Nepal promotes Lifetime Experiences and Amazing adventures to South East Asia

Nepal promotes Lifetime Experiences and Amazing adventures to South East Asia
June 20, 2008

Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia, one of the annual events jointly organized Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines Corporation, PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Association of Tour Operators concluded successfully on 16th June at Penang, a new target market for promotion this year.
NTB has been targeting SEA as a developing market with long term potential. Direct connectivity from these sectors to the capital has kept the steady growth of passengers growing from this region. The economic growth of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore has been highly encouraging for the past decade. Keeping in mind the increased accessibility to South East Asia region with the operation of Silk Air on Sin/KTM route as well as of Fly Yeti. com on KUL/KTM route in addition to the regular flights of Nepal Airlines Corporation and Thai Airways, the Sales Mission was thus organized in the three countries from 9th June to 16th June 2008.
In addition to the capital cities of Bangkok and Kualalumpur this time, the growing cities in terms of outbound travelers, Chiang Mai and Penang were specially chosen for the tourism promotion. The tourism promotion event consisted of a B2B session with the prominent tour operators of each city followed by a formal program of Naturally Nepal presentation for the travel trade as a well as the local media.
Chiang Mai the first in the itinerary of Nepal Sales Mission, on 9th June, received a very good response from both travel trade and the media. The interest shown by the tour operators along with a very positive support towards the destination has definitely paved way for Nepalese tour operators to increase their business potential from this city.
H.E.Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah,Amabassdor of Nepal for Thailand, in his welcome address at both Chiang Mai and Bangkok briefed the audience about Nepal's improved political stability after the Constituent Asembly elections which sent across the message of Nepal's enhanced safety and security conditions.
Nepal Tourism Board was represented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali – Manager, Tourism Marketing & Promotion and Mr Anil Das – Sr. Asst. Manager, Corporate. The power point presentation on Nepal's tourism attractions was presented by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali to familiarize the travel trade and media with varied tourism products of Nepal. The presentation also focused on Lumbini of Nepal as the special attraction for South East Asia market, highlighting the same as the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Apart from the religious/pilgrimage products for Buddhist as well as for Hindu segments of Malaysia, a special thrust was also given on the soft adventure products such as ultra light, para gliding, hiking, rafting etc. for Singaporean market.
The Sales Mission then traveled to Singapore on the 12th of June and the event held at Hotel Traders was once again received with great enthusiasm by Singaporean Tour operators. Honorary Consul of Nepal Mr.M. N. Swami gave his welcome remarks and emphasized on the fact that Nepal has everything that a tourist seeks. Singapore is a popular destination in South East Asia region round-the-year promotional program could attract not only Singaporean but also the spill over tourists.
Last events of Sales Mission were held in Malaysia where H.E. Mr. Rishi Raj Adhikari, Ambassador of Nepal for Malaysia addressed the functions both in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. In his welcome remarks he informed the media that the political transformation in Nepal following the free and fair Constituent assembly has ushered in a new era in Nepal and that the Government of Nepal has accorded top priority for the development of tourism sector by encouraging private sector investment.
Nepal Airlines Corporation was represented by Mr. Pradeep Karki- Deputy Director, Coprorate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai whereas Mr. Raju K.C – Director, Commercial representated NAC in Kula Lumpur and Penang to interact with the local tour operators and to brief them about the flight operations to BKK and KL.
Mr. Ashok Pokhrel while representing NATO and PATA Nepal Chapter thanked the travel trade for their active participation in the B2B session and appreciated their support in promoting Nepal with interest and great enthusiasm.
Followed by the power point presentation highlighting the tourism attractions of Nepal the gathering also had a glimpse of Nepal through the audio visual presentation of Brand montage. Total 8 companies from the travel trade sector participated in the Sales Mission namely: My Nepal Adventure, Shangri-La Tours, Dharma Adventure, Specialized Treks, Fly Yeti.com, Divine International Services and Hotel Lumbini Garden New Crystal.
Nepal Sales Mission to South East Asia 2008 thus symbolized Nepal's commitment to develop partnership with SEA tourism entrepreneurs who took the opportunity to establish and renew their business relationship with the visiting Nepali delegates. At all the cities B2B session has definitely helped to identify the interests and needs of the traveler from each particular city. The session has also been very fruitful in terms of knowing the market potential and the travel patterns of South East Asian traveler