Nepal Bags PATA Gold Awards 2012 for the third time

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) as the proud winner of the PATA Gold Awards 2012 in Marketing Media - Promotional CD Rom category held for PATA Travel Marketing Excellence Awards in year 2012.

Nepal Tourism Board had also won the PATA Gold Awards in same category in 2000 and 2005. NTB since its inception in 1998 has been emphasizing on e-marketing and applying contemporary technologies to outreach its widespread audience. This third achievement has been praised by multiple sectors, far and wide; PATA Gold Award 2012 is the outcome of NTB applying modern means in its promotional gadgets. In a way it reflects NTB's commitment and dedication in disseminating information in ultra modern manifestations.

In his letter to Nepal Tourism Board, Martin J Craigs, Chief Executive Officer, PATA informing about the awards writes, "Your award will be promoted in the 2012 PATA Gold Award winners' showcase CD-Rom that will be distributed at the Awards lunch, as well as be featured in the PATA Compass magazine, May/June issue. Information about the winning entries will also be on display at the conference."

The award winning promotional CD is based on 3D concept and amalgamates state of the art technologies of the present day. In other way, it is user friendly for entire range of users. 'This comprehensive CD is one touch solution for information on Nepal's multitude of tourism products ranging from nature, culture to adventure in most comprehensive formats, says Mr. Aditya Baral, Spokesperson of NTB and who has been instrumental in conceptualizing and producing all 3 award winning CD ROMs.

The award winning CD was designed to promote Nepal as an ace destination with the aim of showcasing Nepal as a country where the visitor can experience entire gamut of experiences that is availed under the sun (except Sea). There were 180 entries from 79 organizations and individuals from the Asia Pacific region this year for the PATA awards in the Promotional CD Rom category.

The awards ceremony will take place on April 21, 2012, Kuala Lumpur during PATA Annual Conference.

This achievement establishes another benchmark of excellence, innovation and advancement in the responsible development of travel and tourism in Nepal.

About PATA

The Pacific Asia Travel Association(PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible travel to the Pacific Asia region. It is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. PATA's uniquely structured organization and its far-reaching efforts have helped unite the many facets of tourism in the region. PATA provides leadership to the collective efforts of 41 national government members, 48 state and local tourism bodies, 66 airlines and cruise lines and nearly 2,000 travel industry companies.

Nepal captured center stage at TTF-OTM, Mumbai

Nepal Tourism Board's participation in TTF-OTM 2012, held from 17-19 February 2012 in Mumbai - the business capital of India- made a star presence in the show. The fourteen private travel/tour companies of Nepal, participated under NTB's banner, have done a very good business and been able to strengthen and establish good contacts with new tour companies of India, China, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Bhutan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Zimbawe, Russia.

A total of 18 National Tourism Organizations, 750 travel and tourism companies, exhibited their products and services to the approx 2500 trade and 15000 general visitors. The major inquires made by the visitors were in city sightseeing, heritage tours, soft adventure, and pilgrimage segments of tourism. NTB officials Mr. Deepak R Joshi and Mr. Anil Das had answered the visitors' queries during this travel and tourism fair. Pleasure to pilgrimage, Nepal was received as star performer. Unlike previous years, security concern was the least preference in visitors' inquiries. Nepal was also highlighted very positively by the local media during the show.

Since 2008, Nepal has recorded a sustained and valuable growth rate of 20+% with the largest share of Indian visitors. More aggressive marketing and sales promotions are expected from the travel trade to have a big and better bite of the current trend.

One World Travel Mart OTM (incorporating Travel and Tourism fair, TTF and outbound Travel Mart OTM) is the largest travel/tourism show of India. Bigger than before, OTM promised to be a great networking opportunity for the travel trade. It was also seemed a much -awaited event for travel-loving Mumbaikars.

Visit Lumbini Year 2012 showcased at the BIT Italy

Nepal Tourism Board participated in 32nd BIT International Tourism Exchange held in Milan, Italy from 16-19th Feb. 2012. The first two Trade only days followed by two public days was marked by extraordinary interest and curiosity from the Italian Travel Trade, media & general people alike. The number of new byers in the fair has increased by 43% with over 500 buyers from 50 countries.

For the first time, Nepal hosted media briefing receptions on 16th & 17th Feb where a large number of Italian media and Tour Operators attended. Ms. Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Sr Director NTB briefed the media about the recent travel trend in Nepal and also highlighted the Visit Lumbini Year 2012. Nepal seems to enjoy great recognition as a travel destination in Italy and there were no queries on safety and security issues. The press conference was co-ordinated by Mr. Paolo Nugari - Honorary PRR of NTB for Italy.

Four Travel & Trade Companies of Nepal viz Trek Nepal International, Wonderland Travels Nepal, Cho- Oyu Trekking & Yeti Travels participated in the fair under the NTB banner. Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa - Sr. Director & Mr. Kundan Sharma -Officer represented NTB in the fair.

Creative Travel Nepal Office Launched

Creative Travel India has opened its office in Nepal in collaboration with Yeti Holidays. Established in 1977, it is a success story of one man Mr. Ram Kohli. He envisioned that Asia, particularly India, Nepal and the neighbouring regions will be recognized as one of the best travel destinations placing them permanently in the hearts and minds of all kinds of travelers.

With the launch of a Nepal office, Creative Travel India and Yeti Holidays Nepal are aiming to repeat the same success in Nepal. The launching event was held at Gokarna Forest Resort. Mr. Ram Kohli, Chairman of Creative Travel India, Mr. Ang Tshiring Sherpa, MD of Yeti Group of companies in Nepal, Mr. Daman Pradhan, MD of Yeti Holidays and two Managing Directors from Creative Travel India, Mr. Rohit Kohli and Mr. Rajeev Kohli were present during the launch of Nepal's office.

Request of U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu

The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu encourages all U.S. citizens in Nepal to enroll with the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov/step or with the U.S. Embassy located in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu in person during business hours from Monday to Friday between 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm. The Embassy can be reached by email at consktm@state.gov or by phone at 400-7200 for more information or at http://nepal.usembassy.gov

NTB signs MoU with Kathmandu University for second edition of Tourism Journal

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has signed an agreement with Kathmandu University School of Arts (KU-SOA) to publish second edition of Journal "Nepal Tourism and Development Review". This second edition of Journal seeks to further refine and include burning issues in the tourism sectors covering various dimensions of tourism development and tourism's expanding engagement with climate change, ecotourism and sustainable development as a whole. The Journal provides research opportunities for academicians and practitioners focusing on aspects of the tourism planning and development.

Moreover, to carry out researches and studies from the academic perspective in order to provide analytical insights into the tourism sector NTB has also signed agreement with KU-SOA to support systematic and scientific tourism researches for tourism related issues. Tourism research has become increasingly important to assist the policy makers in decision making and planning for the tourism and interrelated sectors. The Journal and researches ensure that they contain authoritative texts and opinions which can serve as a way forward in the context of complex dynamism of global tourism.

Speaking on the occasion Mr.Mahesh Banskota, Dean-School of Arts, Kathmandu University, expressed that such kind of partnerships is pioneering as it encourage the exchange of knowledge and promote collaboration between academicians and practitioners. NTB, true to the spirit of partnerships, fosters partnerships with academic institutes for the development and promotion of the tourism sector in Nepal.

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