Malla Travel & Trek Services

Dear Colleagues,

An exciting year has ended that has brought back tourists and hope. Over 700,00 tourists visited Nepal out of which 550,000 flew in. 2011 was a milestone in the annals of tourism history of Nepal with “Nepal Tourism Year” producing a remarkable result. Since “Visit Nepal Year 1998” no significant tourism promotion and branding exercise was conducted.

This year we are marking “Visit Lumbini Year”. Lumbini, located in South-western Nepal, is the birthplace of Gautama Siddhartha who renounced his princely kingdom of Kapilavastu and gained enlightenment to become the Buddha. From Lumbini tours can be conducted in the neighbouring pilgrimage spots associated with the life of the Buddha: Kushinagara, Sarnath, Bodhgaya and Sravasti. We are happy to look after our tourists in all these places.

Warmly yours,

Subodh Rana
Chief Executive Officer

Destination News

Launch of Visit Lumbini Year

With the conclusion of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011, Visit Lumbini Year 2012 was formally launched in Lumbini on Saturday, 14th January 2012. President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the Visit Lumbini Year 2012 at a huge ceremony organized at the world's peace hub Lumbini participated by many civilians, dignitaries including monks from different nations.

Addressing the huge mass gathering, President Yadav called for all the civilians and stakeholders to make Visit Lumbini Year 2012 successful. "This is the peace land of Buddha and his teachings should be spread everywhere for peace in the world," President Yadav said. He also expressed his happiness to inaugurate the function which is linked with the light of Asia-- Shakyamuni Buddha.

The government has targeted some 500,000 tourists to Lumbini during the Visit Lumbini Year 2012.

Focus on China

Diplomats, travel trade entrepreneurs and other stakeholders have stressed the need for the Government of Nepal to take up measures in order to attract more Chinese tourists as the number of outbound Chinese tourists has been on the rise significantly.

They suggested that the government and the private sector should join forces for tapping the growing Chinese market.

Speaking at an interaction on ‘Prospects of Chinese Tourist in Nepal’ organized by the Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCCI) in Kathmandu on February 3, 2012, they said Nepal could lure a lot of tourists from her northern neighbor.

They also further said that it was necessary for increasing air access between the two countries, producing promotional materials in Chinese language, training Chinese speaking guides, and developing proper coordination between Nepali and Chinese travel agencies and understanding the areas of interest of Chinese visitors in the country.

Sonam Lhosar celebrated

The Tamang community living in the Kathmandu Valley on 23rd January celebrated the 2848th Sonam Lhosar with great pomp and religious fervour in accordance with the lunar calendar.

During the Sonam Losar festival, celebrated for two weeks between December and January every year, daughters and sisters are invited to receive blessings along with exchanging of greetings among one another.

In the Capital city, the day was marked by organizing several cultural programmes followed by various activities including display of local food stalls and play work for children.

Similarly, a rally was taken out in the Tundikhel area where a three-day-long festival and Miss Tamang competition was also held.

The government had declared public holiday on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar. President Ram Baran Yadav extended greetings to all Nepalis, including the Tamang community.

Nepal Tourism Year

Annual Assessment

International tourist arrivals to Nepal are on track to reach new milestone in 2012. A total of 42,031 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January this year. This is a 27.7 per cent growth as compared to the same month last year, according to figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

All the regions recorded positive growths for the first month of 2012. India, a major market for Nepal, recorded positive growth of 29.2 per cent. Among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), arrivals from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka increased by 34.4 per cent and 112.5 per cent, respectively. However, the arrivals from Pakistan declined by 29.6 per cent. In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 27.7 per cent.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) also recorded positive growth of 42 per cent in aggregate with all markets showing improved performances, except for Malaysia. The visitor arrivals from China increased with a significant growth of 107 per cent. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea also increased by 6.4 per cent, 5.2 per cent, 8.4 per cent, and 7.9 per cent, respectively. Malaysia, however, recorded a negative growth of 13.5 per cent in January this year as compared to the same month last year.

An overall positive growth of 22.8 was observed from the European markets with arrivals from major generating markets such as the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland up by 4.7 per cent, 27.9 per cent, 88.1 per cent and 132.4 per cent, respectively. However, the arrivals from Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden declined by 3.8 per cent, 9.7 per cent and 59.9 per cent, respectively compared to the same month last year.

The number of tourists who came from Australia, Canada and the USA also went up by 8.6 per cent, 27.8 per cent, and 7.7 per cent, respectively. However, arrivals from New Zealand plummeted by 12.2 per cent in January this year compared to the same period of 2011.

Happenings

Maghe Sankranti

Different communities from Himal (snowy mountain), Pahad (hilly) and Tarai (flatland) regions residing in the Capital city on Sunday celebrated the Maghe Sankranti festival taking an early morning bath in holy rivers and feasting on several food varieties as per their religious faiths.

Hindus mark this festival that falls on the first day of Nepali month Magh as the end of the cold and gloomy month of Poush. Maghe Sankranti is considered the coldest day of the year and marks the start of warmer climes. On this day the sun is believed to leave its southernmost position and begin its northward journey.

People eat chaku (retreated molasses), ghiu (clarified butter), khichadi (porridge of rice and black grams), tilko laddoo (sesame seed balls), sweet potatoes, yam, spinach and other delicacies hoping for a good fortune. These types of food provide heat to the body. Hindus are celebrating this festival taking the same food varieties since the beginning of Hindu calendar more than two millenniums ago.

NATTA General Elections

The 48th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) has elected a new executive committee under the leadership of Pabitra Kumar Karki for the next two years.

Similarly, Madhusudan Acharya and Sambhu Pathak have been elected as the first and second vice-presidents, respectively. Achyut Guragain, Gokul K.C., Santosh Gautam and Nabaraj Sapkota are elected as general secretary, secretary, treasurer and joint treasurer respectively.

Raja Shakya, Chitra Bahadur Gurung, Sange Gurung, Ditendra Kumar Ghimire, Bishwo Tuladhar, Bidek Bijayananda and Sabita Bhattarai are members in the new committee.

We wish the new executive committee and office bearers every success!

Participation in FITUR

CEO Subodh Rana and Deputy General Manager Laxman Karki were present at FITUR to study the changing market scenario in Spain and make new contacts. The 32nd edition of FITUR, which brought together more than 9,500 companies from 167 countries and regions, provided an effective setting for generating a sense of synergy and opening up new business opportunities for us.

Hospitality

New Hotel In Pokhara

Waterfront Resort is run by professionals in a friendly and homely environment. Spread in 2 acres of Palm Beach garden and situated right on the bank of great Phewa Lake, Waterfront resort offers 60 guest rooms and 3 suites with individual balcony. The facilities includes spacious AC rooms, mini bar, tea/coffee makers, lockers, complimentary mineral water.

Waterfront Resort is situated in the prime location of Pokhara at Sedi Height, lakeside road on the way to Pame and Sarankot Hill. The resort is only 10 min drive from the airport and 15 min walk from down town. Waterfront Resort provides two well equipped conference halls (Peace Pagoda Hall - Capacity 200 and Harpan Hall - Capacity 60) with secretarial services.

F&B outlets at waterfront resort are Aqua Bird Restaurant & Alfresco that provide Western, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Local ethnic food prepared by best chefs. Waterfront has full length swimming pool, spa and health club.

The Temple Tiger Jungle Resort, Opening This August (2012)

The Temple Tiger Jungle Resort is located in Amaltari of the Chitwan National Park on the banks of the Narayani river and has close proximity to the National Park a mere half hour boat ride away and to the present Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge.

The Resort has been designed within its own forest which includes a host of species of flora and fauna. The resort will feature 25 single and double air conditioned villas each with its own private balcony overlooking the Chitwan National Park, surrounding Bote villages, the Narayani River and the layout of the resort has been designed to depict a typical jungle safari resort. The tastefully decorated rooms with local artifacts have wood floors with throw carpets, a cozy living area and twin/ double bed, the spacious attached bathrooms with solar heated running hot and cold water are a beautiful blend of wood, granite and bamboo (rattan). The thatched roofs of the villas are made from the abundant Siru grass therefore they blend easily into the surroundings. The Resort will feature a central dining area with a large terrace overlooking the man-made lake, a bar and lounge with library cum reading room. The resort will also feature a swimming pool that has been designed according to the lay of the land and a conference hall.

Air Miles

Buddha Air flying to Varanasi from March 1

Buddha Air, a leading domestic airline, is operating its scheduled flights between Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, and Varanasi of India from March 1, 2012.
The airline will operate four flights a week -- on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays—on this route. The carrier has fixed a one-way fare for the route at Rs 5,031.

There is a vast potential for pilgrimage tourism between Kathmandu and Varanasi. The flight services are expected to be useful to students and business travelers as well.

The one-hour flight to Varanasi will leave the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) at 3 p.m.

Buddha Air spread its wings in international skies in August 2010 with flights to Paro of Bhutan. The airline launched its second international destination, Lucknow of India, one year ago.

RAK Airways opens bookings for U.A.E. flights

RAK Airways is operating flights between Kathmandu and Ras al-Khaimah, the U.A.E., from February 15, 2012.

The airline, which has appointed Nepali Society Travels as its sole agent for Nepal, will operate three flights a week between the two cities.

The airfares of the company range from 499 UAE Dhiram (approximately Rs. 10,700) for one-way travel, including all taxes, and AED 899 for round trip. The fare entitles every passenger to meals and beverages on board, and free baggage allowance, including hand baggage allowance, of up to 30 kg. Tickets can be booked online or from sales office in Lazimpat, according to the airline.

With the addition of RAK Airways, the number of UAE-based airlines flying to Kathmandu has reached four. Air Arabia, Fly Dubai and Etihad Airways are already operating 35 flights a week between Kathmandu and various destinations in the U.A.E.

Your Agency News

Meet us at ITB Berlin, 7-11 March 2012

Malla Travel will be present at ITB in the Nepal Pavilion, Hall 5.2A, Booth 116. Additionally we are also present at the first ever Worldcome Booth, Hall 25, Booth 122.

‘Worldcome’ is a group of 22 Incoming destination specialists (DMC) who share the same beliefs and best practices as us. Driven by quality and committed to highest standards all the DMC’s maintain strict policies and protocols to ensure the highest level of trust and confidence with their partners. They offer high quality quotations, service delivery and well-trained staff who are continuously innovating to extend our range of exclusive products, services and venues. Passionate for our cultures and responsible towards our communities, you benefit from our local leadership and enjoy the preferred conditions with the suppliers.

Please call on us. Sanjay Malla, Managing Director and Subodh Rana, CEO will be present to meet you and offer you our products and services.