Nepal all set make waves in Indian market

By a staff reporter

Now, with all its board members finally in place the private sector dominated Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) after initial hiccups is well on its way in getting its acts together.

At least, it looked so as its Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Raj Pandey appraised with confidence and authority about NTB’s three-month media campaign programme to ‘sell’ Nepal in India at a function here last week to welcome the first group of Delhi-based Indian journalists who were here as part of the campaign initiative.

The media campaign includes activities like familiarization trips to journalists from Indian newspapers, sales mission to the country, advertisement of Nepal in Indian print and electronic media, and travel trade fairs. With the launch of this campaign, CEO Pandey said, Nepal was all set to make waves in its biggest market.

“The media campaign is very timely to enhance Nepal’s image in its traditional market. This campaign will see the NTB increasing its focus in India,” he said. During the campaign, NTB will hold meetings with tour operators when the press is also expected to cooperate in providing comprehensive destination information on Nepal to potential visitors.

“The campaign will also reinforce the message that the Indians get special incentives and privileges in Nepal that is not available anywhere in the world: i.e. requiring no visas, foreign currency, trekking fees, with exchange rate working in their favour, special hotel and travel packages etc,” says Pandey.

NTB informed that press trips from Mumbai, Bangalore and Calcutta will be invited in the near future. On the occasion, CEO Pandey informed that a series of advertisement based on NTB’s marketing slogan “Mt Everest & More.. Experience it in Nepal” was prepared especially for the Indian market. NTB will also spearhead sales mission in major cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta from May 23. It was also mentioned that NTB had already released advertisements in various print and electronic media in India. “The Zee TV has agreed to run fillers on Nepal in their news channel from May 15,” informed Pandey.

On the occasion, the Indian journalists acquired information on the impact of the suspension of Indian Airlines flights into Nepal had on the country’s tourism, security arrangements at Tribhuvan International Airport and tourism development possibilities.

Replying to journalists queries, the CEO said that 32 per cent of tourists in Nepal were Indians and the tourism sector incurred a financial loss of approximately 150,000 US Dollars following the closure of Indian Airlines flights to Nepal.

Director-General of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Nagendra Ghimire said that the security arrangements at TIA have been beefed up and all equipment have been installed according to the international airport standards.

Repaired Qantas Boeing returns to service

By a staff reporter

Qantas Chief Executive, James Strong, flew intro Sydney onboard the airline’s Boeing 747-400 involved in the overrun landing at Bangkok last September.

Strong said a combined team of experts from Boeing and Qantas had completed repairs to the aircraft in Bangkok. This was followed by a series of routine assessment flights conducted in Thailand by senior pilots from Boeing and Qantas, says a Qantas press release.

He said the aircraft had been restored to as new condition and, in its assessment flights, had performed in accordance with the operational requirements of its Certificate of Airworthiness.

“Systems were checked inflight for both their normal and alternate modes of operational following a comprehensive ground check of its 250 functional systems.

“The aircraft was flown from Bangkok to Xiamen in China on 15 March for a full re-paint in a facility used by Qantas from time to time,” he added.

Strong said he flew on the (otherwise) non-passenger delivery flight to Australia to demonstrate his confidence in the aircraft.

He said that in accordance with normal insurance industry practice, the airline’s aviation insurers had paid for the repairs at a cost of approximately 40 percent of the market value of the aircraft including buyer-furnished equipment.

Strong said that Qantas followed its normal “higher than required standards” approach.

“The aircraft was given further comprehensive Qantas maintenance checks in Australia, in addition to the US and Australian certification checks already completed, before being returned to service on our regular B747-400 routes,” he added.

Gokarna Open 2000 ready for tee-off

By a staff reporter

More than one hundred golfers from all over the country and a strong field from neighbouring India will be competing in this year’s prestigious Gokarna Open 2000 Trophy on Saturday May 27 at   one of Asia’s show piece golf course, namely Gokarna Forest Golf Resort, Gokarna.

The format of the play will follow stableford 3/4 handicap and prizes will be awarded for first place, runner-up, Best Lady Golfer, Longest Drive and Closest to the pin.

This annual event started in May last year to celebrate the opening of the Golf Course, and is fast becoming to be one of the events not to be missed in Nepal’s golfing calendar.

Since its inception, Gokarna has also played host to some key internationally recognized tournaments such as the Surya Nepal Masters, the Johnnie Walker Club Championships, and the Famous Grouse Shotgun Foursomes.

Le Meridien Kathmandu-Gokarna Forest Golf Resort will host the Gokarna Open 2000.

This year’s tournament is being sponsored by Thai Airways International, Famous Grouse, San Miguel, Coca-Cola and the Shangri-La Village.

Eco Club Summit - 2000

By a staff reporter

To mark the World Environment Day (June 5), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF Nepal Programme) will be celebrating Eco Club Summit beginning May 30. The week long affair includes discussion in electronic media, documentary show, inter school poetry and art contest, clean up campaign in three heritage sites of Kathmandu valley, eco-walk, student interaction programme and prize distribution ceremony.

The first ever programme in Nepal is being organised to encourage community participation, to promote awareness among school children and to bring about changes in the environment said coordinator of the programme Karna Shakya.

Nestle’s eclairs day

By a staff reporter

What best way one can find to compliment somebody , other than chocolates. Yes, Nestle’s Eclairs. The company well known for its chocolate products.

Hotel De L’ Annapurna came up with another unique idea, this time for its staff .To promote good will , build team spirit and motivate people. Each staff member was given 5 Eclairs with a slip of paper on which he was to compliment any five of his co-workers. This slip was then deposited with the HRD. The HRD then forwarded the same to the concerned people along with the comments.

The top three staff members to get the maximum compliments were awarded by the Hotel. Thank you Nestle for making it a great day for all of us.