Kathmandu, December 4

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter is all set to host the Himalayan Travel Mart 2017, a mega tourism event, in Kathmandu from June 1-4 next year.

PATA Nepal Chapter held a launching ceremony of the event in Dhulikhel today in the presence of various stakeholders involved in the tourism sector. On the occasion, PATA officials said that the long-awaited event is being organised with an aim to redefine adventure tourism in Nepal and establish the country as a gateway to the Himalayas.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Himalayan Travel Mart 2017, Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Shankar Prasad Adhikari, said that the event would prove crucial to help Nepal revive its tourism industry that was hit by the devastating earthquake last year. Informing that Nepal is lagging behind in drawing a sizeable number of tourists despite the immense potential, Adhikari said, “It is a big strategic question to policymakers on how and where to position Nepal in the global tourism map ahead of the 14th Development Plan that the government is in the process of formulating.”

Presenting a bleak position of Nepal in global tourism, Adhikari stressed on the need to start collaborative efforts to promote country’s tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, Andrew Jones, chairman of PATA International, said that Nepal should work on additional and unique travel experiences to attract foreign tourists. “A unique experience is what travellers seek and Nepal can provide such experiences to foreign travellers. PATA is committed to extend its full support to Himalayan Travel Mart 2017, which will certainly help Nepal’s tourism industry bounce back,” he stated.

According to the organisers, Himalayan Travel Mart 2017 is a business event where buyers from Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Asia and Gulf countries with interest in Nepal and the Himalayan region will meet sellers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan.

PATA Nepal Chapter expects to draw more than 200 international participants during the four-day event that comprises tour operators, travel bloggers, international speakers, media and other fraternities of global tourism. “Himalayan Travel Mart 2017 is a much needed tourism event in Nepal and will prove Nepal as a popular tourism destination among global travellers,” said Suman Pandey, chairman of Nepal PATA Chapter. According to him, 50 international buyers from around the world will meet 50 sellers from Nepal and other Himalayan nations during the event for possible business-to-business deals.

Prior to Himalayan Travel Mart, PATA Nepal Chapter is also organising International Bloggers and Media Conference in Kathmandu from May 22 to June 1, 2017 to showcase the beauty of Nepal to international travel bloggers and media persons.

Giving his keynote speech at the launching ceremony of Himalayan Travel Mart 2017, Matt Gibson, inbound president of the Professional Travel Bloggers Association, said that Nepal should sell its stories to lure international tourists. “Birth place of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Sites and other cultural aspects are good stories that can attract foreign tourists in Nepal,” he said.