Trekkers’ Alert: Nepal Visas to Double in Price

Visa prices for Nepal are scheduled to double beginning Oct. 14. The new prices will be $20 for a single-entry visa, $40 to enter and re-enter the country one time, and $80 for a multiple-entry visa. Visa extentions (beyond the usual 30 days) will cost $5 per week for up to four weeks, then $10 per week for the fifth through eighth weeks.

Travelers applying for trekking permits or visa extentions in the Himalayan nation now also must show bank receipts establishing that they’ve exchanged $20 for Nepalese rupees for every day they want to trek or extend their visas. This requirement usually doesn’t affect travelers booked with trekking companies because those companies routinely obtain the necessary permits.

The maximum time that a person can remain in Nepal each year remains four months, with no more than three of those months consecutive.

Ticket Prices: The Department of Transportation is considering regulations that could mean lower airline ticket prices for the consumer. DOT has asked reservations system vendors--the airline-connected companies that provide travel agents with computerized airline schedules and prices--to keep track of the length of time it takes and the ease involved in making bookings on both the company’s sponsoring airline and on other airlines. DOT is trying to find out if the reservations systems are biased toward their parent airline companies. Two of the largest are Sabre and Apollo, the reservations systems controlled by American Airlines and United Airlines.

In the past, DOT has found that, even though computer reservations systems provide schedules and prices for all carriers, travel agents are more likely to book clients with the airline that owns the system because the agent can do it more easily. “What this means is that bookings may be made based upon convenience to the agent, rather than on lowest possible price or other factors important to the traveler,” a DOT spokesman said.

The vendors have until the end of this month to provide information. Changes in regulations could occur as early as this fall, according to DOT. Current rules expire at the end of November.

Travel Quiz: Where is the lowest point on Earth and what countries share it?

Quick Fact: In 1990, 45% of air travelers had incomes above $40,000; 24% had incomes above $60,000. (Source: Air Transport Assn.)

Witches of Salem: The city of Salem, Mass., will recognize the 300th anniversary of the 1692 witch trials with a year-long series of educational and recreational programs, activities and events. Beginning Nov. 14, playwright Arthur Miller, who wrote “The Crucible” (a play centering on the Salem witchcraft trials), will participate in unveiling of the winning design for a permanent memorial to the victims of the trials. The memorial is the centerpiece of the tercentenary commemoration, which is aimed at promoting a world spirit of tolerance and understanding. Next year will offer a series of events, including a televised reconstruction of the witch trials and a concert for human rights. For more information, call (508) 745-9595.

Lesson From Venice: An exhibition on the Celts, the first Europeans of more than 2,000 years ago, could be a lesson for the New Europe. Once a series of warring tribes inhabiting land that stretched from the Atlantic to Central Europe, the Celts had common customs and traditions yet were never able to politically unite. As a result, they were conquered by Germanic tribes and Romans. With Europe uniting under the European Community, the idea behind the exhibition assembled in a canal-side palace in Venice is particularly interesting. In addition to being a lesson in history, it contains great art--housewares, jewelry and sculptures contributed by more than 200 museums. The exhibit, with an admission price of about $8, is open daily at Palazzo Grassi through Dec. 8.

Comparatively Speaking: Average cost of 36 Alka-Seltzer tablets in Cologne, Germany: $9.75. In Sydney, Australia: $5.35. In Caracas, Venezuela: $2.20. In Johannesburg, South Africa: 73 cents. (Source: Runzheimer International.)

Doing the Wave: Surfers can get the latest nationwide wave report and forecast by phoning SURFline, a hot line that predicts wave conditions up to 10 days ahead. The same number gives ski, snowboard and bodyboard reports for the West: (900) 976-SURF (85 cents a minute).

Best in the Air: Singapore Airlines, which flies between Los Angeles and Tokyo, Taipei and Singapore, with connections to Australia, has just been named “World’s Best Airline” for 1991--and for the fourth consecutive year--by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Previously this year, Singapore was named “Best Airline in the World” for the third consecutive year by Business Traveler International, and, also for the third consecutive year, winner in the Asian Airline category in Financial World magazine’s “Best of Everything” survey.

Fair Warning: Clam digging for prizes, a Clam Festival queen pageant, Clam Festival Parade and plenty of clam chowder will be part of the festivities at the Pismo Beach 45th Annual Clam Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 18-20. Held in the area surrounding the Pismo Beach Pier, the festival will also include sand sculpture, kite flying and bodyboard contests, a fishing derby, volleyball tournament, free live entertainment and food and games booths. For more information, call (800) 443-7778.

Quiz Answer: The Dead Sea, which sits 1,302 feet below sea level. The saltiest body of water in the world, it forms part of the border between Israel and Jordan. Few plants and no fish--except brine shrimp--live in its waters.