With the increasing rate of fuel in the country, the tourism industry has not remained detached from all these issues. The Vehicle rates that had been published previously have become difficult to continue currently with the escalation of petrol/diesel charges. To discuss this trending issue number of participations of tour operators specializing in tours were invited to the meeting at NATTA Secretariat on the 8th of August. Representatives of Member companies; Swift Holidays, Vista Travels, Kora Tours and other members including NATTA Executives were present in the Interaction program.
On the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, the Embassy of Nepal, Beijing organized a program on 'Mountaineering and Trekking in Nepal' under the program related to economic diplomacy on the embassy premises on 7th August 2022. The newly appointed Ambassador of Nepal to China, His Excellency Mr. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha in his welcome speech highlighted the cordial bilateral relations between Nepal and China that will be further strengthened by high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The program honored the Chinese citizens who climbed Mount Everest on behalf of Nepal and promoted the great potential of mountain climbing and trekking tourism in Nepal. On behalf of Nepal, the President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Mr. Ramesh Thapa gave a virtual presentation and shed light on the features and attractions of Nepal's mountain climbing Read More
A Tourism Revival Steering Committee has been formed in preparation for Tourism Revival Action Plan 2079 to reduce the negative impact of Nepal's tourism sector affected due to COVID. In further facilitation of effective implementation of the action plan, NATTA has been nominated as a Member of the Committee which has been formed under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Tourism Minister, Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
On August 04, 2022, at the invitation of NATTA newly appointed Ambassadors of Nepal participated in a meeting organized at NATTA Secretariat, Gairidhara. Welcoming all the Ambassadors at NATTA, Executive Members congratulated and extended best wishes for the successful tenure. Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya presented the presentation about NATTA with its history and workings along with the role of the Nepalese Mission. Speaking at the occasion, President Mr. Ramesh Thapa enlightened the involvement of NATTA in various tourism promotional programs in different destinations. President Thapa also urged for the possible digitalization of visas, and the opening of the Embassy in Nepal as well for visa processing of the countries. Matters like establishing direct airline connectivity and Nepalese tourism programs in the countries were also discussed elaborately. Ambassadors expressed their appreciation and gratefulness towards NATTA for their cordial invitation and felicitation. Excellencies also conveyed their understandings and challenges to Read More
In keeping with the NATTA Statute and with the unanimous approval of the Board, Mr. Suresh Amgain, Managing Director of Trail Blazer Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Govind Dahal, Green Horizon Tours Pvt. Ltd. had been nominated as new members of the NATTA Executive Committee. The new Executive Members were welcomed at the 6th Board Meeting.
The eighth annual general meeting and fourth convention of NATTA Sudurpaschim concluded on 30th July 2022 in Dhangadhi inaugurated by the Chief Guest Hon'ble Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, Dr. Ran Bahadur Rawal. President of NATTA Central Mr. Ramesh Thapa participated in the AGM as a Special Guest. NATTA Executive Members Ms. Shradha Joshi and Ms. Sabala Bhandari were also present at the event. NATTA Gandaki Province President Mr. Hariram Adhikari and Secretary Mr. Chetan Karki along with other Province Members also participated in the event. The Annual general meeting elected a new working committee of NATTA Sudurpaschim Province under the chairmanship of Mr. Padam Bikram Singh. Similarly, Vice President Mr. Dhananjay Jaishi, General Secretary Mr. Shivhari Pandey, Treasurer Mr. Lokraj Bhatt, Secretary Ms. Sabita Ayer and Executive Members Mr. Padam Bahadur Chand, Mr. Bikram Thakulla, Mr. Kishore Khadka, Mr. Mekhendra Khatri have been voted as a Board Members Read More
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a Digital Marketing Training in collaboration with PUM Netherlands Senior Expert, Mr. Jeroen Vinkesteijn from July 21-28, 2022. The program concluded with certificate distribution. NTB CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi congratulated the participants and spoke of the relevance of such training in the current context. There were more than 60 participants from the private sector & NTB. NATTA circulated its members inviting the participants in the said training coordinated by Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari. A number of ten companies from NATTA participated in the Digital Marketing training.
As a part of the Sustainable Tourism and Green Growth for Heritage Settlements of the Kathmandu Valley project funded under SWITCH – Asia intervention of the European Union in partnership with UN-Habitat, the team of UN-Habitat visited at NATTA Secretariat on 27th July 2022 for the alliance with NATTA in their sustainable tourism development in Bungamati, Pilachhen and other heritage settlements. The major objective was to support the local government and community of Bungamati for the upcoming tourism season by presenting Bungamati as a touristic destination for different stakeholders, especially tours and travel companies. Therefore, the team requested NATTA the cooperation in inviting tourism stakeholders in an interaction program that would also be an eye-opener to the local government and communities regarding the existing condition of the settlement from the perspective of the tourism industries Soon, the Interaction program is being held.
The Embassy of Nepal, Bahrain organized a Tourism Promotion Program on July 23, 2022, in Manama, Bahrain. NATTA had received an invitation to attend the event as a Special Guest. Therefore, the President of NATTA, Mr. Ramesh Thapa representing the tourism industry of Nepal participated in the event and presented a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation was about Nepal with landmarks and diverse activities that can be entertained in Nepal by tourists. It apprised about the travellers can take from the registered travel Agents and Tour Operators of NATTA who are enthusiasts to conduct special interest tours and guide the visitors to the places. President also emphasized the relations between Nepal and the Kingdom of Bahrain along with the potential of tourism and a need to focus on marketing strategies and organize tourism promotional programs bilaterally. Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Bahrain, Ms. Aruna Ghising highlighted many attractive destinations of Nepal Read More
The 19th Annual General Meeting of CNI was held on 24th July 2022 which was inaugurated by Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The meeting showcased CNI's accomplishments and outlined future ambitions and launched the CNI Website and App by Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister. Representing NATTA, IPP Mr. Achyut Guragain and Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya participated in the General Meeting.
ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MOLESS) organized two days of Capacity building on Green Jobs and a study validation Workshop from 20th to 21 July 2022 at Hotel Radisson, Kathmandu. On behalf of NATTA, CEO Mr. Uttam Prasad Devkota participated in the two day program. The purpose of the technical validation workshop was to validate the findings of the global policy-applied research project on Skills for Green Jobs. The workshop aimed to: a) identify environmental challenges and skills response strategies; b) discuss green restructuring processes on the labour market and related retraining needs; c) highlight current and future occupational changes and their implication on vocational training; d) propose specific policy recommendations and suggestions for further steps. The ILO, with advisory support from the MOLESS and in collaboration with social partners, has been implementing the ILO’s Regulatory Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA) - Skills programme.
NATTA Delegation comprising IPP Mr. Achyut Guragain, Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari and Executive Member Mr. Dendi Sherpa visited the office of the Ministry to congratulate the newly appointed Ambassador of Nepal for Egypt H.E Mr. Sushil Lamsal on 21st July 2022.. The delegation had a fruitful conversation regarding the promotion and increase in the movement of tourists from Northern African countries to Nepal.
NATTA together with different chairs of the tourism associations submitted the Suggestion letter with the points to be comprised and amended in the Provincial Tourism Act to the Honorable Chief Minister of Bagmati Province Mr. Rajendra Prasad Pandey. The Letter was submitted at the event on 20th July 2022. Out of the matters to amend, the provision in the new act had the requirement of paid-up capital of 50 Lakhs for travel tour companies which were recommended to reduce to NRs. 25 Lakhs. Previously the letter also had been handed over to the Secretary of the Provincial Tourism Ministry highlighting the issues to be amended in the Act on 27th June 2022.
A Symposium on Partnership for Resilient Tourism was jointly organised by FNCCI and Nepal Tourism Board on July 20, 2022, at FNCCI Secretariat, Kathmandu. Hon'ble Tourism Minister Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Secretary, MoCTCA Mr. Maheshwor Neupane, President of FNCCI, Mr. Shekhar Golchha, CEO of NTB, Dr. Dhananjaya Regmi, Sr. Vice President, FNCCI Mr. Chandra Dhakal, Chairperson Tourism & Air Transport Committee Ms. Jyotsna Shrestha were acknowledged as Speakers of the Symposium. The struggle to stay in business as arrivals for Nepali Travel Trade which is yet to fully rebound, recovery plan in tourism, running at a slow pace of newly inaugurated Gautam Buddha International Airport, lack of promotional programs, lack of appropriate policies, poor transportation infrastructure and many other issues were raised in the Symposium. Following the Session, Knowledge Session-Fireside Chat and Panel Discussions were held with the participation of entrepreneurs from different sectors. The President of NATTA along with Read More
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) held an interaction program with the newly appointed ambassadors to various countries in Kathmandu on 11th July 2022. Speaking on occasion, Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha said that Nepali embassies and ambassadors abroad would have to play an essential role in the promotion of tourism in Nepal. Newly appointed Nepali Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Durga Bahadur Subedi, Mrs. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal for Spain, Mr. Sushil Lamsal for Egypt, Mr. Harish Chandra Ghimire for Myanmar, Mr. Bharat Raj Regmi for Austria, Mr. Kanta Rijal for Israel, Mr. Dan Bahadur Tamang for South Africa and others stressed the need for organizing different promotional activities for the promotion of Nepal, arrange adequate budget for programs that are held abroad and coordinate with the embassies during such programs. Understanding the importance of air connectivity for developing tourism in Nepal, they suggested coordination among embassies, Read More
The Embassy of Nepal in the United Kingdom organized a tourism promotion event entitled "Potentials of Tourism for boosting Nepal's economy" at the embassy of Nepal in London on 6th July 2022 inviting some tourism entrepreneurs and a government delegation to the event. NATTA President had been invited to the esteemed event as a Special Speaker to speak about the potential of Nepalese tourism and the responsibility of travel and tour operators precisely. Due to the time constraint, a recorded version of the Presentation on Nepal by President Mr. Ramesh Thapa was presented at the event and joined the event virtually. Mr. Thapa delivered about the interesting activities and the packages that could be designed by our registered travel agencies for any travellers. He also highlighted the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal relished for decades and the Visits from Royal and other well known personalities whose travel Read More
The twenty-second APJC (Agency Program Joint Council) Meeting was held in Kathmandu on July 06 2022 at Hotel Radisson. The meeting was participated by all the NATTA APJC members and the member Airlines’ operating in Nepal. APJC Chairperson CA Janak Raj Kalakheti presided over and the agendas were discussed. Mr. Rodney D'Cruz, Secretary for the APJC and Assistant Director, India & Mr. Ritam Saha, Manager, India, Nepal & Bhutan initiated the discussion one by one. NATTA APJC Chairperson Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya elaborated on the issues which was the part of agenda submitted by NATTA previously. The issues were Banking and Remittance, Security deposits of Airlines, Refund issues, double interest payments, defer in payment dates, capping, ADM and other crucial matters for IATA Agents. NATTA was represented by Mr. Megh Bahadur K.C, Mr. Bishnu Basnet, Mr. Rajendra Bhattarai, Mr. Ram Prasad Shrestha and Mr. Kishor Tripathi. The outcome of the meeting Read More
IATA Officials from India Mr. Rodney D'Cruz, Assistant Director, Passenger & Cargo Services, India, Nepal & Bhutan ASPAC-Field Offices and Mr. Ritam Saha, Manager Pax and Cargo Services. Nepal India & Bhutan called on NATTA Secretariat, Wednesday the 6th of July and held discussions on matters of the difficulties being faced by Nepalese travel agents. Mr. D'Cruz and Mr. Saha congratulated the newly elected Executive Committee of NATTA and expressed the hope that NATTA & IATA would be able to work in tandem with each other in the days to come for the betterment of the industry. NATTA President Mr. Ramesh Thapa thanked the IATA officials for the visit and raised a few queries regarding the refund issues, Good for Payment Cheque and capping. Speaking on the occasion the NATTA APJC Chairperson and Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya put up a few issues enlightening the officials with the fact Read More
A NATTA Past Presidents Council (CNPP) meeting was held on 29th June 2022 in the NATTA Secretariat chaired by the then Convener of CNPP, Mr. RR Pandey. In the meeting, it was decided on introducing the PPC working procedure to make the CNPP more functional and effective in further strengthening the scope of NATTA. Likewise, recently introduced biennial awards, DN Pradhan Memorial Tourism Entrepreneurs Excellence Award and Khagendra Raj Pandey Memorial Travel & Tourism Award were praised by Presidents during the meeting. The meeting also approved the Working Procedure "Karyabidhi" for properly carrying forward these two awards. The cheque for "Akshaykosh" worth NRs. 2.5 Million committed by Mr. RR Pandey was handed over to the NATTA President on the occasion. The meeting has unanimously decided to appoint Mr. RM Singh Pradhan as the Convener and Ms. Ambica Shrestha as the Council of NATTA Past Presidents (CNPP) for the years 2022-2024. Read More
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Delegation visited the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Singhadurbar on 30th June 2022 to meet and congratulate the newly appointed Tourism Minister Hon'ble Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha. At the meeting, the delegation felicitated with the Bouquet, Khada and Congratulatory frame to the Minister. NATTA also handed over the 21 point Suggestions along with the current issues being faced in the tourism sector to the Hon'ble Minister which included the amendment of the Tourism Act, initiating the process of issuing online visas to tourists, increase tourism promotional programs with NATTA and increasing connectivity of Nepal Airlines. The letter also urged the government to support NATTA's event Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM), re-announce the Visit Nepal Year as the last VNY 2020 could not happen due to Covid situation. The delegation that visited MoCTCA included President Mr. Ramesh Thapa, IPP Mr. Achyut Guragain, Read More
