Increasing Pressure
For the first time in many years, the number of tourist arrival increases
By A CORRESPONDENT
For the last couple of years, country's main tourist areas like Thamel had gone through the period of stagnancy as number of small lodges and hotels went empty. As the conflict intensified, tourist arrival dropped significantly.
The situation has changed now. Increasing number of tourists has given a new lease of to Thamel area with almost all hotels posting good occupancy rate. The restoration of peace has already started to give dividend to Thamel.
However, as country's political situation is still uncertain and volatile, no one can predict how long the present boom of tourism will continue.
After years of stagnancy and decline, the increased number of tourist has provided a relief to the hotels and other tourism-related industries in the valley. Compared with the previous years, the number of tourist arrival this year has been impressive.
From Americans to European, and from Chinese and Japanese to Korean, tourists from all over the world increased drastically. China South West started two flights helping to bring a large number of tourists from China. Similarly, Korean Air's direct flight to Kathmandu increased the number of Korean tourists.
One of the most disappointing things is the declining arrival from India. According to the recent statistics released by Nepal Tourism Board, the number of Indian tourists slightly declined than previous years.
After the increase of number of tourists in March, hotel entrepreneurs expected that the trend will continue in April. Although frequent strikes is still sending wrong message to the international market, Nepal's previous image as a conflict-zone has changed.
Although there is more than half a dozen flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi operated by several airlines, the increasing number of visitors still make it difficult to get the tickets. Following high demands, Nepal Airlines Corporation has introduced morning flight to New Delhi which is expected to increase the number of Indian tourists to Nepal.
" Nepal has many potential areas to lure the number of tourists. The government is making efforts to open new tourist destinations to tap tourists," said Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Despite the increasing number of tourists, the country is yet to introduce new venues and products to the market. There are still few possible places for tourists and they are confined to trekking and mountaineering in certain pocket areas.
"There is a need to open new areas for tourists. Places like Taplejung in the east and Dolpa in the west can be best places," said a tourism entrepreneur.
The peace agreement between the government and Maoists is going to be a boon for the tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal. What government needs to do now is to make available flights as well as add new venues for tourists to extend their stay in Nepal.
UNMIN COMPLETES STORAGE OF NEPAL ARMY WEAPONS
The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has said that on Thursday it completed the three-day process of registration and storage of Nepal Army weapons at the Chhauni Barracks in Kathmandu in accordance with the tripartite agreement on monitoring of arms and armies. "UNMIN said a total of 2,855 NA weapons including, rifles, machine guns, sub-machine guns, pistols and mortars have been stored in containers. The key of the storage containers is kept by NA commanders under 24-hour surveillance by UNMIN arms monitors, together with electronic surveillance," states a press release by the UNMIN. "The number of weapons registered and stored is the same as those stored under UNMIN monitoring by the Maoist army, and they are of equivalent types. The arrangements for registration, storage and monitoring of weapons are identical for those in place for the Maoist army," a statement issued by the UNMIN said. UNMIN chief Ian Martin inspected the weapons storage facility at the Chhauni Barracks on Thursday, together with General Jan Erik Wilhelmsen, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) and Brigadier Shiva Pradhan of the Nepal Army, who is the Vice Chairperson of the JMCC. Following the inspection, Martin and General Wilhemsen met with Chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal and expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Army during the registration process. "The first phase of registration and storage of weapons has been achieved with excellent cooperation by both the Nepal Army and the Maoist army, and is a significant contribution to the peace process in Nepal," Martin said, adding, "It provides a sound foundation for the second phase of this process, when UNMIN will verify details of registered combatants in Maoist cantonments." Compiled from reports
