NATTA in partnership with Nepal Tourism Board successfully exhibited Nepal at the 9th Asian Tourism Fair, Dhaka at International Convention City, Bashundhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. NATTA coordinated with ten different stakeholder companies; hotels and travel companies from the tourism industry to participate in ATF.
The three days long Fair September 29 to October 1, was inaugurated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism at the International Convention Center Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital, Mokammel Hossain. The ninth edition of the fair drew widespread attention from people as it was organised after a gap of two years.
The fair was held with the overall cooperation of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and Bangladesh Tourism Board in the organization of Tourism Bichitra. This year Nepal remained a Prime partner country throughout the Fair. Eight countries participated in this year’s fair. Various tourism organizations from around the countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, India, Bhutan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Lithuania participated in the fair. Among them, there were more than 50 foreign institutions. The fair had various attractive travel offers, hotel, resort or package bookings including special discounts for travel abroad during the tourist season.
Nepal Embassy in Dhaka and Nepal Tourism Board jointly hosted a Tourism Networking Reception on the very first day of the Fair on September 29 at the Embassy’s premises where Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh H.E Ghanshyam Bhandari welcomed the tourism stakeholders of both countries.
Taking part in the programme, tour operators, travel agents, diplomats, and journalists from both Nepal and Bangladesh also said extensive cooperation between the two neighbours can take the tourism industries to a new height. A Nepalese delegation comprising representatives of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents and the Nepal Tourism Board also participated in the event. Likewise, a presentation of Nepal was presented by the Manager of the Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Bimal Kandel at the event highlighting the natural attractions of Nepal, including mountains, rich biodiversity and its culture.
The coordinator of Nepal’s Participation in ATF, Senior Vice-President, NATTA, Mr. Pramod Dahal highlighted the relationship and potential of tourism between Nepal and Bangladesh and spoke on several occasions during the events including the Welcome Ceremony of ATF, a Tourism Networking event organized by the Embassy and several panel discussions during the program.
According to the organisers, the final day of the event got a festive look with the participation of tourists and visitors who were seen in a good spirit obtaining travel information including the visa process to hotel facilities and guides under one roof.
Apart from this, various events at the fair included seminars on tourism, drawing competitions for children and business-to-business meetings. There were cultural programs of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the fair.
For inclusive tourism promotion, Nepal Tourism Board Tourism won the Award of Excellence and NATTA received Best Tourism Association Leadership in three-day long Asian Tourism Fair (ATF).
This Fair was sub-coordinated by Executive Member, Ms. Shradha Shrestha and also supported by Nepal Tourism Board Officer Mr. Shiv Raj Pandey.
The participating companies for ATF representing Nepal are Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, Dragon Holidays Pvt. Ltd., Himalaya Hub Adventure Pvt. Ltd., Koili Tours Pvt. Ltd., Makalu Adventure Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd., Moonsun Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd., Nepal Social Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., Step on Himalaya Pvt. Ltd., World Favour Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. and Yala Adventure Pvt. Ltd.