Kathmandu in the list of world's top tourist destinations

At a time when the country is grappling with reconstruction challenges in the aftermath of the earthquakes, here is some good news for Nepal's tourism sector.
TripAdvisor.com, the world's largest travel site, has included Kathmandu, the capital city, as one of the best tourist destinations in its 'Travelers' Choice Destinations 2015' list.
Among the cities from 25 countries around the globe, Kathmandu has been listed in the 19th position. Kathmandu, home to many heritage monument sites, suffered loss due to the earthquakes, but it still has several things to offer to tourists.
The international travel trade portal has portrayed Kathmandu as an important tourist destination with historic temples and monuments, fascinating villages, alluring hills and mountains and hiking routes in and around Kathmandu. "Mingle with locals and animals amid Durbar Square's monuments, or join mountain trekkers in bustling Thamel," says the travel site, adding, "Explore shops for exquisite work by local artisans—carpets and paper prints are specialties".

The portal has listed Marrakech of Morocco, Siam Reap of Cambodia and Istanbul of Turkey as first, second and third best tourist destination.

Western Regional Hotel Association, Pokhara, has welcomed the Indian government's recent cross-border air route permit that was proposed by the government of Nepal earlier.

Issuing a press statement, the association expressed happiness saying that the neighboring country's nod was a positive initiative to promote airlines transport and tourism in the country.

The government of Nepal was trying a lot for the route permit for the past five months. According to Bharat Raj Parajuli, chairman of the association, this permit will contribute a lot to tourism development at a time when tourism entrepreneurs are worried about reviving the industry in the post-quake scenario.

Earlier, the government of Nepal had urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his last visit to the country, for a route permit. Indian envoy to Nepal Ranjit Rae had said that Nepal government would get a formal letter of approval. According to the permit, international flights can enter Nepali territory via Janakpur in the east, Bhairahawa in the west and Nepalgunj in the mid-west before landing in Kathmandu. Indian sky is required for all the routes. Till now, all the flights were required to enter through Simara route of Bara.

There are five air routes for international flights from Nepal, but Simara is the only entry point, which remains very busy all the time. With the new cross-border-entry-point in place, multiple international flights can enter now.

The government today constituted a powerful national committee for the revival of country's tourism sector after April 25 temblor and its aftershocks damaged tourism infrastructure, incurring an estimated loss of Rs 18 billion.

According to Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokeperson for the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, a 36-member panel led by tourism minister Kripasur Sherpa shall coordinate overall activities ranging from recovery to reconstruction of tourism infrastructure with a concrete plan of action.

As the preliminary assessment of the ministry found that the tourism sector needed at least Rs 21 billion for its recovery, the panel will lobby with the national and international stake holders for investment. There is also an urgent need for the stakeholders to bring the devastated cultural and religious heritage sites to their previous state, according to Joint Secretary Sapkota. Besides carrying out early repair and maintenance, as well as reconstruction of the damaged tourism infrastructure, including historical and cultural monuments and blocked routes, the government-led body is also mandated to promote 85 percent of the total tourism property that escaped damaged. According to stakeholders, there is another important task before the committee—to normalize country mountaineering industry that has been adversely affected since the deadly avalanche on Mt Everest April 2014.The industry workers a still unsure about the fate of the profession after two straight years the devastation.

Former tourism brand ambassador for Nepal Amelia Rose Hillary suggested that there should be concrete plan for the recovery as well as promotion of country's tourism products in the global market. "Except Langtang and section of Manaslu trail, all other trekking and hiking routes are safe." The granddaughter of Edmund Hillary said after visiting seven worst affected districts.

Very few foreign tourists have been enjoying the Annapurna circuit trek and the number of trekkers on other trails has also declined after the massive earthquake of April 25 in the country.

Lalita Pun, operator of Moonlight Hotel of Ghorepani of Myagdi said that a few tourists visit the pun hill region to enjoy the breathtaking view of Himalayas and the sunrise. Ghorepani and Punhill region are located in the Annapurna trekking circuit. Though a large number of foreign tourists lost their lives in a massive avalanche at ThorangLa Pass area on the area on the border of Manang and Mustang along the Annapurna trekking route last year, trekkers along the route had increased significantly within a few months after the incident. "If we can spread the message that the trekking route is safe despite the damage at other tourist destinations, the tourism sector can revive," said pun.

"We are confident that the number of tourists will increase soon as their arrival has continued though the numbers are down compared to before," said Devi Prasad Acharya, operator of Hotel Evergreen at Jhinu, Kaski.

A Malaysian team trekked on the trail for the second time after the devastating quake, according to Acharya.

The trekking route to Annapurna base Camp is also known as Sanctuary Trek.

Sam Bahadur Gurung, Secretary of Sanctuary Tourism Entrepreneurs, said they were optimistic that trekkers on the trail would increases as the route had not been affected in the disaster.

Similarly, Trekking Agencies Associations of Nepal (TAAN) Western Regional Association Pokhara. First Vice-chairman Deepak Raj Adhikari expressed confidence that foreign trekkers in the route would increase.

Adhikari further said he had trekked to the Annapurna Base Camp region successfully with a Malaysian team just a few days back. "Though Dennis Lee Thian Poh, a Malaysian national has gone missing for the past two months, the recent trek by the Malaysian team was adorable," he said.

Lal Prasad Gurung, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) headquarters Pokhara chief said that around 40 foreign nationals had trekked for a week recently.

Annapurna Circuit Trekking begins from Lamjung headquarters Beshishahar and continues through Manang, Mustang, Myagdi and ends at Nayapul of Kaski.

However, century Trek begins from Kaski's Phedi, Khande or Nayapul and extends to Annapurna Base Camp.

In a major boost to Nepal's reconstruction and recovery efforts post April 25 Great Earthquake, development partners and donor community have pledged $4.4 billion in aid during the International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction-2015. The event drew around 300 representatives, including ministers, from 56 countries and donor agencies, who generously pledged support for reconstruction after the devastating quake and its aftershocks.

Foreign delegates who are in Nepal to participate in the International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction 2015 on Wednesday visited Basantapur Durbar Square, Sundhara and Sankhu.

The visits were arranged by the government to acquaint the visited delegates of the damaged caused by the quakes in April and May and send out a message that despite destruction, Nepal still had much more to offer to foreign tourists.

The delegates were taken around Hanumandhoka Palace Museum, Bhaju Dewal, Naryan Mandir, Lakshmi Naryan Mandir, Shiva Parvati Mandir, Nautale Durbar, Gaddi Baithak, Kageshwor Mandir, Taleju Mandir and Kumari Ghar in and around Basantapur Durbar Square.

According to immigration department after the earthquake twenty six thousand ninety four tourist have arrived Kathmandu.