Chinese tourists are ready, it is Nepal's turn to bring them here

By Ballav Dahal

Although the People's Republic of China is a very potential tourism market for Nepal, Nepalese entrepreneurs have yet to fully exploit it because of lack of good air links between the two countries and the ongoing Maoist insurgency here.

"The number of Chinese outbound visitors visiting Nepal could go up significantly as soon as the air seats are increased and Nepal's security situation is improved," said Shi Xiang, Director of the Kathmandu-based China National Tourist Office (CNTO).

With a great population and booming economy, more than 13.5 million Chinese outbound visitors visit different destinations every year. The number of outbound visitors is increasing each year. Among the South Asian nations, Nepal is the first country to receive the status of holiday destination for Chinese outbound visitors some two years ago.

Xiang said that the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), which is the sole authority to promote tourism, has given priority to the promotion of Nepal's tourism in China. "CNTA Chairman He Guangwei has told us to do something to attract more Chinese outbound visitors in Nepal," Xiang informed The Rising Nepal.

He said his office helped Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in the selection of about 77 Nepalese travel agencies interested in handling outbound Chinese tourists in Nepal. China has already given permission to a total of 528 Chinese travel agencies to handle groups in Nepal.
"Our office has sent all the information about Nepalese travel agencies to the Chinese agencies authorised to handle Chinese outbound tourists in Nepal and Nepalese outbound travellers in China," he said. "The address of the Nepalese travel agencies has been included in the website of CNTA."
He said the Kathmandu-based Chinese Embassy has equally given importance to promoting Nepal's tourism potentials in China. "Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Cong Young is very positive about promoting Nepal's tourism," he said.

Chinese visitors can be brought in during the spring festival, which generally falls in January or February, in the first week of May and October. The spring festival is a New Year festival in China and employees are given a weeklong holiday. Similarly, seven days of holiday is offered to employees on the occasion of the International Labour Day from May 1. They get seven days of holiday from October 1 as well to mark the Chinese festival.

About 500 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in the first week of October this year. "More Chinese tourists will visit Nepal during the spring festival in February and the International Labour Day time if additional promotional activities are launched in China and air seats are made available," he said.

The Chinese visitors want to have experience of mountain flight, visit heritage sites and religious places in Nepal. Jungle safari, rafting and the traditional culture of Nepalese people are other attractions for Chinese visitors.

"Since Nepal offers high quality products and services, more Chinese travellers will come here in the future," he said.

Senior tourism entrepreneur Joti Lal Khanna, believes that around 200,000-300,000 outbound tourists from China could come to Nepal every year the air connections are increased and the law and security situation in Nepal is restored.

Shikhar Prasai, director of Natraj Travels that handles Nepalese in China and Chinese outbound tourists in Nepal, said many Nepalese are eager to visit China to see the Great Wall and the development activities.

Prasai said he has handled some six groups from Nepal and brought some team from China since August this year. Nepalese filmmakers, retired servicemen, housewives and business people were in the teams.

"The only problem is the lack of sufficient air connection between China and Nepal. If this problem is addressed, the inflow of Chinese travellers into Nepal would increase considerably," he said.

He said the Chinese Embassy has facilitated the travellers going to China as it has simplified the visa procedure. Besides, China is emerging as an attractive tourist destination in the world. A World Bank (WB) report has it that China is going to be the number one tourist destination by the year 2020.

Nepal in CTIM 2002

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 18: Nepal Tourism Board participated the fourth China International Travel Mart (CTIM) 2002 held in Shanghai New Interenational Expo Center from November 14 to 17, a press release of the NTB states.

The CTIM was jointly organised by the China National Tourism Administration, The Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.
According to the release, this is the third time NTB has participated the fair.

NTB and RNAC with Blue Star Hotel, Macro Polo Travels, Bhrikuti Himalayan Treks, Yeti Travels, Sita world Travels (Nepal), The Explore Nepal, Araniko Travel, Explore Nepal Richa Tours and Travels and Zenith Experiences Travel Sservices attended the fair. Maria Boyd, PR of NTB in China was also present on the stall of Nepal.

Nepal's stall occupied 45 sq. meter of area in the fair. It was visited by more than 10,000 people. The first two day was opned for travel trade sector and the other two day for general public.

Various promotional materials produced in Chinese and English language were distributed on the occasion, the statement siad. The stall of Nepal was fairly covered by the local media. Shanghai TV repeatedly showed the stall of Nepal prior to the fair as well. Yuan TV interviewed thye Nepalese reppresentative.

The fair was attended by tourists organisations, hotels, travel services airlines of 46 countries. There were 1700 domestic and 800 overseas exhibitions units.

IA launches holiday package to Nepal

By a Staff Reporter

In an effort to attract more passengers to Nepal from Indian Metros, Indian Airlines tying up with the hotels in Kathmandu has launched an extremely attractive and affordable holiday packages for its Indian passengers to Kathmandu, Nepal.

"The package will be in effect from 15th of November 2002 till 31st of March 2003," NTB said in a press release. The passengers from 11 metro cities of India i.e. Delhi, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Banglore, Ahmedabad, Cochin and Amritsar will be entitled to enjoy the packages.

The packages are tied up with six hotels in Kathmandu namely:

1. Hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza, Tahachal, Kathmandu
2. Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
3. Hyatt Regency, Boudha, Kathmandu
4. The Everest, Hotel, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu
5. Grand Hotel, Tahachal, Kathmandu
6. Hotel Shangri-La, Lazimpat, Kathmandu

The 3 nights/4 days package would include:

- Applicable Passenger Service Fee (PSF), Insurance and Surcharge, applicable Foreign Tax (FT) in India, the return air fare in economy class, hotel accommodation at the selected hotels on Bed & Breakfast basis, airport pick up and drop, sightseeing tours,, plus most of the hotels have extended additional facilities like free entrance in Health Club, Fruit basket in the room, welcome drink and various other attractive facilities.

"The package rates vary from hotels to hotels in accordance with their rating and facility being provided to the clients. The rate also depends on from which city the passengers embark their flight to Kathmandu", says Mr. Nirbhik Rai Narang, Station Manager of Indian Airlines in Nepal.
However, he says that for example, the package from Delhi ranges from INR 8,780 to INR 11080 which includes the return airfare. Return airfare alone in the sector without package is INR 7,800.00.
At present, Indian Airlines flies to Kathmandu from metros of Delhi, Varanashi and Kolkata. The out-stationed passengers as per the package will be routed to Nepal via Delhi.

Mr. Narang says, "Nepal is one of the few destinations where Indian Airlines has launched such an attractive packages and we believe that the package will be of mutual benefit for both Indian Airlines and Nepalese tourism as Indian tourists are the major components among the tourists coming to Nepal." He further says, "Indian Airlines has been able to launch the package with the initiative and active support of Nepal Tourism Board".

The passengers can book and buy the packages either directly from Indian Airlines Offices or Authorized Travel Agents or the package webside www.indianairlinespackages.com.

'The duration of package will be extended if the packages will be able to attract more passengers and we are confident that we will be able to do so', says Mr. Narang confidently.

Turkish delight at Yak & Yeti

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 18: The Turkish festival at Yak & Yeti offered varieties of Turkish tests - for for the first time in Nepal.

The three-day long Turkish festival that ended Saturday was an event to enjoy the Turkish delights - songs, dance and food.

The main attraction of the festival was the concert with the performance of Aysegul Adlinc, a world-renowned Turkish singing sensation, and Tanyeli, another popular dance artist.

Another attraction of the Turkish delights were the overwhelming variety of dishes, each with unique in terms of preparation and presentation for the tongues here.

The items included grain-based grilled meat, vegetables, seafood, dessert and beverages. "Turks are purists in their culinary taste i.e. the dishes are supposed to bring out the flavour of the ingredients rather than hiding it under sauces and spices. Spices and herbs were used very simply and sparingly. Turkey is known for its abundance and diversity of foodstuff due to its rich fauna, flora and regional differentiation," said a guide on Turkish cuisine.

At the festival, the Turkish cuisine included typical Turkish dishes like soups, pilaf (a dish of rice, wheat and vermi celli), borek (thinly rolled pastry), doner kabap (marinated lamb) and many other varities of vegetables and meats.

As a perfect opportunity of mixing pleasure with business, there were photo exhibitions, documentary shows, handicraft display, and cultural show.