Twentieth NATTA Biennial Convention-2015 with the theme Building Better Tourism With Renewed Strength, Sixth NATTA Annual Special Program Carnival-2015, Fourth NATTA Blood Donation Program and the Familiarization Tour for International Media and Tour Operators including the 2nd EC Meeting of South Asia Tourism Federation have concluded with resounding success on 01st of October 5, 2015 at a stretch beginning from 21st of September 2015.
The XXth Convention of NATTA was inaugurated by Rt. Hon’ble Speaker of Legislative Assembly Mr. Subhash Chandra Nembang and was graced by Hob’ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Kripasur Sherpa. NATTA Special Guest of Honour from China Mr. Jiang Ming Yang popularly known as Mr. Ocean, a very popular and well-known Chinese celebrity participated in all NATTA events. He also signed an MOU with NATTA to work for the promotion of Nepalese tourism in China as NATTA Goodwill Ambassador for one year. SAMARTH-NMDP has supported NATTA on its aim to focus on Chinese Market for tourism promotion of Nepal. NATTA targets to bring in 250,000 Chinese Tourists for the year of 2016.
Chief Guest Mr. Subhash Ch.Nembang presented the most coveted NATTA Sagarmatha Award to Mr. Eric Valli, a French citizen for his invaluable contributions to uphold the tourism industry of Nepal through his rare photographs, books and world famous movies. He was also conferred on the honor of Honorary Life Member of NATTA. Similarly, Mr. Deependra Bahadur Kshetry,former Governor of Nepal Central Bank (NRB) was presented with NATTA Bhaskar Award- 2015 for his innovative fiscal policy on Repatriation aimed to facilitate the travel trade.
On the occasion, NATTA Excellence Awards and NATTA Media Awards were also given away to the winners. Beside these, Former Presidents of NATTA and current NATTA Advisors were presented Special Plaque of Honor in recognition and admiration of their contributions to reach NATTA to its present height of prestige and glory.
The Honorary President of United Federation of Tour and Travel Agents (UFTAA), Mr. Udaya Nanayakkara presented a key-note speech on the theme of NATTA Convention. The Convention Session was chaired by former Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission and Former Ambassador of Nepal to the USA, Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma. The key-note speech delivered at the convention was commented categorically by the Vice-President of National Tourism Recovery Committee, tourism veteran Mr.Yogendra Shakya focusing on the efforts of Nepalese private sector to rise again.
Participated in by 37 international media and tour operators and tourism associations from China, Hong Kong, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Turkey, Italy, France, Sri Lanka,Thailand and Malaysia, the NATTA Fam Tour of Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara was organized with the support of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) scheduled for 24th to 29th September. A comfortable tourist bus was aided by Nepal Tourist Vehicles Association (NTVA) and en route the participants were received by the officials of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) for a short but thrilling and exciting rafting. Two tour guides provided by Tour Guide Association of Nepal along with officials from NATTA accompanied the guests on fam tour.
Upon arrival in Chitwan, the NATTA Fam Tour group enjoyed the Jungle Safari and the enticingly clear sunset on the banks of river Rapti, where the accommodation and other required logistics were offered by Landmark Forest Park.
On the very next day, the members of the NATTA Fam Tour group was joined by Mr. Eric Valli in Pokhara along with NATTA executives. All the team were accorded a very warm welcome by NATTA Western Regional Association, Pokhara Tourism Recovery Committee (PTRC), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Pokhara, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara, organizers of Pokhara World Tourism Day Celebration Committee and multitude of tourism related associations and enterprises. In Pokhara, accommodations were arranged at Da Yatra Courtyard, Hotel Barahi and Temple Tree.
A special video footage covering the whole of the journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu has also been shot and an edited footage was also telecast by Mountain TV and News 24 channel. In addition, One TV of Hongkong and Tourism Web TV of Italy who participated in the NATTA Fam trip are also airing a special footage on Nepal shortly. Action Asia of Hongkong has already published a special feature on Nepal on last 4th October 2015.
NATTA, in close coordination with Nepal Tourism Board, SAMARTH –NMDP as well as a few of fellow associations and industry partners, has successfully concluded the Fam Tour of three major touristic destinations, Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Pokhara, meant for the international media and tour operators. These media representatives and tour operators were selected on the basis of their profile. They were provided to and fro air passages and accommodations on F/B basis all through their stay in Nepal.
