Tourism Crisis Cell established

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Himalayan Rescue Association on July 21 signed an agreement to establish Tourism Crisis Cell (TCC) to coordinate rescue of tourists in case of emergencies and address other tourism related problems.

HRA, which has been involved in coordinating rescue operations in mountain areas, will establish and operate TCC secretariat at its office building in Lazimpat. The cell can been contacted round-the-clock through 4442555 and 9751044088 hunting lines. As per the agreement, HRA has been entrusted with the responsibility of running shuttle bus service from Tribhuvan International Airport to different places in Kathmandu Valley during protests, bandas and other forms of strikes. Earlier, NTB used to operate shuttle bus service.

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) are the members of the cell.

Two new four-star hotels in town

 Implementing Expert Group (IEG) – the investment group of businessmen involved in international trade – is preparing for the launch of its two new four-star hotels on the eve of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

If everything goes as planned, Airport Hotel near Tribhuvan International Airport and Red Rose Apartment Hotel will begin operation from December.

The group is investing more than Rs 1 billion in the two projects. Sources at IEG said the new hotels would focus on up-market clientele and that they would not compromise on quality. The group will soft

launch the hotels in December and aggressively market and promote them in the first few months of 2011. While the Airport Hotel targets passengers flying to and from Tribhuvan International Airport, Red Rose expects to get visitors who want to stay for seven days or more.

Airport Hotel will have 55 rooms in five floors, while Red Rose will have 11 apartment and 30 rooms. Apart from accommodation facility, the group is also preparing to build operate shopping complexes and restaurants in both the buildings.

CAAN cancels AOC of four airlines

 Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has cancelled Air Operation Certiciate (AOC) of four airlines – Air Nepal, Alpine Air, Muktinath Airlines and Gorkha Air.

CAAN sources said the AOC of four airlines were cancelled after the aviation regulator was convinced with the airlines’ financial and technical strength.

“AOC of those four airlines have been annulled as per Aviation Regulations with effect from July 16,” the sources added. The sources further added that the airlines could apply against the decision within 180 days if they have convincing bases including aircraft, pilots, regular flights and strong financial backing.

TURGAN proposes hike in guides’ fee

Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN) - The association of certified tour guides in the country -- has proposed to raise freelance tourist guide service charge by 60-70 percent from October 01.

TURGAN President Hare Ram Baral said they proposed for the hike as the remuneration of tour guides hasn’t been raised after two percent hike in 2007 following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA).

But travel agencies operators have said that the new rates were not reasonable. They said the hike in remuneration of guides can affect the tourism sector as a whole.

NATTA CEO Hari Sarmah said the new rates can’t be implemented soon because tourism entrepreneurs have already forwarded their quotations to foreign agencies.
Baral said they had to forwarded circulars about the new rates to NATTA and other concerned agencies after their proposal for the same was not entertained on time