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
To the newly elected Board of two tourism associations Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), NATTA extended its Congratulatory Message to the new Executive Committee. In the felicitations, NATTA expressed its willingness to collaborate with the new Executive Committee Members in every way possible and visit concerned authorities together for the tourism industry.
Province 1 of NATTA, Kakdvitta organized its 10th AGM at Birtamode on 11th June 2022. The AGM was followed by a close session with its members. A special honour was given by NATTA Province 1 together with the Chief Guest of the program NATTA Central President Mr. Ramesh Thapa to Wildlife Photographer and bird researcher Mr. Deven Kharel for finding and documenting one of the rarest species of bird, Rufous-necked hornbill, in Nepal during the occasion. NATTA Central Delegation comprised of Senior VP Mr. Pramod Dahal, Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari and Executive Members Mr. Parshuram Ghimire and Mr. Namaraj Bhetuwal. NATTA Madhesh Pradesh President Mr. Mohan Sharma, NATTA Gandaki Province team led by President Mr. Hari Ram Adhikari, NATTA Sudurpaschim Province Secretary Mr. Shiva Hari Pandey also participated in the Province 1, NATTA AGM.
On June 09, 2022, NATTA organized an honor and interaction program with the board members of the Nepal Tourism Board, Vice President Mr. Chandra Rijal and Executive Board Members Mr. Ngawa Ngima Sherpa, Mr. Krishna Kumar Shah and Mr. Madan Kumar Acharya at NATTA Secretariat. In the welcome program, the newly appointed Board Members were felicitated by NATTA President Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Executive Members with Bouquet and Khada. After the introduction session between the NATTA Executive committee and NTB Board members, Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya presented the specially prepared NATTA Program outline with its Budget requesting NTB to incorporate it in its upcoming annual budget and program. President Mr. Ramesh Thapa thanked the invitees for having their valuable time with NATTA and trusted that the private sector representatives on NTB Board will represent and reflect the private sector's opinion. During the interaction, both NATTA and NTB Executives Read More
On 08th June 2022, Nepal Tourism Board organized a program at Chandragiri Municipality observed by UN Assistant Secretary General and Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja to observe 15 km long foot and cycling trail. The program had the presence of representatives of UNDP Nepal, Local Government representatives and implementing partners. Under the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project – STLRP, a project of UNDP and Nepal Tourism Board, NATTA had provided short-term employment to more than 320 tourism workers with 3125 man-days. With the view to developing new tourism products, NATTA had also mobilized more than 100 tourism workers with 1090 man-days for the construction of this cycling trail. Speaking on the occasion NATTA Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari spoke about the positive impact of the STLRP project for providing short-term employment to tourism workers during the hard times of Read More
NATTA delegation called on the Governor of Nepal Central Bank (Nepal Rastra Bank) Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari on Tuesday, the 7th June 2022 and apprised him of the current problems being faced by agents specifically post COVID. Issues concerning the Bank Guarantee for Foreign Exchange License, bank loan rescheduling, providing a loan of at least twenty lakh rupees to the SMEs, easy payment system to foreign companies for outbound tour packages, continuing the provision of refinancing facilities, cash back incentives to foreign currency earning companies, ease of exchange provision to the tourist of new emerging markets like Bangladesh, provision of carrying 2500 dollar to the maximum for the Nepalese travellers travelling to Europe and America, ease of renewing the license of tourism companies with coordination between Department of Tourism and Nepal Rastra Bank were discussed upon. These were the pressing issues of travel and tourism trade and NATTA also requested Read More
On 3rd June 2022, the NATTA delegation led by President Mr. Ramesh Thapa met Mr. Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, Director General of the Department of Immigration (GON) in his good office and apprised him of the concerns faced by general members of NATTA during their tourist arrival and departure. The delegation also submitted 10- point Suggestions to the Department that had been collected from the member which includes the facility of evisa with online payment, an efficient Mobile friendly website of the Immigration Department with updated notices, Provision of Retirement Visa to foreigners who wish to stay longer in Nepal and other prominent issues relating to tourism.
On 31st May 2022, the Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA) and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a noble cause to nationally and professionally cooperate, exchange and promote each other’s tourism potential. The two parties signed the MoU given the ever-growing significance of cooperation between friendly countries Nepal and Philippines Nepal and the Philippines. NATTA President Mr. Ramesh Thapa and Ambassador of the Philippines to Nepal & India, H.E Ramon S Bagatsing Jr in the presence of Honorable Consulate of Philippines Mr. Suraj Vaidya signed the agreement at an event in Kathmandu on the occasion, International Mountaineering Tourism Day.
NATTA mourns the unfortunate news of the crash of the 9N-AET DHC-6-300 Twin Otter plane taken off from Pokhara to Jomsom at 9:55 am on 29th May 2022 that claimed the lives of all the crew members and the passengers on board. NATTA issued a Press Statement sharing its deepest condolences with the bereaving family members and with Tara Air. In the statement, NATTA also demanded for effective criteria and standards in Aviation Security by the concerned departments for the passengers to feel safe, assured and secured while flying in Nepal.
Government Officials, Diplomats, NTB officials and NATTA Members participated in the Hiking program organised to mark the International Mountain Tourism Day on 29th May 2022. NATTA in association with International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) China organized a Hiking Program on the Sankhu-Nagarkot route. The destination has great potential being nearest to the valley with a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan range and pristine nature. Participants gathered at NATTA Secretariat, Naxal and were sent off by the Proposed Ambassador of Nepal to China HE Mr. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha. At the starting point of the hiking at Salinadi, the Mayor of Sankharapur Municipality Mr. Ramesh Napit welcomed the participants. Mr. Napit shared that events like this will help to promote such a traditional and religious destination in tourism and that he will provide his unwaivered support in the future for the events which will be beneficial for the development of the Read More
The 15th International Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) Day was observed today at home and abroad with various programs. The day is marked on May 29th each year in commemoration of the first successful human ascent of the world's highest peak. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Prem Bahadur Ale, government officials, distinguished personalities in the tourism industry, noted climbers and tourism entrepreneurs joined a celebration organised by the Sagarmatha Day Main Organising Committee. A morning procession was held from Thamel to the programme venue, Nepal Academy Hall. Tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholder organisations participated in the procession. An official program was held at Nepal Academy Hall just after the procession. NATTA also had its active participation in the Procession along with other Associations.
On May 24th 2022, NATTA welcomed the Nepal Government's recommended Ambassador of Nepal to China, H.E Mr. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha at NATTA Secretariat, Gairidhara. His Excellency was enlightened about the long history of the cordial relationship between the Embassy of Nepal in China and NATTA. A brief introductory presentation of NATTA showcasing our Association’s glorious history and its past and present tourism promotional activities was shown to enlighten His Excellency about NATTA’s accomplishments in the tourism industry. Furthermore, issues on matters about mutual support, cooperation and exchange in the area of promoting tourism of both the friendly countries were discussed while highlighting the role of the Embassy in the promotion of Nepalese tourism in China especially post COVID19 scenario. NATTA urged and requested H.E. to open a dedicated Tourism Department at the Embassy to better address tourism promotion and issues faced in China by Nepalese travel agents. He was further Read More
Nepal Tourism Board organized the event to welcome its newly-appointed Board Members Ms. Milan Devkota and Mr. Madan Acharya and the new Executive Board Members of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) on 23rd May 2022 at NTB Auditorium Hall. In the program, NTB Chief Executive Officer Dr Dhananjay Regmi welcomed the newly-appointed members and was apprised about the NTB's working to solve the problems of tourism after COVID-19 affected the sector. A brief introductory presentation of NTB was presented by Mr. Hikmat Iyer. Mr. Madan Acharya, Ms. Milan Thapa of NTB along with NATTA President Mr. Ramesh Thapa shared their thoughts with the audience.
SATTE, regarded as one of the most important tourism exchange fairs in South Asia was organized from 18th-20th May 2022. Many tourism industry experts participated in SATTE 2022, organized by B2B exhibition organizer Informa Markets at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. NATTA also had its effective participation in the most coveted travel event, SATTE as a Buyer/Seller in the event. The participation from NATTA included Immediate Past President, Mr. Achyut Guragain, Senior Vice President Mr. Pramod Dahal, Secretary General Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, Secretary Ms. Yubika Bhandari, Executive Member Mr. Bishnu Pandey and other NATTA General Members. The organising committee of SATTE Informa Markets and NATTA has always shared a warm and cordial relationship. As many as 36,000 + industry buyers and trade visitors across multiple industry verticals like travel, wedding planning, and corporate travel were present at the three-day event with business opportunities. Nepal Tourism Board had also Read More
The Election Commission (EC), Nepal had approved the 'Measure on vehicles mobility management on the voting day of the local level election, 2079.' The movement of vehicles in the Valley had been banned during the prohibitory period and only essential services, candidates and their representatives were allowed to drive the vehicles on the voting day, May 13, 2022. A total of 28 NATTA member companies and their 50 vehicles were given benefitted from this NATTA initiative. Therefore for the hassle-free movements of tourists to and from the Airport to their respective destinations during this day, NATTA lobbied with several concerned ends for the Vehicle Pass for the general members. NATTA had collected requests from its members and in coordination with Nepal Tourism Board, Chief District Office and Election Commission, NATTA provided passes for their vehicles based on certain pre-defined criteria. Likewise, Shuttle Bus services were arranged to and from Airport Read More
FNCCI together with its associations organised a meeting to discuss the Work based Skill Development Program at its Secretariat, Teku on 10th May 2022. The skill development training will be provided to the participants seeking to learn about tourism. A proposal for capacity building and training for 3 months for 50 participants has been developed and sent to FNCCI by the Research, Training & Development Committee of NATTA.
The newly elected Executive Committee of NATTA led by President Mr. Ramesh Thapa met with the Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Mr. Ubaraj Adhikari on 8th May 2022 at the NAC office, Kathmandu. The meeting was well attended by the Directors of the Corporation, Mr. Tanka Nidhi Dahal and CA Janak Raj Kalakheti. The NATTA Executive Committee was accorded a warm welcome by the Executive Chairman of NAC and the officials present. Speaking on the occasion, on behalf of the NATTA Executive team, President Mr. Ramesh Thapa thanked NAC for their pleasant reception and said that airlines and travel agents should complementarily work together. NATTA has had a wonderful understanding with NAC in the past and it looks forward to better and more productive days ahead by working together in tandem. NATTA also presented a certain set of points of suggestion to NAC which included expansion of Air Read More
NATTA organised a brief meeting with Dr. Jeevan Amgain, Member of Revenue Advisory Board, Ministry of Finance on 06th May 2022 at NATTA Secretariat. The meeting was organised to discuss the upcoming budget of the Nepal Government as well as the long term policy intervention of the tourism industry. The meeting highlighted the issues related to a rebate of foreign currency income to tourism based companies to support and motivate them, exemption of Value added tax (VAT) until full recovery of tourism or for a minimum of 5 years. Other relevant issues of travel and tourism related to refinancing, investment of tourism infrastructure, providing industry status to the Tourism sector, continuing 1% income tax, subsidized loan facility, e-visa with online payment system, and MICE tourism were discussed. A 21 points suggestion paper regarding the financial issues was submitted to Dr. Amgain. He assured NATTA to lobby for the issues Ministry Read More
A joint meeting was held between representatives of International Airlines operating in Nepal and NATTA Executives chaired by President Mr. Ramesh Thapa at Aranya Boutique Hotel on 05th May 2022. The meeting was an introductory meeting after the Election of the New NATTA Executive Committee with the International Airlines Executives. During the meeting, ongoing situations faced by the Travel Agents as well as International Airlines were discussed. Furthermore, future possible cooperation between the International Airlines and NATTA during tourism promotional events organized later was discussed.
TAAN organised a felicitation program in honour of the newly elected executive committee of NATTA. TAAN President Mr. Khum Bahadur Subedi welcomed NATTA President and team of NATTA. Also, on the very same day, a Joint meeting was organized by TAAN with tourism associations at its Secretariat on 29th April 2022. The meeting was organized to discuss the amended Tourism Act 2078 issued by the Government of Nepal. NATTA also surveyed its general members for feedback regarding the new Tourism Act by Bagmati Province which would be supportive of our further persuasions.
