Respectively. However, entrepreneurs say Nepal has been facing a tough task bringing in the targeted number of Chinese tourists with the existing air and surface links.
Despite a sharp rise in arrivals from India and China in 2010, travel traders said bringing 365,000 tourists from the two neighbours during Nepal Tourism Year would be a tall order.
Nepal has targeted 265,000 and 100,000 visitors from India and China, which would mean a two-and-a-half-fold and a four-fold increase respectively. Indian tourist arrivals grew 20.5 percent to 104,470 in 2010 from 86,696 in 2009. Chinese arrivals were up 36.8 percent to 25,559 from 18,677 in 2009.
The NTY implementation committee and the government have focused promotional activities in the two countries. However, they doubt the goal can be met with the available tour packages and present connectivity situation.
"We don't have any schemes to increase arrivals, and the current growth can be considered a natural increase and not a result of marketing and promotional efforts," said Ashok Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators.
The UN World Tourism Organization said China would become the world’s fourth-largest source of outbound tourists by 2020 with 100 million overseas visits. The Annual Report of China Outbound Tourism Development 2009-10 issued by the China Tourism Academy has estimated that 54 million Chinese travellers would go abroad in 2010, up from 47 million in 2009.
Similarly, India is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world. Indian outbound has been witnessing a growth of over 20 percent over the last few years, with the figure reaching 11.58 million in 2009.
However, travel trade entrepreneurs said Nepal had been facing a tough task bringing in the targeted number of Chinese tourists with the existing air and surface links.
"Airfares from China to Nepal are among the world’s expensive fares, and the distances are also long," said Rajendra Bajgai, general secretary of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Bajgai added that the preferences of Indian tourists to Nepal had shifted from shopping and honeymooning to adventure. "The government and the private sector need to identify the changing tastes of visitors to meet the target of bringing one million tourists during NTY."
The government and the Nepal Tourism Board plan to continue their marketing campaign in the Indian and Chinese markets during the tourist season. “Although the two neighbours are our short-haul source markets, air connectivity, particularly with China, will be a major hindrance to achieving the target,” said Kashi Raj Bhandari, director at the research department of the NTB.
He added that the NTB had requested the government to talk to the China about starting direct air service between Kathmandu and Beijing, but nothing has happened. "In the present scenario, the target seems unattainable."
Increased arrivals have attracted big players to invest in resorts, hotels and aviation. Growth in air services mean the country can emerge as an attractive leisure and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination.
The government’s readiness to promote MICE tourism has encouraged tourism entrepreneurs. "The hotel sector has been receiving more Indian corporate clients these days," said Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of the Hotel Association Nepal. However, poor road and air links with China prevent increasing arrivals from the northern neighbour, he added.
Nepal's security situation is also another concern for tourists, particularly for Indian visitors. "Increasing instances of strikes have discouraged potential tourists from India. However, the good news is that more Indian tourists are visiting Nepal," Shrestha said.

The 4th Meeting of China's Tibet -Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee concluded successfully on 14th September 2010 in Lhasa, Tibet. The Nepalese side was led by Mr. Laxman P. Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and China's Tibet side was led by Mr. Ba Zhu, Director General of Tourism Bureau of T.A.R.China. The meeting was held on 13 and 14th of September. This meeting rotates on turn basis. Last year same meeting was held in Kathmandu.

Amongst the various issues raised by the Nepalese delegation, Tibetan side agreed in principal through MOU that the operation of bus service as soon as possible, promoting Nepal Tourism Year in Tibet through media (TV and radio) and hoarding boards at major crossroads, allowing our regular helicopter and charter services in Mansoravor area, providing Tibet visa to international tourists from Nepal, operating more Chinese airlines in between Lhasa-Kathmandu sector etc are some of the areas where both governments work closely through respective diplomatic channels to execute all these issues expediently. Enitire gamut of issues those are hindering smooth flow of tourists to and from Kathmandu to Lhasa were discussed and both sides are optimistic that the issue raised at the discussion floor and stated in the fresh MOU would be expediently implemented. Tibetan side has assured their counterpart that they would do their best to achieve the target of NTY 2011 from their part. The exchage of MOU took part on September 14 evening by siging the MOU by Mr. Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal and Mr. Wu Ying Jie, Standing Committee Executive Vice Chairman, Government of TAR, China.

Other delegation members included-Mr Naindra Upadhayay-Consul General of Nepal to Lhasa, Mr. Aditya Baral-Director of Nepal Tourism Board (deputy head of delegation), Babau Ram Bhandari (Under Sec of MoTCA), Ram Saran Pudasaini-Ministry of Finance, Mr. Dadi R. Bhandari, Consul-Lhasa, Ang Tsering Sherpa-Past President of Nepal Mountaineering Association , Misri L Mandal-Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Bala R Dhakal-Ministry of Home, Prabin Poudyal-Section officer, MOTCA, Mr. Chet N. Pandey- Tresurer Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents, Mr. Khum B Subedi, Treasurer-TAAN, Ghanendra Shrestha-HAN.

The delegation members also extended their Tibetan counterpart the invitation of next round to be held in November in Kathamndu next year while Nepal undergoes with the celebration of NTY 2011.

The upward trend which is already seen in January 2011 continues in the second month of the year 2011 showing clearly the rising travel demand towards the destination. Nepal has enjoyed a sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009.
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of February 2011, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 12.2% to 37,584.
All regions have shown positive growth in the second month of 2011. India which constitutes the major market of Nepal, has recorded positive growth of 39.9 % along with Bangladesh with 14.4%. However, the arrivals from Srilanka and Pakistan have declined by 27.0% and 7.1% respectively. In aggregate the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 31.8%.
Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have also recorded positive growth of 2.0% in aggregate with mixed performance from the individual countries. The visitor's arrivals from China have increased by 2.0%. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, South Korea and Thailand have also increased by 5.2%, 29.9% and 39.6% respectively. However the arrivals from Malaysia and Singapore declined by 36.0% and 7.0 % respectively.
An overall positive growth of 6.3% has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from major generating markets such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia up by 20.1%, 10.6%, 3.0%, 44.3%, 71.0%,6.9% and 83.8% respectively. However, the arrivals from France, Italy and Denmark have declined by 16.2%, 35.8% and 2.8% respectively compared to the same month last year.
Tourist arrivals from Australia and Canada have increased by 11.4% and 22.4% respectively whereas the arrivals from USA and New Zealand saw negative growth of 4.5% and 27.4% respectively.
Between January to February 2011, international tourist arrivals to Nepal have risen by 18.4% to 70,498 representing an additional 19,935 against the same two- month period in 2010.
A total of 38,183 foreign tourists departed from TIA in February 2011. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 54,262 while 56,625 Nepalese departed from TIA in February 2011

Foreign mountaineers who have climbed Mount Everest and Dhaulagiri will get free Nepali visas for two years till the end of 2011 which is part of part of tourism promotion schedule launched under the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the 8,850 meter (29,035 feet) Everest summit since it was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. Some 700 of these foreigners are still alive.
Climbers will also get a 50 percent discount in climbing fees for Dhaulagiri for the rest of 2010 and all of next year as part of the celebrations, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal.

The thrill of high-altitude trekking in Nepal was once available only to a gung-ho few. Recently, the journey has become more accessible. In April 2011, co-host of international television show Word Travels and travel writer Robin Esrock will lead a trek to the Everest Base Camp with World Expeditions. The journey begins in Kathmandu Valley and ascends through Sherpa villages to Tengboche Monastery, where awestruck hikers get panoramic views of the rock star mountains of the Himalayas: Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam.

Hikers will traverse part of the treacherous Khumbu Glacier, followed by an ascent of Kala Pattar (18,192 feet), before stopping at Everest Base Camp. "In Nepal, acclimatizing is going to be key, as is exercising for several months beforehand to ensure your body can take it," Esrock cautions. "Wearing in your gear is a must, although those incredible Sherpas will no doubt be worth their weight in stardust." The World Expeditions hike to Everest Base Camp runs April 4-24, 2011, and begins in Kathmandu.

As a part of its regular tourism promotion program, Nepal Tourism Board in cooperation with private travel trade companies has recently participated in Indian Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) that was held at Raja Muthiah and Rani Meyyammai Halls, Egmore, Chennai from 8 -10 January 2010. The interest among the potential visitors to visit Nepal has been diversified in the recent days as the younger generation like to visit for various other activities such as cultural tours, study tours, adventure activities and as honeymooners.

The three day fair was significant to disseminate the tourism information of Nepal among the consumers and to interact with new and existing tour operators and with local media as well. Nepal with its brand slogan "Naturally Nepal - Once Is Not Enough" has been presented among the Indian tourists with various packages that were offered during the fair by participating Nepalese tour operators. The message of government led national tourism campaign 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' was highlighted during the entire fair among the consumers, business people and the local media through the interaction, interviews and visual display in the Nepalese stall. The fair was visited by significant number of potential visitors and Indian tour operators.

The visitors were especially interested in the different travel packages prepared by Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs focusing on religious tour to Shri Pashupatinath Temple in Kathamndu, Muktinath temple in Mustang, and pilgrimage tour to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal. People were also curious about Janakpur and Pokhara.

Most of the queries made by the visitors were related with entry permit to Nepal, and airfare as they feel it is too expensive to visit Nepal. People were also concerned about the political instability of Nepal. They also made queries about Nepal Tourism Year 2011 with much interest about the preparation and special offering and packages for the Indian tourists. The Local Indian travel agents who participated in the fair have strongly suggested to arrange the direct flights from Bangalore / Chennai or any nearby cities to Kathmandu as the connectivity is the main hindrance to promote Nepal in South India. There are several flights from Chennai Madras (Meenambakkam) International Airport (MAA), to many international destinations like Dubai, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, New York, Brussles, London, Kuwait, and Frankfurt by different international airlines so to increase the arrival from Southern India, direct air connectivity is must from South India to Kathmandu. The announcement of the airline Spicejet from Bangalore created positive impact to the potential visitors from South India.

The fair was organized by Fairfest Media Limited and was supported by Minister of Tourism, Government of India and travel trade bodies like PATA. Nepal stall bagged “Most Integrated Presentation Award” during the Fair. During the award ceremony Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya gave a short presentation on Nepal highlighting NTY 2011. Eight Nepalese Tour Operators Dharma Adventure, Fishtail Air, Heritage Tour and Travel, Manakamana Travel, Samrat Tours and Travel, Satyam Tours and Travel, Shrestha Holiday and Sunny Travels had co-exhibited in the mart from Nepal.

Nepalese Stall was unique in itself and the picture of the stall was published in The Hindu, India's national daily newspaper and other local newspapers. On behalf of NTB, Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya (Manager) and Mr. Kundan Sharma Mishra (Officer) took part in the fair.

Most of the foreign paragliding pilots working for various paragliding companies in Pokhara are running commercial operation without working visa. Of the 40 foreign pilots in Pokhara, only few possess valid working visa.

According to paragliding operators, foreign pilots earn as much as Rs 400,000 per month. On the one hand, these foreign pilots are not paying tax to the government, and on the other hand the country is losing millions to capital flight. Most of these pilots are working under tourist visa, evading tax.

Even the foreign pilots admit that they do not have working visa. “I am working here for the last four years and no one has questioned me so far,” said a foreign pilot on condition of anonymity.

In fact, Nepali authorities are liable for the situation. "There are numbers of professional Nepali paragliding pilots, but the country lacks provisions for issuing licences to Nepalese. As a result, companies have to rely on foreign pilots." entrepreneurs engaged in this adventure sport said.

Shovit Baniya, general secretary of Nepal Air Sports Association in Pokhara, admits that only few foreign pilots have operating licences. "This is because the government does not have a clear policy on paragliding." said Baniya.

He added that Nepali paragliding pilots do not require licences and if any untoward incidents happen, it can damage the country's reputation. "Therefore, we are compelled to hire foreign professionals." Of the 80 commercial pilots in Pokhara, 11 are working as professionals in different paragliding companies. Baniya further said that the government should introduce rules and regulations for this sector to stop capital flight as well as to make this sector professional.

According to a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreigners need to acquire permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for commercial operation.
However, Narendra Thapa, chief of CAAN in Pokhara said they grant the permission to the foreigners just by reviewing their permit letter and language proficiency. "We do not see whether they possess working class visa," said Thapa.

There are no rules and regulations for granting permit to Nepalese, he said, adding that CAAN was considering the paragliding companies' request for providing training and issuing license to Nepalese. Currently, there are 11 paragliding companies operating in Pokhara. Companies charge Rs 5,000 for one-hour flight to Nepalese, while foreigners are charged Rs 7,000.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN) inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 18 to implement Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card effectively effective April 1, 2010. The MoU was signed by Prachanda Man Shrestha, NTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Mr. Bacchu Narayan Shrestha, 1 st Vice President of TAAN on behalf of their respective institutions.

The new rule is made mandatory for all overseas trekkers. Now trekkers travelling through trekking companies have to pay $10 and free individual trekkers (FIT) need to pay $20 per trekking route.

Explaining the use of the fund collected from this provision, Prachanda Man Shrestha, NTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said, "The funds collected through the new levy will be used for developing trekking sector, welfare of its employees, trekking workers´ insurance, medical, social security, maintaining database, rescue of trekkers in need of emergency services and also bearing the administrative expenses of implementing TIMS,international promotion, infrastructure expansion, conservation and maintenance of existing trekking trails and exploration of new trails apart from holding training for sustainable and responsible tourism."

The money collected from TIMS will be desposited in separate bank accounts and a committee having coordinator from Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and members from NTB and TAAN will allot the fund for different programs.

Officials elaborated that the charge is being imposed as per the new TIMS Operating Directives, which designates NTB as its implementing agency and grants it authority to work with government, local bodies and stakeholders concerned for its enforcement.

Prachanda Man Shrestha said the concept of TIMS was employed on an experimental basis two years ago but now there is official agreement on it. According to him, the amount collected through TIMS will be used for the welfare of tourism sector workers, exploration of new trail destinations and as fund for the improvement and infrastructure development on trail routes.

An international team of archaeologists has begun a three-year survey of the archaeological vestiges in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. The team, which also includes experts from the Department of Archaeology and the Lumbini Development Trust, is working under the leadership of Robin Coningham, Vice Chancellor and Professor of Archaeology at Durham University, UK.

According to UNESCO Nepal, the panel will work to identify the locations of archaeological remains below the surface so that development of facilities for pilgrims does not damage valuable archaeological resources.

"There is also a pressing need to prepare a plan for the area immediately outside the levee of the sacred garden to ensure that other development work within the master plan for the management of Lumbini are implemented in a way compatible to the World Heritage Site," read a UNESCO press release issued yesterday. According to the UN body, the archaeological endeavour is part of a larger project — Strengthening the Conservation and Management of Lumbini, the Birthplace of Lord Buddha — launched in 2010 to address the issues and challenges facing the World Heritage Site.

The project focuses on five components namely evaluation and interpretation of the Lumbini's archaeological signature, conservation of the Ashoka Pillar, the Marker Stone and the Nativity Sculpture; review of the state of the sacred garden with respect to the Kenzo Tange's Master Plan; establishment of an integrated management process to preserve Lumbini's universal value in the long run; and improvement of knowledge and skills of local experts.

"Love and compassion accompanies these activities which will protect and preserve Lumbini for generations to come," said Lumbini Development Trust Vice Chairman Acharya Karma Sangbo Sherpa.

Lumbini Development Project Chief Basanta Bidari said the project was a wonderful opportunity to develop capacity of local professionals in discovering the details of Buddha's birth by employing advances made in archaeology.

"Four decades ago Professor Kenzo Tange articulated a master plan for the preservation and presentation of Lumbini," said Yukio Nishimura, Professor of Architecture, University of Tokyo and Leader of the overall project. "It is now our responsibility to materialise his vision.

Saving Mount Everest is a challenging multi-stakeholders project that aims to liberate Mount Everest and its surroundings from garbage. The project is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Government of Nepal, Everest Summiteers Association of Nepal and EcoHimal, Society of Cooperation Alps-Himalaya in cooperation with national and international partners. Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Tourism Year 2011 are proud partners of the Saving Mount Everest Project.