Tourism Needs New Marketing Strategies

Disruptions sending negative signals abroad:NATO prez

The tourism industry of Nepal is in an urgent need of new marketing strategies, opined Basanta Raj Mishra, president of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO). “Due to frequent disruptions, the international perception of Nepal will directly affect this industry,” said Mishra. According to him, to change the growing negative international perception of tourism in Nepal, a high level delegation team must lobby for the tourism industry of Nepal in all the major tourism markets abroad. “This is the only sector which can be revived easily and has greater possibility of growth,” added Mishra. The government, along with tour operators and stakeholders, should coordinate in this regard and help the Nepali tourism sector to be competitive in the international arena, Mishra said. He also urged for an effective budget for the tourism industry in order to unleash its full potential.

A nine-member delegation of NATO met Finance Minister Surendra Pandey today. The delegation led by Mishra handed over a 15point memorandum to the minister for the development and promotion of the Nepali tourism industry.

The memorandum includes demands for conducting more effective tourism marketing, enhancing Nepal’s image as a premier tourist destination, strengthening the national flag carrier and attracting more foreign international airlines, declaring tourism as a national industry, taking action against wilful defaulters, providing troubled tourism companies with an easy exit and building up tourism infrastructure in new areas

Speaking on the occasion, Mishra suggested that the government should not change the existing tax structure as the tourism industry in Nepal suffered a setback during the past 10 years. He underscored the need for political consensus to discourage strikes, bandhs and blockades as such activities are affecting the country’s tourism image in the international arena.

Delegation member and senior tourism entrepreneur Tek Chandra Pokhrel urged the government to offer incentives to foreign film producers so as to promote the country.

FM Pandey assured the delegation that the government would take the suggestions in a positive light.

NATO third vice-president Greesh Bindra and executive members Ambica Shrestha, Bikram Pandey, Shibesh Shrestha, BB Malla and Sanjay Bhakta Mathema were part of the delegation that met FM Pandey.