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India okays scheme for govt staff to travel to Nepal

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Fulfilling a commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SAARC summit held in Kathmandu in November, the Indian government has approved a proposal to allow more than two million government employees to travel to Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka on Leave Travel Concession scheme.

The development comes as a major boost for Nepal which was recently devastated by three major earthquakes and more than 300 aftershocks. Consequent to the natural disaster tourist arrivals in the Himalayan nation plummeted to almost zero levels causing much panic in the tourism sector which is a major contributor to the country’s GDP. Most of the hotels in Nepal have since reported largescale cancellations of bookings made by tourists, especially the pilgrimage tourists from India.

The Indian government’s decision in effect will encourage middle class Indians to travel to Nepal either on pilgrimages to Hindu and Buddhism sites or for recreational and adventure purposes. “The government decided to fast track the proposal following the earthquake in Nepal so as to boost tourism in that country which is still reeling under the impact of the earthquake,” sources at the civil aviation ministry told The Himalayan Times here.

Under the provisions of the LTC, all the government employees can travel to any destination of their choice after due process and the cost of travel would be borne by the government. Hitherto the LTC facility was only available for travel within India. The move was aimed at boosting tourism within SAARC countries. However, Indian government employees cannot use the LTC to travel to Pakistan and Bangladesh, as these two neighbouring countries have been left out for now owing to security issues.
The ministry of civil aviation endorsed the proposal so that the LTC can be availed for the time being the on national carrier Air India while flying to these countries. The private airlines flying into Nepal are likely to lobby for a chunk of the pie in this newly created segment by arguing that Air India does not have the bandwidth to meet the likely surge in traffic to Nepal.

There are around two million government employees. With the extension of the LTC scheme there is bound to be greater movement of Indians to the four countries. Considering the close people to people ties between India and Nepal, they are likely to prefer to travel to Nepal using the facility.

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Source: thehimalayantimes

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Nepal still heaven for tourists

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When Nepal shook under the impact of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 followed up by a scourge of a series of powerful aftershocks, the country’s tourism industry was struck with a jolt of an equal magnitude.

The unprecedented setback for tourism in Nepal cannot be immediately scaled nor under estimated for the full impact is yet to transpire, and many are wary of the prospect of tourists returning to Nepal anytime soon. In midst of this confusion-stricken scenario, the government has shown readiness to bounce back and revive the tourism industry to its former glory as it remains Nepal’s mainstay of economy and fame. It is working on a plan to rebuild the destroyed structures at the earliest. The government is all set to reopen access for tourists to the heritage sites from June 15, while it also ramps up its pace to remove the detritus from the collapsed structures. “We urge them (the tourists) to visit our country at the soonest and from June 15 we are reopening access for tourists to heritage sites inside the valley,” Ramesh Kumar Adhikari, Administrative Chief at Nepal Tourism Board said. “They should come to Nepal to continue showering their love to the country and to see the impact of the natural calamity on the beauty of Nepal which also serves as an opportunity for inspection and research”. “We are in grief on the inside and smiling on the outside and to see this they (tourists) should come”, adds Adhikari while pointing out that the damages to Nepal’s beauty is partial and not wholesale. The renowned monuments and temples which constitute the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Property including many more historically important sites are far from completely perishing. In fact many of the awe inspiring temples and heritage sites are still standing, though they await renovation. The Nyatapola temple also known as the Panch Tale Mandir (Five-Storied Temple) is still unbelievingly erect as if trying to taunt the surrounding inner city of Bhaktapur punctuated by a dismal landscape of shattered houses and twisted ruins. The pagoda-style Nyatapola which suffered partial damage at the top was built by medieval-era King Bhupatindra Malla during a five-month period from 1701-1702. The tallest temple in Nepal stands on five stage plinths designed exactly to withstand such powerful earthquakes. Another temple of Bhairav Nath adjacent to Nyatapola is also relatively intact with a portion at the top edge falling apart. In Patan Durbar Square, the famous Radha Krishna Temple built by the then King of Patan, Sidhi Narsingh Malla in 1637 is intact and ready to welcome the tourists.

According to legend, the temple was carved out of a single boulder whereas another five-storied pagoda style Kumbeshwor temple at Bagalamukhi is still there with partial damage at the top. However, the destruction unleashed by the earthquake in Kathmandu Durbar Square is most severe. Half of the Nautale Durbar (Nine-storied palace), a palace built in the form of a temple, has crumbled while the famous Rana era Gaddhi Baithak built in neo-classical European architectural style suffered widespread damages. The Maju Deval temple, located at the centre, which is usually filled with couples sitting on nine-stage ochre platform and serving as the most popular meeting place has been reduced to debris. Despite this, the secretive and majestic 35-m high Taleju temple built in 1564 by Mahendra Malla is still intact with minor cracks. The temple stands on a 12-stage plinth and is the most precious jewel of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Trekking-in-Nepal

The Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple which is one of the most beautiful temples in the square is still standing. The residence of the living Goddess Kumari, the Kumari Ghar or Kumar Chowk built in 1957 is also still there to welcome tourists.
The famous Changunarayan Temple, which existed as early as 325 AD in the time of Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma is a masterpiece blend of woodcraft and art in Nepal. The inscription recording the military exploits of King Man Deva who reigned from 490 to 524 AD is the earliest inscription known in Nepal. The temple premises, situated atop a hill at the North-East part of the Kathmandu valley, suffered a wide range of destruction during the earthquake, but the Changu Narayan temple itself escaped destruction but with extensive damages. The temple continues to stand with its artistic richness undimmed.

The Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest heritage sites in Kathmandu valley, is intact although the temples and monasteries in the premises suffered extensive or partial damages. The great Himalayan range wearing the crown of Mt Everest and the picturesque hinterlands of Nepal are not going anywhere.
However, notwithstanding the real situation on the ground, some media have been disseminating alarmist and sensationalized reports in connection to the destruction at multiple heritage sites.

Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN) President Hare Ram Baral blamed some foreign media of focusing on only the destroyed temples. “Three of seven world heritage sites enlisted by UNESCO in Kathmandu valley – Swayambhunath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple and Kathmandu Durba Square – have suffered damages but tourist are welcome to see the structures that have remained intact,” Baral said.

He appealed to the media to make people feel secure by informing them of the facts including that many hotels in Kathmandu have been tagged with green stickers. “We have posted information about structures that have not fallen due to the quake in the TURGAN website,” he said adding, “Visit Nepal if you love Nepal.”

“We must be able to tell them that yes we have suffered collapsed structures, but still we have many places where you can visit,” Baral said. Pointing out that Lumbini and Pokhara remained intact, Baral emphasized the only two trekking routes in Manaslu and Langtang areas suffered the impact of natural calamity, but many other trek routes are safe.

“Nepal is one of the countries in the world with multiple dimensions for tourism, while our hospitality and service is highly rated in the world,” NTB administrative chief Adhikari stressed adding, “Tourists are bound to visit Nepal, sooner rather than later.” RSS

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Lumbini to be promoted in Thailand

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Siddhartha Hotel Association of Nepal (SHAN), the regional chapter of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), is promoting Nepal in Thailand with the slogan ‘Visit Lumbini Help Nepal’. To promote the campaign, tourism entrepreneurs of Lumbini are leaving for Bangkok on June 5.

lumbini (1) According to a press statement, they will be organizing a photo exhibition displaying various places of Lumbini, show a documentary about Lumbini and organize an interaction for promotion of Lumbini with tourism entrepreneurs, media persons and concerted stakeholders in Wat Saket — a popular Buddhist temple in Bangkok.

At these programs, tourism entrepreneurs will spread the message that Lumbini is safe and request people there to visit and help Nepal at the time of crisis, the statement said.

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Source: myrepublica

Nepal for Tourists – Nothing to Fear!

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Nepal for Tourists – Nothing to Fear!

On 25th April 2015 a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.9 struck the central region of Nepal in the Gorkha district just north of the main highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The earthquake was followed by a number of severe aftershocks that were felt as far away as India, Bangladesh, and Tibet. As a result, there were more than 8000 people found dead and thousands more injured, not to mention the wholesale destruction of buildings throughout the whole of the country. It also laid waste to some of the nation’s historic monuments including centuries-old palaces and temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Prayer-flags-and-Mountain-Nepal.-770x380

The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest in the famous trekking regions of Manaslu and Langtang. Langtang village itself bore the brunt of the catastrophe, with the entire village completely buried by the avalanche as it descended from the Langtang slopes thousands of feet above.

However, while the earthquake has shaken the land of Nepal, it has been unable to shake the courage, strength, and spirit of its people. What you see now is not death and despair but a fiercely resilient population going about the task of regrouping and rebuilding in the wake of this massive catastrophe. The Kathmandu Valley is alive and kicking and striving to get back on its feet. Relief is slowly reaching the earthquake-affected villages, with local government and various NGO’s and INGO’s joining forces in an effort to bring life back to normal. Heritage sites like Swayambhu, the three Durbar Squares, and many other ancient settlements and monuments will not be fully reconstructed for some time, but the locals together with local authorities have at least initiated plans for their renovation. In time, all of these magnificent structures will be repaired and brought back to life.

“Our greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”– Vince Lombardi

Despite damage to historical and cultural monuments, Nepal is still able to welcome tourists with open arms. Roads and air transport links remain intact across the country; the majority of hotels and restaurants are already back in operation; and apart from the regions of Manaslu and Langtang, most trekking areas have escaped widespread damage. Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Nepalese economy, and Nepal will certainly need the income that tourism brings as it attempts to recover from this disaster.

Have you ever travelled to Nepal? Start making plans! October and November are Nepal’s peak season for tourism, and are of course the best time of year to come and visit. Trekking in Langtang region has, sadly, been highly impacted, so it will probably not be until the end of the September that tourism resumes here in earnest. The people of these areas have lost everything as a result of the earthquake; the best way to support them is by helping to restore their former way of life. Most of the people of the area depend highly on the income generated from tourists visiting the region; it is only really this income that will help the people recover from the tragedy.

The majestic Himalayan Mountains and lush countryside still await the more intrepid visitor, while the people of the region busily rebuild so they can welcome visitors with the friendliness and generosity that the Nepali people are famous for. Travelling to these areas will help the local economy enormously, and will function as a primary source of ongoing sustainable aid. And you need have no fear for your own safety – Nepalese architecture from now on will tend more towards stronger and safer structures.

Other than the highly affected areas of Manaslu and Langtang, trekking in most other regions can be undertaken at any time; Manaslu will start by end of September and probably Langtang too. Pokhara is very safe, and still captivates with its magnificent mountain views and serene lakes. Chitwan and Bardia also escaped widespread damage, and are thus ready to showcase their abundance of natural life.  The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, did not incur much damage and is thankfully all set to welcome visitors back to its sacred soil.

So what are you waiting for? Come and visit the magnificent and bustling country of Nepal, and support her as she attempts to stand proudly on her feet once again. Walk the beautiful trails in the shadow of the most magnificent mountains on earth as you help the Nepalese people reset their course on the path to prosperity. And consider this: how good you will feel knowing that you were among the first to show the rest of the world that Nepal is once again a safe place to visit and explore; that there is nothing to fear and everything to be gained by witnessing first-hand the indomitable spirit of its people as they set about constructing a new identity, a new architecture, a new legacy on top of the still living and breathing vestiges of the old identity, the old architecture, and the old legacy. Nepal is now embarking upon the most fascinating period in all of its ancient history, and you could be right there to see it happen.

So come on: start thinking RIGHT NOW about the most important adventure you’ll ever undertake. Start planning your trip. Trust us. We promise you it’ll be the greatest thing you’ll ever do in your life.

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Source: mosaicadventure.com

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Left intact in quake, Namche Bazaar awaits tourists

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Left intact in quake, Namche Bazaar awaits tourists

Namche Bazaar, also known as the gateway of Mt Everest, that stood intact in the recent earthquake is now awaiting tourists.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists en route to the world’s highest mountain visit Namche Bazaar of Solukhumbu district every year to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. However, rumors about devastation by quake have adversely affected tourism in the area.
Namche-bazaar
Angchhiring Sherpa, an hotelier, said, “Nothing except a few residential houses has been damaged here.” Fear among tourists is natural, especially after the strong aftershocks that followed the devastating April 25 earthquake. But Namche Bazaar, which stood intact in the quake, is without tourists these days. “Namche is still safe for tourists to visit,” Sherpa said.

Both the earthquakes of April 25 and May 12 have inflicted minor damage to Namche Bazaar area. Only around 250 private houses in the rural areas of Namche have been destroyed, while 150 residential houses have been damaged.

The news about complete destruction of Namche Bazaar is not true, according Angphinjo Sherpa, a civil society leader. “All the tourism entrepreneurs waiting to welcome tourists,” he said.

Namche is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. It has 53 hotels and lodges. However, only two people lost their lives at the Everest Base Camp due to an avalanche triggered by the earthquake.

Bikram Thapa, a local radio journalist, of district headquarters, Salleri, has recently reached Namche Bazaar for reporting after four hours of trekking. “I found Namche stood unaffected,” he told Republica. “I found half of a dozen hotels and lodges have developed cracks due to the earthquake.”

However, most of those tourists who were in the Namche area at the time of the earthquake have already flown back to their countries.

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Source: myrepublica

Cultural heritage sites to open for tourists from June 15

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Cultural heritage sites to open for tourists from June 15

The government is opening some cultural heritages sites in Kathmandu Valley for tourists from June 15. The government had barred entry of tourists in these sites following the earthquake of April 25.

(Photo: The Guardian)

(Photo: The Guardian)

The meeting of Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) held on Monday took the decision. The meeting, which was chaired by tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, saw participation of high ranking officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Department of Tourism, Department of Archaeology (DoA), archeological experts, presidents of different tourism organizations, executive committee members and administrative chief of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), among others.

Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of DoA, said they would formally open Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square for visitors from June 15. Other heritage sites like Bouddhanath, Budhanilkantha and Pashupatinath are safe for tourists, he added.

Speaking at the meeting, Tourism Secretary Shrestha said there is a need to organize effective international media marketing campaign and organize fam trips for celebrities, tour operators and travel writers to Nepal to disseminate positive message about Nepal. “This will help us tell the rest of the world what we still have to offer after the earthquake of April 25,” said Shrestha.

In the meeting, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) expressed commitment to provide complimentary accommodation to participants of fam trips, while Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has said it would arrange vehicles and tour guides for the participants.

Source: TAAN