Promotion key to attract tourists

Tourism entrepreneurs have claimed that lack of new innovation in Nepali tourism industry has severely affected the sector.

According to Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), there have not been satisfactory arrivals for the Shivaratri festival as the country still lacks efficient promotion of the destination being easily accessible.

“Many Indians are still unaware that Pashupatinath is easily accessible and is located in the capital due to which they do not come for pilgrimage,” said chief executive of HAN Madhav Om Shrestha.

According to tourism entrepreneurs, there are a number of technical problems such as expensive air fare, tax burden and lack of easy accessibility.

“The government has suggested the private sector to develop hotels in the Rara region but it is not possible until there is easy accessibility,” he said, adding that HAN is planning to organise an interaction with the government and Nepal Tourism Board to discuss new plans and programmes to develop the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, according to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 of the World Economic Forum, Nepal continues to remain in the 112th position in the world travel and tourism ranking.

The report states that Nepal stands above Bangladesh (123) and Pakistan (122). On the other hand, Nepal is ranked below Sri Lanka (74) and India (65) among South Asian countries.

“The unstable political climate has slowed down development of tourism,” said chief executive officer of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Dr Hari Sarmah. According to him, the slow down in tourism growth is a temporary situation and it will definitely pick up once there is global economic stability and also political stability in the country.

“We need effective marketing,” he said. According to Dr Sarmah, the association is preparing to organise a China Sales Mission on May 14-23, 2013, which will help boost the travel and tour relation between the two countries.

source: The Himalayan Times,10 March 2013