Erik Andres Henell has won the title of Soaltee Crowne Plaza Annual Golf Tournament 2015 played at Gokarna Forest Resort. Henell won the event by defeating defending champion Ang Dorjee Sherpa. Playing with 9 handicap, Henell scored 41 stableford points. He scored 21 points on the front nine and added 20 points on the back nine.  

 

Ang Dorjee playing with 11 handicap who scored 23 on the front nine but only added 18 on the back nine had to settle for Runner-up prize. Tashi Tshiring scored 39 gross points to clinch the best gross title. Rekha Ghimire won the ladies category with 34 Stableford. Dr Rita Thapa finished runner-up in the ladies category with 28 points. 

 

Rabindra Raj Pandey won the senior category (age 60 and above) with 37 points, Daman Ghale was runner-up with 33 points. KNS Thapa won the Super Senior category (age 70 and above) with 33 points. Aditi Ghimire scored 39 points to claim the junior winner prize. Sam Doublard was winner amongst the sub-juniors (age 12 and under) with 31 points.

 

Dr Bhek Bahadur Thapa won the closest to the pin and Honorary Consul of Mongolia Tsetan G Shrestha won the longest drive. A total of 75 golfers took part in the tournament including seven juniors and five ladies. The tournament was played over 18 holes on a Stableford format with 3/4 handicap allowance.

 

Etihad Airways has won the ‘Airline of the Year’ title at the 2015 Aviation 100 Awards organised by Airline Economics magazine. The awards are voted for by the industry and recognise outstanding achievement in the aerospace sector.

 

The awards follow a milestone year for Etihad which saw a huge leap in its level of growth, innovation and service.  In 2014, the airline launched 10 new routes including three in North America, and injected significant investment into new equity partnerships. Last year, Etihad Airways also revealed a brand new look with new livery, uniforms and onboard offerings

 

“We are immensely proud that the achievements we made in 2014 have been recognised by our peers in the industry. These awards remind us of the significant progress the airline has made in such a short space of time,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways James Hogan.

 

Malaysia’s Malindo Air has officially launches its new 7-times weekly flight services from Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur as the latest international destination to the airline’s growing network. According to the airline, the flights will be operated by Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with the flight departing Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6:55 PM and arriving in Tribhuvan International Airport at 9:30 PM. The return flight will depart Kathmandu at 10:20 PM and land in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5:20 AM Malaysian time. 

 

“We are very pleased to bring Malaysians closer to the mountainous range of Annapurna and the Himalayas, the perfect setting for yet another exhilarating destination to discover in Asia. This route reinforces our commitment to provide an affordable yet comfortable option for travel for customers who look for added value and services in their travel plans,” said CEO of Malindo Air Chandran Rama Murthy. 

 

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) along with fifteen private companies participated in PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart in Thimpu, Bhutan from February 4 to 7, 2015. According to a statement from NTB, the Conference showcased tourism attractions with a definite brand image of Nepal as the adventure capital of the world. “The conference not only deliberated on various issues pertaining adventure 

 

tourism but also highlighted travellers’ preference and latest updates on global tourism trend in the Asia Pacific region,” says the statement.  While visiting Nepal stall during the mart, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay showed keen interest in tourism trend of Nepal. “We should work together for the mutual benefits of both the countries,” said Tobgay.