There has been a significant drop in tourist arrivals in Nepal, following the September 11 terrorist attack on the US.

Based on the recommendations of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on tourism potential, Nepali tourism has shifted its focus towards its own region and neighbouring countries.

“In order to promote tourism trade with China, representatives of 20 tourism companies are soon going to China,” said Tek Bahadur Dangi, director of tourism marketing and promotion of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), at a joint press conference organised by PATA – Nepal Chapter and NTB here on Monday. Chinese journalists recently visited Nepal and we received a positive feedback, he said.

Special arrangements with the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) have been chalked out in order to attract the Indian tourists, he said. Indian arrivals have seen a marked slump in the recent years. NTB is also working out a deal with the Indian Airlines to provide benefits to India nationals coming to Nepal.

Children below 18 years are allowed to travel with their parents having valid documents. However, Pravin Pandey, honorary Secretary of PATA – Nepal Chapter said that Indian immigration does not recognise school identity cards of children. “Therefore I request the government to lobby with the Indian government in resolving the problem,” he added.

Nepal recently participated in the PATA Travel Mart held from April 9-12 in Singapore. Nepal was the “feature country” there focusing on adventure travel.

The event was organised by PATA and managed by the Reed Travel Exhibitions, with the aim of increasing visitor arrivals and revenue in the Pacific Asia. Sixteen PATA Nepal member companies and NTB and RNAC participated in the event. Around 401 product sellers from 190 countries took part in the event.

Meanwhile, R R Pandey, executive chairman of Everest Express, was awarded the chairman’s award on the 51st PATA annual conference held in New Delhi. Basant Mishra, executive chairman of Temple Tiger group of companies received the ‘Award of Merit’ and Stan Armington of Malla Treks was the recipient of PATA Gold Award in the travel writer category for his book ‘Trekking in the Nepal Himalayans.’

“The PATA Travel Mart proved that the demand for Nepal is strong and the awards received by three Nepali entrepreneurs helped project Nepal in a positive light,” said Ashok Pokharel, chairman of PATA – Nepal Chapter at the press meet. Pokharel, during the conference, was nominated to the PATA’s Industry council for three years.

In another event SATTE 2002, Nepal was declared the most determined seller. Nepal was recognised for its active role in “generating market and undertaking vigorous marketing efforts in highlighting the tourism attractions in the country,” states the press release.