1980: Tourism's contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding
1981: Tourism and the quality of life
1982: Pride in travel: good guests and good hosts
1983: Travel and holidays are a right but also a responsibility for all
1984: Tourism for international understanding, peace and cooperation
1985: Youth Tourism: cultural and historical heritage for peace and friendship
1986: Tourism: a vital force for world peace
1987: Tourism for development
1988: Tourism: education for all
1989: The free movement of tourists creates one world
1990: Tourism: an unrecognized industry, a service to be released ("The Hague Declaration on Tourism")
1991: Communication, information and education: powerlines of tourism development
1992: Tourism: a factor of growing social and economic solidarity and of encounter between people
1993: Tourism development and environmental protection: towards a lasting harmony
1994: Quality staff, quality tourism
1995: WTO: serving world tourism for twenty years
1996: Tourism: a factor of tolerance and peace
1997: Tourism: a leading activity of the twenty-first century for job creation and environmental protection
1998: Public-private sector partnership: the key to tourism development and promotion (Host: Mexico)
1999: Tourism: preserving world heritage for the new millennium (Host: Chile)
2000: Technology and nature: two challenges for tourism at the dawn of the twenty-first century (Host: Germany)
2001: Tourism: a toll for peace and dialogue among civilizations (Host: Iran)
2002: Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development (Host: Costa Rica)
2003: Tourism: a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony (Host: Algeria)
2004: Sport and tourism: two living forces for mutual understanding, culture and the development of societies (Host: Malaysia)
2005: Travel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century (Host: Qatar)
2006: Tourism Enriches (Host: Portugal)
2007: Tourism opens doors for women (Host: Sri Lanka)
2008: Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change and global warming (Host: India)
2009: Tourism - Celebrating Diversity (Host: Africa.)
2010: Tourism & Biodiversity (Host: China.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
World Tourism Day
Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October of 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day.
At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing, China, in October of 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas and 2009 in Africa.
At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October of 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day.
At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing, China, in October of 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas and 2009 in Africa.
World Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), based in Madrid, Spain, is a United Nations agency dealing with questions relating to tourism. It compiles the World Tourism rankings. The World Tourism Organization is a significant global body, concerned with the collection and collation of statistical information on international tourism. This organization represents public sector tourism bodies, from most countries in the world and the publication of its data makes possible comparisons of the flow and growth of tourism on a global scale. The official languages of UNWTO are Arabic, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Religious Site- Swargadwari
Swargadwari In the western part of the district of Pyuthan (Rapti Zone) lies Swargadwari, a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Swaragadwari lies almost 26 kilometers south of Khalanga Bazar, the district headquarters of Pyuthan. During the festivals of Baisakh Poornima and Kartik Poornima, when pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and India come to pay homage.More pictures
Religious Site- Dolakha Bhimsen
Approximately 200 meter from the Bhimeshwar temple is the temple of Tripurasundari where devotees assemble during the festivals of Chaitrastami and Dashian. Only the priest of this temple is allowed a glimpse of the image enshrined within. More pictures
Religious Site- Jaleshwar Mahadev
According to legend, a hermit named Jagadish arrived in the lonesome forest of Jaleshwar and had a dream in which he was directed to conduct excavation at the spot. In accordance with the dream, he began digging and soon found an image of Jaleshwar Mahadev. He then built a temple with some gold, which he brought from a place called Sunukhadagarh.
Just in front of Jaleshwar Mahadev temple there are two sacred ponds, called Barunsar and Kshiresar. During the Ram Navami Bivaha Panchami feativals, thousands of pilgrims assemble at these ponds.
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Religious Site- Pathibhara
Pathibhara (1763 m.) Pathibhara situated at the top of Kutidanda and Haaspokhari in Mechi Highway is called as small Pathibhara regarded as the younger sister of Pathibhara in Taplejung. From this hill covered with green forest one can have a view of Terain plains, Mahabharat Range and Mount Kanchanjunga. This place with plenty of transportation facilities seems to have abundant feasibility for Gliding. Thousands of people pay homage to the goddess Pathibhara daily.
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More picturesReligious Site-Manakamana
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Religious Site- Devghat
Religious Site-Gosainkunda
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Religious Site- Muktinath
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Religious Site-Lumbini
There are other places of interest too nearby. It is accessible by air from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. From Kathmandu it takes about eight hours by bus or car.
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Religious Site-Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath There is a variety of Buddhist practices in Nepal, the Buddhism of the endemic Newar people, perhaps related to the ancient Buddhism that passed out of India one thousand year ago; the Buddhism of the Sherpa, Tamang and Tibetan people and the relatively modern incursion of Theravadin or Southern Buddhism.
The central beliefs and practices date back to the time of its founder, Prince Siddhartha Gautam who was born in Lumbini in the southern Terai in about 534 B.C. Until the age of 29, the young prince led a sheltered life in the palace of his father, completely unaware of the problems and suffering of the world outside his palace wall. One day he convinced his charioteer to take him outside the palace, where he was shocked at the sight of an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic. The realization of the true misery of the world persuaded the prince to abandon his luxurious life and goes into the forests to seek enlightenment to end human suffering. For many years, Gautam practiced asceticism without success. One night beneath a pepal tree in the forest of Bodh Gaya he became enlightened. Henceforth known as Lord Buddha, the ‘enlightened one’ he traveled around northern India and southern Nepal preaching the Middle Path to enlightenment. At the age of eighty he passed into the final enlightenment.
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The central beliefs and practices date back to the time of its founder, Prince Siddhartha Gautam who was born in Lumbini in the southern Terai in about 534 B.C. Until the age of 29, the young prince led a sheltered life in the palace of his father, completely unaware of the problems and suffering of the world outside his palace wall. One day he convinced his charioteer to take him outside the palace, where he was shocked at the sight of an old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic. The realization of the true misery of the world persuaded the prince to abandon his luxurious life and goes into the forests to seek enlightenment to end human suffering. For many years, Gautam practiced asceticism without success. One night beneath a pepal tree in the forest of Bodh Gaya he became enlightened. Henceforth known as Lord Buddha, the ‘enlightened one’ he traveled around northern India and southern Nepal preaching the Middle Path to enlightenment. At the age of eighty he passed into the final enlightenment.More pictures
Religious Site-Pashupatinath Temple
In Nepal, religion permeates every facet of life with festivals, daily rituals, family celebrations and religious observances. At every step one can see temples and shrines, processions and devotional music. Although Nepal is famous as the world’s only Hindu Nation, it is an intricate and beautiful tapestry woven of Hinduism, Buddhism and other faiths loving together in tolerance and harmony.
Pashupatinath Temple Shiva, the destroyer, is historically the god most worshipped in the country. He may be worshipped as the holy ascetic, depicted with his consort Parvati and holding a trident and a small drum or more often in the form of the linga, an elongated stone representing his generative powers. The most important linga is situating in the holy shrine of Pashupatinath to west of Kathmandu. In front of Shiva temples one usually sees a statue of Nandi, the divine bull that serves as Shiva’s vehicle. Another popular form of Shiva in Nepal is the terrifying Bhirav. Different aspects of Bhairav plays major roles in many of the Valley’s festivals.
Vishnu, whose primary duty is to assure the preservation of the world and all living forms, is believed to have visited the earth ten times, each times as a different incarnation or avatar. He is often depicted as a boar, a tortoise ,a man-lion and a fish-his four animal incarnations. Throughout South Asia he is most often worshipped in two well-known human forms: prince Ram the hero of the epic Ramayana and the pastoral god Krishna. In Nepal he is often worshipped in his omnipotent form of Narayan, and in some of his most lovely images is seen astride the man-bird Garuda his vehicle.The temple is of pagoda style of architecture.All the features of pagoda style is founded here like cubic constructions,beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest(tundal). The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets.This temple has got gold pinnacle,(Gajur),which is a symbol of religious thought. The western door has a statue of large bull or Nandi, again covered in gold. The deity is of black stone, about 6 feet in height and the same in circumference.
The archetypal mother or female, goddess in of particular importance in Nepal. She is worshipped in many aspects: as Durga, protector and slayer of the buffalo demon, as Taleju, patron deity of the Valley rulers, and as Kumari, and the living virgin goddess. . Other female goddesses include Laxmi, goddess of wealth and Saraswati, goddess of knowladge and arts. Another widely venerated god is elephant-headed Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and the source of good fortune. Other deities such as Red Machhendranath, are special to Nepal alone and are celebrated with unique local festivals. More pictures
Pashupatinath Temple Shiva, the destroyer, is historically the god most worshipped in the country. He may be worshipped as the holy ascetic, depicted with his consort Parvati and holding a trident and a small drum or more often in the form of the linga, an elongated stone representing his generative powers. The most important linga is situating in the holy shrine of Pashupatinath to west of Kathmandu. In front of Shiva temples one usually sees a statue of Nandi, the divine bull that serves as Shiva’s vehicle. Another popular form of Shiva in Nepal is the terrifying Bhirav. Different aspects of Bhairav plays major roles in many of the Valley’s festivals.
Vishnu, whose primary duty is to assure the preservation of the world and all living forms, is believed to have visited the earth ten times, each times as a different incarnation or avatar. He is often depicted as a boar, a tortoise ,a man-lion and a fish-his four animal incarnations. Throughout South Asia he is most often worshipped in two well-known human forms: prince Ram the hero of the epic Ramayana and the pastoral god Krishna. In Nepal he is often worshipped in his omnipotent form of Narayan, and in some of his most lovely images is seen astride the man-bird Garuda his vehicle.The temple is of pagoda style of architecture.All the features of pagoda style is founded here like cubic constructions,beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest(tundal). The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering. It has four main doors, all covered with silver sheets.This temple has got gold pinnacle,(Gajur),which is a symbol of religious thought. The western door has a statue of large bull or Nandi, again covered in gold. The deity is of black stone, about 6 feet in height and the same in circumference.
The archetypal mother or female, goddess in of particular importance in Nepal. She is worshipped in many aspects: as Durga, protector and slayer of the buffalo demon, as Taleju, patron deity of the Valley rulers, and as Kumari, and the living virgin goddess. . Other female goddesses include Laxmi, goddess of wealth and Saraswati, goddess of knowladge and arts. Another widely venerated god is elephant-headed Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and the source of good fortune. Other deities such as Red Machhendranath, are special to Nepal alone and are celebrated with unique local festivals. More pictures
Major Activity-Jungle Safari
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Major Activity-Mountain Biking
Major Activity-Ultralight Aircraft
Major Activity-Paragliding
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Major Activity-Bungy Jumping
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Major Activity-Hot Air Ballooning
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Major Activity-Rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning
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Major Activity-Rock Climbing
For all those cliffhangers out there, Kathmandu offers a roster of stone walls that make for an experience of a lifetime. Now of late, Rock climbing has become a popular sport in Kathmandu, which offers some really terrific places for rock climbing. Nagarjun, Balaju, Shivapuri and Budhanil Kantha are some of the places where you can try this sport. Related Pictures.
Major Activity-Mountain Flight
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Major Acitivity-Bird Watching
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Major Activity-Trekking
The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture riches is to walk through them. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temple, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life. Main Trekking Regions
1. Everest Region - Soul of the World
This uncommonly charming destination is most excellent and suitable introduction to the Nepal’s legendary cultural variety and eyeful mountains’ vistas including the earth’s highest point – Mt. Everest (29035 ft/8848m). Holiday in the Everest region is designed to coincide with close – up view of snow –capped Himalayas view and inspirational trip along the dramatic and beautiful path passing through some of the fine Sherpa villages and definitely present you the absolute benefit of visiting old, artistic Buddhist monasteries, what's more, offering you rare opportunity to summit some of the eye - appealing peaks including Mera peak (21247 ft/6476m), Island peak (20285 ft/6183m), Pokalde peak (19049 ft/5806m) and many more.
2. Annapurna Region - Journey once in a lifetime! Globally renowned trekking site in Nepal is no other than Annapurna region which comprises three major trekking routes lying towards the north of central Nepal: Jomsom, Annapurna Sanctuary, and a circuit of the Annapurna Himal itself. The diverse terrain and the communities with varieties of cultures of the region make this area the most popular trekking areas of Nepal. You are definitely rewarded by sensational mountain scenery, tops are Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna (8091m), Manaslu (8156m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Machapuchhre (6993m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Tilicho Peak (7134m), Nilgiri (6940m) and complex assortment of traditional cultural. The Kaligandaki passing between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri is the deepest gorge in the world. Cultural variety from Hindu communities to Buddhist, Aryans to Mongols, famous Gorkha soldiers, fortresses, villages, valleys, most rainy areas to the rain shadow areas of Nepal –all with extreme contrasts from each other make each day's walk a different experience. According to the recent survey held by Modern Maturity (USA), this region has been declared as the world’s most spectacular trekking trails. Pokhara "The city of lakes” would be either the starting point or ending point of your trek in the Annapurna region. Naturally enriched and picturesque town located at an altitude of 3000 feet is Pokhara, lying on the lap of great massive Himalayan ranges. One of the best tourist destinations, Pokhara is only 200 km west of Kathmandu valley. It is within easy access by both air and road.
3. Langtang Region - Best site to explore astonishing Nature!
This is another most exceptional trekking site placed north of Kathmandu in the middle of the Great Himalayan Range on the Tibetan border and is within easy access. This region abounds in natural and cultural blending several vegetations, endangered animal species including Himalayan Red Panda. Pika, Musk deer, Himalayan black bear, common Langur etc. This site has been identified as the alluring holiday destination among tourists from every corner of universe. Helambu, situated north of Kathmandu, offers vast potentials for trekkers with many scenic villages inhabited Sherpa and Tamang. Gosaikunda, a glacier lake, is the most famous one with several other glacier lakes adjoining it.
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Major Activitiy-Mountain Climbing
The 800 km stretch of the Nepal Himalayan is the greatest in the world with eight peaks that rise above 8,000m including the highest in the world, Mt. Everest. Ever since the country opened its peaks to climbers in 1994, the Nepal Himalayan has become a great theatre of mountaineering activity and the drama of success and failure have provided impetus to thousands of men and women to meet the ultimate challenge. The Nepal Himalayan has been an attraction to many people, be they saints, philosophers, researchers or adventures.International Tourist Arrivals
While analyzing the number of tourists visiting Nepal, their growth trend and length of stay, the number of tourists had increased by 37.2 percent to 526,705 during the calendar year 2007. The number of tourists in the calendar year 2008 totaled 500,277 with a decline of 5 percent. In 2006, the average length of tourist stay was 11.96 days, while this has come down to 11.78 days in the calendar year 2008. The number of tourists had increased by 37.2 percent to 526,705 during the calendar year 2007. The number of tourists in the calendar year 2008 totaled 500,277 with a decline of 5 percent. In 2006, the average length of tourist stay was 11.96 days, while this has come down to 11.78 days in the calendar year 2008.Of the total tourists’ arrival during the calendar year 2008, 27.5 percent were from Western Europe, 7.6 percent from North America, 3.2 percent from Australia and Pacific Region, 2.6 percent from Eastern Europe, 1.5 percent from Central and South America, 0.3 percent from Africa and 1.4 percent from other countries. Among the total visitors, 55.9 percent were from Asia comprising 18.2 percent Indian tourists. Though shares of tourists arriving from North America, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and Pacific have declined in comparison to the figure during the same period in the preceding year, the tourist arrivals from Africa and other countries have increased.
Tourism
Introduction
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited."
Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2008, there were over 922 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 1.9% as compared to 2007. International tourism receipts grew to US$944 billion (euro 642 billion) in 2008, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 1.8%.
As a result of the late-2000s recession, international travel demand suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008, with growth in international tourism arrivals worldwide falling to 2% during the boreal summer months.
This negative trend intensified during 2009, exacerbated in some countries due to the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, resulting in a worldwide decline of 4% in 2009 to 880 million international tourists arrivals, and an estimated 6% decline in international tourism receipts.
Tourism is vital for many countries, such as Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Spain and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives, Philippines and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxicabs, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theaters.
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited."
Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2008, there were over 922 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 1.9% as compared to 2007. International tourism receipts grew to US$944 billion (euro 642 billion) in 2008, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 1.8%.
As a result of the late-2000s recession, international travel demand suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008, with growth in international tourism arrivals worldwide falling to 2% during the boreal summer months.
This negative trend intensified during 2009, exacerbated in some countries due to the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, resulting in a worldwide decline of 4% in 2009 to 880 million international tourists arrivals, and an estimated 6% decline in international tourism receipts.
Tourism is vital for many countries, such as Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Spain and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives, Philippines and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxicabs, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theaters.
Tourism in Nepal
Nepal is well known for country of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world and a famous destination for adventure tourism. The world heritage Lumbini (birth place of Gautam Buddha) is also located in Nepal. Natural scenic landscape and biodiversity, high Himalayas, incomparable cultural heritage and other numerous peculiarities have made Nepal a well-known destination in the world tourism map with a distinct image (NTB, 2009). These qualities made Nepal a unique place giving high potentialities for the growth of tourism industry. So far, the pace of tourism industry development could not be considered promising from the perspective of economic development. Even if, this sector is contributing substantial share in foreign exchange receipts with unlimited potentiality. The new government policies have shown greater concerns about the real value of tourism and its role to contribute in economic growth and overall tourism development in the country. Furthermore, tourism industry is considered as a major element for poverty alleviation and social equity. The Nepal Tourism Vision 2020, has been issued from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOTCA) with the collaboration of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and concerned industries targeting to attract two millions of tourist by 2020(Source: Economic Survey, 2009. MOF,Nepal)
Introduction
Officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolis.
Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Sagarmatha, known in English as Mount Everest. It contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized.
By some measures, Hinduism is practised by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation.Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of the Buddha. About half of the population live below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day.
A monarchy throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. In 2006, however, a decade-long People's Revolution by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) along with several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties of Nepal culminated in a peace accord, and the ensuing elections for the constituent assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the abdication of the last Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in 28 May 2008. The first President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, was sworn in on 23 July 2008.
Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Sagarmatha, known in English as Mount Everest. It contains more than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized.
By some measures, Hinduism is practised by a larger majority of people in Nepal than in any other nation.Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically with Nepal as the birthplace of the Buddha. About half of the population live below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day.
A monarchy throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms. In 2006, however, a decade-long People's Revolution by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) along with several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties of Nepal culminated in a peace accord, and the ensuing elections for the constituent assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of the abdication of the last Nepali monarch Gyanendra Shah and the establishment of a federal democratic republic in 28 May 2008. The first President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, was sworn in on 23 July 2008.
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