Nepal Tourist Board to step up UK presence with roadshows

The Nepal Tourist Board is inviting agents and operators to come along and learn how to sell Nepal as an adventure travel destination.

Discussions will centre around new initiatives, selling methods and promotions, and how Nepal can be placed as an adventurous, exciting and ultimately safe destination.

Besides access to the Himalayas, adventure activities available in Nepal now include rafting, paragliding, ultra-light flying, skydiving, bungee-jumping, canyoning, zip-lining, mountain biking and jungle experiences.

Events will be held in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol over January 21-23.

Each evening event will culminate in a prize draw, with an eight-day holiday for two to Nepal up for grabs.

The tourist board says there is growing demand for Nepal in the UK. More than 63,000 British tourists travelled to Nepal last year, up 15% on 2917, while overall arrivals increased 25% last year from 940,218 to 1,173,072.

The Nepalese government’s “Visit Nepal 2020 - Lifetime Experience” campaign though is targeting two million by 2020 and has pledged to invest in new international airports and development of tourism infrastructure.

Lumbini international airport is due to open this year, with work on hubs in Pokhara and Nijgadh earmarked as priority by the government.

Private sector providers, meanwhile, are developing new tailor-made packages and eight new hotels are expected to open this year.

Accommodation capacity in capital Kathmandu, Pokhara and other urban centres has been expanded, and work to restore many of the heritage sites across the country damaged during the 2015 earthquake is nearly completion. Heritage areas in Kathmandu and Patan were recent opened to the public and the reconstruction works are estimated to be 70% completed.

The roadshows will be held at the Jojolapa Bar and Restaurant in Birmingham (January 21), the Castlefield Rooms in Manchester (January 22) and We the Curious in Bristol (January 23).

Anyone wishing to register should contact Pru Goudie at The Adventure Connection, who are co-ordinating the roadshows, via pru@theadventureconnection.com.