Spice Jet flying to Nepal from 7th October

India’s most preferred low fare airline, Spice Jet is going to start its scheduled flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu from October 7, 2010. Initially, the airlines will operate six flights a week to Nepal making it the airline’s first international service.

The days of operation will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The flight to Kathmandu will depart at 07:30 hrs and landing at the Tribhuwan International Airport at 09:00 hrs. The flight will depart at 09:50 hours to land at Delhi airport at 11:20 hrs.
Similarly, the airline will also begin its daily service between Chennai to Colombo from October 9.

Adventure sports permit system simplified

The Tourism Ministry following complaints from travel traders has changed the regulations to create a one window system for acquiring adventure sports permits. The Tourism Ministry will henceforth issue permits to conduct adventure sports activities in protected areas. Formerly, the Forest Ministry gave out permits. The Ministry used to collect separate fee for 10 tourism activities in the Himalaya and high hills which contain biological diversity needing conservation.

According to the old regulations, anyone wanting to go skydiving, skiing, paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, canyoning, abseiling, mountain biking and kayaking had to get separate permits from the Department of National Park and Wildlife. The new regulation is expected to ease the lengthy hassle and boost the tourism industry.

As per the new fee structure, the royalty for skydiving for tourist from SAARC nations has been reduced to Rs. 2000 from Rs. 6000. Similarly the fee for foreign tourist has been cut to US $ 100 from US $ 500. Similarly, charges for paragliding and Para mountaineering have also been decreased to Rs. 1000 from Rs. 6000 and US $ 50 from US $ 300.

ACAP Proposes new trekking route in the Annapurna region

Annapurna Conservation Area Project has developed new routes in the Annapurna range to provide an alternative to the world famous Around Annapurna route. ACAP came up with the idea of marketing new trekking routes as old trekking routes in the area are getting shorter with increased access to transport services. The process of constructing necessary infrastructure as well as erecting sign board along the new routes has begun recently.

The new routes cover major tourist destinations including Ghalegaun, Ghanpokhari, Tharchu, Dudhpokhari, Namunapass, Timang, Bhujung, Pasaung, Besisahar and Tanting. Tourist guide information center has also been set up.

A total of 10 days is required to complete each new trekking route.

Peace festival in Nepal from September 30

Nepal is all set to host the Global Peace Festival South Asia 2010, scheduled from 30th September to October 02. The 3 day event is likely to see the participation of faith leaders, social entrepreneurs, government and community leaders, business and NGO representatives. The conference promises to provide inspirations, vision, practical tools and partnerships to address the fundamental global challenges being faced in South Asian countries.

The Global Peace Festival (GPF) is a global movement of committed peace builders working in partnerships based on common principles, values and aspirations. The GPF promotes and celebrates persons and programmes that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation and sees all people as ‘one family under God’.

NTY Promo held in South Africa

With the view to promote Nepal tourism year 2011 in South Africa, the Nepali Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and the Non- resident Nepali Association together organized a program to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The program was jointly inaugurated by ambassador of Nepal to South Africa and the president of the resident Nepali association, South Africa.

Ambassador for Nepal highlighted the importance of Nepal Tourism Year and different aspects of Nepal – South Africa relations. He said that its main objective was to establish Nepal as a major tourist destination and pledged full cooperation and support from Nepal embassy in disseminating information about Nepal, facilitating visa issuance and other such matters.

Officials from the department of International Relations, representatives from media and travel trade and a large number of Nepalis residing in South Africa were present on the occasion.

The event was the first official program organized by Nepal Embassy