US-Iraq war another blow to Nepali tourism industry

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KATHMANDU, March 21 : The US-led war against Iraq has been cited as another misfortune for Nepali tourism industry, which has recently begun showing signs of revival, after going through its worst ever days during the past three years.

"As almost half of Nepal bound tourists are from Western countries and a significant number come through the Gulf, it is likely that the number of European and American tourists can go down considerably if war prevails for longer time," says Dipendra Purush Dhakal, former tourism secretary.

Dhakal, who hopes that the war could end in a short period adds, "None of the pleasure-seekers prefer to fly through the war-zone. As most of the western countries have already barred their citizens from travelling to Gulf-states, Nepali tourism sector can be affected adversely."

Currently four carriers fly through the Gulf-states and all the airlines have pledged for regular operation of Nepal flights from the normal routes and existing schedules. While Qatar Airways and Gulf Air link Nepal directly with the Gulf countries, the Transavia Air and Austrian Air come from the European sector through the Gulf.

These four airlines jointly bring almost 13 per cent of the total tourists to the Kingdom. As these airlines carry passengers mostly from Europe and America, half of the total arrivals from America and Europe, come through these airlines. According to the government statistics, of the total tourist arrival 38 per cent are Europeans and 12 per cent Americans.

"In such war-situation, the frequency of travels of Europeans and Americans will, not just be lower in Nepal, but would decline worldwide," says Joy Dewan, President of Nepal Association of Travel Agents. However, he adds, had the air routes not been diverted, the impact would not be that severe.

Dhakal meanwhile, says it would be the psychological factor that will reduce the number of travels of the European and American tourists. Neither the country nor the families of the aspirant tourists approve of letting them fly over war-zone. In such situation, the world tourism sector will be affected, he adds.

"Nepal’s tourism sector will be driven by the international tourism scenario," Dhakal added saying that the inflow of European and American tourists will begin to increase with the rise in their travel to the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Qatar Airways and Gulf Air express hope that the number of tourists coming from these sectors may not decrease, as none of the connecting flights to the rest of the world has been re-routed or withdrawn.

"At a time when several international airlines are withdrawing their services from Gulf countries, there are also chances that our airlines can attract more passengers as usual during the period," says Gyan Amerasinghe, Area Manager for Nepal of the Qatar Airways.

Nepali tourism sector, after performing its best in 1999 with the arrival of almost 500,000 tourists, began witnessing downturn by the end of 1999. The total tourist arrival showed a decline of over 20 per cent every year since then. The total tourist arrival during 2002 was just 265,000, which is almost half of the target set by the campaign Visit Nepal Year 1998.

Rs 445m disbursed to ‘sick hotels’

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KATHMANDU, March 21 : The government has disbursed over Rs 455 million by the end of mid-March of the total Rs 675 million allocated for the current fiscal year to assist hotels categorized under the sick industry by providing them concessional loans.

According to a document received by The Kathmandu Post, of the total disbursed amount, Dhulikhel-based Mirable Resort alone has taken over Rs 83 million to remain in the first position followed by Shangril-la Village Resort and Taragaon Regency Hotel, which have taken over Rs 60 and Rs 48 million respectively.

Similarly, Orient Hotel, Dwarika’s Village Resort and Greenwich Village Hotel have also taken Rs 37 million, Rs 35 million and Rs 22 million respectively, according to the document.

Likewise, the government, under the scheme had disbursed over Rs 1.11 billion during the last fiscal year. Of the total amount, the hotel sector received the largest chunk of Rs 791 million whereas Garment and pashmina industries have received Rs 220 million and Rs 54 million respectively to remain in the second and third positions.

Among the commercial banks extending such concessional loans, Nepal Bangladesh Bank remained in the first position followed by Nepal SBI Bank and Nabil Bank Limited. According to the document, Nepal Bangladesh Bank disbursed Rs 274 million while Nepal SBI and Nabil released Rs 253 million and 194 million respectively.

In an attempt to revive the recession-hit tourism and export-based industries, the government had announced hotel, carpet, garment, pashmina and other export-based industries as sick and had announced providing refinancing facility at especially subsidised rates to the companies of these industries.

Under the scheme, the industries tagged as sick would receive subsidised soft loans at an interest rate of 6.5 per cent from the commercial banks to revive their down-falling business. And the Nepal Rastra Bank would compensate it by refinancing the loans at three per cent to the commercial banks.

Massage camp to be set up at Everest base camp

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KATHMANDU, March 21 : Eric Lon, an adventure seeking French physiotherapist, is setting up a massage camp in Everest Base camp from this April to help adventurous tourists to heal muscle cramps and pains during the celebration of golden jubilee year of Mount Everest’s first ascent.

The service would be helpful for the expedition teams that don’t have their own set of medical personnel, says Lon, adding that the service would be made available free of costs. "I will stay for almost two months in the base camp," he added.

During my stay at the base-camp I will apply the massage techniques, specially leg massage to the sports-persons, who are the victims of tiredness or accidents," he said talking to The Kathmandu Post today.

Besides providing direct healing service, I will also make practical demonstration that it is possible to teach reflexology, as a new job occupation for Nepalese porters and guides in trekking and climbing, he added.

The training will be month-long, five days per week, half-day for the guides and the other half-day for blinds, associating the blind people with the high altitude massage training. Currently, Janga Bahadur Shahi, a resident of Kalikot district, is working jointly with Eric and learning the techniques of high-altitude massage.

Joint efforts to discourage illegal trekking agents

By Amrit Bhadgaunle

POKHARA, March 21 : Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara and Union of Trekking Travel Rafting Labourers have joined hands to discourage the unauthorised trekking agents serving in the Annapurna area.

In order to curb the self-appointed trekking agents serving in the Annapurna area, these two trekking bodies have started a week-long sudden inspection check at three major points en route the Annapurna area from Pokhara, namely Gaunda Fedi, Bire Thanti and Pokhara Bus Park. The inspection teams will check whether a trekking group is accompanied by an unauthorised trekking agent or not.

Six groups have been formed including members of TAAN, the Union and some representatives from the district administration. These teams will keep vigil on the above trekking points, informed Biru Bamjon, former president of TAAN Pokhara. Till now two illegal trekking groups heading for Pun Hill have been caught and returned from Bire Thanti, he informed.

About 60 per cent of the trekkers going to Annapurna area from Pokhara are served by unauthorised agents, according to trekking sources. Generally, the hotels arrange such unauthorised trekking agents to its clients.

"The unauthorised trekking agents are not trained and hence less competent. It is impossible for the trekkers to receive quality service and proper guidance from such agents," Bamjon said. "Not only they get poor services, they are also likely to be cheated and looted by such agents."

To be an authorised trekking agent, one has to obtain licence from TAAN.

On the other hand, the illegal trekking agents are also vulnerable. "Their wages are not fixed and they do not get health insurance facilities. If they are not clever enough, it is possible that they are cheated on their pay," said Dambar Raj Adhikari, a member of the Union.

Till three years ago, one had to obtain ‘trekking permit’ from the Department of Immigration before embarking on trekking. Illegal trekking was something unheard-of at that time.

"When the government cancelled the provision of trekking permit, declaring it a lengthy and harassing process, illegal trekking agents have emerged," Padma Bahadur KC, chief of Tourist Office Pokhara, told The Kathmandu Post.

"Not only the illegal trekking practice has affected the profession of the authorised ones, it is also affected the revenue of the government," said KC.

The spring season is considered appropriate for trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp, Pun Hill, Jomsom and other trekking routes in the Annapurna Circuit. Consoled by the recent declaration of truce between the government and the Maoists, and fascinated by the onset of spring season, the number of visitors coming to Pokhara has increased, most of whom would go on trekking.

"It would be a time for the illegal trekking agencies to flourish. Keeping this in view, the week-long inspection programme is organised," said a TAAN source. He also said TAAN is set to introduce new programmes to curb the illegal practice in future.