Airport tax, fares to increase soon

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KATHMANDU, March 7 - The domestic as well as international air fares are likely to increase very soon as the government is looking into the proposal submitted by Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to hike all types of aviation charges.

With an aim to make it self-reliant, the Board of Directors (BoD) of CAAN has submitted a proposal to the cabinet to hike all kind of the fees being charged at the airports.

The BoD, some weeks ago had sent the proposal to Ministry of Finance, which along with necessary recommendation has now been sent to the Council of Ministriers for the final approval.

CAAN, which was instituted as autonomous institution some two years ago after dissolving Department of Civil Aviation, has still not been able to become economically self reliant despite continued government investment of over Rs 1 billion. A highly placed CAAN official said that the proposed increase in airport fees is an attempt to make the authority self-reliant. He also hinted that the proposed hike could be as high as 50 per cent.

If the proposal is approved by the cabinet, then all the charges including both domestic and international passenger fees, parking, landing and take off charges and charges of restaurants inside the airport would be hiked.

"The proposal to amend existing regulations regarding the hike of various fees was forwarded after in-depth discussion among the board members," said the source and added that the proposed increment of fees would largely help to sort out the current financial problem of CAAN.

CAAN currently charges Rs 600 per passenger leaving for SAARC region. And, it charges Rs 900 to Nepali national and Rs 1,000 to foreigners leaving for any countries other than SAARC region. However, CAAN has been charging different fees to domestic passenger depending upon location of airports. It currently charges Rs 110 per passenger departing from the domestic terminal of Tribuhvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

The country currently has forty-four airports, including one international airport, four regional airports, seven middle sized airports and thirty-two small airports.

Radisson Kathmandu wins President’s Award

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KATHMANDU, March 7 - Radisson Hotel Kathmandu has won the President’s Award 2000 for its outstanding performance.

Radisson Hotels and Resorts annually honours the top performing hotels and resorts with the President’s Award in recognition of their consistency in exceeding guest expectations among the top 5 to 10 per cent of the 400 plus Radisson hotels and resorts world wide.

The awardees are selected on the basis of quality and brand for the delivery of genuine hospitality service experience.

Ian Barrow, General Manager of the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, speaking at a press conference said that hotels should be hundred per cent complete in order to qualify to the competition of winning the President’s Award.

The criteria for judging the hotels include quality performance report, hygiene aspect, customers’ complaints and other aspects and a thorough examination of hotels are made before giving the Award to any hotel, he said.

The winning of the Award has proven the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu’s commitment to guest service and genuine hospitality, which distinguishes Radisson Kathamndu from other hotels in the global market. As one of only four winners in the Asia/Pacific region, Radisson Kathmandu is now perceived as one of the market leaders, he added.

Movenpick comes to Nepal

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KATHMANDU, March 7 - Movenpick, a Swiss premium food producer, has appointed Kathmandu International Traders (KIT) a sister concern of Ratna Organizations as its new exclusive distributor for Movenpick Swiss Premium Ice Cream in Nepal.

According to a press release, Movenpick has signed a five-year contract with KIT. Ananta Amatya, Movenpick Food’s Manager- South Asia, says, Movenpick is the only premium ice cream from Europe that is available in Nepal.

KIT is one of leading distribution companies dealing in the production, distribution and marketing of meat products and frozen foods.

Movenpick Swiss Premium Ice Cream is made from Swiss recipes with finest and all natural ingredients and contains no artificial flavours, states the release.

The ice cream is available in 30 different flavours with 1000 and 500 ml take-home packs.