The Nepal Tourism Board along with several Nepalese travel trade companies promoted Nepal at the 40th edition of IFTM, Top Resa which was held in Paris, France from 24-28 September 2018. Around 35,000 industry professionals, demonstrating the vitality and energy that characterize the global travel and tourism industry, attended the 4-day event. The fair offered multiple faucets of travel segments -leisure, business and MICE with a dedicated program for each and a comprehensive experience for trade visitors.
Nepal stall earned enthusiastic and attention from business, media and general visitors. NTB along with the private participants disseminated information on current tourism situation and connectivity options to the continuous stream of visitors. An extensive presentation of multiple videos was displayed on TV screen on the stall throughout the fair. Apart from the general curiosity on the regular tourism products, the Nepal delegates responded several inquiries on the upcoming Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign.
France, one of the largest countries and the 3rd largest outbound market in Europe, has remained a promising market for the tourism industry of Nepal. It is one of the most important source markets of Europe particularly with a large number of adventure enthusiasts. NTB’s participation at Top Resa revealed encouraging signs for the Nepalese travel industry as most of the queries were targeted on knowing more about the accessibility, destination updates and new offers.
The Nepal Pavilion was very attractive and noticeable with its unique and traditional pagoda style design. The exhibiting Nepalese companies had good business interactions and discussions with the visitors during the fair days. The exhibiting Nepalese companies in the fair were: Makalu Adventure Tours and Travel P. Ltd, Netra Travels and Tours (P) Ltd. and Well Adventure Tours & Travel P. Ltd.
H.E Ambassador Mrs. Ambika Devi Luintel, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Lekhnath Bhattrai and other officials of Nepal Embassy in Paris visited Nepal Pavilion and encouraged the Nepalese delegation during the fair. Mr. Ghanashyam Upadhaya (Joint Secretary) from MoCTCA, Mr. Kashi Raj Bhandri (Sr. Director) and Mr. Lila Bahadur Baniya (Sr Manager) from Nepal Tourism Board represented Nepal at the fair.
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Nepal Tourism Board also attended the 7th World Trails Conference of World Trail Network held in Santiago de Compostela of Spain between 26-29 September and bagged the opportunity to host the next edition of World Trails Conference in Kathmandu in 2020. Subsequent to the presentation on the Great Himalayan Trails, and several rounds of discussions the Board of World Trails Network has decided to host the next conference in Nepal. The Chairman of World Trails Conference and Mayor of Santiago de Compostela jointy handed over the flag of the next conference to Mr. Kashi Raj Bhandari.
The trails are considered as the arteries of tourism activities and provide an interface between the visitors and villagers where the host is economically benefitted and the trekkers and hikers experience the diverse natural and cultural heritages along the trails. The only international network of trails having its headquarters in Switzerland organizes the Conference every year to promote and sustain the trails globally. The opportunity to host the World Trails Conference in 2020 in Nepal is expected to reinforce Nepal’s image as the leader in trekking tourism and to be instrumental in attaining the goal of Visit Nepal Year 2020.
