Nepal offers Everest and more

By S.K.Ramoo

BANGALORE, JULY 9. The Indian tourism industry, known for its half-hearted endeavours, can take a leaf out of the Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) book and learn how to lure foreign tourists all round the year.

Nepal has been aggressively pursuing eco-tourism since the mid- 70s, being fully conscious of the fact that it has to safeguard its lush green forests, perennial unpolluted rivers, eight highest peaks in the Himalayan range and the largest number of World Heritage Monuments, recognised by the UNESCO. It has lately launched an campaign to retrieve garbage and leftovers thrown by mountaineers and trekkers.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) involving voluntary groups, is already paying rich dividends - it is acclaimed the world over, and attempts are being made to replicate it in other parts of Nepal. As part of the scheme, there are collection points at several places, where trekkers and mountaineers are to deposit garbage - failure to do so would result in forfeiture of their deposit money.

Established one-and-a-half years ago, the Nepal Tourism Board is an autonomous body free of Government interference. Its activities and recurring expenditure are fully funded by the private tourism industry. Tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner for the country, the only Hindu kingdom in the world.

The NTB, through pro-active destination marketing, is making its presence felt in the international arena and is taking part in all major tourism fairs. Its catchy slogan, `Mt. Everest and More', has caught the attention of international tourism operators. In a short span, it has distinguished itself by winning several international awards.

The NTB has already launched a campaign in India for promoting heritage and religious tourism by making out that Nepal is the ``safest destination'' in Southeast Asia. It is striving to erase the notoriety it earned following the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane in June last year. Subsequently, it has tightened security at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Since Indian tourists form the largest segment of visitors arriving in Nepal, it is highlighting how they are getting special incentives and packages in Nepal, which are not available to tourists of other countries.

Indian tourists do not require a visa and do not need to bother about foreign exchange as the Indian currency, barring the Rs. 500 note, is accepted here. Most hotels and tourist agencies offer special, concessional packages. The Necon Airlines of Nepal is operating weekly direct flights to Kathmandu from Varanasi and Patna. After India, Japan is emerging as the second largest market for Nepal as it has several Buddhist monuments, including the birth place of Lord Buddha.

Nepal is an attractive destination for trekkers and mountaineers as well. Several private agencies have been offering free guidance to trekker enthusiasts. Interestingly, the NTB has been utilising the services of Sherpa mountaineers, including Mr. Kazi Sherpa, who set a world record as the fastest climber of the Everest.

The NBT has drawn up an action-oriented marketing plan to target the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Pacific region.

Nepal offers tremendous scope for heritage, religious and adventure tourism. It will not be a surprise if Nepal during the course of next four or five years, emerges as the most sought after and attractive destination of international tourists.

The official website of Nepal www.welcomenepal.com offers comprehensive information on Nepal and there are plans to link it with other Nepal-related websites, including hotel and travel agencies.

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