American trekker still missing; family pleas for help to find her

Friday, 12 August 2011
The 21-yr-old trekker had checked into Langtang National Park on April 20. She was last spotted on 30 April near Lama Hotel, according to locals.

At a press meet organized by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) on Friday, Aubrey's father Paul said they've decided to continue search for Aubrey as they have found some missing links in the incident.

"I have found the locals nervous. I believe they know something about my daughter but are not willing to share," TAAN quoted Paul as saying in a press statement.

"I believe she is being held somewhere. She is in big trouble," Paul said.

The Saccos have also requested Nepal Police, Nepal Army, TAAN, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Reserve, local administration and all concerned for further investigation into the issue.

Speaking at the meet, a representative of US Embassy in Kathmandu said, the case will remain open as long as the Saccos want.

They have also announced a cash reward of Rs 2 million for anyone who gives information on the whereabouts of the missing trekker.

Tourist flow increase in July 2011 

August 10, 2011

Tourist arrivals to Nepal via air in the month of July increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year. According to the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), a total of 35,212 visited the country in July. With the completion of seven months of 2011, total arrivals have crossed 280,000 which is 40 percent of the Nepal Tourism Year´s (NTY) 2011 target.

Nepal is planning to welcome 700,000 visitors via air and 300,000 visitors through land routes during the year. Figures show arrivals from South Asian region have gained an overall positive growth of 21.7 percent. Number of Indian tourists increased by 24.5 percent, Pakistani by 58 percent, and Sri Lankan by 70.8 percent during this period. However, arrivals from Bangladesh declined by 11.2 percent. Visitor arrivals from Asia, excluding South Asian market, recorded a growth of 56.6 percent. China, another major source market, recorded a phenomenal growth of 127 percent in tourist arrivals in July. Similarly, visitor arrivals from Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea increased by 18.9, 36 and 23.9 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Europe dropped by 5.6 percent during the month compared to July, 2010, due to fall in arrivals from Germany (43.3 percent), the Netherlands (24.1 percent) and Spain (21.1 percent). UK, France, and Belgium recorded positive growth of 7.1 percent, 4.7 percent and 31.4 percent respectively. Arrivals from US and Australia increased by 16.8 percent and 32 percent.

TAAN's 13th Eco-Trekking Workshop in Sukute, Sindhupalchok

August 10, 2011

Tourist arrivals to Nepal via air in the month of July increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year. According to the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), a total of 35,212 visited the country in July. With the completion of seven months of 2011, total arrivals have crossed 280,000 which is 40 percent of the Nepal Tourism Year´s (NTY) 2011 target.

Nepal is planning to welcome 700,000 visitors via air and 300,000 visitors through land routes during the year. Figures show arrivals from South Asian region have gained an overall positive growth of 21.7 percent. Number of Indian tourists increased by 24.5 percent, Pakistani by 58 percent, and Sri Lankan by 70.8 percent during this period. However, arrivals from Bangladesh declined by 11.2 percent. Visitor arrivals from Asia, excluding South Asian market, recorded a growth of 56.6 percent. China, another major source market, recorded a phenomenal growth of 127 percent in tourist arrivals in July. Similarly, visitor arrivals from Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea increased by 18.9, 36 and 23.9 percent respectively. However, arrivals from Europe dropped by 5.6 percent during the month compared to July, 2010, due to fall in arrivals from Germany (43.3 percent), the Netherlands (24.1 percent) and Spain (21.1 percent). UK, France, and Belgium recorded positive growth of 7.1 percent, 4.7 percent and 31.4 percent respectively. Arrivals from US and Australia increased by 16.8 percent and 32 percent.