Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, is to launch flights between Muscat, the Omani capital and Kathmandu, from 2 September 2010. and Oman Air will be operated with a B737-700 aircraft and will operate the Kathmandu service four times per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) participated in Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) 2010, from July 31 to August 2 held in Kolkata.

According to the press released issued by NTB, Nepali stalls presented the natural, cultural and adventure attractions which is believed to have attracted a large number of public and trade visitors during the fair.

Nepal’s stall at the fair also won an award of Best Design and Decoration Category, it added.

The release further stated that the tourists from West Bengal are keen travellers who are attracted specially by pilgrimage, Himalayan views, soft adventures andmountain flights, so there is a need to facilitate the land travellers for easy movement.source:nepalnews

The Embassy of Nepal, London, organised a Tourism Promotion Programme in Wales, on 31 July 2010 with special focus on the campaign of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in coordination with the Wales Nepali Community, Cardiff and Wales Gurkha Community, Cwmbran.

The programme was held at the Community centre of Cardiff. The programme was started with the lighting of oil fed Panas lamps jointly by the Ambassador of Nepal to the UK Dr Suresh C. Chalise and the Rt. Hon. Alan Michael JP MP, former first minister of Cardiff and current member of British parliament. National anthems of Nepal and the UK were played at the inaugural ceremony.

Present in the programme were members of parliament, mayors, councillors, assembly members, professors, academics, well-wishers of Nepal, travel and tour promoters and as well as prominent members of Nepali communities based in Wales.

During the ceremony, Nepali ambassador to UK, Dr Suresh C. Chalise highlighting the core concepts of the Nepal Tourism Year 2011, described Nepal as a secure and pristine tourist location in the world and cited the Lonely Planet that has chosen Nepal as one of the ten prime tourist destinations for 2010.

Dr. Chalise, while delving into the data on the rise of tourist influx into Nepal due to enhanced tourist friendly environment also pointed out that Nepal offered pleasure as well as adventure tourism for all age groups. He emphasised for deepening of Nepal-UK relations further through increased level of economic ties including that of the tourism.

The programme was the second in its series after Scotland earlier this month to promote Nepalese tourism in the United Kingdom.

Minister Counsellor Jhabindra Aryal of the Embassy presented sights and sounds of Nepal through power point emphasising Nepal’s amazing tourist destinations, national heritages, flora and fauna and cultural sites of historical importance among other things.

Alan Michael and Dianne Rees, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff also spoke on the occasion expressing their hopes and confidence that such programme would not only promote tourism but also promote cultural ties and diversify relations between the Nepalese and Wales communities.

The chairmen of the two Nepali communities in the Wales, Chitra B. Rai and Laxmi Tumbhahamphe, Wales Nepali Community and Wales Gurkha Community respectively, who were coordinating the programme, appreciated the initiatives of the Embassy for organising the programme and also expressed happiness to avail the opportunities to coordinate the function in Wales. source:nepalnews

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Japan have partnered to conserve and manage the birthplace of Buddha in southern Nepal.

The world-renowned pilgrimage destination of Lumbini has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.

Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini. The Indian emperor Ashoka, a pilgrim to the site, erected a commemorative pillar there.

“This project is a significant step forward that will enable the Government of Nepal to reinforce its effort in the protection, enhancement and sustainable development of Lumbini, which as a major pole of international pilgrimage tourism in Nepal is a major source of national income,” said Axel Plathe, UNESCO’s Representative to the country.

The Japan-funded project will focus on conserving the Ashoka Pillar, the Marker Stone and the Nativity Sculpture. It will also, among other activities, review the current state of the Sacred Garden and set up a management plan for the entire property.

It will be coordinated by UNESCO’s office in the capital, Kathmandu, and will be implemented with Nepal’s Department of Archaeology and the Lumbini Development Trust.

Bishnu Karki, who heads the Department of Archaeology, expressed “the gratitude of the Nepali people to all those who work with us to safeguard Lumbini,” which he called “one of the most emblematic places in the world and has tremendous value for our people and for the global community.”
source:http://www.un.org

Nepalese Food and Cultural Festival has begun in Adelaide from July 15, Thursday with the aim to promote tourism in Nepal.

The two-week long Nepalese Festival aims to encourage Australian people to visit Nepal, said Yogendra Dhakal, Nepal’s representative to Australia.

He further said that they have been organizing such festival across Australia focusing Nepal Tourism Year-2011 (NTY-2011).

The main attraction of the festival is Nepalese food, arts and architects which are being exhibited in Stamford Plaza, located at the center of the city.

Keith Gardner, former Australian ambassador to Nepal also attended the program as a guest. He praised the Nepalese people as “very friendly and warm people”.

About 40 Australians associated with Nepal participated in the inaugural of the festival. Nepalese food was served to the guests and cultural dances were performed during the occasion. Bhutanese dancers were also part of the cultural performances.
source:nepalnews