Tourism may reap benefit from PM's visit

By a staff reporter

As the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala started his five-day long official visit to India, Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs expressed hopes of better results in the tourism and travel trade between the two countries. Tourism entrepreneurs who have joined the Prime Minister’s entourage to New Delhi have said that they will raise five major issues to boost the country’s biggest foreign currency earning industry.

Nepal is a popular destination for many Indian tourists and also India is the biggest market for Nepalese tourism.

The basic agenda that the Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs would discuss during the Prime Minister’s visit to India include provision of allowing Indian domestic airlines to operate scheduled flights to Nepal, giving permission to Nepalese cars and buses to operate passenger service between Nepal and India on reciprocal basis and increasing of direct flights between major Indian cities and Nepal.

Similarly, tourism entrepreneurs also said they will discuss with their Indian counterparts to provide a friendlier surface travel system such as air-conditioned buses between Indian cities with Nepal. They would also discuss with Indian officials to provide duty free facilities for Indian tourists and other benefits on their return.

The team will initiate talks to enlist Nepal in a Leave Travel Concession (LYC) and Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) schemes of India.

Coordinator of tourism delegation and President of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Narendra Bajracharya is also scheduled to talk with the tourism officials of Delhi Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry to further enhance the tourism industry and mutual benefits.

Since the number of high-spending Indian tourists to Nepal is increasing at a considerable rate during the past couple of years, Nepal has considered it as one of the major markets. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in association with various travel trade organizations have been organizing various promotional programmes in different parts of India.

Indian tourists alone occupy one third of tourists visiting to Nepal, and India being the most potential tourism market for Nepal, there is a need to market Nepalese tourism targeting at middle class Indians to promote Nepalese tourism. The team will also hold talks with tourism entrepreneurs of Bangalore to explore other possibilities.

New hotel in Birgunj

By a staff reporter

A newly constructed three star Hotel Vishuwa at Birgunj was jointly inaugurated by Narendra Bajracharya, President Hotel Association Nepal and Rajesh Kazi Shrestha President, Nepal Chamber of Commerce at a function held on 29th July 2000 at Birgunj.

According to a HAN press release, Narendra Bajracharya hoped that ‘Hotel Vishuwa’ will play a significant role for the development of tourism in Birgunj.

Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, President, Nepal Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of cooperation between Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association Nepal to enhance the economy of the country through joint programmes.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Sagar Man Shrestha and was attended by the industrialists, tourism entrepreneurs of Birgunj City, representatives of HAN and Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

Annapurna’s Rimzhim festival

By a staff reporter

This rainy season brings to you the sound of water, which tickles your ear. Hotel De L’ Annapurna brings to you Rimzhim; Pakoda fest of the year.

Starting 17th July ’00, experience Rimzhim at the Coffee - Shop, all thru monsoon from 3pm to 7:30pm every day with sizzling, finger licking, mouth smacking varieties of Pakodas to choose from in both vegetarian and non vegetarian delights.

According to the hotel, for Non-vegetarians, delights include Jalpari pakoda, Suneri Murg Pakoda, Seeh Kebab Pakoda and the Murg Tikki Pakoda.

Vegetarian delights include Assorted Vegetable Pakoda, Stuffed Paneer Pakoda, Stuffed Bread Pakoda, Bhaji Pakoda and Aloo Tikki Pakoda.

All above is served with cucumber, mint Chutney and Mango Kaju Saunth, specially prepared to make your monsoon deliciously " Spiciest".

It is Bhotojatra on Thursday. The chariot of the Red Machhindranath had broken down at Kumaripati, Lalitpur, just a few hundred metres from the venue causing a delay to Bhotojatra.