Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi interacted with Nepali Professors working in North American universities to discuss Nepal’s Tourism in the Post COVID-19 Era on Friday evening, May 8, 2020. Professor Gyan Neupane from Arizona State University, Professor Sanjay Nepal from Canada’s University of Waterloo, Professor Brijesh Thapa from the University of Florida, were online on Zoom to share their views on Nepal’s tourism priorities henceforth with CEO Dr. Regmi. They stressed on moving towards sustainable and quality tourism with a benchmark for hygiene and sanitation in the post-crisis period to gain back consumer confidence. Mindful tourism, economic stimulation package, quality livelihood were some of the concepts put forward for “reshaping, rethinking and redesigning” of tourism in these changing times. As per suggestion, consideration of diaspora, domestic, and distance (close proximity neighbors) markets should be given maximum focus post the crisis. CEO Dr. Regmi assured his commitment to working closely with the private sector in the recovery period for a quick bounce back. Retention of the tourism workforce, policy intervention for the facilitation of domestic tourism, and financial relief (taxes, loans, interest, etc), are immediate priorities to support the tourism industry, Dr. Regmi said. In terms of promotion, […]

नेपाल पर्यटन बोर्ड र कर्णाली प्रदेश र सुदूर पश्चिम प्रदेशका पर्यटन व्यवसायीबीच COVID-19 को संकटमा समसामयिक बिषयमा भएको Online छलफल कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न २३ बैशाख २०७७, काठमाडौं विश्वव्यापी महामारीको रुपमा फैलिएको Coronavirus (COVID-19) ले नेपालको पर्यटन क्षेत्रमा पु¥याएको क्षति र उक्त क्षतिलाई कसरी न्युनिकरण गर्न सकिन्छ र आगामी दिनमा नेपालको पर्यटन क्षेत्रलाई उकास्न के गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने बिषयमा नेपालका सबै प्रदेशका व्यवसायीहरुसंग छलफल गर्ने क्रममा आज नेपाल पर्यटन बोर्ड र कर्णाली प्रदेश र सुदूर पश्चिम प्रदेशका पर्यटन व्यवसायीकाबीच एक अनलाईन छलफल कार्यक्रमको आयोजना सम्पन्न भयो । कार्यक्रममा नेपाल पर्यटन बोर्डका कार्यकारी प्रमुख डा. धनञ्जय रेग्मीज्यूद्धारा सहभागी व्यवसायीहरुलाई बोर्डले गरेको ६० देशका विदेशी पर्यटकहरुको उद्धार, हालको COVID संकटमा सम्पूर्ण पर्यटन व्यवसायीहरुको अवस्थाको अध्ययन, पर्यटन क्षेत्रको लगानी, रोजगारी र हालको घाटाको सर्भे तथा तथ्याङ्क संकलन, व्यवसायीहरुको परामर्शमा सरकारसंग व्यवसायिक Survival/Relief प्याकेजको लागि गरिएको पहल, सरकारसंग २० अर्वको राहत प्याकेजको माग, बोर्डले पर्यटन क्षेत्रका कामदारहरुलाई राहतको लागि रोजगारी श्रृजना गर्ने सम्बन्धि योजना, पर्यटन सेवा संञ्चालनको लागि Health, Hygiene and Safety सम्बन्धि protocol निर्माण, व्यवसाय पून संञ्चालन सम्बन्धि योजना, कर्मचारीहरुलाई तलवी पर्यटन विदा सम्बन्धि योजना, हाल पर्यटन व्यवसायको अस्थित्व जोगाउन आन्तरिक पर्यटन प्रर्वद्धनको लागि lobbying र राष्ट्रिय स्तरको सहमति र भारतीय बजारमा पर्यटन प्रर्वद्धन सम्बन्धि योजना, नेपालको पर्यटन क्षेत्रको Revival र / Recovery Strategy को […]

May 3, 2020, Kathmandu Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) met with the Tourism Associations on May 3, 2020, to discuss tourism recovery in the post COVID 19 period. At the program, NTB CEO Dr. Dhananjay Regmi presented summary of the recent industry survey conducted by NTB and shared tentative survival plan seeking industry feedback on the same. Similarly, representative from the private sector and Former Member of NTB Executive Committee Mr. Yogendra Shakya, made a presentation on how the industry could survive until 2022. President of HAN Ms. Shreejana Rana requested the Government for support to the private sector tourism industry in terms of concessions in basic amenities that would reduce operating cost and employee relief package. Representatives from Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Society of Travel & Tour Operators (SOTTO), Restaurant & Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA - Nepal Chapter) Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA) were present at the interaction program conducted by HAN at the NTB office premises. Directors and Heads of Departments were also present at the meeting. […]

Press-Release April 29, 2020 NTB Launches “Nepal From Your Window” Photo Contest Considering the limited mobility during the lockdown, Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) has launched a photo campaign entitled: “Nepal from Your Window”. The contest, which is open to all the people staying in Nepal, provides an opportunity for all the photographers, aspiring/ established to communicate visually the beautiful sceneries of Nepal, as well as share ideas to reflect how beautiful Nepal is. The launch of the photo contest has already been announced through all communication channels of NTB. “It’s always enlightening and refreshing to engage with young people to learn more about the ideas and aspirations they have regarding photography. The photo contest will be an incredible opportunity to visualize their perspectives on the place they are based,” NTB Chief Executive Officer Dr. DhananjayaRegmi said. The contestants can click a photo of their village, their surroundings, or a view and share it with us. The best 5 photos will receive 10 thousand rupees each. NTB has been organizing #photoNepalexhibitions regularly for the last four years. With a new responsive portal, any user can send pictures that they have captured in Nepal portraying the natural beauty, culture, heritage, and traditions of […]

In an effort to keep communication on with the private sector tourism industry in the provinces and to consolidate all recovery efforts, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a virtual meeting with key tourism stakeholders from Province 5 on May 1, 2020. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB Dr. Dhananjay Regmi chaired the meeting attended by representatives from the hotel and travel trade industry from Lumbini, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Palpa and Nepalgunj. Private sector representatives from Province 5 shared their views on the best ways to take tourism forward post COVID 19, suggesting recovery and retention solutions for a healthy bounce back of Nepal’s tourism industry. Promotion of domestic tourism through campaigns, packages and supporting policies from the Government was seen as the next crucial step in keeping the tourism economy running. In terms of international tourism, strategic promotions in Indian border cities and China were seen as necessary steps immediately post the lockdown. Representatives requested strong lobbying from the Government for consideration of loan and interest, waiving or concession in VAT/ tax/ rent/ electricity/ water etc. for easier cost operation, data collection and analysis to track all agencies and operators in tourism, and revision of policies for more liberal approach to […]

Press Release “Taking Forward Indo-Nepal Tourism After COVID Crisis” Dr. Dhananjay Regmi-Chief Executive Officer, Nepal Tourism Board had a virtual meeting on 30th April 2020 with India’s leading Travel Trade Associations’ Presidents to discuss the possible way forward for Nepal Tourism amidst COVID-19 Crisis. The meeting was attended by notable leaders of Indian Travel Fraternity including Ms. JyotiMayal- President TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), Mr. PP Khanna-President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, Capt. Swadesh Kumar-President, Adventure Tour Operators of India (ATOI), Mr. Pradeep Lulla-President, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and Mr. MahendraVakharia-IPP, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India. Mr. San Jeet, CEO of Buzz Travel Marketing India coordinated the meeting. Dr. Regmi briefed the Indian counterparts about the activities NTB conducted after the crisis like the rescue of the stranded tourists, economic surveys of the trade, lobbying with Nepal Government for relief packages to the Industry, formulation of new Health, Hygiene and Sanitation Protocols for the Nepalese trade, development of new destinations as hill stations in the mid-hills of Nepal with entertainment factors especially targeting the Indian market with easy accessibility and so on. The discussions brought in various insights on how Nepal should move ahead […]

In an effort to keep communication on with the private sector and to consolidate all recovery efforts, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a virtual meeting with association heads and tourism stakeholders from Gandaki Province on April 29, 2020. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTB Dr. Dhananjay Regmi chaired the meeting attended by representatives from Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC), Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA) - Western Region, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) – Western Region, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) – Pokhara Chapter, Restaurant & Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) – Pokhara Chapter, VNY Coordinating Committee - Gandaki Province, Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA), Trekking Equipment Seller Association (TESA), and Embroidery & Garment Association (EGA). Private sector association representatives from Gandaki Province shared their views on the upcoming strategy for Nepal’s tourism industry, recovery and retention solutions. Immediate neighbors of Nepal China and India are seen as the most potent markets during Nepal’s recovery period post COVID-19. They also emphasized on the need for retention and relief packages to the tourism workforce for sustenance of the industry. Representatives also stressed on support and empathy from the Government of Nepal to the tourism industry that has made huge investments […]

Communiqué The global pandemic COVID-19 has put a huge threat everywhere and the Tourism sector is no exception. In fact, one of the most hit sectors by the terrorizing disease spread is Tourism. Following the enforcement of the lockdown since 06:00 am, March 24, Nepal Tourism Board is going extra miles to address several problems brought by the alarming spread of the virus. The Tourism and Crisis Management Communication Cell, formed under the Board to address the rampant issue, initiated the #StrandedInNepal campaign and helped rescue over 1,721 tourists stranded in different parts of Nepal. We introduced a crisis hotline number and a crisis email to respond to various queries and problems. With the concerned Ministries, Embassies/Diplomatic Missions, Government bodies’ cooperation, we succeeded to safely rescue and send home a remarkable number of tourists via repatriation flights. Various tourism associations, hotel associations, and individuals from all over Nepal welcomed this initiative and extended their assistance to the Board. We are grateful to all for the unwavering support. After Rescue, NTB is now gearing up to come up with a Recovery Plan to sustain the industry for the days to come. We are conducting an online survey to assess the data of […]

Crisis Communication Unit of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, has been actively working on rescuing the tourists stranded in various parts of the country with the onset of the nation-wide lockdown since 24th of March over COVID-19 fears. All rescue works have been performed in accordance with government health and safety guidelines. As of now, a total of 964 tourists have been rescued from various parts of the country, out of which 302 were brought to Kathmandu yesterday, 27th March and remaining 662 were rescued today, 28th March. Among them 480 were rescued from Pokhara, 205 from Lukla, 177 from Jomsom and 60 from Annapurna Base Camp. Similarly, among the rescued tourists, 26 were rescued from Manaslu Circuit, 5 from Gorkha, 4 from Kande, 3 from Taplejung and 1 from Beni. NTB CEO Dr. Regmi said, “We have been coordinating with all the concerned ministries, local governments, various embassies and travel associations like PTC, NATTA, HAN and others. “We are thankful to all the local authorities, embassies, travel and trade associations, airlines as well as tourist bus service providers who have extended their relentless support in this situation of crisis; and we […]

Since the nationwide lock-down was brought into effect on March 25, at 06:00 AM to contain the spread of the Corona Virus pandemic in the nation, ‘COVID Crisis Response Task Unit’, formed at Nepal Tourism Board, has been doing every bit to help and rescue the stranded tourists in different parts of the nation. Since yesterday, a total number of 137 foreign tourists have been rescued so far from different parts of Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board NTB played key role to make it happen. The major rescues are: 60 people from Jomsom (46 Tourists and remaining Nepali nationals) have been safely rescued and brought to Kathmandu this morning. All the 46 tourists are in Self Isolation in hotels at Thamel. NTB jointly with Embassy of France rescued 14 tourists (6 French and remaining other nationals) from Lukla by Tara Air flight at 2.30 PM today. All of them are kept at Hotel Everest for Self Isolation. Buddha Air brought 58 French Nationals from Pokhara to Kathmandu today at 4.30 PM. They are also kept at Hotel Everest for self-isolation whereas some are kept at Thamel. 4 French were rescued from Kande and brought to Pokhara yesterday. They will be […]