year 2072/73. The pledge also requested on collecting equal amount of tax in all the tourism trades, especially for IATA and Non IATA agents. As currently the amount of submitting tax is distinct for IATA and Non IATA agents. Likewise, other petitions included: entry fee raised in tourist areas are relatively costly Read More
NATTA in coordination with other associations such as HAN, TAAN, NARA, NMA and HRA organized a Condolence Program to pay Tribute to its former President Tek Chandra Pokharel on 4th August 2018 on the 13th day since his passing away in Kathmandu. Present in the program were NATTA Executive Committee, former Presidents of NATTA, CEO of NTB, Presidents of leading tourism associations like TAAN, NMA, HRA, represents from the associations, NATTA members, tourism entrepreneurs and journalists. Speaking on the occasion, on behalf of former Presidents, NATTA Former President Mr. RR Pandey highlighted Late Pokharel’s brief biography and his contribution to tourism industry as former President and Advisor. President of Associations, TAAN, HRA, NMA shared about Late Pokharel and his contribution in tourism. The program was conducted and coordinated by Secretary General of NATTA Mr. Ramesh Thapa. All the participants observed a minute's silence and paid tribute to Late Pokharel by Read More
Delegates from Japan Airlines Mr. Shinya Naruse and Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Meghwan from their Regional Officer India were at NATTA Secretariat on 30th July 2018. They were at Secretariat to get insight on Nepal market and its potential toward Japan and other countries as well as to understand ongoing passenger traffic dynamic to and from Nepal. The purpose was to understand the ongoing growth of PAX Traffic between Nepal and Japan and to find the possibility to cultivate this market further for future and to introduce the Japan Airlines in Nepal. On the meeting, President Mr. CN Pandey, Executive Members Ms. Geeta Dhakal and Mr. Raju Dhakal exchanged views on the potentiality of market.
The 5th Sichuan International Travel Expo (SCITE) be taking place in Leshan, China from September 6-9. Nepal has been given a special mileage as “Guest Country of Honor” in the Expo. It is being featured as a Partner country and will enjoy exclusive tourism promotion through a 310 sq m area to showcase Nepal, a B2B booth for travel trade business and a Nepal Week for Nepalese handicraft and culinary display and sales. The press conference for the expo was held in Chengdu on July 30, in which a short tourism publicity video of 3 minutes on Lumbini was played before the press conference opening. Nepal Tourism Board officials, Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa, Sr. Director, Ms. Ranu Shah, Manager and NATTA Executive member Mr. Sudarshan Nepal participated in the program. Sichuan is a large province of economy, population and tourism in Western China. It has abundant tourism resources and a vast Read More
