Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Nepalese tourism is growing because of attractions such as casinos, adventure sports like Everest skydiving and mountain biking in Nepal’s mountains, as well as international film and drama festivals. In October 2008, 50,567 tourists visited Nepal. Tourism Year 2011 has begun with a slogan “Together for Tourism.” This announcement anticipates at least one million international tourists in Nepal in the year 2011.

History

During the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, on May 28, 2008, the nation decided to celebrate Tourism Year in 2011. It was proposed by Tourism Minister Mrs. Hishila Yami. Hence, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, our national president, officially launched this government initiative at the Dasarath stadium in the capital amidst a grand celebration on 14 January 2011.^[1]

Objectives

The major objectives for 2011 include:

• establish Nepal as a choice of holiday destination with a clear brand image.
• improve and extend tourism related infrastructures in existing and new tourism sites.
• enhance the capacity of service providers.
• build community capacity in the new areas to cater to the needs of the tourists.
• promote domestic tourism for sustainability of industry.
  ^[2]

Strategies prepared by the government to make the tourism year successful are:

• focusing marketing and promotion activities on regional and emerging markets,
• exploration of new tourism market segments,
• highlighting the tourism brand: "Naturally Nepal; Once is not enough!",
• enhancement of air connectivity,
• Lobbying with the government for budget allocation to improve and expand tourism related activities infrastructures,
• attract and encourage private sector for investment in tourism,
• capacity building of human resources involved in tourism,
• lobbying with the government for intervention in domestic tourism development e.g., Amendment in the Transportation Act.
• promotion of domestic tourism by endorsing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) by the government,
• organize major sports events in association with tourism associations and stakeholders throughout the NTY 2011 (at least one event per month),^[2]

Arrangements

Considering the magnitude of the campaign, the Government of Nepal formed the Main Organising Committee under the convenership of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. The Committee consists of Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission as the Joint Convener and Secretaries of line Ministries; Chief of Metropolitan, Sub-Metropolitan cities and Municipalities; presidents of trade, travel trade and other related associations and institutions are nominated as Members. Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board has been designated as the Member-Secretary of the Committee.

Openings

The government declared a holiday in academic institutions in the valley on 14 January 2011 to celebrate Nepal Tourism Year.

Thousands, including top officials attended the inauguration ceremony which began at 11:30 a.m. at the Dasharath Stadium on 14 January 2011. The official programme ended at 3 p.m. ^[3]

According to Nepal Tourism Board, more than 20,000 guests and delegates graced the event that also marked an air show of motor paragliding by 21 pilots.^[1]

References

1. "Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadhar inaugurating the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division's Traffic FM radio station 95.6". Nepal News. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
2. "Nepal Tourism Year 2011". Nepal Tourism Board. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
3. "Nepal Tour Information Guide". Adcenture Land Nepal. Retrieved 2011-01-14.