Naturally Nepal Evening

Nepal Tourism Board and Singapore Women Everest Team

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organised a trade event on 12 June 08 themed as "Naturally Nepal Evening". The event facilitates the networking between Nepali tour operators and Singapore travel agents. The hosts included Ms Ujjwala Dali from NTB Nepal, Mr Deepak Shrestha from NTB Singapore, Mr Ashok Pokharel from PATA/NATO Nepal. Guest speaker Mr Swami Honorary Conul General of Nepal was invited to give an opening address at the event. Members from the Singapore Women Everest Team (SWET) turned up at the event and was warmly received by the hosts.

The event allowed intimate B2B discussions and the audience was given an overview of Nepal's tourism scene through a slide presentation and video viewing.

TTG Asia reports the event as follows:

Nepal NTO set to woo Asian visitors

Karen Yue, Singapore (2008-06-13)

THE Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has embarked on a sales mission to Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to promote Nepal as a travel destination.

This follows the new-found political stability in Nepal, which has injected an overall sense of confidence among the tourism players.

The Himalayan city recorded over 500,000 international visitors in 2007, up 27.1 per cent from 2006, and saw improved air access through nine new international airlines serving the destination.

Asian cities contributed excellent growth in visitor numbers for Nepal in the past year. China took the lead with an increase of 120.9 per cent, followed by South Korea at 78.7 per cent and Singapore at 70.1 per cent.

Nepal-based Shangri La Tours director and Nepal Association of Tour Operators vice-president, Mr Ashok Pokharel, said even in the uncertain times of the country's elections in April, bookings dipped only a mere three per cent.

At present, Silkair, Flyyeti.com, Royal Nepal Airlines, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, GMG Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines fly direct to Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital city of Kathmandu.

NTB has also introduced a range of soft adventure tours, such as hiking, jungle safari, cable car rides, butterfly watching and flights around Mount Everest, for the average traveller.

Dedicated pilgrimage and meditation tours have also been introduced through partnerships with monasteries across Asia.

After almost six months of preparation for this event, we are glad it closed on a good note with publicity from the trade press.