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Nepal Tourism eyes East India

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is embarking on a 3-city road show with the aim of increasing awareness and educating the Indian travelers on Nepal’s tourism products and offerings.

The road show will target prominent cities of East India namely Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Ranchi on Apr 23, 25 and 27 respectively.

After successful tourism promotional campaign of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and Visit Lumbini Year 2012, The Year 2013 has been marked with Mt. Everest Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

The special programs will take place from May 26- 29 May.

On the occasion, there will be the gathering of renowned Everest summiteers, opening up new peaks for summit, felicitation to all 8000 meter peaks summiteers, Everest Marathon in Solukhumbu, award ceremonies, familiarization trips of high level national and international dignitaries to Everest Region, symposiums on climate change in Everest Region, cleaning campaigns in the Everest Region, etc.

Nepal has always been popular with Indians as a recreational, shopping and pilgrimage destination. Nepal is 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.

There is a popular belief prevalent among the Hindus that a visit to these sacred sites will ensure a prosperous earthly life and a rewarding after-life.

For many, Nepal symbolizes as an ultimate adventure destination that is rarely found anywhere else in the world.

And, for others, Nepal appears to be a Shangrila- the Lost Horizon that has been far from reality clustered with deities and demons awaiting for offerings.

However, Nepal, in fact, is a country with a diverse arrays of tourism products- a rare combination of mystic, mystery, mountain and merriment.

Pilgrimage, leisure, Meetings-Incentive-Conferences-Exhibition or Events (MICE) and soft adventure activities are the primary segments Nepal is focusing on in Indian market currently.

No visa requirement, good air connectivity with almost flights 76 flights per week to India, easy access by road, year round pleasant weather, favorable exchange rate for Indian currency are some of the major factors that contribute to Nepal’s popularity as a favorite holiday destination amongst Indians.

NTB said it plans to promote destinations including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Manakamana and Muktinath; hill stations including Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Daman, Bandipur, Tansen currently for Indian market.

Soft adventure activities such as white-water rafting, biking, fishing, rock climbing, paragliding, ultra light aircraft and bungee jumping will be endorsed.

For the arduous and keen adventure seekers or trekkers, the Great Himalayan Trail across east-west mountainous belt of Nepal has been introduced.

New home stay facilities around Kathmandu valley and outside Kathmandu valley with ethnic flavor will also be promoted.

The campaign will also include exclusive and luxury tourism products in terms of casinos, golf, dining, nightlife, shopping of indigenous handicrafts, woodwork, pashmina, carpets, clothing, souvenirs, jewelry and electronics.

Weekend Breaks, Spiritual Weekends, Family Weekends and Adventure Weekends will be focused on as well.

NTB?s marketing strategy will focus on B2B and B2C promotion programs in the both metro and satellite cities in India and Asia.

Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Sr. Director, Tourism Marketing & Promotion, Nepal Tourism Board, said ?India is the most significant market for the Nepalese tourism industry with approximately 1/3rd total market share.

“The Indian market is important for both in terms of value and volume.? In 2012, Nepal received 164,680 tourists from India by air which is 13.3% increase as compared to 2011.”

Source: INDIA NOON-24 April, 2013

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