Online Interaction on Nepal’s Tourism in the Era of COVID-19Saturday, May 9th, 2020

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, he said NTB would focus on branding Nepal as healing, natural and wellness destination, and massive digital promotion, during the recovery period. CEO Dr. Regmi appreciated the interaction and suggestions and was positive that Nepal’s tourism industry would recover steadily given a little time with consolidated efforts from all sectors. The online interaction was watched and appreciated by tourism professionals in Nepal.