World Tourism Day celebrated

The 29th World Tourism Day was celebrated on September 27 by organizing different programmes and activities throughout the country.

At a main programme organized on September 26, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal Tourism Board celebrated different organizations and individuals for their contribution in tourism sector. A monograph on ‘Tourism Products of Nepal’ was also launched on the same programme. The monograph compiles detailed information on different tourism destinations throughout the country. Likewise, NTB also handed over a special office area for Tourist Police in NTB premises.

Speaking at the function, Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO at NTB, also expressed his commitment to provide 95 trolleys to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) from the travel trade sector. Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is providing 30 trolleys, while Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) are providing 20 and 25 trolleys respectively. Bandi Nima Sherpa, board member of NTB, has committed to personally provide 20 trolleys to TIA.

In the afternoon, European Film Festival kicked off at the auditorium of NTB. The festival was jointly organized by NTB and European Union.

On 27th September, tourists visiting the country through different entry points throughout the country were accorded warm welcome by government officials and tourism entrepreneurs. TAAN and Everest Summiteers’ Association welcomed first 15 foreign visitors landing at TIA on September 27. The first visitors were accorded warm welcome by offering them khadas, garlands, and special souvenirs.

Similarly, Pashupati Area Development Trust welcomed foreign visitors visiting the world heritage site. Likewise, a seminar on ‘Pilgrimage Tourism Promotion and Development’ was organized on the Pasthpatinath area.

Nepal Airlines Corporation organized essay competition on the theme of world tourism day. The competition was organized on three different levels: secondary, higher secondary and bachelor’s level.

Similarly, Everest Summiteers’ Association organized art competition among valley school students on the theme of ‘Conservation and Mountain Environment’. Coinciding with the tourism day celebration, the association also declared ‘Save the Everest Campaign-2011.’ It also provided free entrance to foreign visitors in Babu Chhiri Museum.

Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) on September 26 organized a tea reception for all stakeholders of tourism industry in Army Club, Kathmandu. It also organized ‘Deepawali’ at its secretariat in Gairidhara.

Nepal Cycling Association organized cycling rally from the NTB premises. Scores of cyclists participated in the rally organized to create awareness about the threats of climate change.

Thamel Tourism Development Committee organized Thamel Tourism Festival on September 27 at Thamel. Different activities were organized to mark the day in Thamel, a popular tourist hub in Kathmandu Valley.

Gorkha Tourism organized a fam-trip for media-people from Kathmandu-Manakamana temple-Gorkha Durbar. Media persons from different media organizations took part in the fam-trip supported by a number of associations in the district. Gorkha Tourism also organized a cultural rally from Thamel to Basantapur Durbar Square.

Sneha Travel Media Nepal also organized a hiking for media people on September 25. The hiking began from Kakani in Nuwakot and went through Shivapuri National Park before ending in Budhanilkantha. Some 20 media people participated in the hiking.

Tour guides affiliated with Tourist Guide Association Nepal (TURGAN) offered free guide services to foreigners visiting in different world heritage sites of the country on September 27.

Hotel Association of Nepal offered four nights free accommodation to five lottery winning foreign visitors. It also offered 25% discount on food in HAN member hotels.

A five-day long Yala Festival was organized from 26-30 September organizing food festival, cultural show, photo exhibition, film festival and other activities. The festival was organized by Jyapu Society in Lalitpur.

Meanwhile, a joint Climate Neutral Planet Fund has been established to support the cause of environment preservation. Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has contributed Rs 50,000 while NTB chipped in Rs 50,000 for the fund. Likewise, Tourism Minister Hisilaa Yami committed to provide Rs 10,000 personally and secretary Leelamani Poudel also committed to provide Rs 1,000 personally for the fund.