In an effort to promote tourism to Nepal, the Travel Agents Association of India - North India (TAAI-NI) chapter recently held a joint tourism conclave with members of the travel associations of Nepal, including Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Pacific Association of Travel Agents (PATA) and Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA). Over 90 tourism professionals from India including TAAI members, tour operators, airline representatives and journalists attended the conclave. The two-day conclave focussed on issues dogging the tourism industry of Nepal.

Members of the TAAI(NI) delegation pointed out that, if Nepal wanted to claim more outbound tourists from north India, to augment its tourism fortunes, it should look at positioning itself as a hill station. This consensus was the result of the fact that most north Indians prefer to retire to hill stations for leisure which is why Nepal should consider re-inventing the brand to tap this segment. Viewing that Nepal has excellent weather all the year round, is easily accessible and is one of the most affordable products for the Indian mid market segment, TAAI(NI) urged members from the Nepal delegation to look beyond Kathmandu and the casinos and unveil new destinations to attract Indian tourists.

Says Jagdeep Rikhy, managing director, Inter Skylinks (India) Pvt Ltd and honorary treasurer TAAI (NI), “We have asked members of NATA and NTB to create packages offering more than Kathmandu and casinos. We have goaded them to throw open new hill destinations in Nepal for the Indian tourists, who want something off the beaten track. We also strongly recommended that India being their largest regional source market, warrants a much larger and aggressive presence from their end. Only then can they generate their desired volumes.”

As a follow up action of the conclave, TAAI is planning to chart out tailor-made packages for the Indian travellers. However, the packages will be formulated once TAAI receives details from the agent fraternity of the Himalayan kingdom. Are TAAI members exploring the possibility of developing a dual destination package? “Not now,” says Rikhy, adding “however, such packages are possible.”

Commenting on the feasibility of a dual destination promotion, Subhash Verma, director, Travel Plus said, “Since the number of tourists from Nepal to India are not very encouraging, dual destination promotion will not be a good idea. However, in my opinion, Nepal should offer packages through its national carrier Royal Nepal Airlines (RNA). The airline can offer one-day or two-day packages to tourists travelling to Bangkok or Singapore. This way, Nepal can target new segments travelling out of India. A day-long halt in Kathmandu can prove to be a very good strategy as Nepal does not seek visa.”

Delegates At The TAAI-NI Conclave In Nepal