Kathmandu, February 15:

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has charted out its marketing strategies for the year. Apart from the European markets, the premier tourism body is focusing its activities and strategies to develop the Indian market, particularly north and east India, known for its population with high incomes.

Incidentally, while 2007 witnessed a healthy 27 per cent increase in tourist arrivals, the growth of the Indian market proved sluggish, clocking a mere 1.1 per cent growth. Indian visitors, which account for one third of the total visitors, are a significant market for Nepal.

This year, an optimistic NTB is vying for at least 15 per cent growth in the Indian market.

“Our target for this year is to achieve 35 per cent growth in arrivals from India. If not that much, we hope to reach at least the previous one third of the market share,” revealed an official at the NTB.

It may be possible because of growing confidence of Indian visitors besides a better air connectivity. Currently, there are over 50 direct flights of Air India, Cosmic Air, Jet Airways and Druk Air a week on New Delhi-Kathmandu route.

NTB plan of action involves focussing on Northern India with its activities and promotions. So apart from the two ‘Fam trips’ that it has already conducted for the Indian media and tour operators, it plans to come up with a road show in March for Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Jaipur.

“We plan to focus on land routes as well, because land arrivals are equally important for us,” pointed out the official. Similar seminars and road shows are lined up for border cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad and Patna. The tourism board is apparently eyeing the huge market of outbound travellers in India, which is currently tipped at seven million and growing at a healthy rate of 24 per cent per annum.

“Our focus is to hard sell Nepal specifically as an ‘affordable weekend getaway’, a stress-buster travel destination as well as a holiday package with soft adventure options,” the official said.

Nepal participated in the Tourism and Travel Fairs (TTFs) held in Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai recently showcasing a range of holiday options for the potential Indian tourists, according to a press release. NTB was particularly enthusiastic about Mumbai as it came to know that Nepal Airlines Corporation was planning to resume flights to Mumbai through a codeshare with Druk Air.