Mt. Everest Diamond Jubilee Highlighted in East India Sales Mission 2013

East India Sales Mission began with a beat on the special announcement of Mt. Everest Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2013 amongst the prominent media and Tour Operators. As a part of celebration and promotion of the campaign, prominent journalists/ media officials from Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Ranchi were provided the 3 nights and 4 days travel package through lucky draw to be hosted in Nepal from 27-29 May, 2013.This announcement drew a very special attention and the concern of media with lot of queries regarding the campaign, its initiatives and the programs being observed during this celebration.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in its continuous effort of promoting Nepal in Indian market jointly paved its way on a 3-city road show with prominent Nepalese Travel companies Yeti Travels & Precious Travels & Tours. The promotional campaign specially aimed at increasing awareness and educating the Indian travellers on Nepals tourism products and offerings. The road show made its target to prominent cities of economic hub in East India i.e;  Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Ranchi on 23 April, 25 April and 27 April 2013 respectively. The road show comprised of two major segments; Media interaction and B2B among the travel trade from Nepal and India. Leading local and national media partners like The Telegraph, Nava Bharat, Hindustan along with the officials from electronic media made their representation in the program.

Mr. Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Consulate General of Nepal for Kolkata and Mrs. Maitree Ray, NTB Honorary PRR made their presence during the Kolkata event on 23 April, 2013. The Consulate General of Nepal interacted with the media and handled with few queries regarding the safety and security system along with the air connectivity issues of Nepal Airlines, the National  flag carrier to Calcutta.
 
Nepal has always been a very popular destination among Indians as a recreational, shopping and pilgrimage destination. The interactive program during the Sales Mission helped to position the country as a prominent destination amongst Hindus across the world. Earlier known as the only Hindu Kingdom of the world, Nepal is thronged with thousands of Shiva-devotees especially during Mahashivaratri to pay homage to Pashupatinath.

The power point presentation made to the media and Tour Operators  along with the brand montage and video shown during the campaign  also highlighted on  exclusive and luxury tourism products in terms of Casinos, Golf, Dining, Nightlife, Shopping of Indigenous Handicrafts, Woodworks, Pashmina, Carpets, Clothing, Souvenirs, Jewelery & Electronics. Weekend Breaks, Spiritual Weekends, Family Weekends & Adventure Weekends were focused more for the Indian families those who travel to Nepal.

Coordinated by the Blue Square consultant India, NTB was officially represented by Madan Lamichhane , officer from Tourism Marketing & Promotion Department. The event was successfully completed on 27th April, 2013 in Ranchi. 

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'Nepal Day' event organised in Germany

The 24th Nepal Day event concluded in Cologne, Germany, on Sunday. The two day event, organised by the German Nepal Friendship Association (GNFA) had the main theme “Nepal Change: Change Nepal” this year.
 
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Nepal’s ambassador to Germany, Suresh Prasad Pradhan, said Germany remains an important development partner of Nepal and German cooperation in Nepal’s development remains exemplary. He also lauded German people’s love and affection towards Nepal and expressed hope that these relations would further strengthen in the days to come.

Pradhan also held interaction with Nepali students studying in Germany later.

In a message, German ambassador to Nepal, Frank Meyke, said Nepal and Germany enjoy over more than half a century long close ties between the two countries and their people. This close and friendly relationship is particularly well reflected by the comprehensive and intensive programme of German-Nepal development cooperation with its focus on health, renewable energy and the promotion of trade and private sector development, he said. He also expressed hope that forthcoming elections to the Constituent Assembly in Nepal will lead the country towards peace and progress.

Addressing the conference, chairman of the German Nepal Friendship Association, Ram Pratap Thapa, said the Association was organising the event so as to promote Nepal in Germany and provide a platform to exchange views and explore new areas of cooperation. Thapa, who is also honorary consul of Nepal for Germany, said, “We work as a bridge between Nepal and Germany and are very encouraged by growing interests of Germans in Nepal.”

A number of scholars, professionals and entrepreneurs presented their papers and took part actively in the two-day event. Papers were presented by German and Nepali scholars on themes ranging from violence against women in Nepal, Nepali adolescent girls between tradition and modernity, microfinance in Nepal, Biodiversity and climate change challenges facing Nepal, How water rich Nepal could end load-shedding, role of Buddhism and Nepal’s spiritual heritage. Dr Karl-Heinz-Kramer, a well-known researcher and scholar, spoke on the Nepal’s democratic transformation.

Nepali arts and products were displayed during the conference while artistes performed Nepali song and dance. A Nepali film, ‘Sungava’ was also screened during the programme, which was attended by representatives of the Germany Foreign Ministry, local Councils, various Nepali and German organisations and friends of Nepal.

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UNWTO/Tourism Australia report highlights the potential of South-East Asian outbound tourism

Over the past decades, Asia and the Pacific has consolidated its position not only as one of the major tourism destination regions, but also as an increasingly important outbound market. Asia accounts for 14 of the world´s top 50 source markets in terms of international expenditure. ‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia’, a new joint report by UNWTO and Tourism Australia, responds to the growing need to better understand five of these dynamic source markets and the opportunity they represent to destinations around the world.

‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia,’ launched at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), Australia´s premier tourism trade event (Sydney, 26 April), provides an up-to-date perspective on major tourism trends and developments in five key South-East Asian outbound markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2012, these five countries accounted for US$ 49 billion in international tourism expenditure, almost doubling up from US$ 25 billion in 2006. The increasing size of the prospering middle class in South-East Asia is a crucial factor behind the growth in travel out of Asian markets.

“According to UNWTO’s long-term outlook in Tourism Towards 2030, the number of international tourist arrivals generated by source markets in Asia and the Pacific is expected to more than double from 205 million in 2010 to 541 million in 2030. UNWTO is very pleased to have partnered with Tourism Australia in producing this report that sheds new light on the travel trends of some of these countries and thus empowers destinations in Asia and beyond to be more competitive when approaching these fast growing source markets”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said the study would help the Australian tourism industry to better understand, communicate with, and serve these five, key emerging outbound markets. “Each market is different, but they all possess significant potential, which we need to understand to really make the most of this Asian Century,” Mr McEvoy noted.

In addition to economic and demographic factors, the region’s expansion has also been boosted by developments at the technological and supply-side levels. This includes a boom in air travel, driven largely by the emergence and expansion of low-cost carriers, and the growing access to the internet.

‘Key Outbound Tourism Markets in South-East Asia´ is one of a number of collaboration initiatives between UNWTO and Australia in recent years. It is hoped that the report will serve as a useful resource for destination planners, strategists, marketers and researchers, to better understand the characteristics and potential of outbound travel from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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UNWTO and PATA partner to advance tourism for economic growth and development in Asia

Advancing economic diversification, cultural and environmental preservation through tourism are the key objectives of a new Strategic Partnership signed between UNWTO and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on the occasion of the PATA Annual Summit (25-28 April, Bangkok, Thailand).

The lasting support to the development objectives and the positioning of tourism as a central contributor to economic growth and sustainability in Asia are at the centre of the Strategic Partnership signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and PATA CEO, Martin Craigs.

“We are proud to further deepen our relationship with PATA, a leading voice of tourism in Asia Pacific”, said Taleb Rifai, attending the PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. “In providing market intelligence, setting global standards and joining our voices to advocate for the value of tourism, this partnership will help the continued growth of tourism in Asia and the spreading of its socio-economic benefits in one of the most dynamic regions of the world”, he added.

“On behalf of PATA members, public and private, large and small across the 17 time zones and 104 destinations we serve, I am delighted to initiate the new Strategic Partnership with UNWTO.” Mr Craigs said: “I’m warmly welcoming Taleb Rifai to PATA’s first Next Generation Summit and the 62nd AGM. PATA’s balanced business building embracing the Complete Visitor Economy are closely aligned to UNWTO’s vital global mission”, he added.

The Strategic Partnership includes a series of projects, such as a PATA/UNWTO Forum on Marketing Outlook and joint research. The first research initiative will address air connectivity and its impact on tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, and is expected to be implemented already this year, in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia-Pacific Cities (TPO). Other topics include visa facilitation, taxation, aviation policies as well as consumer and enterprise protection.

The UNWTO/PATA partnership builds on a track record of successful joint activities, such as the annual UNWTO/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook, launched in 2007 in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Municipal Government of Guilin in China.

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Tourists increases by 17 pc to Annapurna trekking route

The number of foreign tourists visiting Annapurna trekking area has increased by 17 percent this year as compared to the last year. The route is one of the 10 most famous trekking routes in the world.

Some 6,011 foreigners have visited the areas in March, 2013 while the number was 4,500 in the same period last year, RSS reports quoting Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

Similarly, 3,353 tourists visited the area in February, 2013 while the number was registered 2,876 in the last year, Tirtharaj Dhungana, an Official at the Tourist Check Point, Birethanti as saying told RSS.

A total of 44,531 tourists had visited the area in 2012 and 38,054 in 2011.

The trekking route begins from Nayapul of Kaski district and ends at Upper Mustang through Ghandruk, Chhomrung and Annapurna Base Camp.Nepalnews.com

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Coca-Cola partners with Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon for a cleaner, greener Nepal

Coca-Cola has  partnered with the Tenzing Hillary- Everest Marathon as part of its global commitment towards the climate change for the 6th consecutive time. The Company has taken this partnership to the next level by launching a corporate cleanliness initiative by joining hands with the ‘Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee’. The initiative aims to collect and recycle plastic waste to create a cleaner and healthier environment and also aims to educate and encourage the people of Nepal on plastic waste contamination and recycling benefits.

Salman Rawn, Country Manager- Nepal, Coca-Cola SABCO; Shadab Khan- Country Manager- Nepal, Coca-Cola Far East Ltd.; Nandini Lahe Thapa, Senior Director, Nepal Tourism Board; Thanktok Ang Dorjee Sherpa, Chairman, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and Bikram Pandy, Chairman, Himalaya Expedition announced the partnership. Swati Lohia, an associate of Coca-Cola SABCO, who travelled to Antarctica with Sir Robert Swan on a special international expedition earlier this year, presented to elaborate upon Coca-Cola’ focus on sustainability and the adverse impact of global warming and climate change on our environment.

The Company is planning to use the funds generated by corporate partners and organizations to create dustbins and storage units made from discarded plastic waste.  Re-using plastic for the betterment of the environment will help to create a cleaner and green surrounding and encourage people across Nepal to recycle waste.

“The Coca-Cola Company places a strong emphasis on being a sustainable business in the countries in which it operates. Across the world, the Company undertakes various programs to work with local partners and communities on various issues like water and sanitation, environmental protection and promoting a healthy active lifestyle. One of the key focus areas for our Company is Climate Change, therefore we are committed on making Nepal a cleaner place through our partnership with the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon” said Shadab Khan, Country Manager- Nepal, Coca-Cola Far East Ltd.

Salman Rawn, Country Manager Coca-Cola SABCO said “Through its partnership with the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon, Coca-Cola Nepal has been bringing together marathon runners and participants from across the world since 2008 for a green cause. The Marathon is a way for the Company to spread awareness on environmental protection, by creating a positive and sustainable change for the greater Sagarmatha area.”

Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa, Senior Director, Nepal Tourism Board and Mr. Bikram Pandey, Chairman, Himalaya Expedition also spoke on the occasion about the benefit that this partnership yields.

Etihad Airways, Surya Nepal, Standard Charted Bank and Everest Bank have joined hand with Coco Cola in this endevaour.

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