Travel Guide - SAARC

Nepal Draws New Tourism Master Plan.

Tour Guide — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:46:31 +0000

After a continuous growth in the tourism market, the Nepali government is planning ways to ride the surging wave to build a sustainable tourist market. The goal is to mark the year 2011 as the ‘Visit Nepal Year’ drawing at least a million visitors that year. Already many sites in rural Nepal is underway for new tourist developments, interregional tourism is given a high priority as there is a high market in the region for the beautiful himalayan Country.

Since transforming into a democracy the government of Nepal together with the Ministry of Tourism is opening up the country for large scale tourism for the first time ever. Previously access to the country was limited , due to lack of marketing and bureaucratic red tape. In a new move the new tourism policy also encourages government- private partnerships in tourism infrastructure development. The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hisila Yami said the government is under negotiations to expand the countries national airline - the Nepal Airlines Corporation, to buy two more jets to expand the carrier. This would significantly increase access to the country and cater for the booming demand it Tourism.

Nepal’s Tourism Back in Growth.

Tour Guide — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:37:21 +0000

A more stable government and a huge surge in public expectations of a better economy has started bearing fruits for the himalayan kingdom. The Nepal Tourism Board’s (NTB) new slogan “Naturally Nepal” has shown a 60% increase in tourist arrivals in the country this year.

Nepal is moving towards improving the quality of their tourist stay by re evaluating the permit processes and streamlining the bureaucratic processes for a hassle free trip to the country. The Nepalese tour guides promises gone are the days where you get questioned by a dozen different officials for permits and visas.

The figures ( Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal) shows there is definitely a boom in tourism. With the rising world oil prices and a drop in long haul holidays this is a very positive result for the entire tourism industry in Nepal. Another unique feature of Tourism in Nepal is that over 40% of the tourists are repeat visitors, this in-itself is a proof of their splendid tourist hospitality.

Taj Mahal

Tour Guide — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:49:35 +0000

Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world was built as as icon of love and eternal devotion by the Emperor Shah Jahan of India. The construction on the giant mausoleum was started when his favorite wife Mumthaz Mahal died while giving birth to their fourteenth child. Master crafts men from all over the world were brought to design this mega project that consisted of a work force of over twenty thousand and took over two decades to complete. The entire building was built from white marble brought from rajasthan (another Indian state) and the building was studded with precious and semi precious stones brought from, Sri Lanka, China,Arabia and Tibet. The complexity of the building styles are very unique as the Taj Mahal incorporates a lot of styles of architecture. This majestic structure is a witness to the vast riches of the Indian civilization (current estimates of the cost of the project runs into trillions of dollars). The history of Taj Mahal is so rich it has many books written on the course of its time through the centuries. To this day the royal couple rests together in this shrine where it attracts over 3 million people a year to experience this wondrous marvel. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South East Asia.

Accommodation in Nepal

Tour Guide — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:36:31 +0000

Kathmandu has a wide range of accommodation facilities catering for unique tastes of tourists. If you have just showed up with everything strapped to your backpack ready to track across the vast ranges of Nepal or like to enjoy in leisure and style, we have got just the thing for you ! Most hotels and hostels could easily arrange tour packages to explore the country side but planning in advance is just as easy.

Radison Hotel Kathmandu

This eight story hotel has everything to complete your ultimate vacation. From ultra luxury rooms, function centers, a fully equipped gym, and a roof top pool to enjoy the majestic view of the mountain ranges. when staying you can also spoil a good walk in the golf course also did we forget to mention it has a really good tennis court as well.

For reservation& Enquiries:

Radisson Hotel Kathmandu

Lazimpat, PO Box 2269 , Kathmandu , Nepal

Reservations: 1 800 333 3333 USA

Telephone: (977-1) 441 1818 Fax: (977-1) 441 1720

Email:

radisson@radkat.com.np

Hotel Blue Horizon

If you are sick of staying in tiny hotel rooms, and want a spacious,quiet room which so so comfortable you will feel right at home, then this is the place for you. The rooms range from standard single rooms to super deluxe doubles. Each room has IDD telephones, TVs, Internet access, this hotel even has its own doctor on call !. There is a lovely library with novels to spoil you when staying here and a free air port pick up and drop off service. The hotel employees are more than happy to help you arrange travel through Nepal and find transport services, tours etc.

For reservation& Enquiries:

Thamel ~ Kathmandu ~ Nepal

Ph : 977 1 -4 421971 ~977-1-4413028
Fx : 977- 1- 4423296

web: www.hotelbluehorizon.com

Hotel Cosmic

Hotel Cosmic located in Thamel, is one of the latest hotels to spring up in Nepal, it is a budget hotel, but provides the quality service of a luxury hotel. This hotel has just 17 rooms so they can focus on you better! Hotel cosmic though small has all the big amenities like Cable TV,Telephones,and most rooms have their own private balconies. The hotel is a few strides away from the heart of Thamel, where you could jump a bus or join a trekking group and explore this beautiful country.

For reservation& Enquiries:

Hotel Cosmic (P.) Ltd.
P.O.Box : 24895 Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone - 977-1-4700684, Fax : 977-1-4423542
Email : info@hotelcosmic.com

Web : www.hotelcosmic.com

MORE HOTELS BEING REVIEWED !!! STAY TUNED

Bhutan Woos Investors from Bangladesh

Tour Guide — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:42:18 +0000

A team of Bhutanese delegates from the chamber of commerce is in Dhaka to encourage foreign investment in Bhutan.Bangladesh and bhutan has been engaged in commerce for centuries but the volume has so far been conservative. Bhutan’s main exports to Bangladesh are Vinegar, Vegetables, tobacco,wool and some processed foods while Importing Garments, pharmaceuticals,and electronic equipment from them. The delegation aims to diversify imports from bangladesh and invited investors to visit Bhutan to do field work for possible investments. Bhutan has always stressed the need for development of industries while conserving its extensive virgin forests and preserving complex ecosystems in the ranges and depths of this mountainous kingdom.
Bhutan and Bangladesh both members of SAARC are expected to take advantage of the various trade agreements that are being set up in the SAARC. These trade agreements encourage cross border investment and reduce barriers to trade within the block.This visit from the 16 member delegation could also possibly open talks on Bhutan using the Mongla Port in Bangladesh which is closer and less congested than the Indian Port of Kolkata. Bhutan being a landlocked country needs access to vital sea ports via their neighbors.

Heavy Flooding near Nepal

Tour Guide — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:42:56 +0000

Nepal is faced with a new crisis just a week after a cabinet expansion and a government shake up. Kosi a water way that leads into the neighboring India’s 3rd largest (by population) state spilled over. The water way started to reach its peak capacity and according to locals the technical staff as the site did not raise any alarms. The water way is monitored by Indian engineers and technical support staff. Locals getting frustrated at the ever rising levels of water over the levees vented their frustrations on the officials and chased them away. A few hours after that there was a breach in the levees and the water rushed out resulting in a mass devastation that left 100 dead and over two million homeless in India. According to Indian government sources the Indian technicians tried to repair the waterway but the locals prevented them from repairing it. While a blame game has started on both sides Nepal claims that India has not done maintenance work on the water way for the past five years. No matter whose fault it is thousands of people watch their homes submerged and their livelihoods washed away, there is a massive relief effort delivering food and other essentials by both the Indian central and local Governments. It is estimated that the casualty rate would continue to rise and flood waters would bring with them a lot of water borne diseases.

Bhutan the Kingdom of the Dragon

Tour Guide — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:02:33 +0000

Bhutan The kingdom of the dragon, has a long history and a strong cultural background. Originally it is thought that people migrated from Tibet. Theses aboriginal bhutanese also known Monpa planted the seed of a nation in one of the highest reaches of earth. Bhutan is a land locked nation full of rugged and often steep mountains. The country borders India (another SAARC country), Tibet (currently administered under China). Compared to other SAARC countries it is a modest 47, 0000 square Kilometers and a population of (estimated) 675,000.

The country has recently seen the transition from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional Monarchy. This together with a more open approach to promoting tourism in the country has brought the country to a new modern era. Bhutan conservative by tradition was one of the last countries to formally make televisions and internet legal.

India over the centuries has forged a strong relationship and even trains the local army. Bhutan and India are the only two SAARC countries that allows visa free passage and non restricted working conditions for their citizens across the border.Indian and bhutan also share another dream of SAARC, a common currency. Theses two countries formally recognize each-other’s currency as legal tender. This is quite a significant achievement for the region as it seeks to extend this to all SAARC members and we hope one day would be a reality.

Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan. Photo taken April 24, 2002. Copyright (c) 2002 by William L. Devanney,Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation license, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled “GNU Free Documentation license“.

Row In the Mountains on Who Should Attend SAARC.

Tour Guide — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:39:10 +0000

Heated exchanges of words took place in the infant democracy of Nepal in the mountains regarding the eligibility of a caretaker prime minister representing Nepal. Nepal one of the newest democracies in the world after the king was removed under sweeping reforms that the country underwent is still in the process of transforming its institutions to adjust to the new system of government.

Things however got settled once the Prime Minister of Nepal Girija Prasad Koirala apologized to the coalition for not consulting them before attending the SAARC Summit in Colombo. There was further criticism over the fact that Koirala’s daughter (a minister without a portfolio) accompanied the delegation.

While this shows how fragile the Nepalese government is the speed of reform in the country is still fast. The countries former opposition has put down their weapons and started to participate in politics and building their nation. Nepal is facing alot of hurdles in managing its economy under rapidly increasing cost of energy.

Afghanistan Face Sheet

Tour Guide — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:18:43 +0000

Afghanistan Fact Sheet

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Population	32738376
Population growth	2.63%
GDP(2007)	USD$ 35 billion
GDP Growth	12.40%
GDP per capita	USD$ 1,000
Telephone lines (land)	280000
Telephone lines (mobile)	4.668 million
Airports	46
Languages spoken	Pashto,Dari (also known as Afghan Persian),Uzbek,Turkmen,Balochi,Pashai and many more dilects
Literacy	28.10%
Suffrage	18 Universal
Government type	Islamic Republic
Religions	Islam - Sunni, Shi’a and 1% other

Maldives Fact Sheet

Tour Guide — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:04:27 +0000

Maldives Fact Sheet

Republic of Maldives
Population	300000
Population growth	2.69%
GDP(2007)	USD$ 1.588 billion
GDP Growth	6.60%
GDP per capita	USD$ 4,600
Telephone lines (land)	32500
Telephone lines (mobile)	317800
Airports	5
Languages spoken	Dhivehi (local official language)
Literacy	96.30%
Suffrage	18 Universal
Government type	Republic
Religions	Islam - Sunni