Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) observed historic Golden Jubilee, XXI Convention and Round Table Conclave amidst a huge assemblage of national and international dignitaries, media personalities, political leaders, diplomatic communities, national and international airlines members and members of travel trade fraternity of Nepal on December 9, 2016 in Kathmandu. The theme of the celebration was, “Nepal Tourism: Industry of National Priority” with an objective of bringing forth the agenda of tourism into the national importance and promoting it as national industry.
Inaugurated by Hon. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Jiwan Bahadur Shahi, Golden Jubilee and XXI Convention were attended by Hon. State Minister of MoCTCA, Mr. Indra Bahadur Baniya, former Minister of MoCTCA Mr. Kripasur Sherpa, high ranking Government Officials, 38 international delegates from 12 countries including President and Vice President of United Federation of Travel Trade Association (UFTAA) Mr. Sunil Kumar R. and Mr. Yossi Fatael respectively and others from international and national airlines, diplomatic missions, presidents of travel associations of Nepal, former presidents and office bearers of NATTA, members from tourism fraternity, media etc. NATTA’s most coveted awards: Sagarmatha Award and Bhaskar Award were presented to Mr. Tek Chandra Pokharel, former President /logest serving President (1977-78/1980-90) for his contribution to NATTA and tourism industry of Nepal and Mr. Sudarshan Dhakal, former Director General of Department of Tourism, MoCTCA (for his initiative for policy reforms) respectively. Similarly Mr. Arjun Prasad Sharma, former President of NATTA was given Tourism Service Award for his almost two decade-long continued service in NATTA Board in various capacities. Air India and Thai Airways were honored for their 50 years’ service in Kathmandu Sector and for their contribution to promote Nepal in international markets. Other awards and honors presented on the historic occasion of Golden Jubilee and XXI Convention were: 25 Year Excellence Award to Vardan International Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd., Letters of Appreciation to former Presidents of NATTA, NATTA Media Awards, Memento to foreign delegates, paper presenters and commentators and NATTA Secretariat.
The NATTA XXI Convention dealt with the theme through paper presentation and comments. Dr. Shankar Sharma, former Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission and Mr. Sunil Kumar R. President of United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) presented papers covering a wide spectrum of tourism in international scenario and tourism in Nepalese context. Dr. Sharma highlighted on the policy matters and how tourism could be facilitated through policy reforms while Mr. Kumar dealt with international scenario of tourism growth and the growing tendency of tourism activities in South and South East Asia which Nepal could take great advantage of. Mr. Suraj Baidya, President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, former Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board and R.R. Pandey, former President of NATTA commented on the papers and highlighted the value and importance of tourism in Nepal and how the latter could work on it.
The Convention was followed by Round Table Conclave that included the participation of Presidents/Heads of delegates of international travel associations from 12 countries, and national dignitaries including former Minister of Information and Communication Mr. Shankar Pokhrel, Secretary of MoCTCA, Mr. Shankar Adhikary, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporations, Mr. Sugat Ratna Kansakar, Country Manager Turkish Airlines Mr. Abdullah, Presidents of NMA Mr. Ang Kshering Sherpa, President of PATA Nepal Chapter Mr. Suman Pandey, Veteran Tourism entrepreneur Mr. Tek Chandra Pokharel, presidents and representatives of travel and aviation industry of Nepal, tourism experts and members from travel trade of Nepal. Moderated by Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal, former Secretary of MoCTCA and former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and facilitated by Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya, President of NATTA and Mr. CN Pandey, First Vice President of NATTA and Convener of Golden Jubilee and XXI convention, the Round Table Conclave probed into the nitty-gritty of travel trade of Nepal and abroad. It worked out as an excellent platform to share experiences among and between national and international dignitaries.
For the Special Golden Jubilee Newsletter Issue Click Here