Big Ideas work positively in tourism
Mr. Renton de Alwis, Chairman of Sri-Lankan Tourism Authority making a special presentation on "Tourism marketing- problems and challenges ahead", on February 29, 2008 stressed the need for aggressive marketing of Nepali tourism products in an international arena. A presentation cum interaction program was organized in the premises of Nepal Tourism Board on the advent of designating special tourism campaign slated for 2010. In a reference to "Visit Nepal Year 1998"(VNY 98) Mr. Alwis said "Sri-Lanka could manage to organize Visit Sri-Lanka Year a year before only". He said the best practices of VNY 98 would be instrumental in making forthcoming tourism campaign a success.

The Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board and the private sector tourism industry of Nepal are working hard to effectively market Nepal in the changed scenario with new marketing strategy to repositioning the image of the country as a prime tourism destination. Mr. Alwis having already worked in Nepal for two years as an Technical Advisor to UNDP-Project for Quality Tourism, has fair knowledge about tourism issues of Nepal. He during interaction said the situation in Nepal is far good than Sri-Lanka, which is reeling under the shadow of terrorism. Mr. Alwis asked tourism fraternity to be aware of the fact that managing growth is more arduous than gaining growth. He emphasized in working in big ideas in tourism which, in his opinion, could create a huge international marketing needed for a destination.

In a program participated by the honchos of tourism fraternity, Mr. Prachanda M. Sherstha, CEO, NTB welcomed Mr. Alwis and hoped to work further together. Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung was the gues of honor of the program. Mr. Leela Mani Poudyal, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation thanking for the generous participation from tourism entrepreneurs and academicians said all the suggestions made during the program would seriously be taken for future plans.

Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%
The beginning of the New Year 2008 has heralded an optimistic tourism growth in Nepal in 2008. The data released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that arrivals in January has grown by 12.9 %, up by 2985 compared to the same month last year.

Although decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2%) and Sri Lanka (-12.5%) have dragged down the total arrivals from SAARC region by 7 %, the European and North American markets have registered robust growth of 33.1 % and 34.3 % respectively. China (96.8%), S. Korea (5.1%), Thailand (23.2 %) and Malaysia (12.1 %) have posted a remarkable growth. It is very notable that contribution of S. Korean market in the total arrivals has come to be very significant. It has contributed more than 10 % in the total arrivals and; it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoul. The Japanese market is down by 15.3 % which could be due to irregular air service of national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan.

All the European markets have shown positive growth this month, except Austria (-7.5%). The UK (33.9 %), France (78.5 %), Germany (4.5 %), Spain (28.5 %), and Netherlands (36.5 %) have recorded a significant growth showing increased consumer confidence towards the destination.

It is expected that more tourists will travel to Nepal in days to come because of easy accessibility from long haul destinations and forthcoming tourist season.

Nepal's first time participation in Nordic Travel Fair MATKA 2008
Nepal Tourism Board along with four Nepalese private travel companies namely Mountain Adventure Trekking, Snowland Travel and Tours, Makalu Adventure and Sahara Worldwide Travels and Tours actively participated for the first time in Nordic Travel Fair Matka 2008, the biggest travel event in Nordic and Baltic region, held from January 17 to 20, 2008 in Helsinki, Finland.

Inaugurated by Dr. Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Government of Finland, the fair had good response from the tour operators and professionals on the first day specially those from nearby Estonia and St. Petersberg. The next three days were aimed at consumers, considering the trend of the Finnish travelers who normally shop around for the holiday destinations during winter. There were 1,100 exhibitors from 77 countries occupying the space of 16,000 sq. meters. Visited by 9178 tour operators and 85000 consumers, the fair showed an encouraging prospect of Nepalese tourism in Finnish as well as North European market.

A long feature article on Himalayas of Nepal and cultural heritage in the MATKA issue of Panorama magazine, written and edited by Mr. Reijo Harkonen, Honorary PRR for NTB, fetched good interest from quite a number of visitors in the Fair. In addition to that, another beautiful article published in "Helsingin Sanomat"- popular daily newspaper with the circulation of 450,000 - on the third day of the fair, January 19, 2008 about Annapurna trekking made the visitors even more curious about Nepal in general and trekking in particular. Inquiries about Nepal by the visitors were tremendous. According to the response of the visitors, they seemed more interested in trekking. Yet, other natural and cultural products have not lost any charm among the Finnish people.

There are more than 10 Nepalese Restaurants, very much well known among the locals, in Helsinki. Their observation about the Finnish people's interest about Nepal shows a great hope and prospect of the growth of Nepalese tourism in Finland. In fact, they can be very good platforms to increase the awareness about Nepal's diverse tourism attractions. The active Nepali diaspora in Finland have played a significant role in generating public awareness about Nepal and cultivating interests in them to visit Nepal.

Finland's national carrier Finn Air has published special fares for Helsinki/Delhi & Helsinki/Mumbai sectors for MATKA 2008 making it "Fast & Easy" travel to Nepal as well. Very soon they are going to come out with a special Pro Rata basis fare for Helsinki/KTM via Delhi. This definitely is a positive sign that supports NTB's first ever participation in Finland along with the Nepalese travel trade.

Sir Edmund Hillary will always live in Nepali hearts
A condolence meeting was organized on January 15, 2008 in memory of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first summiteer of Mt. Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary passed away at a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand on January 10, 2008, at the age of 88. Prayers were performed as per the Buddhist and Hindus tradition where Lamas and Batuks chanted sacred Mantras for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung, Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation committed that he would take proposal to the Cabinet Meeting to name Lukla Airport as Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Mr. Jyoti Adhikari, President of Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal proposed for the different awards in the memory of Tenzing and Hillary and requested tourism industry and the ministry for the approval.

Miss Elizabeth Hawley, Executive Director of Himalayan Trust sending her message to the condolence meeting said that the loss of Sir Edmund Hillary would be felt all over the world.

Discussion on New Tourism Campaign held
In order to capitalise the positive affect shown by the tourist arrivals in 2007, a meeting was organised on January 6, 2008 at the Ministry of for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung to explore the new avenue for tourism industry in the changed context of Nepal. The meeting was attended by the president of various travel trade associations and high government officials.

In the meeting various issues were discussed pertaining to tourism infrastructure, safety and security of tourists and celebrating special campaign for tourism. It was also discussed in the meeting urging the government to provide high priority to the tourism and tourism related campaign. Addressing the meeting Minister Gurung said that the government would announce the tourism campaign after doing proper homework in appropriate time. He also stressed there should be the synergy between tourism and overall development of the country.

Analyzing the pros and cons of tourism campaign, the Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Leela Mani Poudel requested all tourism related associations to come up with proper homework for new tourism campaign for further discussion. Sharing his experience of the past, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha said that it is necessary to imbibe the target, objectives and results of Visit Nepal Year '98 while declaring the new tourism campaign setting new indicators for its successful implementation.