Destination campaign going bust

By Raj.k.c

With only four months left for the falling of curtains to the Destination Campaign Nepal-2002, the target of attracting 500, 000 tourists looks to be doomed.

The number of tourist arrival until August 31 this year was 131,359 well short of 200,208 during the same period last year (2001).

The number of tourists arrival during the period has declined by 34 per cent by 68,849 this year.
The major decline of 42 per cent is seen in the number of Western and American tourists.

This June, however, saw some improvement over the same month last year. According to the Nepal Tourism Board tourist arrival in June was recorded at 13,841, an increase of 35 per cent over the same period last year. A total of 10,238 tourists had come last June.

But July saw a negative growth of 11 per cent from 15,176 last year to to 13,458 this year.

Although the number of Indian tourists grew by 36. 6 per cent, from 4,443 last year to 6,071, the arrival from the Third Countries came down by 31 per cent from 10,733 to 7,387.

Tourism entrepreneurs hope that beginning September the number of arrival will start looking up.
This is mainly because the tourist season starts this month. But there is a big IF, meaning everything will depend on peace and security.

Officials at the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) said that the state of emergency that in the past nine month disseminated a negative message to potential visitors.

The arrival of tourists in June last year was badly affected by the incidence at the Royal Palace. The ailing tourism business Nepal was further affected by the September 11 incidence.

Navin Pokhrel, research officer at NTB, said that the number of tourist arriving Nepal would go up from September or October.

Pokhrel told The Rising Nepal, that the Destination Nepal campaign has elevated the image of the country.

After the BBC world Service enlisted Nepal as one of the world's 50 best place to visit, Nepal's image in the outside world has increased. He said that Nepal is still considered a safe place to visit.

But the BBC's ranking will come to nothing if the coming general election and the fear of the continuing insurgency continue to rouse fear among the vistors, especially from the West, which is the most important market for Nepal's tourism.

HAN signs MoU with Thai-Nepal Chamber

By A Staff Reporter

The Hotel Association of Nepal (|HAN) and the Thai Nepal Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bangkok last week for cooperation in the field of tourism.
Under the MoU signed, both the parties shall exchange information regarding the development and the trends in the field of hotel, hospitality, and the tourist sectors.

"The parties shall encourage interaction between their respective associations for tourism promotion and exploring investment opportunities in these sector," says a press statement of the HAN.

Both the sides shall endeavour to assist share exsperiences and expertise in organizing tour programmes, meetings, conference and seminars relevant to hotel and tourism sector, it said, adding that the parties shall support promotional activities such as participation in tourism meets, exhibition, buyer seller meets, workshop etc.

The HAN statement said that HAN team had interactions with travel agents and tour operators in Thailand to promote Nepal. The interactions were focussed on security, law and order situation, visa fee etc. HAN president Narendra Bacharya, who led the HAN team, said that he hoped that this promotional program would help Nepalese tourism.

Revival of tourism industry may depend on activities of political parties

By Ballav Dahal

At a time when Nepal's image as a peaceful destination is eroding mainly due to political instability and terrorism, the onus of regaining the image lies to a large extent on the political parties.

"If the political parties are really committed to the development of the country and the people, they must be willing to shun their partisan interests," says Bhola Bikram Thapa, former President of the Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA).

Tourism entrepreneurs blame the political parties, and their activities of bandhs and strikes, and presently the terrorists, for being responsible for the present condition of the national economy, including the ailing tourism industry.

The number of travellers has been going down gradually for the last three years because of the growing terrorist activities and the negative presentation of the foreign media.

Thapa says the political leadership has to make serious promises that they would not be involved in any type of destructive activities like calling for strikes and hindering the national economy.

"As responsible public figures, the political leaders have to live by examples and give up their self interests for the economic and social development," he says.

With the general elections coming nearer, all the political parties have to assure that they will avoid all those things that would scare the tourists.

Tourism people fear the general election coinciding with the prime tourist season any activity like bandhs and strikes, the tourism industry could suffer one more time. This would be another bodyblow to the industry which already has its one foot in the grave, they say.

Thapa said the political parties must do something concrete to separate the tourism industry from the general election, and open up the door to revive the tourism industry.

"Since the political parties have failed to keep the promises in the past, the people have lost faith in them. This could be a good opportunity for the political leaders to regain the lost credibility," he suggests.

A hassle-free administration, especially while dealing with the tourists and the tourism sector is one way to pave way for the revival of the tourism industry, he said.

Neekshya S.J.B. Rana, coordinator of the National Unity Council, fears that corruption in places that directly effect the tourists and the tourism industry, such as the airport, immigration, hotels and others, will block any effort of revival of the tourism industry.

He calls for restoring the country's image as a living paradise to reinvigorate the tourism industry, the mainstay of the national economy.

"We must work hard to regain our lost paradise," he says.

Prakash Shrestha, Vice-President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), says the political parties have to include tourism in their programme as it is the main bread and butter of many Nepalese people.

"They should ponder seriously that political instability and the deterioration of the law and order situation has ruined the tourism industry and if they are not improved, it will have a very long-term impact on this industry," Shrestha says.

He fears that the ongoing incidents of bombing, violence and the possible disturbances before and during the election could adversely affect the tourism business. "As responsible political parties, they must think of the repercussions their actions will have in the country's economy and the tourism industry.

He said since the political parties are not unaware of the condition of the tourism business, they are expected to work towards protecting the proverbial goose that lays the golden eggs.

Temba Tsheri in Guiness World Records

By Preskshya Khatri

The allure of Mount Everest or Sagarmatha has remained intact since it was identified as being the highest peak in the world. Numerous expeditions have tried their luck in stepping on the top of the world. But it was Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary who created history by setting the first human feet on the 8,848 m. peak on May 29, 1953. It was a record of sorts. This historic event rivetted the attention of all mountaineers from every country in the world.

This particular event is now being celebrated as the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the first ever successful ascent of Everest. But, much water has passed since the first men stepping on the highest peak of the world. There has not been a sense of the excitement of victory for being there but creating records of all sorts like going up without the use of oxygen by Meissner or the fastest summiteer to Everest by late Babu Chhiri Sherpa, the first woman to be there Junko Tabei and the first Nepali woman to scale it Pasang Lhamu Sherpa or from both the north and south ridges Miss Lhakpa Sherpa. The list is endless and maybe there are more to come in the future.

The spirit of adventure remains. The adventurous nature of human beings knows no boundaries.
In the quest for creating unique records the name of mountaineer Temba Tsheri Sherpa has been written in golden letter in the annals of record making ascents of Everest. He has made it to the Guiness World Records list which includes the Who's Who of record makers in the world. It was only recently that Temba Their Sherpa was awarded the certificate to commemorate his achievement of successfully climbing Everest as the youngest climber ever.

It wasat the very young age of 15 years and 18 days on May 23, 2001 that he made it to the top of the Third Pole at seven in the morning. It was a matter of joy not only to the successful youngest climber but a glorious chapter in the history of mountaineering of Nepal. The world over too it made headlines.

Of course, success does not come easy. Temba Tsheri also had to go through many tribulations. His first ascent to Everest was unsuccessful. He had to return just 22 m. away from the dream of being at the top. Writing history then did not favour him yet reaching a height of 8826 m. was still an achievement.

He also had to pay the price of losing five of his fingers-three of the right hand and two on the left hand. It was frost bite as he had taken out his gloves to fix his boots. A bit frustrated yet he did not lose heart. That's human nature and Temba Tsheri demonstrated it well.

Not losing heart, he was back for the dream climb, after recuperating, in the spring season of 2001. The expedition dubbed the International Tibet Expedition to Everest was sponsored by Yeti Airlines and Thamaserku Trekking while Siddhartha School, where he is studying now, provided assistance worth Rs. 50,000. That set the stage for the youngest Everest climber to make his bid to be on the top of Everest. Endurance, luck and belief in God saw him make history of being the youngest successful Everest summiteer.

Born in Ward No. 5 of Tashinam village of Gaurishankar village, Dolakha district on May 6, 1985 to father Chhauwa Sherpa and mother Lakpa Diki Sherpa, Temba Tsheri Sherpa has not only made his family proud but the whole nation has the same feelings.

Though he is acclaimed and honoured time and again by various institutions and even political leaders, Temba Tsheri, despite his great achievement, is a modest person and feels that everything should be taken in its stride and blowing one's own trumpet is useless. These are the qualities that endears him to everyone including mountaineers and the general people.

He is a hero and should be respected and honoured for the achievement that no one has come near to. Nepal is proud to have such a son of the soil. It must, however, be remembered that humble beginnings cannot deter a determined person like Temba Tsheri from greatness. It's a lesson to be learnt by all.

SAARC writers' meet to be held in Kathmandu

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept. 2: Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature will hold its fifth regional conference from September 20-23 for the second time in Kathmandu.

More than 70 writers, including poets, novelists, essayists and dramatists from across the region are expected to participate, founder Ajit Kaur told a press meet today.

The conference will take place at the Birendra International Conference Centre.

The foundation is the only cultural body of the SAARC constituted following its charter.

This is the first conference after the SAARC recognised the foundation as one of its bodies last year. The previous four conferences were held in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and India respectively.

Kaur, of Punjabi origin, was given India's most prestigious Academy award for her novel Khanabarood, one of her 19 novels, in 1986.

She said that the main motto of the conference is to create heart to heart links between and among the people in the region.

She urged writers and poets to conduct open-heart surgery of the society and give voice to the voiceless. The best diplomacy to maintain peace in the region is cultural diplomacy, which is possible only through art and literature, she said.

Writers are visionary architects of the human heart. True literature should mirror the society.

Coordinator of the fifth SAARC conference Dambar Bir Thapa and assistant coordinator Chandrakanta Jha also spoke on the occasion.

Security forces kill five terrorists

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept 2: The search operations of the security forces on Sunday resulted in the deaths of five terrorists in Dadeldhura, Dang and Kailali.

The Defence Ministry said two terrorists, with aliases Jwala and Aakash, were killed at Bandalechour of Dadeldhura, two at Maname of Dang, and one at Hashuliya of Kailali. The forces found weapons, guns, socketbombs, explosives and equipment used for setting ambushes from those places.

More weapons, guns, bombs, ambush equipment and foodgrains hidden by the terrorists have been found at Shankersariya and Madhuban of Parsa and Thulodhading of Sindhupalchowk districts. The foodgrains were distributed among the local people.

The security forces found the body of Ramgopal Bakhunche, a local, at Katunje VDC of Bhaktapur district. The forces also found bullets and two used cartridges of a Chinese pistol and nine bullets of the .22 rifle along with the body. The deceased is believed to have been involved in terrorist activities, the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, 33 active members of the terrorist group surrendered before the security forces in Sindhupalchowk district on Sunday.

A temporary health camp set by the medical team of the security forces at Rawatgaon and Ghyargaon of Rukum provided medical check-ups and medicines to 72 local people, the Ministry said.
RSS adds from Itahari: Fourteen Maoists of Sunsari district Barahchhetra and Sonapur VDCs have surrendered to Sunsari District Administration Office stating that the violent activities will make the future of the country dark.

Those from Barahchhetra VDC who surrendered are Daan Bahadur Karki, Bhim Raj Rai, Hiralal Sarki and Mekh Bahadur Sarki.

Likewise, Tribhuvan Urab, Jitendra Majhi, Siru Chaudhary, Chaturlal Chaudhary, Sabitri Chaudhary, Dukharam Chaudhary, Ganesh Chaudhary, Naresh Kumar Chaudhary, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Bejoy Kumar Chaudhary have surrendered, it is learnt from Assistant Chief District Officer Durga Pokharel

Call on women themselves to fight for their rights

RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept. 2: A six day trainers' training on gender equality jointly organised by SNV Nepal and Didibahini Samaj concluded here Saturday.

People from different INGOs, NGOs, DDC Federation and district development committees had participated in the concluding function.

Speaking from the chief guest's chair, Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav pointed the need for women themselves to fight for their rights rather than to out stretch hands.

Director of SNV Nepal Yan David, Dr Mahendra Yadav, Shriyani Parera of SNV and executive chairman of Didibahini Samaj Saloni Singh had shed light on the importance of the training.

Meanwhile in Bhaktapur, Assistant Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Sabitri Bogati has said that the women themselves should go from one village to another to raise the awareness of rural women for their own empowerment.

Inaugurating a three-day awareness oriented workshop organised by Bhaktapur district committee of Nepal National Teachers' Organisation and Nepal Teachers' Association here Sunday, Assistant Minister Bogati said that the teachers themselves should unite for the removal of the distortion and aberrations in the education act and protection and promotion of their interests.

Central president of Nepal Teachers' Association Keshav Prasad Bhattarai and president of Nepal National Teachers' Organisation Madhav Prasad Adhikari also expressed their views at the function chaired by Bhaktapur district unit of the Nepal Teachers' Association Dhruva Thakuri.

In Biratnagar, member of National Human Rights Commission Sushil Pyakurel has said that the Commission is working on the implementation aspect of protecting and promoting human rights in pursuance to the responsibility given to it by the Parliament.

Speaking at the eastern regional workshop organised by the Commission here on Saturday, Mr Pyakurel said both the government and non-government sides are responsible for violation of human rights.

DIGP Rajendra Bahadur Singh of the eastern regional police office said Maoist activities could be checked if the civil society not only seek for its rights in the name of human rights but perform it duty as well.

CDO Dilip Kumar Shrestha, central vice-president of Nepal Bar Association Chudamani Acharya and other speakers also expressed their views on the occasion.

Two teams from the Commission are to monitor the human rights abuses carried out by the state and non-state parties in Dhankuta, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, Jhapa, Ilam and Panchthar districts.

The team comprising journalists, human rights activists and legal practitioners includes four representatives of the Commission and four local people.

In Pokhara, judge of Pokhara Appellate Court Hariram Koirala inaugurating the second general meeting of the Eastern Regional Society, Kaski Pokhara said one should take part in social works in order to maintain human norms and values.

Speaking at the progamme, regional administrator Balkrishna Prasai said as peace is essential for prosperity of the country and people every organisation and individuals should assist the security bodies from their respective sectors.

DIG Kumar Koirala, hotel entreprener Sundar Shrestha, DIGP Basudev Oli and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by acting president of the society Kumar Parajuli.