Nepal participated TTAA International Travel Fair

Nepal participated TTAA International Travel Fair
Kathmandu
3/6/2008

Nepal participated TTAA International Travel Fair Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Airlines Corporation and Nepalese Travel Trade participated in the TTAA International Travel Fair held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. The fair was organized from February 28 to March 2, 2008 by Thai Travel Agents' Association and featured 300-plus stalls representing NT0s, travel agencies, Airlines and others. The Nepal stall carried twin themes of Spiritual Tourism (Lumbini and Buddhism in particular) and Leisure and Adventure (Pokhara and adventure-based activities). The participating companies in Nepal stall were Highlander Trekking & Expeditions and Zenith Experience Travel Services. The representatives of Marketing of Sustainable Tourism (MAST – Nepal) project also participated in the fair.
The fair is estimated to have visited by 200000 plus general public. A fair deal of awareness and interest on Nepal already existed amongst many of the visitors, with Lumbini and Mount Everest being the icons mostly contributing to this awareness. NTB, amongst the themes identified by its brand campaign "Unleash Yourself ..Naturally Nepal – Once Is Not Enough," has been focusing on South East Asian Markets in general and Thailand in particular with various Lifetime Experiences and Amazing Adventure packages.
However, security and mobility concerns still remain a priority issue to the Thais seeking to travel here. There were many queries on accessibility options too. Though there were only two private sector entities represented in the Nepal Stall, they were visibly optimistic of generating further sales out of this participation. At the same time, there is a need for Nepal specialist tour operators based in Thailand to actively participate in TTAA offering special offers for consumers. The fair contributed to propagating destination awareness further amongst the consumers and for the private sector agencies in forging business alliances with the Bangkok based tour operators.
In conjunction with the fair, Nepalese embassy in cooperation with Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents and Nepal Airlines Corporation organized a Nepal Evening on 28th February 2008 with a view to interact with the local travel trade entrepreneurs and media. In the program attended by the local travel trade, media personnel and Nepalese based in Bangkok, renowned mountaineer Mr. Ang Rita Sherpa, who has summited Mt. Everest ten times without resorting to bottled oxygen, was felicitated. An audio-visual presentation on Tourism in Nepal was appreciated by all present. Likewise, a comprehensive documentary on Mr. Ang Rita Sherpa was also screened and succeeded in generating rave reviews.