The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Friday urged the Nepali mission envoys in the North America to make an effective dissemination of the country’s potential.
The newly appointed ambassadors to the United States and Canada, Shankar Sharma and Bhoj Raj Ghimire respectively are scheduled to departure to their respective countries of assignment shortly.
Focusing on the tourism business prospect of mutual interest between the two countries, the NTB suggested the envoys to perform actively, in regard to remove the negative travel advisories that had been gripped the people’s mindset outside.
Nepal is still not considered as feasible tourist destination due to negative travel advisory, said Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at NTB. “Negative international media coverage on Nepal’s stability and security can hinder the visitors flow,” he said.
He said that existence of Nepali missions abroad could fulfill the absence of the physical presence of Nepalese tourism industry.
The NTB has targeted over 50,000 visitors from the North American destination on the upcoming NTY-2011. The Nepal tourism industry, which is the major foreign exchange and employment generator have witnessed 5.5 percent visitor’s growth in September compared to the corresponding period last year.
In the gross foreign exchange earning, the year 2008 recorded US$350 million as against US$230.6 million of the previous year. The amount surged by over 54 per cent in the first eight month of this year, the NTB said.
Of the total visitors recorded until the September this month, the visitors from the North America has contribution of 10 percent.
Nepal has been placed in top ten travel destinations in 2010 in the world along with El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, Suriname and the United States.
The Lonely Planet “Best in Travel 2010″ has listed Nepal as one of the top ten travel destinations.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the progress in Nepal peace process and growing tourist attraction towards Nepal was the reason behind that Nepal placed to top 10 travel destination.
It said that through this move Nepal’s upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011 would get a big boost.
“This is a collection of destinations and experiences that we rate as the stuff people really should consider for next year. Whatever your own style dictates, you should be able to find inspiration in these destinations,” Adam Bennett, manager of Asia-Pacific communications said.
“They’ll take you from the familiar to the far away, both geographically and culturally, and more than likely have you reaching for your travel bag,” Adam Bennett said.
The list released on Monday is The Lonely Planet’s fifth in its annual collection of the best places to go and things to do in the year ahead.
After three years of suspension Kathmandu-Lhasa bus facilities, the northern neighbor once again has shown interest in resuming the facilities that will boost tourism sector of the both countries for mutual benefit.
Sangping Wang, Deputy Director General of Tibet Tourism Administration Sunday said that Tibet would resume Kathmandu-Lhasa services from February 20010.
The delegations are here to participate in a two-day Third Joint Coordination Committee Meeting for the Promotion of the tourism between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China.
Wang said that the tourism sector of the both countries would be promoted by the mutual cooperation.
He said that Nepal and China had immense potential and promoting these potential sectors could reap positive to both countries. He said that joint effort was necessary for enhancing and strengthening the tourism sector.
Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, Subash Niraula said that many Chinese tourists are expected to visit Nepal during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
He urged the delegation to send more Chinese to Nepal. He said that the meeting would be platform for increasing the numbers of tourists from Tibet during the NTY 2011.
In 2008, Nepal received around 500,000 visitors, including 35,000 Chinese. This October, there was an increase of 116.4 per cent in the total tourist arrivals from China to Nepal compared to the same period last year.
A visiting business delegation from Palpa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has urged the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) to promote Palpa district as a tourist spot.
Bhushan Rajalwat president of PCCI met FNCCI’s president Kush Kumar Joshi and vice-presidents Krishna Prasad Tamrakar and Pradeep Jung Pandey and urged to give emphasis to promote Palpa potential.
The Palpali entrepreneurs also asked for FNCCI’s support in lobbying to build the Butwal-Tansen fast-track road and include it in the world heritage sites list.
The team also urged FNCCI to include Palpa in the ‘One village, One product’ (OVOP) program and open a skill development centre there.
On the occasion, Joshi assured that FNCCI will give its best effort to developing Palpa as a major tourist destination of Nepal.
Tourist Arrival to Nepal in January –August 2009 by air (Tribhuvan International Airport)
Overall tourist arrival in august has marked a 5% increased compared to the same period of last year.
Months Total visitors ( 2008) Total Visitors (2009) Indians Visitors (2008) Indian Visitors (2009)
January 26064 21944 6440 5309
February 56105 47125 12781 11359
March 40032 33005 7371 5551
April 32665 37819 6523 8303
May 26460 25129 10791 9324
June 21901 23222 11427 10741
July 21203 23266 7330 7664
August 26313 27676 7927 7145
Total visitors 2008 Total visitors 2009 Indian visitors 2008 Indian visitors 2009
January 26064 21944 6440 5309
February 56105 47125 12781 11359
March 40032 33005 7371 5551
April 32665 37819 6523 8303
May 26460 25129 10791 9324
June 21901 23222 11427 10741
July 21203 23266 7330 7664
August 26313 27676 7927 7145
