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
The Government of Nepal published the Bagmati Province Tourism Act 2078. However, tourism industrialists are not pleased with the provisions of the updated tourism act. Therefore, NATTA, TAAN, HAN, NTVA and TBAN jointly prepared and handed over the suggestions highlighting the issues to be amended in the Act to the Secretary of the Provincial Tourism Ministry in a program organized in the TAAN Secretariat on 27th June 2022. Out of the issues 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 be reduce to NRs. 25 Lakhs. Previously on 14th June 2022, NATTA also submitted the Amendments to be done in the Act mentioning the Suggestions to the Honorable Tourism Minister of Bagmati Province.
Ministry of Forest and Environment/Climate Change Management Division organized a national validation workshop on "Enhancing Private Sector Engagement in Climate Change Resilient Business and National Adaptation Project (NAP) Implementation". NATTA Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari participated in the event on 24th June 2022 in Hotel Yellow Pagoda. The workshop was organized to collect effective suggestions and strategies to adapt to climate change's impact to achieve economic and social progress.
The first NATTA APJC Committee Meeting with the Committee members and NATTA Executive Members was held on 23rd June 2022 at NATTA Secretariat. The meeting was organized to discuss the possible agenda for the upcoming APJC Meeting by IATA scheduled for 6th July. In the meeting, discussion on issues regarding Banking and Remittance, Security deposits of Airlines, Refund issues, double interest payments, defer in payment dates, capping, ADM which are crucial matters for IATA Agents. Before the meeting suggestions were taken from IATA members regarding issues faced via a Questionnaire. Along with Committee Members, the meeting was also attended by NATTA board members President Mr. Ramesh Thapa, Senior VP Mr. Pramod Dahal, Secretary ms. Yubika Bhandari, Treasurer Mr. Raj Kumar Devkota, Joint Treasurer Ms. Geeta Dhakal and Exectuive members Mr. Ram Shovit Nayak, Mr. Nawaraj Bhetual and Mr. Dendi Sherpa. The NATTA APJC Committee Chaired by Secretary General Mr. Kumar Read More
After the formation of the new NATTA Executive (2020-2022), a series of Welcome programs had been hosted. Gurung Tourism Entrepreneur's Association hosted a program on 21st June 2022 in welcoming NATTA Executive Members who were newly elected on 31st March 2022 at 55th AGM and Election. On this occasion, the President of NATTA Mr. Ramesh Thapa expressed gratitude and committed to working jointly for the betterment of the tourism industry.
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) organized a welcome and congratulatory program at its own Secretariat on 15th June 2022 in honor of the Presidents and Office Bearers elected from the recent annual general meeting of the member commodity associations. Office Bearers of NATTA were felicitated on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ramesh Thapa, President of NATTA apprised of the tourism issues and insisted that such issues should be discussed in the tourism committee of the federation.
In an interaction event organised in Hotel Yellow Pagoda by Kathmandu Metropolitan City as a pre-budget discussion for the fiscal year 2079/80 on 15th June 2022, NATTA presented its suggestion to the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Mr. Balendra Shah addressing reasonable and important demands of the tourism sector. Some of the demands of NATTA were put forwarded by NATTA Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliyaduring the interaction program. The demands included only leving 50% of the renewal charge at the municipality for the tourism sector as in the previous year, waiving off of the tax of home rent for at least 2 years, a committee to be formed with the involvement of NATTA for the restoration and restructuring of the heritage sites, developing a tourist bus terminal in a suitable location, developing a disabled-friendly structure in every touristic area, creating environment awareness by forming clubs among community schools and Read More
NATTA on 14th June 2022 handed over suggestions and programs with a Budget Plan for the upcoming NTB budget for the F/Y 2079-80, focusing on post-pandemic tourism revival. NATTA forwarded the budget proposal to the Vice Chairman of NTB, Mr. Chandra Rijal and CEO Dr. Dhannjaya Regmi to put up the contents of the suggestions in the Budget & Program of the Nepal Tourism Board comprising regular annual programs of NATTA including all its Provinces to be accomplished.
Kathmandu being a gateway to millions of foreign tourists coming into Nepal is without an appropriate Tourist Bus T A delegation in the leadership of NATTA including NTVA and TBAN jointly met Mr Sanjib Sharma Das, Superintendent of Police, Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office on 13th June and handed over issues and concerns of Tourist Transportation. The concerns included the dire need for a Tourist Bus Terminal in the capital city of Kathmandu terminal. Likewise continuing with our efforts, NATTA including NTVA and TBAN visited the office of the Department of Transport Management and met with Director-General Mr. Namraj Ghimire on 14th June and demanded that the tourist vehicles should have identical number plate while installing embossed number plate. The team also proposed the continuation of a green background number plate with the new embossed number to ensure a different identity and preserve the repute of the tourist vehicles amongst the Read More