Journalist Mr. Anbarasan Ethirajan, South Asia Editor of BBC World Service News from London called on NATTA Secretariat on Tuesday, the 27th May, 2014 at 11:00 in the morning as per the appointment fixed earlier and held discussions about the prospects and problems of Nepalese tourism with President Mr. D.B Limbu, Secretary General Mrs. Mihika Dhakhwa and CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah. The individual comments were duly recorded and hopefully will be aired in the near future. Mr. Ethiranjan was accompanied by Mr. Ishwar Rauniyar of BBC World Service, Nepal.
Office bearing Executives of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) held a meeting with member agents of NATTA selling air tickets on last Tuesday, the 27th May at NATTA Secretariat to discuss about the sudden rise in the air tickets. It was revealed in the meeting that NATTA agents were not responsible for the higher prices of the tickets. The meeting thus ended with a resolution that both the associations will co-operate each other in identifying real cause. They also agreed to hold regular meeting and share the information in the days to come.
A NATTA delegation comprising of NATTA Domestic Air Coordination Sub Committee led by Mr. Yubaraj Subedi, Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Mr. Binay Basnet met two top brasses of Buddha Air- Mr. Birendra Bahadur Basnet and Mr. Rupesh Joshi. The main objective of the meeting was to apprise the Buddha Air Management of the existing technical problems and difficulties being faced by the ticketing agents. The delegation handed over the list of grievances to Mr. Birendra Bahadur Basnet and the response received was found to be in favor of ticketing agents. The NATTA committee will meet Yeti Airlines next week with almost the same agenda.
NATTA Secretary General Mrs. Mihika Dhakhwa made a power point presentation on NATTA's share of NQ Tax at the secretariat in the presence of NATTA Advisory Board. The Advisory Board Members commented very positively on the contents of the presentation and greatly appreciated NATTA's effort in exploring sustainable and legitimate source of resources for the association. Mr. Mahesh Rai, Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kunwar and Mr. S.R Thapaliya also spoke on the occasion.
/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Quoting the urgency of having a Tourist Bus Terminal in the capital city which has already become a long overdue, NATTA President Mr. D.B. Limbu has forwarded a humble letter of grievance to Mr. Kishore Thapa, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.
Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE NE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} NATTA Secretary General Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa and CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah called on the office of Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Mr. Ratish Chandra Lal Suman Tuesday, the 20th May, 2014 and discussed about the reasons of imposing Airport Development Tax. DG Mr. Suman explained elaborately the plans and programs of CAAN to improve the available facilities for the passengers at the Tribhuvan International Airport and other airports in the country. Facilitation of the passengers being one of the major objectives, CAAN is soon introducing its programs to the public which also includes extension, upgrading and building other necessary infrastructures.
Pressing the Government of Nepal to address the genuine demands of the private sector tourism entrepreneurs (JTCC) which has the participation of more than 35 tourism related associations based in Kathmandu including those from Pokhara, Chitwan, Kakadvitta, Dhangadhi and Palpa, the JTCC has launched Relay Hunger Strike effective from last Jestha 1st. The first phase of relay hunger strike begins at 7 am and continues till 7pm and the second phase continues from 7 pm to 7 am every day. The participation of the fraternity members has been very much encouraging. From NATTA the following members, executive members and office bearing executives have participated: Jestha1 (Thursday) 7pm-7am: Mr. D.B Limbu Jestha2 (Friday) 7am-7pm: Mr. Narayan Gurung Koney Jestha2 (Friday) 7pm-7am: Mr. Sudhir Upadhyay Jestha3 (Saturday) 7am-7pm: Mr. Chitra Bahadur Gurung Jestha3 (Saturday) 7pm-7am: NATTA Western Regional Pokhara Team Jestha4 (Sunday) 7am-7pm: Mr. Narayan Gurung Koney Jestha4 (Sunday) 7pm-7am: Mr. Read More
Joint Tourism Coordination Committee (JTCC) organized a grand rally on 8th of May'14 from Thamel to NTB, Bhrikutimandap to put pressure on the government to address to the demands placed. The rally started around 9 am with more than 300 participants. All tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders participated in the rally with their friends and staff members. JTCC will continue its protest program till all the demands are addressed by concerned authorities.
NATTA delegates headed by President Mr. DB Limbu met Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Hon'ble Bamdev Gautam on 7th of May to apprise him of the hassles being faced by the tourist bus operators in regard to the parking before setting out to their destinations every morning. Lack of a permanent Tourist Bus Terminal in the capital city has already caused a lot of negativity among the tourists using these transports. Every morning some 25-30 tourist buses leave Kathmandu for destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan. The NATTA delegation was comprised of Treasurer Mr. Narayan P. Gurung Koney, Secretary Mr. Ramesh Thapa and NATTA Member Mr. Madan Acharya.
Joint Tourism Coordination Committee an umbrella associations submitted a four pint petitions to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation alleging that Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has sidelined the private sector in the National Tourism Fair. Stating that NTB is neglecting the role of the private sector in development of tourism in Nepal, JTCC has asked the ministry to appoint members from the private sector in the executive board of NTB, as stated in its charter. The second petition has asked for the government to cancel the tourism fair whereas the last point demands appointment of chief executive officer at NTB. The petition was signed by 19 members of 19 different tourism related associations. Till date the JTCC members are busy picketing at NTB urging the NTB Board to call the meeting and take prompt decisions regarding removal of acting CEO from the chair and start audit of Read More
NATTA Delegates on return from Palpa on 27th April were accorded warm welcome by the Executive Committee of Siddhartha Association of Travel & Tour Agents (SATTA) at Bhairahawa at its Secretariat. Mr. Krishna Sagar Adhikari the President of SATTA and Mr. Sanjay Bajimaya, IPP SATTA while welcoming NATTA delegates from the centre at their Secretariat said that they have been very much positive to the action plans of current NATTA EC and look forward to avail of the opportunity to become a part of NATTA soon.
NATTA Palpa Chapter convened a Joint Meeting of the Chapter with NATTA Western Regional Association (Pokhara) and NATTA EC from the centre on Saturday, the 26th April '14 at Rani Mahal, a unique historical palace built in the 19th century. The palace stands on the scenic bank of holy Kali Gandaki river. The meeting focused on the topical issues involving the role of intra-association members for the overall growth of tourism in their respective areas. NATTA centre highlighted on the issues like its claim on NQ Tax, setting up of Tourist Bus Terminal and the upcoming Int'l Airport etc. whereas Pokhara raised its voice on having enough of transport accessibility and connectivity, viz., Pokhara-Chitwan-Bhairahawa and Palpa. Palpa Chapter of NATTA affirmed their commitment to disseminate more about Palpa and her products. The meeting was declared adjourned after a short thanks giving, gifting and photograph session and was followed by Read More
The NATTA EC Delegation led by President Mr. D.B. Limbu participated in the Interactive Seminar Program held in Tansen Municipality Hall (Palpa) under the aegis of NATTA Palpa Chapter on 25th April, 2014. President Limbu and NATTA Executives were accorded warm welcome by the organizers prior to the program attended by the chiefs of almost all government and non-government sectors viz., Local Development Officer, Chief of Tansen Municipality, President of FNCCI – Palpa, Officials from different professional organizations, Hotels and Home Stay and Organic Farming, travel agents, officials from Get Up Palpa etc. Speaking as the Chief Guest President Limbu expressed his very optimistic views regarding the bright future of Palpa as a touristic destination as Palpa teams with all natural beauty, historical monuments and wonderful and pleasant weather. He hoped that with the completion of Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport in Bhairahawa Tansen will begin to go under the pressure Read More
NATTA jointly with other travel trade organizations have decided not to get involved in any national and international programmes organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), accusing NTB officials of engaging in massive irregularities of funds collected from tourists. At a Press Meet on Tuesday, the Joint Tourism Coordination Committee disclosed that NTB’s amended Financial Bylaws have authorised its chief to spend Rs 10 million at a time for tourism promotion inside the country. NTB, which has been assigned to promote Nepal’s tourism in the national and international arenas, has been stumbling along without its head since the then CEO Prachanda Man Shrestha’s tenure expired on October 31, 2011. The private sector has urged the government to immediately implement a report on NTB’s restructuring submitted by a government-led team. The private sector has asked the government to immediately appoint a new NTB CEO through a competitive process.
NATTA convened a meeting on 18th April,Friday to review on the existing problems faced by travel fraternity in regard to the settlement of TDS, VAT, Corporate Income Taxes etc. with IRD. More than a dozen senior travel agencies from NATTA,NATO & SOTTO were present in the meeting. The meeting concluded with a resolution to support IRD in holding an interactive meeting in the near future.
NATTA organized an Interactive Program followed by high tea to all the members on Friday, 11th April, 2014 at NAXAL Banquet. The objective of the meeting was to review the activities of the present NATTA Executive Committee during the last ninety days and to collect the feedback from the members before chalking out the future course of action. President D.B Limbu welcomed all the members giving a short on the activities accomplished. Program continued with the presentation led by General Secretary Ms. Mihika Dhakhwa informing on the NATTA activities till date. The program ended with vote of thanks by 2nd vice president Mr. C.N Pandey. The feedback and reaction of the general members expressed on the occasion have been noted by NATTA Secretariat. Invitations were sent to all members via email and sms.
NATTA Secy. General Mihika Dhakhwa, Treasurer Narayan P. Gurung Koney, Secretary Ramesh Thapa and CEO Dr. Hari Sarmah called on the office of Director General of the Department of Immigration Mr. Sharad Ch. Poudel on 03rd April in the afternoon to follow-up and check if the suggested actions by NATTA were implemented by the department to mitigate the issue of deportee. The NATTA delegates were assured by the DG that the action is being taken by Immigration and now the Immigration will immediately inform NATTA as soon as the deportees are received by immigration office. Similarly, the above NATTA delegation also visited the office of the Executive Director of Foreign Exchange Management Department of Nepal Rastra Bank, Mr. Vishnu Nepal and Director, Mr. Bhisma Raj Dhungana to follow up the actions being taken by Nepal Rastra Bank on the issues that were discussed with NRB Governor D. Yuba Raj Read More
NMA hosted a Breakfast meeting with the Presidents, Secretaries and CEOs of all the associations affiliated to Joint Tourism Coordination Committee (JTCC) on 2nd April at Hotel Shanker. The meeting attended by almost sixteen tourism related associations focused on various agendas including reviewing of the Govt's Tourism Strategy Plan, and Tourists Bus Terminal. The meeting finally concluded with a resolution that all associations will submit the list of their identified problems with suggestive measures to Joint Tourism Coordination Committee. The committee will then sort out the common issues and brings forth those issues in a day-long workshop for discussion. And the recommendations thereby will be strongly put up to the concerned ministries of the government for implementation in three phases: short-tern, mid-term and long term. All this is expected to take place before the next Breakfast Meeting of the JTCC members. Currently, President of TAAN Mr. Ramesh Dhamala is Read More
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE NE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} NATTA Executive Board invited the Country Managers of all the International Airlines and NAC Commercial Director including Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) operating in Nepal for a meeting on 31st March '14 at Hotel Annapurna. The main purpose of the meeting was to let the international aviation sector know about the planning of NATTA to claim certain percentage of Tourism Service Fee (NQ Tax) operating in Nepal. Collecting the above fees virtually stands as one of the primary liability of the agent when they issue the air-tickets. In case they overlook the matter, they are penalized by the system. So, the agents too, NATTA believes, must have their Read More
NATTA PR & Liaison Committee, after compiling the information regarding the current Tourism Industry Problems from NATTA members, has forwarded the same along with suggestive measures to eliminate the problems to Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation. Those NATTA identified problems and the suggested measures are expected to be published in the National Tourism Strategy Plan in the near future.
