NATTA is proud to inform its members that the National Tourism Promotion Committee formed under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minster for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has upheld the NATTA suggestions for implementation for the rapid recovery of current national tourism scenario. The suggestions were put up at various forums including at the meetings of Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC). Few of our suggestions that are included: exemption of VAT on aviation fuel, slash the ground handling cost at TIA, decrease the landing cost at TIA and extension of loan recovery deadline for the tourism sector by a year and expedite the construction of alternative international airports.
A five- member delegation of NATTA called on the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Chiranjibi Nepal on Thursday, the 09th July, 2015 and apprised him of a few problems faced by NATTA members which could be easily solved by NRB through its fiscal policy. The suggestions to solve the problems cited by NATTA included provision of exchange facility to the Indian nationals visiting Mansarovar Kailash to settle the invoice of the Tibetan tour operators in terms of dollars. Secondly, the delegation suggested removing the dual currency system in IATA payment by allowing the agents to make all the payments in NPR. Thirdly, the Bank Guarantee payable to NRB for foreign exchange facility should be made timely. NATTA delegation to NRB was led by President D.B. Limbu and it included Secy. General Mihika Dhakhwa, Treasurer Mr. Narayan Gurung Koney, Secretary Mr. Ramesh Thapa and CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah.
A good news! Automatic Pricing in ATF soon Further to NATTA’s pursuance to ease international flights to Nepal in the post earthquake situation government authorities including Ministry for Commerce & Supplies is preparing to enforce automatic pricing mechanism for aviation turbine fuel (ATF) almost a year after the enforcement of the system for petrol, diesel and kerosene. Though belated, isn’t it a good news?
SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Program (NMDP) organized an interaction program titled the “Turning Point in Tourism” at the Hotel Annapurna on 28th June’15. The event on was successful in bringing together international tour operators and Nepal tourism operators to discuss how to turn tourism recovery into a reality. SAMARTH, opened the meeting welcoming 7 leading tour operators from Europe, the UK, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Japan and Asia. Almost all of them had a valid concern over the negative travel advisories against Nepal, directly affecting travel, travel insurance, and killing the business. Needless to say, it has posed a great hurdle for the country's tourism recovery efforts. The presentation by the international tour operators was followed by a discussion and Q&A session which was moderated by the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) President, Ashok Pokharel. It was an engaging session as it helped the local operators to understand the expectations and perceptions of foreign tour operators. The industry cannot thank Read More
Kathmandu: The 20th Biennial Convention of Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) will be held in Kathmandu on 25th September, 2015. NATTA Board Meeting held Thursday, the 25th June has finalized the theme for the NATTA Convention. It is, “Building Better Tourism with Renewed Strength”. This theme has been approved as quite suitable in the wake of our efforts to restore and rebuild the damages caused by the April 25th Earthquake. NATTA will begin all its preparations to hold this convention with immediate effect although the venue is yet to be fixed. Nevertheless, NATTA Special Program-Carnival 2015 and NATTA Convention will be held on the same day. Morning session will be given for the Convention and the late afternoon will highlight NATTA Special Program-Carnival. The same day, we are also planning to have the Board Meeting of South Asian Tourism Federation at the same venue. NATTA President is the Vice Chairman of the Federation. The detail program is under Read More
Kathmandu: A two-day long seminar on “Appreciative Inquiry for Tourism Business” was held at Megha Malhar Hall, Hotel Soaltee on 19th and 20th June ’15. The seminar was organized by Nepal Tourism Board. The seminar was held for the Tourism stakeholders to help them in capacity building to deal with the present and imminent obstacles caused by the damage of historical monuments and a few heritage sites in the valley. Ms. Sabita Bhattarai K.C, Ms. Kamla Gurung and Ms. Phudoma Sherpa participated in the program representing NATTA.
NATTA has set up a Relief Fund to support the victims of recent Earthquake disaster. Request you to kindly contribute generously by sending cash/cheque to NATTA Secretariat. Below is the list of Contributors who have contributed towards the NATTA Relief Fund for the Earthquake Victims: S.N Name Travel / Organization Relief Amount 1. Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) 2,50,000/- 2. Hongkong Judiciary Registered Interpreters 1,35,000/- 3. Mr. Ram Shrestha (Harvest Moon Travel) 51,000/- 4. Sahara Samuha Nepal (SSN) 50,000/- 5. Mr. Parasar Prasai (Universal Tours) 25,000/- 6. Mr. Peter Ko (Arniko International) 20,000/- 7. Mr. Mahendra R. Paudel ‘Henny’ (Global Asia) 16,000/- 8. Mr. B.K Shrestha (Himalayan Travels) 15,575/- 9. Mr. C.N. Pandey (Samrat Tours) 15,555/- 10. Mr. M.P. Rai (Broadway Travel) 15,101/- 11. Mr. Bhola Bikram Thapa (President Travel) 15,000/- 12. Mr. D.B. Limbu (Fast Int'l Travel) 15,000/- 13. Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa (Zenith Experience) 15,000/- 14. Mr. Read More
Tourism Promotion Activity (TPA), one of the sub-components of South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Dev. Project (SATIDP) in conjunction with Lumbini Dev Trust (LDT) and Siddhartha Association of Tour & Travel Agents (SATTA) organized a two-day workshop seminar on Developing tour package to Lumbini and its surrounding areas on 17th and 18th June by outsourcing the technical services of Centre For Environment and Sustainable Tourism Development Nepal (CEST-Nepal). Mr. CN Pandey, the 2nd VP of NATTA participated in the above workshop supported by Asian Development Bank. Mr. Pandey was honored as the Chei Guest and a resource person in the Program. The prime objective of the workshop has been to explore, discuss, design and finalize the possible tour packages for the Greater Lumbini Area so as to make Lumbini a regional tourism hub in the context of upgrading Gautam Buddha Airport of Bhairahawa as a Regional International Airport.
All Valuable NATTA Members, NOTICE REGARDING 51st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 51st AGM of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has been slated for Friday, the 16th January 2015 as per the given schedule and details: Date: 16th January 2015 (corresponding to Magh the 2nd 2071)Venue: Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat (A) Inaugural Session Time: 0830-0900 Registration & Welcoming of Guests & Members 0900 Arrival of the Chief Guest at the venue 0905 Welcoming the Chief Guest with Bouquet & Khada 0910-0915 Welcome Speech by President Mr. D.B. Limbu 0915 Inauguration of NATTA AGM by the Chief Guest by lighting the traditional lamp 0920 Speeches (5 mts each) 1. Read More
All Valuable NATTA Members, NOTICE REGARDING 51st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 51st AGM of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has been slated for Friday, the 16th January 2015 as per the given schedule and details: Date: 16th January 2015 (corresponding to Magh the 2nd 2071)Venue: Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat (A) Inaugural Session Time: 0830-0900 Registration & Welcoming of Guests & Members 0900 Arrival of the Chief Guest at the venue 0905 Welcoming the Chief Guest with Bouquet & Khada 0910-0915 Welcome Speech by President Mr. D.B. Limbu 0915 Inauguration of NATTA AGM by the Chief Guest by lighting the traditional lamp 0920 Speeches (5 mts each) 1. Read More
The Second NATTA Interactive meeting, with the sole agenda “Post-Earthquake Tourism Revival Planning”, was held on Tuesday at Hotel Annapurna in the afternoon. The meeting, chaired by President Mr. D.B. Limbu, went on for about two and half hours and was followed by Hi-Tea. The Chair welcomed the participants and highlighted on the urgency of holding the meeting at this time. Secretary General Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa presented her power-point deliberation to the gathering focusing specially on NATTA’s various activities immediately after the April 25th Earthquake which included the setting up of NATTA Relief Fund, distribution of relief materials to the victims of the great disaster in districts, viz., Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Okhaldhunga, Parvat and Lalitpur. She also mentioned that NATTA delegates had called on the offices of various foreign embassies and had discussions with Ambassadors of United Kingdom, Thailand, Germany and South Korea in regard to what ought to be done to restore the tourism in Nepal Read More
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) participated in the International Travel Trade Fair, FITUR 2015, in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has concluded successfully.
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) participated in the International Travel Trade Fair, FITUR 2015, in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has concluded successfully.
A three member NATTA delegation led by President D.B Limbu called on His Excellency Mr. Matthias Meyer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany at his office in the German Embassy, Gyaneshwor on 9th June’15 in the morning. President Limbu thanked the friendly people and the government of Germany for all the valuable co-operation and support in the form of relief that Nepal has received during the recent crisis raised by M7.9 richter scale earthquake in Nepal. The NATTA delegates explained to Ambassador Meyer that not much of the tourism has been hit. Places like Chitwan, Bandipur, Pokhara, Lumbini, Eastern and Far Western Region. So, potential visitors from Germany and other European nations do not need to cancel their autumn itinerary in Nepal. HE the ambassador suggested that if nothing goes wrong during the upcoming monsoon, tourism in Nepal will recover speedily starting from Oct / Nov. His Excellency also envisaged that NATTA should endeavor to invite journos and operators so that they can see Nepal for themselves and encourage Read More
On Photo: Secretary General Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa, Treasurer Mr. Narayan Pd. Gurung Koney along with travel trade members in discussion on recovery of tourism. A meeting held with with the major travel trade members of Tours and Travel to focus on the recovery of the current tourism scenario today, 5th June 2015 at NATTA Secretariat.
The NATTA delegation led by President Mr. D. B. Limbu met with H.E. Mr. Vutti Vuttisant, Ambassador of Thailand on 4th June 2015 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Bansbari, Kathmandu. The discussion was mainly centered on the tips on how to revive tourism of Nepal in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake. Mr. Chakraphan Yuwari, Counsellor, Thai Embassy, also gave an insight on what the Thai tourists look for in Nepal. NATTA Secretary General, Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa highlighted on the official statistics which shows more than 40,000 Thai tourists visiting Nepal in a year and out of which 83% come by road to visit Lumbini through India. Despite having daily direct flights connecting Bangkok with Kathmandu, it is unfortunate that Nepal tourism has not been able to entice Thai tourists through Kathmandu. Also, present in the meeting was NATTA CEO, Dr. Hari Sarmah and Minister Counsellor of Thai Embassy, Read More
A meeting of Tourism Recovery Committee held on 04th June '15 at Nepal Tourism Board was participated in by President D.B. Limbu, Secretary General Mihika Dhakhwa and CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah. The meeting chaired by DG of Tourism Department reflected on three basic points, viz. reduction on the landing, parking and navigation fees for the international airlines at the airport, rebate on aircraft fuel and incentive for passengers on National Flag Carrier, NAC. NATTA suggested the TRC to plan for a mega fam trip for foreign tour operators and journalists sometime in the third week of September crossing the monsoon. Moreover, NATTA also suggested the Committee to keep on mailing the decisions of TRC meeting to the associations of the stakeholders to bridge the information gap. Present in the meeting were the DDG of DOT, DG of CAAN, MD and Marketing Director of NAC, President of TAAN, NATO and representatives from Read More
A three-member NATTA delegation led by President D.B. Limbu called on the newly appointed Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Mr. Sanjiv Gautam at his office on Wednesday, the 03rd June, 2015. NATTA delegates congratulated DG Mr. Gautam and discussed on the agenda of minimizing the parking, landing and navigation fees for the international airlines operating to and from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) especially in the wake of the last April 25 earthquake. The delegates also discussed about the Airport Development and Facilitation to the Air Passengers. It has been learnt from him that the authority has already started expediting the possibilities of providing some relief by cutting down the above fees. DG CAAN also suggested NATTA delegates to talk to concerned authorities in regard to the exorbitant price of the air fuel supplied by NOC.
NATTA officials met the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea HE Mr. Chee Yong-Jin on 2nd June, 2015 and thanked him along with the friendly people and Government of the Republic of Korea for the great gesture shown towards the devastations caused in Nepal due to the great earthquake. The NATTA team led by President D.B. Limbu apprised HE Mr. Yong-Jin about the efforts of TRC to revive tourism in the country and sought his suggestions. HE informed that most Koreans visit Nepal for trekking and in the year 2014 approximately 24 thousand Koreans had gone for trekking in the Annapurna and Everest region. He suggested the NATTA delegates to invite Korean operators after the monsoon for a fam trip of Nepal so that they can see for themselves the reality. He appreciated the efforts of TRC to revive the tourism sector and assured that after things get back better, he will do the needful to pursue the Read More
NATTA has congratulated the newly appointed Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation Mr. Sugat Ratna Kansakar by calling on his office on 1st June and held discussions on issues like extending the 'buy two get one free' scheme for all the NA operating sectors in view to encourage visitors to Nepal. NATTA also informed MD Kansakar that NATTA is planning to host a mega fam trip for operators and journalists sometime before the advent of post-monsoon season and requested NA to cooperate. The meeting concluded agreeing that the national flag carrier should be protected by the state as the state carrier is the real backbone of nation's tourism. The stronger the national flag carrier, the better would be the scope of tourism in the country.
