Chinese trekkers increasing in Annapurna Region 2007-11-16 The number of Chinese trekkers in different routes in Annapurna Region is gradually increasing. The increase in the number of Chinese trekkers in the Annapurna Region has excited tourism entrepreneurs in the region. According to Annapurna Conservation Area’s site office in Birethanti, more than five hundred Chinese visitors have already visited Ghandruk via Ghorepani and Poonhill. Until last year, the number of Chinese trekkers was not noticeable. However, Chinese trekkers complained that they couldn’t get any information about Nepal in China. They also said that they visited Nepal only after they could get some information about Nepal published in the Chinese edition of popular guide book ‘Lonely Planet’. With the increase in Chinese visitors, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has said that it would publish brochures about ACAP in Chinese from the next season. China included Nepal in its Approved Destination Status (ADS) list in 2003. The number of Chinese visitors coming to Nepal has increased by 123% in the first ten months of 2007 as compared to the arrival figure of 2006 where a total of 5,028 Chinese visitors had visited Nepal. The number is expected to rise further in the next two months.

Tourist arrivals up by 33% in March 2007-04-08 Visitor arrivals in Nepal (by air) increased in March by about 33.5 percent in comparision with the figures of the same month of 2006. A total of 34,122 foreign tourists entered Nepal. Of the total number, Indian market contributed to 20 percent, while the non-Indian markets made up 80 percent, according to a press release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Among the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations, Bangladeshi market increased by 74.8 percent. Similarly, the number of tourists from China, Malaysia and South Korea increased by 121.8 percent, 136.4 percent and 98 percent respectively in comparison with the figures of the same period of last year. Arrivals from Japan and Taiwan also shot up by 31.9 and 34.3 percent respectively. But the number of visitors from Singapore went down by 16.4 percent. The European markets also showed an encouraging growth. On an average, the European markets increased by about 58 percent. The French, German and the UK markets grew by 38.4 percent, 74.2 percent and 45.9 percent respectively. Similarly, the number of tourists from Belgian, Israeli, Italian, Dutch, Swiss and Spanish markets increased by 110 percent, 91 percent, 51.5 percent, 42.3 percent, 52.9 percent and 83.4 percent respectively. Norway recorded (156.1 percent), Denmark (178.7 percent), Sweden (72.2 percent), Australia (32.2 percent) USA (36.9 percent and Canada (131.3 percent.

The much-awaited interim government in Nepal has been formed under the premiership of octogenarian leader and President of the Nepali Congress (NC), Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala on April 1, 2007. The interim government has representation of eight political parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). The meeting of the Interim Legislature-Parliament unanimously elected Mr. Koirala as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government. Mr. Koirala took an oath of office and secrecy at the Legisture-Parliament meeting on April 1. This is the sixth time that Mr. Koirala has been appointed the Prime Minister of Nepal. The 22-member interim government has been entrusted with the responsibility of holding the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, which will be held on June 20 this year. A meeting of the eight political parties took the decision in this regard on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Mr. Koirala administered the oath of office to the newly appointed members of the interim government. He urged for cooperation from all following his reappointment as the head of the new government. He added, "Post is not important; what is important is everybody's cooperation. If all eight-parties extend their full support and cooperation, we can easily establish peace in the country," he said. He also promised peace and security in the country. The ministerial portfolios have been divided as follows: Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala as Prime Minister, Defense, Health and Population, Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel (NC)- Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Mrs. Sahana Pradhan (UML)- Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara (Maoist) – Minister for Information and Communications, Mr. Pradeep Nepal (UML)- Minister for Education and Sports, Mr. Mahantha Thakur (NC)- Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat (NC)- Minister for Finance, Mr. Narendra Bikram Nemwang (NC-D)- Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Krishna Prasad Sitaula (NC)- Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Dev Gurung (Maoists)- Minister for Local Development, Mr. Rajendra Mahato (NSP-A)- Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung (UML)- Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Matrika Yadav (Maoists)- Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Mr. Chhabi Lal Biswokarma (UML)- Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mrs. Hisila Yami (Maoists)- Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Mr. Jagat Bahadur Bogati (ULF)- Minister for Land reforms and Management and Mr. Khadga Bahadur Biswokarma (Maoists)- Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare. Other five cabinet members will be included in the interim government after Prime Minister Mr. Koirala returns from India. He has gone for Delhi to take part in the 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Five state ministers include Mr. Ramesh Lekhak (NC-D)- Labour and Transport Management, Mr. Gyanendra Bahadur Karki (NC-D)- Water Resources, Mr. Ram Chandra Yadav (UML)- General Administration, Mr. Indra Bahadur Gurung (NC)- Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Mahendra Singh Rathore (UML)- Education and Sports. During the last one decade, the Nepalese tourism industry has suffered severely due to internal conflict and political unrest at home and several unpredictable incidences abroad. However, no visiting tourist was attacked. The induction of the Maoists in the interim government has been taken as an important development in Nepal’s ongoing peace process. The tourism sector of the country is expected to see tangible signs of revival soon. Meanwhile, various countries and international organisations and agencies have welcomed the formation of the interim government. Those welcoming the formation of the new government include the United States, European Union (EU), United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), India and many other countries and organisations. Similarly, the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), an umbrella organisation of registered trekking agencies in the country, has welcomed the formation of the interim government with the representation of the Maoists. TAAN hopes that the new government of the eight political parties would be able hold the Constituent Assembly elections successfully and pave way for restoring permanent peace in the country. Issuing a press release on April 2, 2007, the association has called for all the government, the political parties and the civil society organisations to help establish peace and tourism-friendly environment.

Yeti Airlines, a private sector airline company operating domestic flights, is planning to operate international flights. The Government of Nepal has decided to issue license to the airline to fly on international routes. In the beginning, the airline will operate flights to five sectors-- Bangkok, Seoul, Lhasa, Sharjah and Paro. High level sources of the airline said the company would launch international flights within a year. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) had solicited applications from domestic airlines having completed five years of successful operations. Among the domestic airlines, Yeti Airlines was the only company to apply for license to go international. With four Jet Stream-41 turboprop aircraft and five Twin Otters, Yeti Airlines has the largest fleet among private airlines in Nepal. The airline operates flights to many destinations, including remote areas, across the country. News By: Ballav Dahal - The Rising Nepal

With a view to attracting more Japanese visitors, the Government of Nepal has exempted visa fee for the Japanese nationals. The government has introduced the new visa provision on the occasion of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Nepal and Japan. The provision is effective from December 2006, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The number of Japanese tourists to visit Nepal is expected to increase significantly following the exemption of visa fee. Japan, popularly known as the Country of Rising Sun, has been a major tourist generating market for Nepal and a leading donor contributing to the Himalayan country's development. In the meantime, the government has decided to issue visa for the ordinary passport bearers of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. The visa is issued from the Embassy of Nepal, Consulate General and Honorary Consulates. Previously, visitors from these countries used to get on arrival visa. However, official passport bearers from these countries will be given on arrival visa. The provision has come into force from December 16, 2006. Madhav Prasad Pandey Skyline Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd. Website: www.skylinetreks.com www.nepaltravels.biz

‘Missing’ for nine months, which led to a variety of speculation, Ram Bomjan popularly known as ‘Buddha boy’, was found in a mediating posture at a jungle in Bara district Monday. When local villagers saw the boy at the Bagkhora jungle at around 7:00 in the morning he looked slender than before, was in grimy cloths and had long hair flowing down his shoulder, reports said. Briefly talking to media persons, the ‘Buddha boy’ said he lived on herbs throughout these months while wandered around the jungles in Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts. A huge crowd formed in the area soon after the news of the Buddha boy’s re-emergence spread in the nearby villages. His pervious handlers, the members of the Tapaswi Sewa Samiti, are settling up a place for his meditation nearby the Halkhori Lake in Ratanpuri, according to reports. Meditating for ten months under a pipal tree at Ratanpuri jungle, ostensibly without food or water, Bomjan, had vanished from the crowded site on the night of March 11, 2006. There were controversies about his fasting as well as his spiritual claims. The17-year-old boy’s saga was reported internationally while national and national and international researchers had also thronged to Ratanpuri. The management committee had claimed that Bomjan left the area as it became unsuitable for him to meditate because of growing crowd. Some of the members of the committee were even charged with misuse of millions of rupees donated by tens of thousands of devotees who visited the site daily

Three tourism related trade unions of Pokhara have welcomed the introduction of the provision of Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) through Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). "The provision of TRC will help make the trekking industry more dignified, systematic and secure, as it controls illegal operations," said the unions in a press release issued on October 32, 2006. Those issuing the press statement include the Union of Trekking Travel Rafting Workers (UNITRAV), the All Nepal Trade Union Federation and the Trekking Guide Association of Nepal. The unions have urged all the tourism entrepreneurs, trade unions and other related organisations to help implement TRC in an effective manner, as the new provision could play a vital role in the promotion of sustainable mountain tourism in Nepal. "Since the tourists may feel insecure while travelling independently in the remote Himalayan region of Nepal, TRC will help ensure their safety and security," adds the press release. They have opinioned that only authorized trekking companies should be allowed to organize treks. "TRC will not only discourage illegal operators but also help maintain records of trekkers visiting different areas of the country," they have said. They have also stressed the need to protect the interest of workers.

Kongde is an unexplored trekking destination in the Khumbu Valley of the Everest region.The Valley is about 90 km away from Kathmandu and lies in the north-eastern part of Nepal close to the Nepal Tibet border.Kongde,the newly opened and untouched trekking route in Khumbu is the most vividly beautiful trekking route of the entire Himalayas.This trekking offers you the most astonishing panoramic view of Mt.Everest and other Himalayan ranges of the Khumbu Valley and the enchanting beauty of the Sherpa settlement of Khumbu along the Sagarmatha National Park.This region was declared as the Sagarmatha National park by the government in 1979.This trek is ideal for all those who love the cultural and natural landscape. Himalaya Sherpa Adventure is the first to operate trek to Kongde.This trek is organised to take you to the highest of the Himalayas and reveal to you the scenic beauty of 6 major peaks ranging over 8000m including Mount Everest.Great glacial ridges,fluvial terraces and the mystic beauty of the mountains are brought to you on a platter. Beside the scenic beauty of the himalayas,you will also enjoy the live glaciers,glacial lake in Kongde,ntraditional Sherpa customs and the wonderful flora and fauna.The major notable peaks you can see from kongde are the great sequence of kongde peaks above your room:Mt.Cho Oyu(8189m,the entire Thame valley with all the peaks around Thame,Sumder Himal,the Rolwaling region with Mt.Pharchamo,the entire Khumbu valley below your room and on top of Khumbu valley there are Mt.Everest 8848m,Lhotse 8501m,Nuptse 7869m,Lhotse Shar 8383m,Amadablam,Pumori,Gyachung Khang,Thamserku,Kang Tega,Kusum Khangkaru,Makalu 8463m, and Kanchanjunga 8596m.You can see all the major peaks of Khumbu Himalayas from your hotel room when you wake up in the morning till it gets dark. To begin the trek,we take a short 30 minutes flight to Lukla and start the trek via Namche to Kongde.We turn to the West from Namche to Thame and go to Kongde4l250m for 3 nights stay there.In Kongde ,we will take you to the two major peaks:PHARAK PEAK,which is 4900m tall,to begin with and then onto SHERPA PEAK 5050m during the two days halt there.We will also take you to the Kongde glacial lake(Kongde Tso) where the serene and calm water will instantly attract your attention. Although Kongde Hotel meets the modern engineering standers to the very last detail,this does not necessarily mean that it has failed to capture the typical Sherpa building has successed in exuding a warm and mystical atmosphare that immediately reminds one of begin at the top of the world. Other hotels that you use in Lukla,Phakding,Namche and Thame during your trek are built in typical Sherpa way but using modern amenities.All the hotels provide you the rich Sherpa tradition and the atmosphare of the Traditional Sherpaness Hospitality. We are the first to operate trek in this splendid region of Kongde by providing comfortable and logistical facilities.Your stay at the luxurious kongde Hotel will be exceedingly pleasant and romantic as Kongde id often refrred to as "a paradise" by all Himalaya explore.The chance of bring carried away by the idyllic beauty of the magnificent Himalayas and the Sherpa settlement of Khumbu Valley are numbers .Our main aim is to make your stay in the Everest area an enjoyable one; classic comfort amidst some of the highest terrains in the world,discovering the cultural and traditional lifestyle of the world famous Sherpa. Some of our profits from this project will be extended for local environment development projects as wel as developing trainning course to the locals and staff for protecting the environment.We will stay also try our best to bring the locals in employment program in order to raise the local economy and support poverty alleviation programs.

Madhav Prasad Pandey Managing Director Skyline Treks & Expedition (P.) Ltd. Gpo box No: 14221 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel No: 00977-1-4212737 Mobile No: 00977-9851065082 Fax No: 00977-1-4212738 Email: skyline@enet.com.np info@skylinetreks.com Website: www.nepaltravels.biz www.skylinetreks.com www.skylinetreks.com.np www.trekinfo.biz www.nepaltours.biz www.sandiegofoundation.org http://sadfun.warpnet.nl Online Chat: skylinetreks@yahoo.com skylinetreks@hotmail.com

The Himalaya Tourism Conference 2006 is going to be held in Kathmandu on December 11 and 12 this year. The conference is being organised by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)International Centre for Integrated Mountain development (ICIMOD), World Wildlife Fund/Nepal and Himalayan Environmental Trust. The event will coincide with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the first human ascent of Mt. Manaslu (8,163m.) and Mt. Lhotse (8,516m.). Starting the preparations for the upcoming event on November 27, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Madhav Prasad Ghimire said that the meeting is being organised to help promote Nepal's mountain tourism and to convey the message to the international community that Nepal has now restored her past image as a safe and peaceful tourist destination.

Nepal and China will have increased air access, as Air China is planning to start operating flights to Kathmandu from various Chinese cities from early next year. The airline will operate one flight a day on Lhasa-Kathmandu-Lhasa sector from the 1st July to 30th October, 2007. Likewise, the airline will operate four flights a week during normal season ( from March 29 to June 30) and one flight a week (from November 1 to March 28). The information was disclosed by General Manager of Kathmandu office of Air China, Qiao Shuwen at a programme jointly organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Air China recently. When the airline expands its services, passengers can fly to Chinese cities Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao and other major cities from Kathmandu on the same day. In the meantime, NTB and Air China have agreed to work together in tourism promotion between Nepal and China by conducting different promotional activities. As per the agreement, NTB and Air China will jointly invite 10 journalists and Air China will invite 10 tour operators from China for familiarization trip of Nepal between November 25 and December 2, 2006. NTB will take care of all the necessary logistics and ground handling in Nepal and Air China will provide 20 free round trip tickets for Beijing-Kathmandu-Beijing sector for the tour operators and journalists. According to NTB, the visiting journalists and tour operators are currently travelling to various tourist spots in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Similarly, the two organisations reached an understanding to organize press and tour operators' meets in Kathmandu and in five major cities of China-- Lhasa, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

Everest summiteers will be entrusted with the responsibility as liaison officers. The government has taken a decision in this regardconsidering their knowledge, skill and expereince. Because they are quite familiar with the topographic and climatic conditions of the mountain region and peaks, they could work as good facilitators for the expedition teams attempting on Mt. Everest. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Pradip Kumar Gyawali disclosed that a policy decision regarding the appointment of Everest summiteers as liaison officers has already been made. Addressing an Everest award distribution ceremony organised by the Everest Climbers' Association in Kathmandu on December 2, 2006, Minister Mr. Gyawali said that the ministry has adopted more favourable policies for the development and promotion of the tourism industry. The tourism sector has started to revive together with the peace process in Nepal. Meanwhile, Everest summiteers Mr. Pemdorji Sherpa and Mrs. Moni Mulepati were honoured with Everest Award 2006. Mr. Sherpa and Mrs. Mulepati had tied their nuptial knot while being atop the world's tallest peak in the spring season of 2005.

As the landmark event, the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed the much-awaited comprehensive peace accord, making an end to the decade long armed conflict in Nepal. The signing cerremony was held at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) on November 21, 2006. The accord was signed by Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist) Mr. Prachanda on behlaf of the SPA and the CPN (Maoist) respectively.

As the only airline connecting directly Nepal to Europe, Austrian Airlines has made an announcement that it would pull out its services from Nepal from May 2007. The announcement has saddened the Nepalese tourism industry. The main reason for the airline's such a sad decision is that its four Airbus A330 long-haul jetliners will retire in 2007. Then, the airlines will terminate its flights to several destinations, including Kathmandu, Shanghai, Phuket, Mauritius, Colombo and Male, according to international news reports. Since 1998, the airlines has been operating flights linking Kathmandu with Vienna. Until now, the airlines has carried more than 74,000 passengers. According to The Explorer Nepal, the general sales agent (GSA) of the Airlines in Nepal, it has received a letter from the airline stating that it is unable to fly to Nepal from May 2007 due to soaring fuel cost and exorbitant ground handling fees at Tribhuvan International Airport. Meanwhile, a meeting of seven tourism associations on November 17, 2006 drew the government's attention towards the decision of the airlines and asked it to step up necessary measures to convince the airlines to continue flights to Nepal. Issuing a joint press statement, the associations said that the end of the airlines service would be a serious blow to the industry. They also have asked the airline to reconsider its decision. The associations issuing the statement include Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TANN), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), and Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA).

Korean Air has started operating scheduled flights to Kathmandu from the capital city of the Republic of Korea Seoul since November 13, 2006. The airline flies on Seoul-Kathmandu-Seoul route once a week (Monday). With the operation of 301-seater Boeing 777 aircraft, the economic cooperation and people-to-people relations between Nepal and South Korea are expected to be further enhanced. Korean Air is the third international airline to start flights to Kathmandu after GMG Bangladesh and Air Arabia of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).