NTB interacted with tourism associations on new marketing strategiesMonday, July 22nd, 2013
In the process of formulating strong marketing and promotional strategies in consultation with various tourism related associations and experts to feel the presence of Nepal as a happening destination in the international market, Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) held a meeting this week with the executive members of the Nepal Association of Tour and Trekking Agents(NATTA), Nepal Association of Tour Operators(NATO), Hotel Association Nepal(HAN) and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal(TAAN) separately. The idea behind this meeting is to brainstorm to explore the key areas in marketing and promotion that Nepal Tourism Board can join hands with the associations.
Addressing the meetings, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Subash Niroula said that the rapid globalization has caused a paradigm shift in tourism marketing and promotion, and it has become imperative for Nepal’s tourism industry to keep pace with the marketing shift with innovative plans and programs. “Ad hoc marketing doesn’t work in the present context that why we request associations to come up with their annual marketing and promotional plans with strong reasons so that it would be easier for Nepal Tourism Board to see the avenues where it can fit in,” said Mr. Niroula.
In the meeting with NATO, its President Mr. Ashok Pokharel raised the question to bring quality tourists in Nepal and to increase the length of stay so that it would benefit Nepalese tourism as a whole. He also mooted the idea for international marketing tie-up with international airlines for sales missions in Europe. In the meeting with TAAN, its President Mr. Mahendra Singh Thapa emphasized on promoting and marketing the new trekking routes recently explored by TAAN in the international travel market. He also said that Nepal should be promoted for all seasons through festivals, events and promotional programs in the country.
In another separate meeting, President of NATTA, Mr. Pabitra Kumar Karki said that Nepal’s tourism industry should focus its promotional and marketing efforts in China. General Secretary of HAN Mr. Amar Shakya, in another meeting, said that without Chinese tourists, many hotels in Nepal would remain empty. He emphasized to lure more Indian tourists in Nepal as they are high spenders.
Since the recent budget of Nepal’s government has made a mandatory provision for the employees of public corporations running in profit and those employees working in ‘A’ and ‘B’ class bank and financial institution to go for internal tourism in Nepal on the expenses of the respective institutions, the officials of Nepal Tourism Board requested NATTA and HAN to make a package for domestic tourists to avail of this encouraging provision.
