With the onset of 2020, Nepal is going to launch an ambitious tourism campaign �Visit Nepal 2020� with a slogan �Lifetime Experience�. According to the government plan, by the end of 2020, 2 million tourists are expected to visit Nepal. This seems to be a daunting task but still the target can be achieved because over the last three years, Nepali tourism has been making steady progress.
Nepali tourism was at its lowest ebb after devastative earthquake rocked the country in 2015. It took the lives of many people and destroyed the property beyond imagination. This was a time when many foreign tourists left the country and several others cancelled their bookings�it was a severe financial blow to the national economy. As a result, Nepal�s tourism sector had come to screeching halt.
No doubt, the earthquake had left Nepali tourism on back foot; but thanks god due to the willpower of Nepali people, Nepali tourism bounced back with renewed vigor and vitality. This is evident by the growing numbers of tourists coming to the country. In 2018, Nepali tourism grew by 24% as the number of foreign tourists reached over one million.
In fact, many efforts were made in the past to receive one million international tourists; but it always remained as elusive as ever. However, now things are changing and Nepali tourism has shown obvious signs of growth and development.
Achieving the mark of one million tourists has emboldened the self-confidence of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and tourism entrepreneurs. Now Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has decided to go for a big target to achieve and it is two millions. This is a herculean task but there is nothing impossible before the highly spirited tourism entrepreneurs of the country.
There is one more reason why NTB seems to be more confident to achieve this target. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the number of international tourist�s arrivals had increased to 1.6 billion in 2018. This was 6% increase and WTO has estimated that international tourism will grow between 3-4% until 2020.
This is encouraging news for Nepal as the country is going to launch Visit Nepal 2020 campaign with the ambitious target of receiving 2 million international tourists.
The way international tourism is making its headway, it is obvious that Nepal can pull a large number of international tourists as the country has much more to offer them. An improved tourism means a better economy of the country. It is evident that tourism sector alone can play a vital role to consolidate national economy of the country. This is the one reason why Nepali government wants to leave no stone unturned to achieve the target of 2 million international tourists.
Visit Nepal Campaigns
The history of Visit Nepal Year began with the sheer intention of attracting more numbers of international tourists to Nepal. With this intention, Nepali government had launched first ever campaign of Visit Nepal in 1998.
The government�s decision of launching first ever Visit Nepal 1998 was welcomed by several private travel organizations, hotels & restaurants. These organizations and many others had extended their helping hands with the government to make Visit Nepal 1998 a grand success.
Visit Nepal 1998 was launched with the slogan �A World of its Own�. This campaign was successful in the sense that in 1998 four hundred thousand tourists traveled to Nepal. This figure was quite impressive than the previous years.
Though the first Visit Nepal 1998 campaign was a success, next tourism campaign was launched quite late. It came only in 2011. The government had already learned a few lessons from the initial success of Visit Nepal 1998. This time the government was much prepared to launch Visit Nepal 2011. For the first time, the government had set a target of receiving 1 million tourists.
Round the year, the campaign was vigorously launched. As a result, by the end of 2011 over seven hundred thousand tourists visited Nepal. However, the target could not be met, but this campaign had given enough confidence to Nepali tourism. It was until 2018 when Nepal achieved the target of receiving 1 million visitors.
Over the last three years, Nepali tourism is taking galloping strides. In the Fiscal Year 2018 the revenue growth rate of hotels and restaurants had a 9.8% increase. At the same time, Nepali industry did also grow by 8.8%. In the last 25 years, Nepal had never experienced such a hike in the growth. In the last two decades, Nepali growth was barely 4%. These statistics are the testimony to the fact that Nepali tourism and development sectors are performing better than before.
At a time when Nepali tourism is doing better, an idea of launching Visit Nepal 2020 is a timely decision by the government. There cannot be a better time to launch Visit Nepal 2020 than now.
It is learnt that for the preparation of Visit Nepal 2020, about four thousand new hotel rooms of star level will be added in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara. About 30 new hotels will come into operation for targeting Visit Nepal 2020. In addition, at least five international chains like Sheraton, Double Treee, Hilton and Marriott will launch their services for 2020.
It is good to know that Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has planned to organize travel-marketing road shows in several cities in the UK. These efforts will spread awareness among the British people about Visit Nepal 2020. Let�s not forget that the British tourists� arrival had risen by 25% in 2018. That means about 63,000 British tourists had arrived in Nepal in 2018.
Some tourism entrepreneurs including Karna Shakya think that earthquake in 2015 might have created fear among the international visitors. However, now more visitors want to travel Nepal because some want to help Nepal by visiting and many others want to see monuments under constructions.
�Let�s not take earthquake entirely in a negative way, because the numbers of international tourists have dramatically soared up after earthquake. This shows that earthquake has been proved blessing in disguise�, said Karna Shakya in a recent TV interview in Kathmandu.
Challenges
To attain the target of 2 million international tourists in 2020 is easier said than done. There are numerous hurdles on the way. The road is bumpy, rough and challenging. Lack of budget, lack of resources, rampant corruption, lack of security and so on and so forth are some key issues on which the government must ponder on.
Poor air connectivity of Nepal with those nations from which more tourists visit Nepal has not been enthusiastic. Currently, there are 28 international airlines being operated in Kathmandu airport from 14 countries. However, due to limited space available inside the Kathmandu airport, further expansion of the airport is not possible. Thus, an additional slot is not possible in near future.
Kathmandu airport is unable to accommodate more planes and provide additional facilities due to unavailability of more space. Besides this, poor management and lack of security, Kathmandu airport has only earned bad names for its poor services. Even domestic aviation service is not up to the mark.
It was believed that Gautam Buddha international airport would start its commercial services from Bhairahawa before 2020. However, due to corruption and lackluster attitude of the government, the construction work is going on at snail�s pace.
The story of Regional International Airport of Pokhara is no better either. After assessing the present situation, it seems that to complete Regional International airport in Pokhara needs one more decade or even more.
These two airports can play a key role to attract high numbers of international tourists. Lumbini, being the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, can attract many religious tourists.
In the meantime, Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region, a popular trekking destination. A direct flight to Pokhara can encourage more tourists to visit Pokhara for trekking and other purposes.
Conclusion
World�s leading tourism experts have concluded that international tourism will grow continuously for a few more years. Hence, Nepal�s decision to launch Visit Nepal 2020 has more chances to meet its target of inviting 2 million international tourists.
However, setting a goal does not mean a target is achieved. Let�s not forget that a happy customer is the best advertiser and vice versa.
What tourists don�t like about Nepal is frequently staging Nepal banda. Nepal banda has become a cancer of Nepali tourism. It needs a permanent cure. Early it is treated better it is.
Nepal banda disturbs itinerary program of tourists. They have to cancel or miss their trains and flights only due to Nepal banda.
Can Nepali government make this announcement of no Nepal banda in entire 2020? Moreover, safety and security of international tourists is a prime concern.
Unfortunately, Nepal does not have a professional team, which can act promptly to conduct various rescue operations and saving the lives of tourists in danger.
More groundwork is required before 2020. Let�s not forget that tourism industry has become much more competitive now than it was before. A small mistake can change the mood of the visitors.
The phrase �Atithi devo bhawa� should be followed in real life rather than keeping it limited in words alone.
This is encouraging news for Nepal as the country is going to launch Visit Nepal 2020 campaign with the ambitious target of receiving 2 million international tourists.
The way international tourism is making its headway, it is obvious that Nepal can pull a large number of international tourists as the country has much more to offer them. An improved tourism means a better economy of the country. It is evident that tourism sector alone can play a vital role to consolidate national economy of the country. This is the one reason why Nepali government wants to leave no stone unturned to achieve the target of 2 million international tourists.
Visit Nepal Campaigns
The history of Visit Nepal Year began with the sheer intention of attracting more numbers of international tourists to Nepal. With this intention, Nepali government had launched first ever campaign of Visit Nepal in 1998.
The government�s decision of launching first ever Visit Nepal 1998 was welcomed by several private travel organizations, hotels & restaurants. These organizations and many others had extended their helping hands with the government to make Visit Nepal 1998 a grand success.
Visit Nepal 1998 was launched with the slogan �A World of its Own�. This campaign was successful in the sense that in 1998 four hundred thousand tourists traveled to Nepal. This figure was quite impressive than the previous years.
Though the first Visit Nepal 1998 campaign was a success, next tourism campaign was launched quite late. It came only in 2011. The government had already learned a few lessons from the initial success of Visit Nepal 1998. This time the government was much prepared to launch Visit Nepal 2011. For the first time, the government had set a target of receiving 1 million tourists.
Round the year, the campaign was vigorously launched. As a result, by the end of 2011 over seven hundred thousand tourists visited Nepal. However, the target could not be met, but this campaign had given enough confidence to Nepali tourism. It was until 2018 when Nepal achieved the target of receiving 1 million visitors.
Over the last three years, Nepali tourism is taking galloping strides. In the Fiscal Year 2018 the revenue growth rate of hotels and restaurants had a 9.8% increase. At the same time, Nepali industry did also grow by 8.8%. In the last 25 years, Nepal had never experienced such a hike in the growth. In the last two decades, Nepali growth was barely 4%. These statistics are the testimony to the fact that Nepali tourism and development sectors are performing better than before.
At a time when Nepali tourism is doing better, an idea of launching Visit Nepal 2020 is a timely decision by the government. There cannot be a better time to launch Visit Nepal 2020 than now.
It is learnt that for the preparation of Visit Nepal 2020, about four thousand new hotel rooms of star level will be added in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara. About 30 new hotels will come into operation for targeting Visit Nepal 2020. In addition, at least five international chains like Sheraton, Double Treee, Hilton and Marriott will launch their services for 2020.
It is good to know that Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has planned to organize travel-marketing road shows in several cities in the UK. These efforts will spread awareness among the British people about Visit Nepal 2020. Let�s not forget that the British tourists� arrival had risen by 25% in 2018. That means about 63,000 British tourists had arrived in Nepal in 2018.
Some tourism entrepreneurs including Karna Shakya think that earthquake in 2015 might have created fear among the international visitors. However, now more visitors want to travel Nepal because some want to help Nepal by visiting and many others want to see monuments under constructions.
�Let�s not take earthquake entirely in a negative way, because the numbers of international tourists have dramatically soared up after earthquake. This shows that earthquake has been proved blessing in disguise�, said Karna Shakya in a recent TV interview in Kathmandu.
Challenges
To attain the target of 2 million international tourists in 2020 is easier said than done. There are numerous hurdles on the way. The road is bumpy, rough and challenging. Lack of budget, lack of resources, rampant corruption, lack of security and so on and so forth are some key issues on which the government must ponder on.
Poor air connectivity of Nepal with those nations from which more tourists visit Nepal has not been enthusiastic. Currently, there are 28 international airlines being operated in Kathmandu airport from 14 countries. However, due to limited space available inside the Kathmandu airport, further expansion of the airport is not possible. Thus, an additional slot is not possible in near future.
Kathmandu airport is unable to accommodate more planes and provide additional facilities due to unavailability of more space. Besides this, poor management and lack of security, Kathmandu airport has only earned bad names for its poor services. Even domestic aviation service is not up to the mark.
It was believed that Gautam Buddha international airport would start its commercial services from Bhairahawa before 2020. However, due to corruption and lackluster attitude of the government, the construction work is going on at snail�s pace.
The story of Regional International Airport of Pokhara is no better either. After assessing the present situation, it seems that to complete Regional International airport in Pokhara needs one more decade or even more.
These two airports can play a key role to attract high numbers of international tourists. Lumbini, being the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, can attract many religious tourists.
In the meantime, Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region, a popular trekking destination. A direct flight to Pokhara can encourage more tourists to visit Pokhara for trekking and other purposes.
Conclusion
World�s leading tourism experts have concluded that international tourism will grow continuously for a few more years. Hence, Nepal�s decision to launch Visit Nepal 2020 has more chances to meet its target of inviting 2 million international tourists.
However, setting a goal does not mean a target is achieved. Let�s not forget that a happy customer is the best advertiser and vice versa.
What tourists don�t like about Nepal is frequently staging Nepal banda. Nepal banda has become a cancer of Nepali tourism. It needs a permanent cure. Early it is treated better it is.
Nepal banda disturbs itinerary program of tourists. They have to cancel or miss their trains and flights only due to Nepal banda.
Can Nepali government make this announcement of no Nepal banda in entire 2020? Moreover, safety and security of international tourists is a prime concern.
Unfortunately, Nepal does not have a professional team, which can act promptly to conduct various rescue operations and saving the lives of tourists in danger.
More groundwork is required before 2020. Let�s not forget that tourism industry has become much more competitive now than it was before. A small mistake can change the mood of the visitors.
The phrase �Atithi devo bhawa� should be followed in real life rather than keeping it limited in words alone.
