New Members were welcomed at the 12th Board Meeting of NATTA on 12th June 2016. With a short introduction on NATTA Team and a briefing on upcoming and past activities of NATTA a small interaction was held at NATTA Secretariat. MD Adventure Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. and Eco Himalayan Holiday Tours Pvt. Ltd. are the new members who have been affiliated to NATTA. President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya handed over the Certificate of NATTA Membership to the new member companies with honor and felicitation.
NATTA Western Regional Association Executives and members have left the capital for South Korea on a promotional tour on 8th June 2016. A 20 member delegation team have reached Seoul where they will be attending the international travel fair Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA) in Seoul and will organize a B2B and Press Meet in conjunction with the Embassy of Nepal in Korea and the office of Nepalese Consul. A similar program will also be organized in Busan, a commercially very important city in South Korea. NATTA President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya, 1st V. P Mr. C.N Pandey, 2nd V.P Mr. D.K Sharma and Secretary Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay had bided adieu to the team at TIA.
Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) organized a meeting to prepare recommendations for the Second Joint Meeting on Indo-Nepal Bilateral Tourism Expansion & Promotion on 6th June 2016 at Hotel Annapurna. NATTA President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya and Secretary General Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta participated in the meeting. President Acharya raised some pertinent points concerning the domestic fares, Boarder facilitation, Int’l fare, Casino intervention by the govt. etc. which are quite sensitive issues in bilateral tourism expansion. The actual workshop was held on 9th June at the same hotel where the NCCI President handed over the recommendations to Tourism Secretary Mr. Prem Kr. Rai.
A meeting on NATTA Printing & Publicity Committee was held at NATTA Secretariat on 9th June 2016 to reflect on the publication of NATTA’s Revised Membership Directory (2016-2018). The discussion was held on how to make the Directory more attractive and useful by reviewing appealing, its contents. The meeting also discussed on collecting resources to publish the Directory on time. Chairman for the Committee Mr. Laxman Lamsal presided the meeting. Advisor to the committee Mr. Varun Mehta and Co-chairman Mr. Ghanashyam Ghimire were also present in the meeting.
All is not well with Nepal’s transportation sector. The government, transport entrepreneurs and their employees are responsible for the mess seen in the country’s transportation sector. Although the transport entrepreneurs have been providing services to the needy commuters by operating buses, trucks and other vehicles across the country, they have, however, prevented healthy growth of the transportation sector by not allowing new comers to operate similar services. They also resort to illegal practices and often tend not to abide by the rules. A news report the other day had it that the local bus entrepreneurs in Rasuwa district were not allowing the tourist buses to move ahead from Ghattrekhola-Timbure section of the road and forcing the tourists to ride their buses which are not comfortable. Mostly, Chinese tourists who enter Nepal through Rasuwa Gadhi travel via this route, but the local bus entrepreneurs do not allow the tourist buses to Read More
The first meeting of the Membership Committee was held on 6th June 2016 at NATTA Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Chairperson to the Committee, Mrs. Sabita Bhattarai K.C. The meeting discussed on revising the criteria to obtain membership of NATTA.
Secy. Gen Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta attended an Interactive Session on ‘Tourism in Media’ organized by Tourbiz Nepal.com on June 02, 2016. The program was held in the NTB Lecture Hall. Secretary General Mr. Panta also delivered his views on the topic and wished the program fruitful and successful. Similarly, Mr. Panta also represented NATTA at an Interaction on Budget & Program of NTB on the same day at noon. NATTA has already submitted its annual program and estimated budget to NTB.
For the socio-economic development of the rural areas in South Asian countries, the concept of promoting rural tourism is very much in the air. Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation launched a two-day long workshop on Promoting Rural Tourism in South Asian Countries on June 02, 2016 in Godawari. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Tourism Minister Anand Prasad Pokhrel, the workshop mainly focused on promoting homestay tourism in Nepal. Homestay tourism is vital in eco-friendly tourism promotion, rural poverty alleviation and natural conservation, said the minister in his inaugural speech. Director of the SAARC Secretariat, Tourism Secretary, leaders from various tourism associations, and participants from SAARC member states also spoke on the occasion. NATTA President Madhu Sudan Acharya participated in the day long workshop and shared his views during the deliberations.
With an aim of achieving best educational goals enhancing learning methods for wider curriculum, NATHM organized a Tourist Guide Curriculum Revision Workshop on May 30, 2016 at NATHM hall. The workshop was attended by quite a number of pedagogical experts and leaders of various tourism related associations. Representing NATTA, President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya, Secretary Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay, Executive Member Mr. Binay Basnet and Mr. Varun Mehta participated in the program. A group discussion session was held to take the recommendations and suggestions received from tourism stakeholders resource persons.
Nepal celebrated 9th Int’l Everest Day organizing a series of programs in different parts of the country on May 29, 2016. Earlier, a morning procession was organized by MOCTCA to celebrate the occasion. The procession marched from Sanchaya Kosh Building, Thamel and ended at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) premises. Later, the official program started at the premises of NTB after the arrival of Chief Guest the Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister K.P Oli. Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. K.P Oli offered bouquets at the statues of Tenzing Sherpa and Edmund Hillary at NTB premises. In the program, Prime Minister Oli also felicitated nine Sherpa guides who fixed ropes to the summit of Mt. Everest this spring season. Similarly other officials were also honored for successfully coordinating the rope fixing Sherpa team. On the occasion, the Prime Minister released first day cancellation of stamp published to mark International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day. Prime Read More
NATTA welcomed New Member, Signature Tours Pvt. Ltd. in its 11th Board Meeting held on May 29, 2016. President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya welcomed new member with warm felicitations and Certificate of NATTA Membership, NATTA khada and lapel pin. President Acharya apprised Mr. Prajwal Malekoo, Managing Director of the company of NATTA’s ongoing activities and expressed his confidence that all NATTA members would always be together to accomplish the objectives of the association.
A presentation program was held on theme Tourism products of Philippines and Tourism Possibilities between Nepal & Philippines. The program was organized by Shroff Travel, a travel agency from Philippines in coordination with NATTA. Mr. Arjun Shroff, M.D of Shroff Travel gave the presentation on Philippines Tourism and how Philippines could be one of the destinations for Nepalese to travel. Held at Hotel Annapurna on May 27, 2016 the program was attended by number of Nepalese outbound agencies of Nepal along with delegates from Aviation sector operating to Manila.
NATTA President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya, 1st V.P Mr. C.N Pandey, NATTA Chairman for Transport & Hotel Coordination Committee Mr. Ghanashyam Ghimire and Advisor to the Committee, Executive Member Mr. Varun Mehta called on Director General, Department of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation) Mr. Sudarshan Dhakal at his office in Bhrikutimandap and apprised him of the prevailing problems being faced by tour operators and travel agents and urged him for immediate solutions of those problems. NATTA’s problems in regard to the transportation were already citied in its earlier letter sent to the Director General. This meeting also reminded the DG to expedite.
Eventually, De briefing session of FITUR - 2016 was held on 25th May 2016 at NATTA Secretariat. Participants for FITUR -2016 reviewed the event and suggested some points for improvement in future participation. Coordinator for FITUR 2016 Secretary Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay answered the entire query raised by participants in the meeting and assured that NATTTA in coordination with NTB will leave no stone unturned to make Nepal’s participation in FITUR a milestone. Coordinator Mr. Upadhyay also thanked the organizers of Faire de Madrid – 2016 for awarding Nepal Pavilion as Best Pavilion of the Fair. President Mr. Madhusudan Acharya, 1st Vice President Mr. C.N Pandey, Secretary General Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta and Executive Member and Sub Coordinator for FITUR 2016 Mr. Laxman Lamsal including NTB Officials Mrs. Ujwala Dali, Mrs. Janaki Upadhyay and Mrs. Ranu Shah were present at the moment. Due to the busy schedules of the participants Read More
Eventually, De briefing session of FITUR - 2016 was held on 25th May 2016 at NATTA Secretariat. Participants for FITUR -2016 reviewed the event and suggested some points for improvement in future participation. Coordinator for FITUR 2016 Secretary Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay answered the entire query raised by participants in the meeting and assured that NATTTA in coordination with NTB will leave no stone unturned to make Nepal’s participation in FITUR a milestone. Coordinator Mr. Upadhyay also thanked the organizers of Faire de Madrid – 2016 for awarding Nepal Pavilion as Best Pavilion of the Fair. President Mr. Madhusudan Acharya, 1st Vice President Mr. C.N Pandey, Secretary General Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta and Executive Member and Sub Coordinator for FITUR 2016 Mr. Laxman Lamsal including NTB Officials Mrs. Ujwala Dali, Mrs. Janaki Upadhyay and Mrs. Ranu Shah were present at the moment. Due to the busy schedules of the participants Read More
To commemorate 9th International Everest day on 29th May 2016, Main Organising Committee had been formed to celebrate International Everest Day under the chairmanship of Secretary of MOCTCA Mr. Prem Kumar Rai. Nepal Mountaineering Association is the Member Secretary of this committee with responsibilities of coordinating this year’s Int’l Everest Day. The other members of the committee are Joint Secretary of MoCTC, Director General of Department of Tourism, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Presidents of HRA, EOA, PATA, NARA, NATTA, HAN, TAAN, ESA, EOAN, TTDB and VITOF. The program on 29th May will begin with the morning procession starting from Thamel, Tridevi Marg and will conclude at Nepal Tourism Board's premises, where the formal program will be held. The 9th International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day will be graced by Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. K.P Sharma Oli as a chief guest. The celebration of 9th International Sagarmtha (Everest) day, which we are Read More
The inauguration of International Buddhist Conference was held on 19th May 2016 at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu, as a part of the celebration of Buddha Jayanti, the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. The conference is being held with the theme ‘Lumbini, Nepal: the Birthplace of Lord Buddha and Fountain of Buddhism and World peace’. Government representatives, Buddhist religious leaders, monks and nuns and scholars on Buddhism from 28 various countries are participating in the conference hosted by the government and will conclude today. President Bidya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to inaugurate the Buddha Jayanti main celebration function in Lumbini on May 21. A Lumbini Declaration will be issued at this function, incorporating the conclusions drawn from the seminar. Lumbini Day will also be celebrated in Lumbini on Saturday. Prime Minister Mr. K.P Oli had inaugurated the conference by reciting the Peace Prayer. Representatives of various countries had shed light Read More
Country Manager of QA Mr. J.P. Nair called on NATTA Secretariat and met President NATTA Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya, 1st VP Mr. C.N. Pandey, 2nd VP Mr. D.K. Sharma, Treasurer Mr. Chitra Bahadur Gurung, Secretary Mr. Sudhir K. Upadhyay, and Executive members Mr. Binay Basnet, Mr. Ghanashyam Ghimire, Mr. Laxman Lamsal, Mr. Varun Mehta and CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah on Wednesday, the 18th May, 2016 before noon. NATTA President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya welcomed the guest Mr. J.P. Nair and Leena, his accompanying staff and spoke in appreciation of the praiseworthy contributions being made towards the development of Nepal’s tourism generated trade and economy by the prestigious world airline Qatar Airways. And he added that NATTA Executive Board was more than happy to find Mr. Nair in Nepal once more in the capacity of Country Manager. Mr. Nair in response to President’s welcome note said that the issues with the Read More
Keeping the flag flying, NATTA delegates are all set to go on a promotional tour of South Korea. The tour will coincide with KOTFA 2016 one of the major int’l travel fairs being held in Seoul. The NATTA delegates will also visit the fair and and then proceed to Busan where they will organize a formal meeting with the tour operators. This promotional tour of NATTA, organized in conjunction with Nepal Tourism Board, will start from 06th June and will end up on 17th June, 2016. It is in this reference that the NATTA Central Committee President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya led a delegation to the Embassy of South Korea and held discussions with Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Choe Yong Jin regarding this effort of NATTA to promote Nepal in S. Korea. South Koreans mostly visit Nepal for mountain adventures and trekking. 2nd VP of NATTA Central Committee Mr. D. Read More
The first and introductory meeting of NATTA Media and Publicity committee was held at NATTA Secretariat chaired by Secretary General and Chairman of the Committee Mr. Bhim Prasad Panta. The meeting basically focused on what NATTA and the newly formed committee can perform in development of tourism by developing the strategies. The committee comprises of Mr. Devi Prasad Panta, Mr. Shiva Adhikari, Mr. Sarad Pradhan, Mr. Mukunda Dhungana, Mr. Suman Kattel, Mr. Subas Khatiwada, Ms. Sharada Thapa, Mr. Raju Baskota, Mr. Bikash Lohani and Mr. Sangam Prasai.
