REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Sept 27: On the occasion of the 32nd World Tourism Day (WTD), Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has launched four trekking trails along with trekking map and marketing strategy for the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT).

GHT - longest and highest trekking trail in the world - extends from Darchula in the far-west to Taplejung in the east. The 150-day long trail was unveiled during the inaugural ceremony of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 in mid-January. The permit for GHT has been priced at $3,200.

The four trails, which were unveiled on Tuesday, include Nagi-Narchyang trail from Myagdi to Parbat district, Dhorpatan trail in Myagdi to Baglung district, Panchpokhari trail in Sindhupalchowk district and Lower Solu trail.

Speaking at the main event to mark WTD in the capital on Tuesday, Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi expressed the government´s commitment to go ahead with procurement of new aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation. He asked tourism entrepreneurs to develop a strategy to attract more visitors from neighboring India and China.

Mahendra Singh Thapa, president of TAAN, asked the government to make tourism services available through single-window system. Thapa said, “A tourist has to go to different offices just to take permission for trekking or similar activities. The government should make such services hassles free."

Marketing strategy for GHT is focused on marketing each section of the trail as a unique destination in itself with unique landscape, local culture, flora and fauna, besides promoting the GHT as one entire trail.

The initial target of GHT is focused on tourists from UK, France, Germany, US and Australia. In the secondary target, the focus is on China, India and South Korea for long-term sustainable impact.

Different awards were given away to winners of various competitions on the occasion of WTD. Member of Hotel Association of Nepal and Tara Gaon Development Committee offered attractive discounts to tourists on Tuesday.

Upper Mustang imbroglio

Speaking at the main event of World Tourism Day in the capital on Tuesday, tourism secretary Dr Ganesh Raj Joshi said the government is beginning a dialouge with locals in Upper Mustang and has even drafted terms of reference to make sure they do not create any disturbances for tourists.

Locals have vowed not to allow foreign tourists into the Upper Mustang region from October, accusing the government of not implementing past agreements.

Locals have been demanding 60 percent share in the royalty collected from Upper Mustang. Foreign tourists pay $500 per person for a 10-day trip to the Upper Mustang region. TAAN president Mahendra Singh Thapa asked the government to reduce the existing permit fee. He said the fee is higher compared to other trekking routes.

According to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), at least 18,000 tourists visited Upper Mustang from 1994 to 2010.

www.thegreathimalayatrail.org/