Lumbini safe for tourists: LDT

lumbini (1)

Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) has invited tourists to visit Lumbini saying that monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage site have not suffered any damage due to the earthquake of April 25.
Issuing a press statement, LDT — the agency that oversees development and promotion of Lumbini — said Lumbini is safe to visit. “Domestic and foreign tourists can visit Lumbini without any fear,” LDT said in a statement.
lumbini_garden_nepal
Ajit Man Tamang, member secretary of LDT, said in the statement said that all temples and historical monuments in Lumbini are safe. “Sites connected to Lord Buddha’s life like his home town , Sacred Garden Kapilvastu, historical Kapilvastu Durbar Area in Tilaurakot, Buddha’s maternal uncle’s house in Devdaha, birthplace of Krukachanda Buddha in Gotihawa, and birthplace of Kanakmuni Buddha in Niglihawa have not suffered any damage,” the statement added.

Source: MyRepublica

China vows support in development of Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal

  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
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    KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
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    DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
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  • 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP:  KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP: KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
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    EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
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    KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
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    KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.

A Chinese official has expressed readiness to provide China’s support in the development of Gautam Buddha’s birthplace, Lumbini, during a meeting with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav.

Wang Zuoan, director of China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs, made the remarks when he called on the Nepalese president on Sunday.

On the occasion, Yadav thanked the Chinese government and the people for their continued support in Nepal’s socio-economic development, an official at the President’s Office told Xinhua.

In a separate meeting between Wang and Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Deepak Chandra Amatya on Sunday, the two discussed Nepal-China cooperation in the culture sector, an official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, told Xinhua.

Wang, who arrived in the Nepalese capital on Sunday for a three- day visit, toured Lumbini on the same day and he is expected to offer donations to the local people on Monday.

Source: news.xinhuanet.com

Nepal -India commit tourism promotion

Nepal -India commit tourism promotion

Nepal and India agreed to jointly promote the Buddhist Circuit (Sarnath-Bodhgaya-Kushinagar-LumbiniSwayambhunath-Kankrebihar) and two other religious circuits namely, PashupatinathMuktinathGosaikunda-Varanasi-Kamakhya-Bhubaneshwar and Janakpur-Ayodhya during the first meeting of the joint working group (on tourism) held in New Delhi today.

Nepal-India
Both the parties agreed to sell joint packages for the Buddhist circuit in the international market by setting up joint travel marts in the international market.

The 12-member team, including the private sector, led by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Joint Secretary Umakanta Parajuli held a meeting with the team led by his Indian counterpart today.Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding joint promotion and exchange of tourism related information, according to Shreejana Rana, senior vice president of Hotel Association Nepal.

Talking to The Himalayan Times from New Delhi, Rana said that both the countries will enhance cooperation for better promotion of tourism in each other’s country. Both the parties discussed about developing common infrastructure for tourism too.

Along with Parajuli and Rana, Director General of Department of Tourism Tulasi Prasad Gautam; Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust Ajit Man Tamang; Ramesh Dhamala, president of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal; DB Limbu, president of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Ashok Pokhrel, chairman of Nepal Association of Tour Operators, Nandini Lahe Thapa and Ghanendra Bahadur Shrestha of Nepal Tourism Board participated in the meeting.

The meeting of the joint working group will take place every two years. Both the countries had signed a MoU to enhance cooperation on tourism on the sidelines of the 18th SAARC summit held in Kathmandu and a joint working group was formed to implement the MoU. It will be automatically extended for further periods of five years at a time, unless either of the parties wants to terminate it.

New religious structures add to Lumbini’s appeal as pilgrimage site

New religious structures add to Lumbini’s appeal as pilgrimage site

The proposed design of the lotus-shaped monastery being constructed in Lumbini. Such monastries are attracting more tourists and making Lumbini popular, according to Lumbini Development Trust, the government appointed agency to oversee the overall development of the birth-place of Lord Buddha.

lumbini

LUMBINI, Nepal – A dozer was clearing a plot of land in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, on Saturday afternoon. The preparation was for the construction of a sanctuary in the shape of a lotus flower on the eastern part of the Monastic Zone in Lumbini.Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, an American Buddhist leader, is building the structure with the hopes of creating a pilgrimage site.
When completed, it is likely to be a major tourist draw among other monasteries that have been constructed in Lumbini, said officials at the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), an agency established by the government to oversee the implementation of the master plan to develop Lumbini as a pilgrimage site.

Various monasteries, constructed in the zone by organizations from different countries, are a major attraction for tourists. As many as 42 plots of land have been set aside for monastery construction inside the zone.

“Tourists from a particular country feel connected to the holy place when they see monastery of their country. It is a reason why Lumbini is increasingly seeing more tourists in recent years,” said Gyanin Rai, chief of Kathmandu-based office of LDT.

After the construction of various pilgrimage sites like monasteries, tourists visiting the Lumbini have increased drastically. The tourist footfall increased by 40.57 percent to 1.19 million in 2014.

According to data of LDT, a total of 849,273 tourists from 83 different countries visited Lumbini last year. In 2012, 758,269 visitors arrived.

Similarly, domestic tourists comprised the highest number visitors to Lumbini in 2014, followed by those from India. A total of 902,621 Nepalis visited Lumbini in 2014, up from 573,529 in 2013.

Many organizations and religious leaders from countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, France, South Korea, Singapore, Burma, Canada and Cambodia have either constructed or are in the process of building monasteries in the zone as part of the Master Plan of Lumbini by raising funds.

The lotus-shaped sanctuary, which has been named “The Mahasiddha Sanctuary for Universal Peace,” is one of such structures.

The sanctuary is designed by Germany’s famous architect Stephan Braunfels, who had designed the building of German Parliament in Berlin. The site is less than a mile away from Maya Devi Temple.

Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, the spiritual leader behind the initiative, said that he wanted to construct the structure to draw attention of the people across the world to Nepal. “I believe that the construction of such beautiful structures will help the birthplace get wider popularity. Plus, it makes the holy site even more beautiful,” added he, who has already constructed Shyalpa Holistic Healing and Retreat Center adjacent to Shyalpa Monastery in Kathmandu.
The sanctuary, which will be three-story tall, will consist of a magnificent main hall honoring the birth of the Buddha, a museum, a print and digital library (containing a complete collection of Buddhist literature to date in all languages), a retreat center, conference facilities, and accommodation for monks and nuns. The hall, which can accommodate over 1500 people, will serve as a meditation center for pilgrims visiting the holy place.

“We want the structure to serve as a focal point for everyone to channel their energies towards the great purpose of universal harmony and happiness,” he said, adding, the building is be constructed by raising funds from Buddhist people across the world.

Source: Republica

Sichuan Airlines flying to Kathmandu from April 1

Sichuan Airlines flying to Kathmandu from April 1
  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
  • KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    Many Hindus from round the globe are dreaming to take a holy bath at least once in their life time in the sacred Damodar-Kund
  • 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP:  KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP: KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    Sagamartha (Everest) Base Camp trek takes us into one of the most spectacular regions of Nepal where the Sherpa culture thrives amongst the highest peaks in the world.
  • KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia.
  • KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.

Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines is commencing daily flights on Chengdu-Kathmandu-Chengdu route via Lhasa from April 1.
According to Sunil Sharma, managing director of Society Travels — the general sales agent (GSA) of the airline, the airline will conduct test flight as per the rule of the Chinese government on March 31st and begin commercial operation from April 1. “Our aircraft will depart from Chengdu at 7:30 am and arrive in Kathmandu via Lhasa at 10:10 am. It will leave Kathmandu at 11:10 am,” Sharma said. “It will be easier to get tickets to Lhasa once Sichuan starts operation.” As only one airline connects Lhasa with Kathmandu at present, it is difficult to get tickets to the Tibetan capital. Sichuan Airlines
Three Chinese airlines — Air China, China Eastern and China Southern — connect Kathmandu to different Chinese cities at present. Air China operates daily flights to Chengdu via Lhasa, while China Eastern flies to Kunming on a daily basis and China Southern operates double daily flights to Kathmandu from Guangzhou.
“We will soon launch promotional fare for one month. As Kathmandu is the gateway to Lhasa, the operation of Sichuan Airlines will help to bring more tourists to Nepal,” Sharma added. Sichuan Airlines that started operation from 1988 operates a fleet of 94 Airbus aircraft. The airline will operate Airbus 319 series aircraft for Nepal flights. It has 120 seats including eight business class seats. “Sichuan will have 110 aircraft by the end of 2015,” he added.
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) granted permission to Sichuan Airlines to operate flights to Nepal in February.
With the increase in number of Chinese tourist visiting Nepal, more Chinese airlines are coming to Nepal and existing airlines are also increasing flight frequency. According to MoCTCA data, Nepal welcomed 113,173 tourists from the northern neighbor in 2013.

Source: My Republica

Nepal Participated ITB Berlin

  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
  • KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    Many Hindus from round the globe are dreaming to take a holy bath at least once in their life time in the sacred Damodar-Kund
  • 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP:  KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP: KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    Sagamartha (Everest) Base Camp trek takes us into one of the most spectacular regions of Nepal where the Sherpa culture thrives amongst the highest peaks in the world.
  • KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia.
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    KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.

The 2015 edition of ITB Berlin concluded on March 8, 2015 with the visit of 115,000 trade visitors. Nepal’s participation in the fair was led by Secretary of the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Chairman of Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Suresh Man Shrestha. The Nepalese delegation included Mr. Kashi Raj Bhandari, Director of NTB, Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya, Senior Manager of NTB, Mr.Vinod Gautam, and Officer from the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Kundan Sharma, Officer of NTB and 21 Nepali Travel Trade companies.
ITB Berlin featured 10,096 exhibitors from 186 countries in 26 display halls showcasing a spectrum of tourism products and services from all the world over.
During the fair, NTB team interacted with international travel trade professionals and media and disseminated tourism information about Nepal. NTB’s representatives also met with top-notch tourism officials from Europe and different parts of the world. Among the top visitors to Nepal’s stand were Mr. Jurgen Klimke, Member of Parliament, Bundestag, Germany and The Secretary of Tourism of Maldives.

Several visitors to the stall showed keen interest to include Nepal in their holiday packages. Individual visitors sought information for personal and family visits and there were a tremendous amount of general queries on travelling to Nepal. As usual the Mt. Everest, the Himalayas and Lord Buddha were the subjects of prime interest. There were also a considerable amount of inquiries and interest shown on Eco friendly or responsible tourism. The general queries of visitors hovered around the best places to visit for first time visitors, security concerns, travel information, trekking information, hotel information, visa rules of Nepal, etc.

Nepal stand with a space of 152 sq. meters successfully depicted the unique tourism products of Nepali culture, nature and adventures. A Statue of Lord Buddha was placed in the middle of Nepal Stand and it was of prime interest to visitors. Visitors flocked to the stall to take pictures of Lord Buddha.
About ITB Berlin
during 5 bustling days between 4 and 8th of March 2015, some 115,000 trade visitors (2014: 114,000) travelled to the ITB, Berlin. The share of trade visitors from abroad increased to 43 per cent (2014: 40 per cent) in comparison to the figures of 2014. According to an estimate by Messe Berlin, the organizer of the show, the volume of sales at the world’s leading travel trade show increased from around 6.5 billion euros in 2014 to 6.7 billion euros.The ITB Berlin Convention registered record levels of attendance with almost 175,000 total visitors attending the fair this year. Decision-makers and opinion-formers debated the key topics concerning the travel industry at a total of 200 events which took place in eight auditoriums. Around 5,180 accredited journalists from 75 countries and some 350 bloggers from 29 countries reported on events at ITB Berlin. Politicians and diplomats from Germany and abroad were also present at the show.
ITB is a global platform for the worldwide travel trade professionals to meet, network, negotiate and conduct tourism business. As per the ITB’s official press release, the exhibition ground at Messe Berlin was fully booked with overwhelming participation segments like Travel Technology and Adventure & Sustainable Travel in addition to the regular travel exhibitors.
According to the post event press release of ITB, Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin said, “More than ever ITB Berlin fulfills the function of the world’s leading think tank and a shop window for the travel industry. This is where the opportunities and risks are debated and the potential impact of the sharing economy on the international travel industry is analyzed. Over the past few days ITB Berlin has provided further evidence of how important personal exchanges and meetings between people are for an industry that is increasingly dominated by the digital transition”.
The first 3 days from March 4-6 were reserved for trade encouraging business-to-business sessions among the participating travel trade counterparts while the last two days were open for public. The exhibition presented a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to German, European and other international tourism professionals.
Mongolia was the partner country of ITB 2015. The mileage Mongolia got because of being Partner Country was incredible. Nepal should also contemplate on showcasing its tourism strength by hosting as a partner country at the ITB in the near future.