Survey:

We are very grateful for your strong support on clicking to all our links given on previous newsletters. We would appreciate your feedback the most this time around as we would like to know your opinion:

Would you be interested to utilize items like tea, coffee, soap, toothpaste, food supplements (which can help your body to acclimatize to high altitude while repairing you cell) that contained ganoderma if we were to provide them on treks?

- YES
- No

Send your answer to raj@notjusttreks.com

To read more on ganoderma: www.notjusttreks.com/ganoderma

Tourist arrivals on the bounce.

The positive beginning of New Year 2007 for Nepali tourism continued for the second month with a record growth in international visitor arrivals for the month of February.

Tourist arrivals via air posted a handsome growth of 62.6 % during the month compared to the corresponding period last year. Nepal had witnessed a growth in international arrivals by 5.8 % in January.

The month’s growth was contributed by both Indian and third country markets with a significant improvement in arrivals from China, Japan, USA and UK, according to the ministry of culture, tourism, and civil aviation quoting figures from the Immigration office at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

All major markets bounced back with a hefty growth and total arrivals stood at 25,656 tourists during the month against 15,776 visitors in the same month last year.

Arrivals from China made a U-turn to register a growth of 281.6% to 1988 tourist from 521 visitors last year. The Chinese arrival had gone down by 40.2% last month.

Among other Asian markets Japanese arrivals posted a sound growth of 59.6% with 2388 tourists. Huge growths from South Korea 88.7% and Thailand 110% clearly reflect the confidence towards Nepal as a tourist destination.

Increase in Chinese and South Korean arrivals are attributed to contribution by operation of China Southern Airlines (CSA) and Korean Air. CSA began its operation from February this year while Korean Air launched its operation since November last year.

The European segment also registered strong growth with arrivals from key markets like France recording growth of 68.5%, Germany at 23.4%, UK at 85.3% and Italy at 26.1%. The arrivals from Scandinavian countries saw a significant rise including Norway at 116.2%, Denmark at 110% and Sweden at 130%

Among long haul markets Canada saw a rise of 45.9% with 356 tourists arriving during the month, while US arrivals gained by 53% to 1663 tourists. Australian arrivals shot up by 35%.

Industry insiders say that increase in both in the regional and international markets speak of the growing consumer confidence among travellers towards Nepal as a safe and attractive destination.

Gurkhas to get same pension as their British colleagues.

The House of Commons announced on the 8th March 2007 that Gurkha soldiers who had joined the British army after July 1, 1997 would get pension equal to their British counterpart. A labour MP for Halton and the veteran’s Minister MP Derek Twigg made the announcement in the House of Commons. Pensions for riflemen with 15 years’ experience will increase by 5 folds – from 1200 pounds to at least 6600 pounds while a soldier serving in senior ranks will get more than 7000 pounds depending on the time they had served.

Padam Bahadur Gurung, president of Gurkha Army Ex-servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO), termed it the victory of Gurkha soldiers. However, he said the announcement was biased against the soldiers applying the cut off date of July 1, 1997. “ The dedication and the loyalty of the Gurkha soldiers to the British crow has been unquestionable all through history, but the issues of the Gurkhas who joined before 1997 has been ignored” he said.

According to him, this announcement will benefit about 600 soldiers, excluding 40,000 pensioners who retired before the cut off date. Besides, there are currently 3,300 Gurkhas in the British Army, the majority of whom have served on all overseas operations, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq. Gurkhas joined the British army from 1815, with 110,000 enlisted in World War II. Gurung said the GAESO would continue to fight for equal pension and perks as their UK counterparts. “The British government should justify the reasons to exclude the soldiers who retired before 19977,” he said. He said the liberal Democratic Party, expressing solidarity with the issues raised by GAESO, has announced a weeklong sit-in in front of PM Tony Blair’s office in Downing Street in London.

New Tour for Ladakh

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