News Letter May, 2009

Highlander has embarked on new trekking routes in Nepal to explore the richness of nature and culture and of course to show the reality of Nepalese daily life.

Capital News

Tourist hubs into vehicle-free zone

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is planning to declare the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square (HDS) and Thamel area as vehicle restricted areas and develop parking parking stations at different parts of the city.

"The KMC is all set to develop the HDS and Thamel as tourist hubs. The roads in these areas will be paved with stones to develop them as heritage walks," Devendra Dongol, senior planner at the Physical Development and Construction Department at the KMC. He also said the KMC had made a grand plan of developing paring system in the city. Dongol said the KMC and the Asian Development Bank had joined hands to materialise the concept. "The ADB has already approved the proposal to study on the plan. We are carrying out a feasibility study on the project from August," Dongol added. He also said the study report would be submitted in six months.

According to the plan, only pedestrians would be allowed to enter the Hanumandhoka area and Thamel. "We will pave stones on the roads and link various temples, palaces and monuments in the areas and develop it as heritage walk," he informed.

Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is a UNESCO world heritage site, while Thamel is a popular tourist hotspot.

The KMC is also planning to develop three special parking areas near the two tourist sites.

"We will develop special parking lots in Khulamanch, Tundikhel near Shahidgate and Social Welfare Council's ground in Lainchour. Undergound and surface parking lots will be constructed at Shahidgate and Lainchour," Dongol added. He also said the Finance ministry was positive about using the land at Lainchour and that the Nepali Army had also responded positively to use the Tundikhekl ground for the purpose. The proposed project, named as Sustainable Transport Project (Parking/Pedestrians), will also study the unmanaged parking spaces in the valley.

"We can see unmanaged parking spaces at New Road, Khichapokhari, and other commercial areas," he said, adding, "The project will study the whole parking system, identify the problems and recommend proper to develop parking stations." Assistant executive Shaligram Rijal said the KMC was planning to include the project in its annual budget and begin consultations with the donor agencies. "After the completion of the study, it will be forwarded for implementation," Rijal added. soucre:The Himalayan Times

Nepalese tourism promoted in Denmark

The Embassy of Nepal Denmark, along with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organised a tourism programme at the Embassy premises on 18 May 2009.

According to the NTB, the main purpose of the programme was to promote Nepalese tourism by honoring Danish personalities among mountain climbers, frequent visitors and writers on Nepalese tourism. The embassy had published public notice in local news paper and web sites and collected information.

According to set criteria and acquired information, the Embassy selected 43 persons to be honoured. The ambassador of Nepal to Denmark, Vijaykant Lal Karna, distributed plaques, Khadas and letters of honor on the occasion.

The Embassy was established in May 2007 and the programme was organized on the eve of second anniversary. During the welcome speech, Ambassador Karna said that the programme would not only help promote Nepalese tourism but also contribute to introduce each other and bridge relations among Danish and Nepali people. The Ambassador also highlighted on the Government's decision to launch a national tourism campaign "Nepal Tourism Year 2011".

Mr. Lars Gundrsen, Honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board had conducted the programme. Journalists, travel agents, tour operators, representatives of tourism sector, government officials, among others, were also invited in the programme.

The persons honored were as follows:

The following received a metal plaque and khada:

Travel Agencies: Mr. Mogens Jacobsen, Jysk Rejsebureau; Ms. Karen Stigsen, Grace Tours; Mr. Casper Sutton, Trekking Bureauet; Albatros Travel; Mr. Lars Gundersen, Kipling Travel

Mountain Climbers: Mr. Mogens Jensen, Mr. Henrik Jessen Hansen, Mr. Soren Smidt, Mr. Asmus Norreslet, Mr. Mads Granlien, Ms. Lene Gammelgaard, Mr. Michael Knakkergaard Jorgensen

Books/articles: Mr. Knud Wentzel, Mr. Svend Age Lorenz Christensen, Dr. Michael Vinding, Mr. Soren Lauridsen, Mr. Poul Selvig, Mr. Mogens Engelund, Mr. Klavs Becker-Larsen, Mr. Ole Janus Larsen, Mr. Poul Bjerager, Denmark-Nepal Society

The following received a letter of honour and khada:

Mountain Climbers: Henrik Kristensen

Books/articles/photography: Jan Eriksen, Christina Hauschildt, Torbjorn Ydegaard, Dr. Jesper Trier

Press: Soren Sattrup, Politiken; Rasmus Bech, Adventure World; Charitable Work; Adventure Heart.

Others: Bo Ulfhoj, Bethsy Holck, Ole Hjort Rasmussen, Ole Garde, Bo Belvedere Christensen, Jan Mathorne, Claus Andreasen, Soren Viit Nielsen, John Christensen, Knud West Hansen, Kurt Lomborg. nepalnews.com May 20 09

Pashupati Area Development Trust increases entry fee

May 5th: Pashupati Area Development Trust has decided to increase entry fee for foreigners to enter the Pashupatinath area by 50 per cent. The new fee structure will come to effect from June 15th, The entry fee has been hiked from Rs.250 to Rs 500 per person , according to Ganesh Prasad Adhikari, treasurer, PADT. Visitors from India, however, are exempted from paying the entry fee.More than 300 foreigners visit the temple premises every day.

Discussion held on draft code of conduct for trekking, mountaineering business

2009-05-19

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) on 18th May organized a workshop to discuss on the draft code of conduct that it is introducing to regulate the trekking and mountaineering business. The workshop was supported by CESVI.

By implementing the code of conduct, TAAN aims to make the trekking and mountaineering business decent, disciplined and responsible. It is preparing to issue the code of conduct on May 29, coinciding with the Everest Day.

Tourism associations, Hotel Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, Nepal Association on Travel and Tour Agents, Nepal Mountaineering Associaiton, INGOs, tourism institution, government bodies and policy makers and experts had also participated the workshop.

Fixation of minimum price rate, compulsory provision of taking permits and TIMS cards, discouraging price undercutting, better facilities for employees and trekking and mountaineering staffers, conservation of nature and local culture, abiding by government's financial regulations and accountability to the state are some of the provisions included in the draft. TAAN has also proposed establishing a security fund as a guarantee to ensure quality service to the clients.

TAAN 2nd-vice president Bachhu Narayan Shrestha tabled the draft proposal for discussion in the workshop.

TAAN president Jyoti Adhikari, former president Deepak Mahat, NBA president Bishwo Kanta Mainali, NTNC member secretary Judda Bahadur Gurung, former secretary Dipendra Purush Dhakal , Former General Secretary of Taan Hari Dharel and others demanded TAAN to amend the provision of minimum rate and security fund. They also suggested TAAN to review the provision of punishment, included in the code of conduct.

At the sidelines of the workshop three groups held separate discussions on the draft. The first group was of INGOs working in the tourism sector and they discussed on conservation of social, cultural and ecological biodiversity. The second group comprised government officials and associations and it discussed on financial regulations and responsibility towards the government. Likewise, the third group comprised private sector, academicians and experts and it discussed about operational and management of trekking and partnership between customers and locals.

Member agents also suggested TAAN to implement the Code of Conduct only after necessary discussions and study.

Street Hawkers Clean up Campaign in Thamel

Due to lack of proper management, Thamel is suffering the consequences of being a tourist hub with in its petite streets and corners where tourists are bound to face the risk of noise pollution, traffic congestion and other irregularities of street hawkers.

There are too many street hawkers and hooligans in Thamel. Tourists are regularly harassed and distracted. The hawkers are regularly forcing tourist on selling wrong information's and products.

We certainly have complained this to different authority but at the end of the day, no action is taken. Personally, so now the few likeminded tourism entrepreneurs including Highlander have taken initiative with the help from Tourist Police and Surkha Khutte police to clean up Thamel. These days there are few personnel dressed in Black uniform to safe guard Thamel. It's a very progressive and positive sign but the campaign is ongoing and we hope it would improve in the days to come.