A meeting was held between Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN) and NATTA Members regarding the revise of remuneration of tourist guide service. In the meeting it was proposed to increase the rate by certain percent with effect from January 2019.
The Tenth meeting of Joint Tourism Coordination Committee between the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of the People’s Republic of China and Nepal was held in Lhasa, China from July 22nd – 25th 2018. The Nepalese delegation was led by Mr. Danduraj Ghimire, DG of MOCTCA where there were presence of number of Nepalese tourism dignitaries. In the four-day meeting, both parties exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral tourism cooperation and reviewed the progress achieved on the understandings made in previous meetings. On behalf of NATTA, 1st Vice President Mr. Achyut Sharma Guragain urged on resuming Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu direct bus services, resolve the Mansarovar kailash issues, enhance the Tibet Nepal relation promotional exchange by using the opportunities of both sides. Similarly, Mr. Guragain also approached on the visa service to be made convenient in a day. The meeting was concluded after the both team signed a MOU by Mr. Wang Songping, Representative for the TAR and Mr. Danduraj Ghimire, Representative for the Read More
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) welcomed its second wide-body aircraft on July 27, 2018 as the national flag carrier of the Himalayan nation seeks to regain its lost ground in international business. NATTA, releasing its Press Statement, much-admired in successfully bringing second wide body aircraft within a month. NATTA also congratulated Honorable Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA), Secretary, Committee members and Nepal Airlines Corporation. Press Statement states that this achievement in Nepal's tourism sector will further strengthen in goal of reaching 20 million international tourists in the Nepal Tourism Year 2020, with the assurance of success of tourism year 2020. However, this achievement is not enough to fulfill the needs of Nepal Airlines. In the near future, NATTA also urged in purchase of additional 2 wide body and 4 narrow body aircraft in the near future making direct flight to long-distance and boost service of Nepal Airlines with Read More
NATTA Executive Committee is saddened to hear about the untimely demise of our Former President Tek Chandra Pokharel who served NATTA as president from 1977-1978/1980-1990. NATTA has lost its visionary leader and prominent Guardian. We express our deepest condolences to his bereaved family and pray that his Departed Soul Rest in Peace. NATTA in coordination with other associations such as HAN, TAAN, NARA, NMA is organizing Condolence Program on August 4, 2018 on the 13th day of his demise.
NATTA had an honor to welcome Her Excellency Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, W.S Perera at its Secretariat on 11th July 2018. Her Excellency called on for courtesy meet with NATTA Executive Committee. The meeting primarily focused on the friendship and understanding between the people and governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka that has been sustaining over the years. It also had discussions as to how the tourism potentialities of Nepal and Sri Lanka could be harnessed effectively. Nepal receives thousands of tourists from Sri Lanka every year who would come to the holy birthplace of Lumbini at least once in their life-time. Similarly, Sri Lanka is also becoming a preferred outbound destination for quite a number of affluent Nepalese travelers. It was agreed to organize a B2B Session and a FAM Trip with delegates from Sri Lanka in Nepal and vice versa later. Embassy of Sri Lanka expressed its Read More
The 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on tourism cooperation between Nepal and India was held in Kathmandu on Friday, 6th July 2018. The meeting of the group formed to promote the cooperation on tourism between the two countries after the Nepal visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 is scheduled to discuss on issues related to leave travel concession, overland travel and formation of Indo-Nepal Tourism Forum, among others. The 11-member Indian delegation is led by the Ministry of Tourism’s Joint Secretary Suman Billa while Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) is leading the Nepali side. The working group was first mooted during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi to Nepal in 2014 through a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism between the two countries. It aims to foster cooperation in the field of tourism as part Read More
The workshop on World Heritage Journeys of Lord Buddha was held under the project implemented by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), “Buddhist Heritage Route for Sustainable Tourism Development in South Asia - Nepal, India and Bangladesh” on 4th and 5th July 2018. The project aimed at developing and promoting sustainable cross-border Buddhist tourism routes with the involvement of heritage and tourism stakeholders in the three countries. The sites include Lumbini in Nepal, Sanchi in India and Paharpur in Bangladesh. UNESCO Kathmandu is assisting implementation of the project in Nepal. Situation analysis and tourism needs assessment is being carried out in order to understand the current situation of tourism management and marketing in and around the sites in these three countries. Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Thapa participated in the two day workshop.
New Rate has been published for the tourist transportation. After working out and after a number of meetings with NTVA and NATTA the revised rates has been published. Likewise, Tourist Bus Park in Kathmandu has been altered from Kantipath to Sorhakhutte from June 30 2018. Tourist Vehicles will now pass through Sorhakhutte-Khusibu-LinkRoad. After several meetings with Traffic Police, Kathmandu Municipality and with the tourist associations of Nepal, it was decided in alteration of Bus Park.
The 3rd Pingtan International Marine Tourism and Leisure Sports Expo was successfully concluded at Aoqian Taiwan Town which was held from 22nd – 24th June 2018. With focus on exchange, trading and cooperation in aspects of marine tourism and leisure sports products, the Expo also had “Pingtan International Marine Forum”, “Forum on Integrated Development of Marine Tourism and Business”, “2018 Summit of Southeast China Golden Triangle Yacht Industry Federation. In this regard, the forums had invited well-known experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from China, Norway, France and Italy. Many guests proposed valuable suggestions regarding construction of Pingtan international tourism island. The event had participation of Nepal in coordination of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. NATTA 1st VP Mr. Achyut Sharma Guragain was present in the Program representing NATTA.
On Wednesday June 24th, 2018 three new members have been felicitated and welcomed into Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) on its 10th Board Meeting. The three new members are: Travel & Events Nepal, Nepal South Asia Int’l Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd., and Nepal House Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd. President CN Pandey and Board Members distributed Certificate of Membership, NATTA’s publication materials along with Khada to each new member. Speaking with new members in the meeting, President Mr. Pandey expressed his delight in welcoming new members and briefed about the activities of NATTA.
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the country’s national flag carrier, has purchased a wide-body aircraft for the first time. The Airbus A330-200, which has been named Annapurna, touched down at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu from France on 28th June 2018, Thursday. The widebody aircraft comprises a two-class cabin configuration while has the seating capacity of 274 passengers including 18 in business class and 256 in economy class. In April last year, NAC had signed a purchase agreement with the United States-based AAR Corporation to buy two Airbus 330-200 series wide-body aircraft worth $209.6 million. Nepal is expected to receive the second Airbus by August. AAR Corporation is providing the aircraft to NAC in partnership with German Capital and Hi-Fly Airlines. The addition of 274-seater wide-body aircraft into the fleet of Nepal Airlines is expected to be a milestone in the country’s tourism industry as it will help Nepal Airlines, Read More
A major exercise for the creation of the logo for the Government of Nepal’s Campaign “Visit Nepal Year 2020’ was carried out. The 1st meeting of the #VNY2020 main organizing committee chaired by Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Rabindra Adhikari unveiled the final logo on 8th June 2018. The logo truly depicts Nepal’s ethos and vibes and stands true to the message; Visit Nepal for Lifetime Experiences. The logo will be used as the main promotional branding of the #VNY2020 Campaign. The logo designed by Mr. Uddhab Rimal from Boudha, Kathmandu was selected from 145 entries of the #VNY2020 logo competition announced through Facebook by Nepal Tourism Board on 10th April 2018. The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. (Source: Nepal Tourism Board)
NATTA Province 4 (Pokhara), with the delegation of 19 members proceeded to Vietnam Thailand and Cambodia for Nepal Sales Mission starting from 7th June till 16th June 2018. NATTA Pokhara will be organizing Nepal Promotional Programs in Hanoi, Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia in coordination of Nepal Tourism Board. The objective of the 10 days long trip is believed to lure the Vietnamese and Cambodian tourists to reach information about Nepal amongst the potential travelers. Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Thapa see offed to the delegation with best wishes at Tribhuvan International Airport at the time of their departure on 7th June 2018.
From the date of 4th June 2018, NATTA has started the Skill Development Training to the members at NATTA Secretariat. Initially, in coordination with IATA office, Nepal and in initiation of NATTA, the three batch of IATA BSP training was held with total of 36 number of participants. On the training, trainees were guided on BSP Link, Customer Portal, Update on procedure of Post Billing Dispute (PBD) and Update on accreditation procedure for changes to agency. The similar training to other batches has been scheduled on 11 and 12’ June 2018 respectively. NATTA will be organizing different levels of Development Trainings for members related to IATA/BSP, Tour and other frequent updates with the suggestions and requirement of Members at NATTA Secretariat from concerned proficiency in the coming days. NATTA believes that, from these kinds of training, members will be updated with latest changes and be benefited by upgrading their personal Read More
Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM) 2018 concluded in Kathmandu on Sunday, June 3rd 2018. The three-day travel mart saw participation of 52 buyers from 26 different countries and 52 sellers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, South Korea, Indonesia, Turkey and UAE, according to the organizers. One of the objectives of the event was building a sustainable road to five million visitors by 2030. Several speakers from different countries deliberated on the issue. Likewise, around 43 bloggers from 18 different countries participated in the event. All of them have provided an overall view of problems and solution for tourist destinations across the world. During the event, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari, stressed on need for fostering cooperation between the government and the private sector for achieving economic prosperity through tourism. NATTA also had its active participation in all the sessions of Himalayan Travel Mart. The third edition of Himalayan Read More
As a courtesy meet and with a purpose of encouraging Nepalese tourism in the industry, Mr. Abdullah Tuncer Kecici and Ms. Benazir Khan Shrestha from Turkish Airlines were at NATTA Secretariat on 31st May 2018. Various discussions was held in means of attracting tourists to Nepal in low season, the joint meeting with airlines and government, pros and cons of 21 hours operation of TIA etc. NATTA President Mr. CN Pandey and Secy. General Mr. Ramesh Thapa exchanged the views in the meeting.
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) Province No. 7 (former Far Western Regional Association) organized its 5th Annual General Meeting at Hotel Siddhartha Chisapani, Karnali on 29th May 2018. The Annual General meeting was honored by Tourism Minister from Province No. 7, advisors, stakeholders of Far Western Region and its members. NATTA Central was represented by Joint Treasurer, Mr. Surendra Bhattarai. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Bhattarai congratulated NATTA Province No. 7 for continual success of 5 years and their continued admirable promotional activities of Nepal.
NATTA is proud to be involved with FNCCI as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility motive in Student Admission Campaign (Taking Guardianship).which is initiated by Department of Education/Ministry of Education/Government of Nepal. The initiation was to provide the admission for at least one underprivileged student from one person with all the required resources in different provinces of Nepal for a year. Executives and Members of NATTA has actively participated in this noble cause to take guardianship of student who is seeking for help to go to school. The collected fund will be sent to the different deprived places of Nepal.
Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation organized a program to celebrate 11th International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day on 29th May 2018. The program started with the morning procession from Sanchaya Kosh Building, Thamel and concluded at City Hall (Rastriya Sabagriha). Mr. Krishna Prasad Devkota, Chairman for International Sagarmatha Day Main Organizing Committee and Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation offered garland to the statues of Tenzing Sherpa, Edmund Hillary and Boris Lisanevich. The Chief Guest for the program was Hon'ble Minister Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation Bina Magar. High level government officials, Everest summiteers and other mountaineers, representative from different tourism related organization and their members were present in the program. Hon'ble Minister Bina Magar, Minister for Water Supply inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp. The Chief Guest also distributed award and cash prize to the institute and the individuals and also handed over Guinness World Record Read More
NATTA Transport Committee Members and Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA) were at NATTA Secretariat to have a joint meeting in regard to finalization of revision of tourist transport rates coordinated by Chairman of Transport and Hotel Coordination Committee, Mr. Amrit Dhakal. Both NATTA and NTVA have been exercising on the transportation rates since long time as per the circumstances and very soon, after the finalization members will be receiving revised rates for the implementation.
