Leisure and Incentive Travel Highlighted in PATA

Pacific Asia Travel Association Mart (PATA) took place at Chengdu, China’s thriving trading city, from Sept 15- 17, 2013 with Nepal Tourism Board and PATA Nepal Chapter jointly participating the fair along with ten private tourism agencies from Nepal. PATA Mart is a platform of global networks of highly professional companies focusing on business while maximizing travel value for customers.

Coinciding with PATA Tavel Mart, there was a Conference of PATA Board Members where representing Nepal, Mr, Subash Nirola, Acting CEO of NTB gave away Everest Diamond Jubilee medal to Mr. David Hemplemen, a veteran climber and world renowned adventurist who scaled Everest from both Nepal and Tibet side. On the occasion, while talking to media he highlighted the cordial and cultural ties between the two countries and Nepal’s new initiatives and special offer for Chinese market. Analyzing the dynamics of the market he said, “ We are shifting our focus on leisure and incentive tours besides the traditional notion that Nepal is an adventure destination.” Seeing the surge in the arrival figures and the prospect of Chinese market , Mr. Nirola opined that “China is soon emerging to be the top source market for Nepal and that NTB will further intensify its promotional programs in various cities of China.”

During the event Nepal received a good coverage in the official magazines of PATA called TTG which reaches out to thousand of travel trade companies. NTB also updated the media and trade buyers with useful travel information and attractive tour packages and invited the media to make coverage in prominent televisions, leading travel newspapers and popular travel portals in China. Media briefing was also done on latest tourism updates at a special program during the mart.

While competing destinations like Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are making aggressive marketing in China, Nepal needs to tactically move ahead to secure its share of tourism from China through mass outreach and strong destination appeal .

While touring places like Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara which are very popular for Chinese visitors, Nepal is already providing discounted entry fees to heritage sites with special Chinese speaking Guide for city tours and understanding the travel habits and food preferences to safeguard and consolidate the Chinese market.

China is emerging as one of the largest source market for Nepalese tourism with Chengdu, Lhasa, Guangxhou , Kunming and Hong Kong directly connected to Kathmandu. Visitors from China increased by 16 % with around 70,000 Chinese tourists visiting Nepal in 2012.