An interest in cultivating new visitor source markets is apparent among Nepal’s tourism stakeholders at the inaugural Himalayan Travel Mart, which took place in Kathmandu last week.
Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, said tour operators should target emerging markets such as Vietnam and Cambodia, away from the traditional sources of Europe, China and the US.
One of the temples in Lubmini, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Nepal
He said: “We need to reach out to new markets where the economy and outbound tourism are growing rapidly.”
Home to many important Buddhist sites – the largest being Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha – Nepal appeals to many South-east Asian Buddhist countries, and this element needs to be pushed.
Suman Pandey, chairman of PATA Nepal, added: “We have more direct flights, and many of these countries can reach Nepal within three to four hours. Nepal needs to be promoted to these countries.”
Tapping into the youth sector from neighbouring India and Bangladesh for weekend getaways and short breaks is another viable segment, said Joshi.
Growing flight connectivity has made the country more accessible, coupled with new products such as ecolodges and community projects being developed in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas.
Shital Chandra Dharel, executive director of Himalaya Heart Treks and Expeditions, said: “While trekking or safaris may take a week or more, there are a lot of experiences in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas that can be enjoyed in a short few days.”
