Nepal participates in Dhaka Travel Mart 2019Monday, March 25th, 2019
The 16th Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM), a premier travel fair of Bangladesh concluded on 23rd March, 2019. Held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka from March 21-23, Nepal was the partner country of DTM 2019.
Along with Nepal, National Tourism Organisations of Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia participated at this year’s Travel Mart. Showcasing their tourism offerings, 41 organisations from 7 countries, including Bangladesh displayed their products and services in 5 pavilions and 70 stalls. Participating companies offered attractive discounts for visitors on their products and services including domestic and international air tickets and holiday packages from home and abroad.
NTB along with six travel trade companies from Nepal participated in DTM 2019. Speaking at the press conference organised before DTM, Senior Manager of NTB, Mr. Diwakar B. Rana, explained why Nepal is an attractive destination for tourists from Bangladesh, both from accessibility and value for money viewpoint. He also elaborated about the upcoming Visit Nepal 2020 campaign clarifying its goal of welcoming two million visitors in 2020.
As a partner country, Nepal was bestowed with a special status at the inauguration of DTM 2019. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Consular/ Charge de affairs at the Embassy of Nepal, Bangladesh, Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, spoke of excellent bi-lateral relations between Nepal and Bangladesh. He explained about the tourism products that the two countries can jointly package from the Bay of Bengal to the top of the world, Mount Everest. He appealed to the hospitality and tourism industry partners to keep sustainability and inclusivity while packaging and promoting various tourism services. Similarly, Senior Manager of NTB, Mr. Rana highlighted the tourism attractions of Nepal and various tasks being undertaken by the Government of Nepal, NTB and the tourism fraternity to welcome more regional and long-haul tourists during Visit Nepal Year 2020. Minister of State of Civil Aviation & Tourism of Bangladesh, Mr. Md. Mahbub Ali who was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony visited the Nepal pavilion. During his visit, Minister Consular, Mr. Oli presented the Minister with a special memento souvenir of Mount Everest.
Similarly, Minister of State of Cultural Affairs, Mr. K M Khalid also visited the NTB pavilion and discussed the possibility of joint cultural exchanges between Nepal and Bangladesh. Minister Khalid was also presented with the special Everest memento by Senior Manager Mr. Rana.
High ranking officials and dignitaries from Bangladesh Tourism Board, Biman Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Monitor, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh and other prominent travel trade fraternity and media visited the Nepal pavilion where they were briefed on the latest tourism information of Nepal.
NTB plans to attend other upcoming travel trade fairs, conduct roadshows in various cities of Bangladesh, invite FAM trips from both print and electronic media and conduct consumer focused campaigns in Bangladesh in order to welcome maximum tourists from Bangladesh this year as well as during Visit Nepal Year 2020.
6 private sector companies from Nepal Snowyoda Expeditions, Regulus Treks and Expeditions, Satyam Tours and Travels, Hotel Jampa, Bodhi Suites Boutique Hotel and Koili Tours along with Senior Manager Mr. Diwakar B Rana, Officers Mr. Kabindra Bhatta and Mr. Saroj Maharjan from NTB participated in DTM 2019.