How Can I Send My Friend Home, Nepal?

“Send Home a Friend” is really an attractive slogan, and ambitious too, as it has the possibility of giving a boost to Nepal’s tourism and economic development.

By Sanu B. Tamrakar

The government has announced Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the second after Visit Nepal Year 1998. First one was completed well but many issues left behind from the political attitudes, formation of a number of governments within the period and lack of preparation from the government and its civil servants. The private sector that proposed and encouraged the government did well with great frustration. They tried to achieve but Nepali people were never informed about the programme’s success and failure officially.

Again, the private sector is very encouraged with the programme and is extending it through various means. Still the government is uncertain how it is going to make the programme a success. Worst political game is still going on. Civil servants are not prepared yet. They don’t have any specific programme to join hands with the private sector and even the main stakeholders are not identified properly. No programme have been publicised except the participation of few international tourism exhibitions. General people who may contribute to make the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success by involving in various cultural, social and traditional programmes in their own areas are not covered by such an ambitious programme. Therefore, none of the local projects are being executed in the areas, especially inside Kathmandu Valley, a rich heritage of culture.

Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is publicising the programme through their websites and organising different social activities with “Send Home a Friend”, a slogan coined by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). This is really an attractive slogan, and ambitious too, as it has the possibility of giving a boost to Nepal’s tourism and economic development. Every Nepali abroad should encourage their foreign friends to visit Nepal and have a close encounter to the Himalayan nation’s naturally beauty. There is no doubt that Nepal has many places for hiking, trekking and adventure sports. Many foreigners know about Nepal and Nepali people. Many of them repeatedly visit Nepal for their vacation due to peace in the country before the Maoist conflict started. Nepalis must not forget that Nepal-loving foreigners also helping Nepal and its people by raising funds from well-wishers for schools, scholarships and development projects. These well wishers are also helping Nepal’s tourism and economic development directly or indirectly. The Nepal government and the private sector should recognise their contributions.

I also want to be part of this programme by trying to send people known to me abroad. Many friends are already in contact with me, showing their interest to visit Nepal. Some of them are interested to invest in Nepal in agriculture industries, some of them are keen on starting export on Nepali products to East Asian and European countries as they are well established in Singapore. Many other people like to visit to Buddhist places like Soyambhu, Lumbini etc. Most of my European colleagues are interested to reach up to the base camp of Mount Everest or Annapurna after they were told about their attractions.

But, when I think about encouraging them to visit Nepal at this moment I sometimes ask myself about the Nepal’s current situation. And, I feel it would be unfair when I imagine any of my colleagues visiting Nepal and suffering from current chaos, strikes and blockades taking place in Nepal. I asked to myself what will happen If:

• They get stranded at the airport due to strike of the staff, transportation strike by trade unions or a bandh organised by a student union, a political party or an ethnic group.
• They are forcefully checked out from the hotel because of the strike of the hotel staff or trade unions.
• They get stranded somewhere outside Kathmandu due to strike in the capital valley.
• They stranded in the middle of the road by unexpected traffic blockade after road accidents or strikes
• They are robbed while travelling or kidnapped and asked for ransom.
• They see our uncontrolled traffic system in Kathmandu valley, uncontrolled driving and parking systems in even in main tourist spots.
• They see garbage piped up right on the main roads.
• They are faced with hours of daily load shedding.
• They find security system going out of control.

So, the tourists, no matter they are my colleagues or others, will suffer a lot even a small scale these problems occur during their travel in Nepal. Definitely, I will get negative feedbacks from such friends if they suffer during their visits, but they will also spread the negative information to their own people. In that case how am I supposed to send my friend home again? One does not need to mention what negative publicity means to the tourism industry.

Therefore concerned government authorities should be able to ensure that would not are not confronted with such problems. If the Nepal’s situation becomes normal, if there is guarantee of peace and security, millions of foreigners will come to Nepal.

(Tamrakar currently works with UN Integrated Mission in Dili, East Timor. Email: tamrakar@un.org)

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to editors@mos.com.np)

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