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Round the
Clock Emergency Service for the tourists in Nepal
Monday, September 27, 2004:
The Crisis Response Action Unit at Nepal Tourism Board, which
has been formed with the objective of facilitating the
tourists, has established a 24-hour service system to help the
tourists in case of any emergency. The contact number is 98
510 877 44.
The queries and calls are duly addressed or redirected to the
concerned authorities for further action.
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South Korea
to start flights to Kathmandu
Wednesday, September 22, 2004:
Nepal and South Korea have signed a memorandum of
understanding to start direct flights between the two
countries. The national carriers of both countries can now
operate four passenger flights and three cargo flights per
week.
Once the flights are operated, it will be easier for the South
Koreans to visit Nepal. More than 10,000 tourists visit Nepal
from South Korea every year.
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Air
Sahara begins flight to Kathmandu
Friday, September 17, 2004:
Air Sahara, India's most prominent airlines have
commenced its operation to Kathmandu from yesterday.
It connects Delhi with Kathmandu every day. It also
connects well with their extensive domestic network,
spanning 23 destinations with over 250 flights daily.
Air Sahara had started its operations in India in
1993, following the Indian government's opening
up of the Indian skies to private airlines. Kathmandu
is the second international destination on Air Sahara's
route network. The commencement of Air Sahara flights
will certainly help enhance regional tourism growth
that has been given special importance by the government
by declaring free visa scheme for SAARC nationals.
Qatar Airways has already resumed the flights after
a temporary suspension of their flights for a few
days. The Austrian Airlines has also resumed their
flights and Martin Air is commencing from 03 October.
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Hotels
Reopened
Thursday, September 16, 2004:
The few hotels which were closed for several days
on the pressure of the Maoist affiliated - All Nepal
Federation of Trade Union-Revolutionary (ANFTU-R),
have been reopened after the trade union announced
the withdrawal of the closure of the industries
effective 16 Sep 2004.
With this announcement Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Malla
Hotel, Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Fishtail Lodge have
resumed their operations.
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Curfew lifted in Kathmandu
Monday, September 06, 2004:
There has been a distinct improvement in the situation over
the last couple of days and with the return of normalcy in the
valley, the curfew has been totally lifted since early this
morning.
After the violent rioting on 01 September in protest against
the slaying of 12 kidnapped Nepali labourers by their militant
Islamic captors in Iraq, a curfew was clamped down in
Kathmandu valley. The curfew was relaxed for couple of hours
every day so that people could go out to make their daily
purchase of essentials.
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Curfew
imposed
in Kathmandu
Thursday, September 02, 2004:
There was some rioting in Kathmandu yesterday morning
due to the killing of 12 kidnapped Nepali workers
by an Iraqi militia group.
In the riot incidents brought about by anti-Muslim
feelings, middle-east airlines offices, manpower
agencies engaged in sending labor to Islamic countries
were mainly targeted. The situation was brought
under control by the imposition of curfew, which
was relaxed for couple of hours in the morning and
in the evening today.
As the Qatar airlines office has been badly damaged,
they have suspended their flights from/to Kathmandu
for a week. Other airlines such as; Thai, Indian
Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines etc; have operated
today and will continue their operation.
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Valley
blockade called off
Wednesday, August 25, 2004:
The week long Kathmandu valley blockade called by
the Maoist rebels has been withdrawn with effect
from today. The blockade has been called off on
the request of civil society, human rights activists,
intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Despite the valley
blockade, vehicles bearing tourists, staff of the
diplomatic corps and ambulances were exempted and
allowed unhindered travel throughout the country.
The blockade mainly affected free movement of private
and government vehicles as also trucks and tankers
ferrying essential foodstuff and fuel supplies into
the valley.
With the lifting of the blockade there has been
a resumption of free movement of people and foodstuff
and therefore life in general within Kathmandu is
now back to normal once again. The sudden change
of tack by the rebels can also be construed as a
show of interest on the part of the Maoist leadership
to engage in talks with the present government.
We will have to wait and watch!
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Change
in
the telephone numbers in Nepal
Friday, March 14, 2003:
The Nepal Telecommunications Corporation is altering
the existing telephone numbers throughout the kingdom
with effect from March 15, 2003 by prefixing one
digit.
All the existing phone numbers of Kathmandu district
will be prefixed with 4, Lalitpur (Patan) with 5
and of Bhaktapur (incl. Nagarkote) with 6. Similarly,
the phone numbers outside the valley will have any
one of the allocated digits - 4, 5 or 6. The existing
phone numbers of Pokhara, Chitwan, Tansen, Lumbini
will be prefixed with 5 and of Dhulikhel with 6.
The changes have been made in order to solve the
technical difficulty of further expansion of telephone
lines in Nepal.
The numbers of our office will now be as follows
after the adjustment.
Phone: +977-1-4700889, 4700855, 4700566
Fax: +977-1-4426966
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Nepal
Visa
fees revised, No fee for 3 nights stay
Friday, June 20, 2003:
The government has revised the visa fees as follows
in order to attract more tourists:
I. Single entry visa fee: US$ 30 (valid for 60 days)
II. Multiple entry visa fee: US$ 80 (valid for 60
days)
III. Fee exemption of tourist visa:
- For tourists from China and SAARC countries. SAARC
countries include India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan (and Nepal).
- For the tourists, who have already stayed in Nepal
for 15 days or more, visiting Nepal for the second
time during the same visa year.
- For tourists staying in Nepal for 3 days (72 hrs)
or less.
(Presently, the tourists do not have to show their
return ticket as a proof but the regulation might
be changed and they will have to show their return
confirmed flight ticket as a proof to entitle for
the free visa).
Children below 10 years of age.
The tourist
visa can be obtained from Royal Nepalese Embassy
or Consulate or other mission offices. Tourists
holding a valid passport can also obtain the visa
at the airport (or any other tourist entry point)
upon arrival. They have to submit a visa application
form with one recent photograph. The process is
the same for the ‘gratis’ visas. The visa fees cannot
be paid by credit cards. The visa application forms
are available in the passport control lounge. They
are also distributed in the aircrafts before landing
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