As they say, when you loose everything, hope still remains. And there couldn’t be a better example than Nepal tourism to prove this adage. Nepal tourism, during the last few years suffered worse than today’s SARS hit China, due to social and political disturbances. However, Nepal has recorded a growth of 30 per cent from the Indian market, during the month of May 2003 against May last year. This tremendous increase can be attributed to the ‘Conquest of Mount Everest’ golden jubilee celebrations.

According to figures released by the department of immigration, during the month of May, Nepal received 10,182 tourists from India compared to last year’s 7,847. In an exclusive with Express Travel and Tourism, Tek Bahadur Dangi, the newly appointed chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board said, “Whilst it has been a profitable season for us, we are looking at a much higher growth from India. India is our biggest source market, which is why we are laying special focus on India. We are launching promotional packages with attractive incentives, at a very special price especially, for Indian tourists. So, the numbers should go up drastically,”

The board is further upping its strategy to tap the maximum number of tourists from India. It has recently launched the summer package for Indian travellers, and plans to promote it in all the leading metros and commercial cities around the country. “The packages will be promoted in south Indian cities with a focus on pilgrim tourism. We intend to promote pilgrim tours to Pashupatinath temple. In cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi, our campaigns will be followed up with a day long travel-mart, showcasing Nepal’s tourism potential with the packages as a special highlight. Besides, we will address press and sell the packages through the Indian travel agents and tour operators,” revealed Dangi.

Forging forth with all guns blazing, the board has also roped in Royal Nepal Airline and leading five-star hotels in Nepal, to offer special deals and float competitive packages to lure the Indian masses. This exercise has resulted in the hotel occupancies rising to 80 per cent.