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Nepal witness 23% growth in visitor arrivals in 2003
A total of 265,600 visitors came to Nepal by air in
2003, which is a growth by 23% in comparison to last
year’s figure. Again the comparison of year on year
basis with last year indicates an encouraging growth for
all the countries. India market had an annual growth of
33% to 87,066 visitors and non Indian grew by 19% to
178,534 visitors in 2003.
December 2003 observed a growth of 42% in visitors
arrival by air in Nepal compared to same month last
year. 25,995 visitors came to Nepal by air during the
month which include 8,550 Indian visitors and 17,445 non
Indians, which grew by 27% and 51% respectively. Out of
24 countries listed in the data supplied by Department
of Immigration, 22 (excepting Austria and Sri-Lanka)
have shown remarkable growth in arrival numbers. Nepal’s
major market viz. UK, Germany, Japan, USA and other
European countries have all shown healthy growth in
arrivals.
Conducive government policies, programs to promote
tourism in the national level, declaration of cease fire
from January to August and collaborative marketing
efforts of Nepal Tourism Board with airlines,
associations and travel trade all led to the positive
outcomes for the growth of tourist numbers in the
country.
Destination Nepal Campaign 2002-03 launched by HMG to
specially boost tourism and various events under the
campaign helped to keep up the pace of marketing and
promotional activities of the country. Mount Everest
Golden Jubilee Celebrations was quite successful in
adding a big milestone in enhancing the image of Nepal.
Besides, government decision to waive visa fees for
SAARC and Chinese nationals, opening up of 123 new peaks
for climbing, restricted areas for trekking and five new
rivers for rafting created new avenues for tourism
development and increase in tourist numbers.
The contribution of private sectors, airlines (specially
RNAC, Indian Airlines and others) and associations to
enhance the growth in 2003 were evident from success of
Pashupatinath Darshan Package, sales missions to India &
China and Five Star Summer Getaway Package (launched in
association with RNAC and 5-star hotels) in India. These
activities have all helped in adding more numbers.
And now with government commitment to promote regional
tourism in 2004, and more liberal policies on airlines,
tourism scenario in Nepal looks even better. With the
continuous support and co-operation from government,
private sector and airlines, Nepal Tourism Board hopes
to see another average 25% growth in visitors numbers in
2004 and onwards.
Highlights: International Visitors Arrivals (by air) for
Jan-Dec 2003
· India up 33% to 87,066 visitors
· US up 8% to 1,6675 visitors
· UK up 11% to 19,260 visitors
· Spain up 80% to 6,407 visitors
· France up 59% to 718 visitors
· Japan up 9% to 19,551 visitors
· China up 27% to 4,418 visitors
However, compared to visitor arrival by air in 1999, the
figures in 2003 are still lower by 36%. The total number
of visitors arriving to Nepal by air in 1999 was 421,
243; this means 2003 figures are still short of 155,643
visitors in comparison to 1999. This further indicates
that if 1999 is considered as base year, there is still
a huge gap to fill for the recovery of tourism in Nepal.
NTB celebrate Fifth Anniversary
Nepal Tourism Board observed its 5th Anniversary on
December 31 amidst a grand function. A large number of
tourism entrepreneurs, high government officials and
media persons were gathered at NTB to celebrate this
function.
Chief guest of the function Minister for Culture,
Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Sarvendra Nath
Shukla addressing the function said that all the
stakeholders should work together to promote the tourism
industry that makes significant contribution to the
national economy and further added that since the
tourism business is very sensitive, it can be affected
badly if the political parties resort to vandalism and
destructive activities.
"Since the government’s efforts alone may not be enough
to curb such activities, the private sector should also
try to forge understanding with the agitating forces to
declare ‘no demonstration zones’ in the tourist areas,"
he said.
He said the government has adopted an open sky policy to
encourage private and international airlines to increase
the flow of tourists from potential markets. He said
that the success of the NTB within a short span of time
was a result of effective approach of public/ private
partnership.
Secretary at the MoCTCA Lava Kumar Devkota said that the
available resources should be mobilised in effective
manner to receive better results in the national
economy. Tek Bahadur Dangi, Chief Executive Officer of
the NTB, presenting a brief power-point on its
achievements and future plans said NTB could plan for a
long term strategy if the government provided fix budget
which reduced its dependency on two percent Tourism
Service Fee which fluctuates with the arrival of
tourists. He also urged the government to increase its
investment to promote tourism industry. Dangi said that
the cease-fire between the government and the Maoist
rebels is a must and national image should be improved
to attract more tourists to the country.
Talking about the slight improvement in tourist arrival
trend in 2003, he said that it had been possible due to
aggressive marketing by the government as well as the
private sector along with various events during the time
in spite of the adverse situation. Subash Nirola,
Director of Tourism Products and Resource Development,
at the NTB said that the Board had to do a Herculean
task to promote tourism industry with the limited
resources.
During the programme, Vice-Chairperson of NTB Ambica
Shrestha said the money given to tourism industry should
be taken as investment by the government rather than
donation.
At the function, Minister Shukla felicitated top tourist
service fee payers for the year 2003. Hotel Yak and
Yeti, Soltee Crown Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Hotel De’la
Annapurna, Manakamana Darshan P. Ltd., Hotel Shangrila,
Hotel Dwarika’s, Hotel Radission, Nanglo Bekary Café and
Summit Hotel were awarded as the top ten tax payers to
the NTB through the revenue collection office.
Likewise, Yeti Travels P. Ltd, Thamserku Trekking Pvt.
Ltd. and Himalayan Rafting Expedition Pvt. Ltd. were
awarded as the top tax payers among travel, trekking and
rafting companies respectively.
Destination of the Week
Sirubari: Gurung hamlet
Sirubari village is a totally unspoiled Gurung
settlement set in the hills at 1700 meters above sea
level. Sirubari village is a short drive and walk from
Pokhara, the major tourist centre for the Annapurna
region. It can be reached from Lumbini following
Siddhartha Highway. Sirubari is a unique example of
eco-cultural tourism in Nepal managed by local people.
There is regular flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara
and is well connected by road with Kathmandu.
The Gurungs celebrate colourful festivals of both the
Hindus and the Buddhists throughout the year. And what
attributes the Gurung community in a way are their
Ghantu and Rhodi dances. Young girls are selected to
perform the Ghantu dance that marks the herald of
spring. A duet called Rhodi is sung by a group of boys
and girls followed up by dances in folk rhythm. The
vibrant traditional rituals of the Gurung community are
there to give an instant sense of Nepali folk culture to
the tourists. Equally captivating to the tourists is the
panoramic view of the Annapurna massif including
Machhapuchre, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain
peaks to the north, the lush green river basins to the
south and picturesque villages like Aruchour and Darau
next to it.
In the past touring in Nepal has meant either trekking
along the trails or staying in specially built resorts.
Getting to know the locals and their culture has been
difficult. In Sirubari, one can experience a stay in an
unspoiled village living as a family member. You will be
welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the
home of one of the village families. Each night there
will be entertainment programme provided by the
community. This will be in the form of traditional
Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing.
The accommodation is simple but comfortable with clean
room with good beds as well as clean toilet facilities
(squat toilets). The food is delicious and you will be
eating your meals as one of the family. During your
stay, you will be able to feel what it is like to live
the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family
while they go about their daily chores, tending animals,
tilling the fields, or simply sitting in the sun talking
to the neighbours. Feel free to wander, safely, by
yourself and look at all of the developments that the
community have supported and funded. And, at the end of
the stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that
your new family will give you. Even if you never come
this way again, the village and its people will remain
in your heart forever.
Nepal Tourism Board’s entry “Sirubari Village Tourism
Project” won the prestigious PATA Gold Award in heritage
and culture category. The award was presented at the
51st Annual Conference of PATA in Malaysia on 9 April,
2001.
Gurung New Year
Gurung community throughout the world observe Tammu
Lochhar celebrations on December 30. The Gurung (Tamu)
National Council organised the gala function on
December 30, 2003 where thousands of Gurungs living in
the Kathmandu Valley thronged there to celebrate it.
Just like the Chinese New Year and Tibetan Lhosar, the
Tamu Lhocchar marks the beginning of the Tamu Sambat or
Gurung calendar year. Lhocchar also heralds the change
in "Lho", the oriental zodiac sign and this festival
marked the beginning of "Year of Monkey" and the end of
the "Year of Sheep".
According to oriental astrological system, there are 12
Lho’s - mouse, bull/cow, tiger, rabbit/cat,
dragon/divine, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, hen, dog,
and pig. A Lho returns after the twelve-year cycle.
What you won't get: Hot showers, television, bottled
beer, hamburgers, and thousands of tourists. What you
will get: Delicious local food and drink, comfortable
accommodation (clean room, clean beds, clean toilet), a
welcome like you have never had before and the cultural
experience of a lifetime, intimacy and friendship.
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