Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Nepal Tourism Year 2011
The natural scenery, high mountains, incomparable cultural heritage and numerous specialties have made Nepal a well-known destination in the world tourism map with a distinct image of its own. However, the development of tourism is limited in number and within the certain areas of the country only. The new government has shown greater concerns about the real value of tourism and its role in contributing to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country.

Therefore, the government is placing high priority on the tourism sector in its new economic development policy. As there is a favorable political situation in the country, the government is all geared towards economic revolution in next 10 years for the up-liftment of the masses. In this connection, government of Nepal in consultation with Nepalese Tourism Industry, concerned organizations and experts decided to launch a national tourism campaign "Nepal Tourism Year 2011". This announcement reflects the government’s anticipation to bring into at least one million international tourists in Nepal by the year 2011 and spread the benefits of tourism to the people at large. The national campaign also indicates the tourism industry’s exigency to organize a tourism promotion campaign having wider impact.

With the glittering badge of adventure destination and the adage “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guests are Gods) that reflects "Atithi Satkar, Nepaliko Sanskar" (Hospitality is Nepalese culture) deeply rooted in our culture, the tourism products of Nepal never cease to mesmerize the visitors. The cultural, geographical, ethnic and bio-diversities of the country allure international visitors to Nepal time and again which truly substantiates the spirit of Nepal tourism brand; ‘Naturally Nepal, once is not enough !

The concept of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 envisions harnessing these opportunities and strengths and bringing together the commitment of the government, expertise and experiences of the organizations like Nepal Tourism Board, aptitude and dynamism of the private sector and communities for further tourism development in the country. Active involvement of the major political parties, members of the Constitution Assembly and Right groups is always taken into consideration in order to make the campaign inclusive and participatory in modus operandi and effective in result. The campaign will also focus on mobilizing the networks of the Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) communities, Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad, I/NGOs, airlines, and national and international media. Similarly, friends and well-wishers of Nepal, tourism academicians and celebrities will also be approached in order to highlight the campaign internally as well as internationally. This is also called Visit Nepal Year 2011.



Objectives of Campaign:

•Establish Nepal as a choice of premier holiday destination with a definite brand image.
•Improve and extend tourism related infrastructures in existing and new destinations
•Enhance the capacity of service providers.
•Boost community capacity in the new areas to cater the need of the visitors.
•Promote domestic tourism for sustainable growth of the industry.
Campaign Targets:

•Achieve one million international visitors
•Encouraging more investment on tourism infrastructures
Nepaltourism2011.info express its utmost commitment towards this nation building campaign and invites all our partners, guests, friends, colleagues and well wishers to come up and join hand with us by their respective capacity. This is a sheer opportunity to contribute the nation.

Nepal

NEPAL







Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to arctic.
This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.
Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure oppurtunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celevrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.
Language: Nepali Currency: Nepalese Rupee Political System: Multiparty democracy.
National Bird: Impean Pheasant Danfe). National Flower: Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans).
The most exhilarating titles with which Nepal has been admired and praised by various renowned travel writers in recognition of her cultural richness :
Living cultural Museum Shangri-La Roof of the World Birth place of the Apostle of Peace Country of Living Goddess City of Golden Pagodas and Parasols Himalayan Pilgrimage Nature amphitheatre Melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism A tiny Kingdom of 103 ethnic groups and 93 spoken languages Birth place of Sita Abode of Shiva Land of Mysticism & Exoticism Land of non-stop festivals are explicit and self-explanatory. They tell the world about our incomparable & prosperous cultural heritage.
Nature:
Nepal covers a span of 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from altitude of 70 meters to 8,848 meters. Mountains, mid hills, valleys and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal that extends from the Himalayan range in the north to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in south. Mt. Everest, the highest point of the Himalayas is in Nepal.
Physical features also include green paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands. The country is well endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glacial lakes that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the land in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49 percent is used for permanent crops, mainly rice.
Climatic conditions of Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical features. In the north summers are cool and winters severe, while in south summers are sub tropical and winters mild.
The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley.
The country has managed to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty.
Nepal History:
Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis who ruled from 9th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. Legends and chronicles mention that the Indian Emperor Ashoka had come to Nepal and visited Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born, and where he erected a huge stone pillar to commemorate his visit to that spot.
The Kirants were replaced by Licchavis who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. This period is noted for the many temples and fine sculptures built around the Kathmandu valley.
The Licchavis were followed by the Thakuris, then came the Malla dynasty. The Mallas ruled focusing mainly on the Kathmandu Valley which has been the residence for most Nepali rulers from time immemorial. No other part of Nepal is as rich in cultural heritage as Kathmandu. Thanks to the exceptionally talented crafts-men, who dedicated themselves to construct the many temples and statues, we have seven world heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley itself.
In the 14th century A.D. King Jayasthiti Malla established a rigid social order. His grandson tried in every way to protect his country from suspected enemy states. Unfortunately, all his efforts were fruitless, everything went beyond his control and the country eventually divided up into 50 small feudal states including the three major ones in the valley.
Then came the Shah dynasty. King Prithvi Narayan Shah who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandy Valley and unified Nepal in a single kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s.
Today, Nepal enjoys a multiparty democratic system.

Nepal

Travel Information

Overview

The working area of Tourism Industry Division after the re-structuring of the Ministry in 2055 B.S. and 2057 B.S. has been specified as follows :

The work relating to tourist standard hotels and restaurants.
Travel, trekking, rafting and other business related to tourism.
Mountaineering, mountain tourism and all adventure tourism related work.
The work related with the establishment of sound relationship with the private sectors concerning to the field of tourism.

Similarly, this Division deals in issuing of permission to run tourism business, renew the permission, and to regulate it. It also regulates the mountaineering permission, mountaineering related rules & regulations and decisions. It also functions to provide information on the tourism industries through the six District Tourism Offices, based in Kakadbhitta, Janakpur, Birgunj, Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.

Manpower
There are 60 personnel working in this Tourism Industry Division including 1 Joint Secretary, 2 Under Secretaries, 4 Section Officers ,1 Police Inspector and other assistants. Similarly there are 33 personnel working in six different tourism offices in six districts.

Sections running under the Tourism Industry Division :

Hotels, Restaurant and Travel Section
Trekking and Mountaineering Section
Tourist Police Unit

For further information :
Tourism Industry Division
Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel : 977 1 4256228 or 4256232, or 4247037
Fax No. : 977 1 4227281
E-mail : info@tourism.gov.np