Kathmandu, May 12:

The second NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart 2007 which was inaugurated by the minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation Prithivi Subba Gurung yesterday, witnessed huge crowds on the second day. The three-day long fair, jointly organised by Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Nepal Tourism Board, ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation (MoCTCA) and Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), is open for the public today and tomorrow.

The travel mart is aimed at showcasing the unique tourism products, culture, tradition and lifestyle of people to domestic as well as international tourists. A ‘National Tourism Fair’ is also being organised simultaneously by the NTB.

While the increase in footfalls was partly because it was a holiday today, Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, NATTA president maintained that the enthusiasm for the travel mart was much higher this time. “The crowd is bigger this year as it was only an international travel mart last year, this time we are promoting domestic tourism as well,” he said.

New tourist destinations like Kohalpur, Ilam, Bandipur, Dolpa, Mustang and Manang among others are also being highlighted at the fair. Moreover, this time the organisers have added a cultural programme and a slide show.

The First Himalayan International Travel Mart saw about 175 participants, but this year the fair has only 76 participants. “It might be because last year out of 175 participants 100 were only from Bangladesh. This year although there are 76 participants, the number of foreign participants is higher,” claimed Shrestha.

Altogether 12 countries including India, Israel, Bangladesh, China, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UAE are taking part at the travel mart this year.

The timing of the fair is particularly favourable as it is being held when the peace process is underway, added Shrestha.