Tourism Mega Events in Kathmandu

Nepal is drawing attention of the international tourism arena once again with three significant tourism events taking place in Kathmandu after some days. Tourism organizations and associations are now busy with the preparation of the three main tourism events of this year:

• 43rd Congress of the United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA)
• 3rd National Tourism Fair 2009
• the 3rd NATTA Himalayan International Mart 2009

An ever international tourism event, UFTTA Congress is going to be organized in Nepal for the first time in the tourism history of Nepal. The event will take place at Soaltee Crowne Plaza from November 20 to 23. Being a member of UFTTA, NATTA is organizing the event and 125 participants from 45 different countries will take part in this UFTAA assembly.
Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) while addressing a press conference jointly organized by NTB and NATTA said, “It is a matter of pride for all us to have the opportunity to host such an important international tourism event. This shows that Nepal as a tourist destination has been recognized internationally,”
According to NATTA, deputy secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Dr. David de Villiers, Prof. James Tunney from Sweden, President of International Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dr. Ghassan Aidi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ARTA Canada, Bruce Bishins, editor of E-Turbo News of Hawaii, Tom Steinmetz, and assistant director of the National Tourism Board of Croatia, Milo Srsen are some renowned persons attending the UFTAA Congress.
Parallel to the international event, the 3rd National Tourism Fair 2009 and the 3rd NATTA Himalayan International Mart 2009 is also being organized in joint effort of NTB, NATTA, and Nepal Airlines Corporation. Both the events will be organized from November 23rd to 25th at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall. A total of 115 tour operators including 50 foreigners have registered their names as contestants in the 3rd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart.
“The upcoming events will prove to be a milestone for giving a boost to Nepal’s tourism industry,” says Pabitra Kumar Karki, the 2nd Vice-President of NATTA and also UFTAA’s regional director (South Asia). He hopes that the events are going to play a vital role in success of the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
During the event Nepal’s tour/travel operators and their foreign counterpart will sprawl their business network further via interaction and meetings at the 3rd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart.

Koney informed further that on the sidelines of this event a meeting of presidents of travel and tour operators’ associations of South Asian countries and some other international invitees will be organized. He said that the meeting would seek to hold extensive discussions on the draft of the proposed South Asian Tour/Travel Agents’ Association’s Forum.
Explaining the importance of National Tourism Fair 2009, Mr. Shrestha said that it will be an opportunity for potential internal tourists to get familiarized with different tourism destinations of the country and various tourism products. He said as internal tourists about 15 percent of Kathmandu Valley residents visit different parts of the country.
Documentaries portraying various tourism destinations and cultural programs representing various ethnic will be additional attractions of the event. NTB is preparing for setting up stalls for tourism-related organizations of all the 75 districts of Nepal.
The tourism professionals and traders are hopeful that these events will contribute on bringing Nepal’s immense tourism products to glare of publicity both nationally and internationally.