Tourism Promotion Event held in London

On the occasion of the World Travel Market 2012, Nepal Tourism Board -- in cooperation with the Nepali embassy in London -- organised a Tourism Promotion Event at the embassy on Tuesday.

(From left) Officiating CEO Subash Niroula, Minister Bogati and ambassador Chalise at the event. (Photo courtesy: www.nepalisamajuk.com)

Addressing the programme, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Post Bahadur Bogati said that Nepal and UK had long and historic bilateral relations. He said there was very good response to the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign and about 800,000 tourists visited Nepal last year. He said Nepal had launched another new campaign Visit Lumbini Year and Nepal Investment Year 2012 and urged all for their active support and participation.

Nepal’s ambassador to the UK, Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise, said that the World Travel Market (WTM) was a major event that brought together major stakeholders in the areas of world tourism and provided an excellent opportunity to promote tourism in Nepal. He further said due to geographical advantage, Nepal remains a unique destination for European and North American tourists interested in adventure and nature tourism. He informed that the number of British tourists visiting Nepal increased by 27 per cent in 2011.

Making an audio-visual presentation, officiating CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Subash Niroula, said Nepal is known as one of the most exotic destinations for tourists from around the world. He said Nepal is a home of ten UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites and offered a range of tourism products catering to a whole range of tourists interested in trekking, mountaineering, leisure or mind/body/soul. He said Nepal also offered unconventional tourism products like Home Stay, Volunteer Tourism, Traditional Wedding and Agro Tourism.

Mr Niroula said in partnership with other stakeholders, NTB was working to increase the number of tourists visiting Nepal and also increase their average stay from current ten days to 14 days. “Naturally Nepal: Once is Not Enough” is our motto and we are working hard to disseminate this message, he added.

Delivering vote of thanks, director of Tourism Marketing department at the NTB, Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, said Nepal has been designated as one of the top ten value destinations for 2013 by Lonely Planet, a leading travel guide publications. She also urged all to join hands with the NTB to promote tourism in Nepal.

Leading UK-based tour operators, travel agents, Nepalese entrepreneurs and members of media were present in the programme. nepalnews.com