Nepal is celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011 throughout the year 2011. This announcement anticipates at least one million international tourists in Nepal in the year 2011.

History

During the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, on May 28, 2008, the nation declared to celebrate Tourism Year on 2011. It was proposed by Foreign Minister Mrs Hishila Yami. Hence, the nation's President Dr Ram Baran Yadav officially launched this government initiative at the Dasarath stadium in the capital amidst a grand celebration on 14 January 2011.

Objectives

The country will be celebrating the tourism year with high anticipations. The major objectives include the following:

• Establish Nepal as a choice of premier holiday destination with a definite brand image.
• Improve and extend tourism related infrastructures in existing and new tourism sites.
• Enhance the capacity of service providers.
• Build community capacity in the new areas to cater the need of the tourists.
• Promote domestic tourism for sustainability of industry.
  

Strategies

With the badge of adventure destination glittering and the adage “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guests are Gods) embedded in Nepalese culture, the portfolio of tourism products never cease to mesmerize the visitors. The unparallel cultural, geographical, ethnic and bio diversities of the country allure visitors to Nepal time and again which truly substantiates the spirit of Nepal tourism brand ‘Naturally Nepal, once is not enough !'

Here, several strategies are prepared by the government to make the tourism year successful, as follows:

• Focusing marketing and promotion activities on regional and emerging markets
• Exploration of new tourism potential market segments
• Highlighting the tourism brand: Naturally Nepal; Once is not enough!
• Enhancement of air connectivity with the regional, emerging and potential markets
• Lobbying with the government for sufficient budget allocation to improve and expand tourism related activities infrastructures in existing and new tourism areas.
• Attract and encourage private sector for investment in tourism sector
• Capacity building of human resources involved in tourism
• Lobbying with the government for effective intervention in domestic tourism development e.g. Amendment in the Transportation Act.
• Promotion of Domestic Tourism by endorsing Leave Travel Concession ( LTC) by the government.
• Organize major sports/events in association with tourism associations and stakeholders throughout the NTY 2011.( At least one event in a month )

Arrangements

Considering the magnitude of the campaign, the Government of Nepal formed the Main Organising Committee under the convener-ship of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. The Committee consists Hon’ble Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission as the Joint Convener and Secretaries of various line Ministries; Chief of Metropolitan, Sub-Metropolitan cities and Municipalities; presidents of trade, travel trade and other related associations and institutions are nominated as Members. Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board has been designated as the Member-Secretary of the Committee.

Openings

The government declared holiday in entire academic institutions in the valley on 14 January 2011 to celebrate Nepal Tourism Year.

Thousands, including top officials attended the inauguration ceremony which began at 11.30 a.m. at the Dasharath Stadium on 14 January 2011. The official programme ended at 3 p.m. The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), Kathmandu and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the secretariat of the NTY-2011, issued a circular on Thursday alerting commoners of the possible traffic congestion and disruption inside the Capital on Friday. To ensure effective traffic management, traffic police and the NTB made necessary arrangements for the day.

According to Nepal Tourism Board, more than 20,000 guests and delegates graced the event that also marked an air show of motor paragliding by 21 pilots.

External links

• Official website of Nepal Tourism Year 2011