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Pokhara entrepreneurs assess Annapurna trails, declare them safe

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Pokhara entrepreneurs assess Annapurna trails, declare them safe

Tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara have assessed trekking trails in the Annapurna Region and declared them safe to visit.

pokhara-team

Dipesh Shrestha/Republica Members of the ‘Solidarity Walk to Annapurna for Tourism Revival’ team, tourists and locals join hands at the top of Poon Hill (3,210 m).

Around 40 tourism entrepreneurs from Pokhara completed the popular Ghandruk-Ghorepani Trek this week as part of ‘Solidarity Walk to Annapurna for Tourism Revival’.
Ram Chandra Sharma, president of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal Western Regional Association (TAAN-WRA), said the solidarity walk was organized to access the condition of trails after the devastating earthquake.

From the top of Poon Hill (3,210 meters), TAAN-WRA declared that trekking trails in Annapurna Region, all highways and airports, business complexes, and hotels, guest house and restaurants are safe. “We are prepared to welcome tourists to Nepal,” added Sharma.

Binaya Acharya, secretary of TAAN-WRA, said all teahouses, hotels and lodges in Annapurna Region have resumed operation.

Tourism entrepreneurs say they trekked in the Annapurna Region because they cannot assure safety of tourists by staying in their offices. “We organized this walk despite the monsoon, because we cannot assure trekkers that they are safe here without making assessment of the route. Foreigners trust us only we provide them factual information,” he said.

Annapurna Region

Though hotels in Ghandruk-Ghorepani area are almost empty, local hoteliers are hopeful of welcoming trekkers in autumn. Kisam Gurung, president of Tourism Management Committee, Ghandruk said that the visit and assessment of the area by tourism entrepreneurs is a strong proof that the area is safe. “Now, we can confidently say that the area is safe,” he added.

Similarly, Tika Ram Sapkota, media coordinator of PTRC, said the solidarity walk and the dissemination of message that the area is safe will definitely help to bring tourists in the area in autumn. We hope tourists will not cancel their bookings,” he added.

Beatrice Hearne from Indiana (US), who has booked a seven-day Nayapul-Ghorepani-Phedi trek for herself and her husband for autumn, said she was concerned because of lack of factual information. “Now that the area has been declared safe, we are really excited about the trip,” she told Republica in a Facebook chat.

Som Thapa, president of Pokhara Tourism Council, as all trails, bridges, tea houses, hotels and lodges are safe, tourism entrepreneurs can now invite their guests without worrying about anything. “Now we can assure tourists confidently that the area is safe,” he added.

The walk was organized jointly by TAAN-WRA in coordination with PTRC.

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Source: My Republica

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Nepal ready to welcome tourists, says envoy

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Nepal ready to welcome tourists, says envoy

Ambassador of Nepal in India, Deep Kumar Upadhyaya today said that Nepal was completely safe and ready to welcome tourists. The Himalayan kingdom is looking forward to having visitors from India.

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Upadhyaya was speaking at a seminar “Nepal: Tourist Destination” organized here today by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Embassy of Nepal, here today.

“Open border between the two countries has ensured an uninterrupted flow of people and in 2013 a total of 1.80 lakh Indians visited Nepal,” he said. Upadhyaya said Indian visitors constituted 23 per cent of the total tourists visiting Nepal. “All Himalayan states, including India and Nepal, must jointly promote spiritual tourism as there is vast potential and joint marketing will help all the countries reap the benefits and beckon international tourists,” he said.

Vice-chairman of the state tourism development board suggested that all Himalayan states in India must join hands to form National Regional Hill Development Authority of which Nepal and Bhutan can also be members.

This would not only help strengthen relations between the neighboring countries but also help in reconstruction of severely damaged Kathmandu through tourism, power besides many other areas of mutual cooperation.

Mani Raj Lamichhane, Head of Department of Tourism Products and Resources Development, Nepal Tourism Board, gave a detailed presentation, highlighting tourism opportunities in Nepal and prospects and benefits of developing mutla packages for visitors from both countries.

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Source: www.tribuneindia.com

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An opportunity for all: Nepal is open to visitors

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An opportunity for all: Nepal is open to visitors

To create a unique and award winning experience for tourists

Kathmandu-durbar-square1

Restoring damaged UNESCO heritage structures is estimated to cost $18 million. While restoring the combined 743 damaged monuments can cost $117m. The restoring and rebuilding of all these cultural sites will take years. However, tourists can be offered new experiences to attract them to the cultural heritage sites.

With loss of our heritage assets, the challenge is how to keep tourists in Kathmandu for longer. Exhibitions or murals in front of heritage sites showing before and after images could help attract more tourists to the heritage sites.

Unesco-heritage-sites

An augmented reality application could also allow smart phone users to see pictures of what the square would have looked liked before the earthquake when the camera is at a certain space or area. There could also be narration by famous actors, information and interactive tools to create a world class and award winning multi-media experience that is promoted in Nepal and abroad. The disaster could be a new beginning.

Training

During the off season to deliver better services

Unesco-heritage-sites1

Comprehensive retraining of staff laid off and unemployed at this time (porters, waiters, hoteliers, managers, etc.) could be the ideal next step for the tourism sector to bounce back. In many ways it could be the perfect time. After good management training programs, staff and laid off employees will be ready to provide better services when the tourist season starts again after the monsoon.

Training programs will have to focus on helping entrepreneurs and employees provide newer services/products and identifying newer markets. Programs could focus on management, marketing, hygiene, customer care, etc. They could be delivered directly to affected workers as part of a revival package.

Ninety percent of the tour guides are unemployed, they have no work, they are jobless. There is insecurity among the tour guides [about] what to do. I have [asked] my colleagues, just wait for one year.

Hare Ram Baral, head of the Tourist Guide Association of Nepal

Safe Trekking Systems

To inspire confidence

safe-trekking-system

Design idea for a Himalayan mountain hut/Safe Trekking System courtesy of HMMD architecture competition initiated by Samarth-NMDP.

 As Nepal seeks assurances from international geologists and consultants on its popular trekking routes, especially the Everest and Annapurna regions that attract around 70 per cent of trekkers, the PDNA suggests creating a Safe Trekking System with standards and regulations for the quality of the product and how to manage it. Classifying trails will go a long way in enabling visitors and the industry to assess the risks associated with certain treks and areas based on altitude, length, facilities, location etc.

A Safe Trekking System requires a product that allows good communication along the trail, a monitoring system that tracks the location of visitors & staff during the trek, a responsive rescue system, appropriate shelter along the way, enterprises that offer good basic services and quality infrastructure including bridges and drinking water provisions. The Safe Trekking System also requires an effective management system that looks after classification, promotion, maintenance & investment and staff skills. During the slow monsoon season, the Samarth-NMDP programme is taking the lead towards the establishment of the Sate Trekking System with funds from UK AID/DFID.

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Source: Nepalitimes

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TAAN should be given responsibility to assess, repair trekking trails’

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TAAN should be given responsibility to assess, repair trekking trails’

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Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) President Ramesh Prasad Dhamala has said that the responsibility of assessing and reconstructing quake-damaged trekking trails should be given to TAAN.
Stating that TAAN has a pool of trained trekking workers, who know geography of mountain areas very well, and the expertise in trekking and mountaineering sector, Dhamala said TAAN will perform responsibility assigned to it in time and in a professional manner.
Speaking as a keynote speaker in the second session of a workshop organized by Development Committee of legislature-parliament in Pokhara on January 20, he also urged the government and the donor agencies to work together for rebuilding.  “The government should provide collateral-free soft loans to tourism entrepreneurs so that they become ready to host tourists at the earliest,” he said.
He also requested the government to reduce royalty fee to Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa to US$ 100 for a year and waive off permit fee for other controlled areas for one year to attract more tourists. “We can attract Indian tourists by developing package linking religious sites like Damodar Kunda, Muktinath, Tribeni Dham and Pashupatinath,” he added. He also requested the government to provide salary to tourism workers, who have become jobless, for at least three months as grant.
Saying that foreign insurance companies are hesitating to insure tourists interested to visit Nepal due to negative travel advisories issued by the government, he said TAAN is ready to buy insurance cover for trekkers and mountaineers by levying fee of $50 per person.
President Dhamala was actively involved in preparation of Pokhara Declaration.
Speaking at the meeting, Andrew Jones, vice president of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said Nepal should launch promotional campaigns to invite tourists in areas that are untouched by the earthquake. He also said preparation was underway to certify by international experts that trekking trails are safe.
Crisis Management Expert of PATA Bert Van Walbeek suggested inviting foreign tour operators to Nepal and using social media to invite people to visit Nepal. “As people are becoming tech-savvy these days, Nepalis should post positive images on social media and inform people around the world that Nepal is safe. Likewise, newsletter and news should be published and broadcast in such a way that positive message is spread all over the world”, he added.
Rabindra Adhikari, chairman of the committee, said the workshop was organized in Pokhara to spread the message that is safe for tourists. Among others, Adhikari suggested to the government to waive off visa fee for three months, waive off entry fee for Annapurna Conservation Area, and introduce travel incentive leave (TIL) for government officials for promotion of domestic tourism.
Speaking at the program, Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa said they can start rebuilding damaged infrastructures immediately if finance ministry releases budget for the purpose.
Likewise, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the ministry was preparing plans to take tourism industry to the pre-quake level.

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Source : TAAN

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Help Nepal: take a holiday there

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Help Nepal: take a holiday there

A recent event hosted by the Nepal Embassy in Bangkok makes it clear that the country needs visitors to aid recovery

Bhaktapur-durbar-square5

Local artists arrive for a ritual dance as part of the opening of Bhaktapur to tourists at Darabar Square, Bhaktapur. EPA

Following the earthquakes that brought death and destruction to Nepal on April 25 and May 12, the government of Nepal recently assured visitors that Nepal is once again safe and ready to welcome tourists.

Out of 75 districts, only 11 are affected and only three trekking routes remain closed.

“While the damage from the earthquake was extensive, the vast majority of the country was unaffected. The safety and security of visitors is one of the government’s top priorities, as re-establishing the tourism industry is vital to Nepal’s recovery,” stressed Nepal’s ambassador to Thailand, Khaga Nath Adhikari, at the recent “Nepal is Safe: Visit Nepal, Help Nepal” event held at the Holiday Inn Silom Hotel in Bangkok.

Major tourist sites such as Lumbini, Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park have not been affected. Popular tourist activities such as trekking, kayaking, ziplining and mountaineering are still operating. The only exceptions are the three trekking routes of Langtang, Manaslu and Gaurishankar, which remain closed.

A strict examination process by expert committees has determined the safety of all affected areas. Any roads or structures that are not safe have been identified and are closed to the public, added deputy ambassador Dornath Aryal.

Thousands of Thais visit Nepal every year. The country does not want this to change and thus is enthusiastically promoting all that Nepal has to offer, such as the unique cultural diversity, beautiful natural scenery and the wide range of outdoor pursuits.

To encourage visitors, many hotels, attractions and agencies are offering discounts, sometimes of up to 50 per cent to help businesses recover. Even the visa office will be working overtime to try and ensure same day visa processing to make visiting Nepal as easy as possible.

The government’s push to promote tourism in the country comes after the earthquake that killed 8,789 and destroyed 511,390 houses and resulted in an estimated loss of 81.25 billion Rs (Bt26.8 billion) for the tourism industry. A second quake on May 12, while not as powerful as the first, is estimated to have killed more than 100 people.

“Despite concerns over continuing aftershocks, these pose no danger and do not indicate any further risk. While tourism will obviously assist with the economic recovery of Nepal, it is also hugely important for our country to return to normal to facilitate the psychological recovery of the its people,” the ambassador said.

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Source: nationmultimedia.com

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Nepal trekking routes condition – update

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Nepal trekking routes condition – update

Here’s the latest from our team in Nepal on the current state of many of the trekking routes and climbing areas. Overall, it’s a very positive message.

Nepal-trekking-updates

Dolpo – All the trails are intact. This area didn’t even feel the tremor of the earthquake. Just a few days ago a group flew to Phoksundo and walked back down to Juphal. Some private groups are still trekking from Juphal to Jomsom. Tarak Shahi, our contact in Juphal, says he has bookings at his lodge for this monsoon. All the locals are busy in Yarsa Gumpa harvest and traveling to high mountains to collect Yarchagumba (an aphrodisiac herb which earn them a fortune).

Dhaulagiri Circuit – No damage to the trekking trails, Karma Gyalze (one of our senior Sirdars) contacted the Tea house owner at Italian base camp and the Trans Himalaya lodge in Marpha. Similarly, Sirdar, Lhakpa ‘Tomato’ has checked on the trail from Beni-Darbang-Italian base camp, where there is no evidence of damage or changes to the trail. The locals who run little tea shops at Italian BC have just came down to villages for their off-season break.

Phu Naar – No damage to the trekking trails, but there is a section in-between Koto and Metha through the woods which is prone to rock fall. This appeared after the second earthquake, with locals warning of precaution moving across this section. BB Rai through local contacts confirmed that trail to Phu – upper route – Kangla pass – Manang are fine.

Annapurna Circuit – Mingma collected information through a lodge owner, Amrit Gurung, of the Thorong La lodge at Besisahar. The trails in this area are fine, though some sections are prone to landslides when descending to Jomsom via Tilicho Lake.

Annapurna Sanctuary – Mingma collected information through lodge owners at Chomrong, Bamboo, Himalaya, Deurali and Machhupuchare Base Camp. The trails are fine, with lodges running as normal. The owner of the Mountain View lodge reported that at least 2 to 3 groups were heading towards Machhupuchare BC every day.

Annapurna foothill trek – The owner of the Green View lodge in Ghorepani told us that the Annapurna foothill trek was accessible, the trails from Demuwa-Thulo Chaur-Jogikuti-Ghorepani-Tada Pani–Ghandruk and Nayapul are fine, with locals travelling from Ghorpani, Ullare to Jaljale to collect grasses for cattle, wild mushroom and dry wood almost everyday.

Mustang – Trails in this region are fine but most of the monasteries were damaged in the quake and a few collapsed. As per Ram Bista, a lodge owner at Lo-Mathang, the King’s Palace in Chharang and Lo-Mathang also suffered some damage.

Everest Base Camp – Local guide, Chogba, reported that the trail from Jiri –Shivalaya-Junbesi-Thaksindo–Kharikhola–Paiya- ukla or Phakding is fine, with the locals travelling along this every day. The trail near Phakding was blocked by a landslide about 20 metres wide, but the locals have already made a new trail which avoids it. The trail from Monjo to Namche is fine. Tenzing, the previous monk of Tyangbuche Gompa and the owner of Rivendale and Gomba lodge, said that a few lodges are damaged in Phakding, Monjo, Namche, Tyangbuche, Debuche, Pheruche, Dingbuche and Lobuche, but most of them have been rebuilt and are ready to business.

Mera Peak – Gyalzen TT and Dawa Tamang have contacted the locals in Khare. They said that there is no damage to trails but a few tea houses suffered damage. Rebuilding is in progress and all affected lodges are expected to be in working condition for the autumn season.

Island Peak – Conditions are fine, with a few people having climbed the mountain since the earthquake.

Kangchenjunga – Karma (Chinese) has contacted the locals in Yamphudin. The trail from Gopetar to Yamphudin and across the Sele La to Ghunsa is fine. Mingma also talked with Chungdak Sherpa, a lodge owner at the Kangchenjunga Guest house in Ghunsa. He said that the route above Ghunsa to Pangpema was fine, as was the route down to Taplejung and Suketar. The locals have been travelling back and forth along this as usual.

Rolwaling – no update as yet.

Manaslu – no update as yet, though reports are that much of the trail has been affected by the earthquake.

Langtang – as has been widely reported, the Langtang Valley was devastated by the earthquake. It is difficult to imagine trekking being possible here for some time to come.

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Source: www.jagged-globe.co.uk