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Nepal's tourism promotion programme in Germany

As part of the ongoing annual activities of the Embassy of Nepal in Germany in connection to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany, the Embassy in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Nepal in Frankfurt, organised an interactive luncheon programme on the theme of Nepal's tourism potentials in the light of political and security transformation in Nepal at the Frankfurt Press Club in Frankfurt on 9th of July 2008. About forty travel/tour operators, travel writers, Airlines representatives and journalists were present during the occasion. Ambassador of Nepal to Germany Dr. Madan Kumar Bhattarai welcomed the participants and dwelt on extremely cordial and excellent relations so happily existing between Nepal and Germany.

The Ambassador emphasized that tourism was one of the most promising areas for further strengthening bilateral co-operation between Nepal and Germany. German trekkers, mountaineers and other kinds of tourists visit Nepal and have been instrumental in promoting the country through repeated visits and propagation of Nepal as a safe, durable and unique destination, Ambassador Bhattarai added. He further said that the Nepal Tourism Board had launched a new brand, 'Naturally Nepal: Once is not Enough' to invite both new and old travellers to Nepal. He invited the journalists and travel writers to personally visit Nepal and make their own judgment on the peaceful and exclusive natural paradise as Nepal is justly known throughout the world.

The Ambassador informed the participants that the Nepal Tourism Board has launched 'Send Home a Friend' programme taking into account the presence of a significant number of Nepalese people in various parts of the world to further enhance the growth of international tourism of Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Honorary Consul of Nepal for Frankfurt and President of German-Asian Business Circle Mr. Bodo Krueger spoke on the tourism potentials of Nepal and requested German travel and tour operators to cooperate for the promotion of tourism between Nepal and Germany.

On the occasion, power point presentation highlighting the tourism potentials of Nepal as prepared by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) was shown. The Honorary Consulate also showed a film on Nepal that was prepared by a team of German journalists that was in Nepal in November 2007 to highlight the tourism potentials of Nepal as a unique and safe destination. The film covered the places of scenic, historical, archaeological and cultural interest of Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini.

The Ambassador and the Honorary Consul answered various queries from the participants regarding the security and political situation in Nepal, necessity of diversification of Nepalese tourism products, need to focus more on cultural richness of Nepal rather than merely depending on nature-related promotion, direct air connectivity.

Australia a focus for the future of Nepalese tourism
 
The first week of July saw the beginning of Nepal Tourism Board's Sales Mission to East Coast Australia. In recognition of the importance of tourism to Nepal's economy the Nepal Tourism Board has undertaken a series of international sales missions to various countries identified as either key or emerging markets for Nepal.. Australia generating approximately 10,000 visitors per annum has been identified as having potential for market expansion. Travel from Australia to Nepal has been steadily growing over the last few years, with astounding 42% in 2007, and by broadening the product offering in the market, Nepal is confident of sustained growth.

In support of this belief, was recent tourism market research which indicated that Australian travellers are seeking new experiences and new destinations when they travel One of their key requirements is that the destination is real and the travel experience authentic. The main segments of outbound travellers from Australia are Backpacker/Youth and "Baby Boomers. Travel and enjoyment of life is a key motivation for this sector. To attract these segments the sales mission was an endeavour to explain the Australian agents just what Nepal has to offer their clients.

Famous for its iconic Mt. Everest and the Himalayas, the sales mission stressed that Nepal is more than that and has a plethora of experiences for the visitor:
· Chitwan National Park
· Birthplace of Budha - more than a 1000 monasteries
· The Snow Leopard
· The legendary Gurkha warriors.

The culture, history, wildlife and golfing were all highlighted as activities appealing to Australians. The lucrative (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) MICE market was also promoted where, in an endeavour to source new and exciting MICE experiences to a jaded corporate community, agents should consider Nepal.

The Sales Mission ran over one week 30th June - 4th July commencing in Melbourne where some 75 agents and media attended the workshop to meet with the participating Nepalese operators who represented Nepal's private sector. The participants were:
Mr. Ravi Chandra Hamal - AmaDablam Adventures
Mr. Shree Man Singh- Insight Nepal Tours & Travel
Mr. Gyalgin Sherpa - South Asian Holidays
The evening was opened by the newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Australia Mr. Yogendra Dhakal who welcomed attendees and stressed the value of tourism to Nepal. This welcome was followed by an address by the Tourism Secretary of Nepal, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, presenting an overview of the government's vision for tourism in the future. Mr. Aditya Baral, Director of Nepal Tourism Board ( now on deputation as Advisor- Foreign Relations to the Prime Minister), reassured the attendees of the commitment to safety and security for the valued tourist from Australia.

In Sydney the Sales Mission attracted in excess of 140 people wanting to learn about Nepal and the week concluded in Brisbane with 45 agents attending a breakfast workshop where the Mr Michael Wille from Nepal Consulate in Brisbane offered his assistance to the industry in helping to secure group business for Nepal through providing talks on Nepal, advice and information on the destination. This was particularly relevant as several of the agents attending were specifically at the breakfast because they had travellers for 2009.

At each Workshop there were two lucky draws, the first an 8 day trip for two to Nepal and the second a gift voucher of $200 from the Kathmandu store. The Winners of the 8 day trip to Nepal were:
Melbourne Nathan Ward - Agent Sales Peregrine & Gecko's Adventures
Sydney Beth Farrugia, Special Groups Consultant, Wendy Wu Tours
Brisbane Guy Clothier,Travel Consultant, Student Flights

As an inaugural event, all participating felt that it was time and effort well spent. The receipt of emailed thanks from various agents who attended the Workshops also attested to the value they perceived they gained from hearing about Nepal. It is hoped that these tourism initiatives will be an annual event.

Visitors Arrival in June 2008 (by air only)
 
July 2, 2008
Marginal decrease in tourist arrivals in June
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that visitor arrivals to Nepal increased by 6 % with total 177163 visitors till June 2008. However, the arrival figure in June has been decreased by 7% to 21900. In the European market, Netherlands and Denmark recorded a strong increase by 20% and 35 % respectively.

Among the major tourist generating markets UK and France registered a growth of 2% and 8% whereas USA and Spain had a negative growth of 7% each and Germany 31%. Indian market recorded a negative growth of 8%, nevertheless this market alone contributed 52 % in the total arrivals for this month. Overall, the Asian market registered a commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of 64% from Bangladesh, 73 % from Pakistan, 46% from Sri Lanka and 42 % from Singapore.

Nepal's Sales Mission to the US completed successfully
 
June 29, 2008
As Nepal has recently ushered into one of the most important political changes in its recent history, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) the national tourism organization of the country organized a Sales Mission in the key cities of the United States of America from June 20 to 27, 2008.

After the successful completion of the Constitutional Assembly elections and declaration of Nepal as a Republic, the Nepalese delegation met and interacted with the US media, travel agencies and tour operators in the key outbound cities of Los Angeles (June 20), San Francisco (June 23), Denver (June 24), Washington DC (June 26) and New York city (June 27) during the Sales Mission programs.

The Nepalese delegation comprising of five private sector tourism companies was led by the Chief Executive Officer of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha and supported by the Nepal Embassy in Washington DC and the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York.

CEO of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha informed the US media and trade that with Nepal being declared the youngest republic, the Nepalese travel trade industry was ready to take up the challenge to institutionalize the new system. Saying that tourism in Nepal was not a choice but a compulsion, Mr. Shrestha explained the vital role that the tourism industry played in the socio-economic sector of the country.

Explaining the segmentation of the "Naturally Nepal – Once is not Enough" brand under Weekend Breaks, Experience of a Lifetime and Amazing Adventures, Mr. Shrestha elaborated the unmatchable tourism products, attractions and the services that Nepal has to offer to the visitors from the US. As arrivals from the US had already shown upward trend, he was confident that the Sales Mission would help in disseminating the positive information on Nepal and further boosting tourist arrivals in the days ahead.

Speaking at the programs in Washington DC and New York respectively, Excellencies Dr. Suresh Raj Chalise, Ambassador of Nepal to US and Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations stressed that since safely and security were no longer any issues, the Nepali tourism industry was all geared up to welcome the visitors from the US. They emphasized on the key role of tourism in the new Republic and the importance that the Government had given to the tourism industry. They assured all present that the Embassy and the Permanent Mission would extend all possible cooperation to the outbound operators and media in the US as well as cooperate fully with NTB in destination promotion.

NTB under its brand "Naturally Nepal – Once is not Enough" has been focusing in the US market with various once in a life time adventure packages. The drive of the new tourism brand is reinventing Nepal's natural and cultural diversity while stressing on sustainability and environmental tourism efforts. The Nepal brand focuses on sharing the warm Nepalese hospitality, friendly culture and rich history.

This year till May 2008, the total tourist arrival has shown an increase of 8% as compared to the same period in 2007. The increase in the US arrival is a robust 25% compared to the same period in 2007.

The five private sector companies taking part in the Sales Mission were: Cho-Oyu Trekking, Royal Mt. Trekking, Shangrila Tours, Sherpa Brother Treks & Expeditions and Yeti Travels.