NATTA projected to organize a tourism Sales Mission in Colombo, Sri Lanka promoting with a special focus on pilgrimage and leisure tourism from 15-18 November 2021. A group of nineteen Nepalese tourism stakeholders was led by NATTA comprising tour operators, trekking agencies and hoteliers to participate in the Sales Mission.
The main event was held on 16th November 2021 at Ramada by Wyndham, Colombo where a B2B session was organized followed by Nepal Night Program. The program had the participation of Sri Lankan tour operators, officials from the Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, officials from Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau, Former President of TAASL and UFTAA Board Director, an official of Sri Lankan Airlines and media people.
During the B2B session, tourism fraternities from both countries enhanced their mutual contacts and shared their business prospects and possible areas of cooperation for the benefit of both sides. As Sri Lanka is the 5th largest country with a Buddhist population in the world, Nepal’s travel trade sector came on a mission to launch various packages, especially focusing on Lumbini and the surrounding areas related to Buddhism.
In the Nepal Evening program, welcome remarks were given by the head of the Mission, Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, Mr. Bishwash Bhatta focusing on the vast potentialities of tourism in Nepal and stressing further co-operation between both the countries for mutual benefits. Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of NTB, presented the Presentation on Nepal’s cultural and natural heritage Nepal involving the current travel protocols through the slide and video presentation. Further, he highlighted the Greater Buddhist and Ramayana Circuit and the newly available facilities in Lumbini and the surrounding area. He presented the promising progress of Gautam Buddha International Airport which is expected to commence shortly that is hoped to be a turning point in making Lumbini more visible in the international market. Treasurer of UFTAA, Mr. Trevor Rajaratnam also addressed the audience with the hope to see more traffic between two South Asian neighbours in the tourism sector. NATTA President Mr. Achyut Guragain with the closing remarks thanked the audience for participating in the event within the short notice and also elaborated that Nepalese people also love to travel to Sri Lanka and indulge in the beaches and can bilaterally share benefits to the tourism fraternities of both the countries.
The event had the presence of more than 100 invitees including travel tour operators, media and that made an opportunity to connect with all the Nepalese travel trade entrepreneurs. The invitees collected various information as to how the potential travellers to Nepal could make their trip relatively easier and more comfortable.
On the very next day, NATTA and NTB Delegation had invited for a Lunch Meeting to the renowned tour operators and delegates of tourism fraternity to discuss on the further promotion of tourism on 18th of November. In a luncheon meeting officials of the Nepal Tourism Board, officials of NATTA, representative of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, representative of IATA and treasurer of UFTAA discussed various issues regarding the promotion of tourism in Nepal and Sri Lanka. They stressed the specific roles that can be played by different authorities for the tourism connection between both nations. The discussion was concerned with the establishment of affordable fare of a direct flight between the capital cities of Nepal and Sri Lanka which would attract more tourists in the two countries. The participants at the meeting also agreed that the regular Sales Missions and FAM trips in both destinations would be the key to promoting tourism in the region and ultimately giving tourism a new height.
Likewise, in giving insight to the participants regarding Nepal Sales Mission in Sri Lanka, Briefing Session with participants along with NTB officials was held at Nepal Tourism Board on 12th November 2021. The meeting was held to discuss the details about Mission and certain norms to be applied during the participation. During the session, several opinions were discussed and shared to make the event more effective. Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board in the program bid farewell to the team with best wishes.
In support and coordination of the Sales Mission in Sri Lanka, NATTA Delegations visited the Embassy of Sri Lanka and met with Her Excellency before the Program. H.E had assured and supported the success of the mission from her end.
NATTA had nominated NATTA Secretary Mrs. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha as a Coordinator and Executive Member Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha to sub coordinate the Mission in Sri Lanka. The Mission also had the participation of NATTA President, Mr. Achyut Guragain. NTB too had its representatives participate and promote Nepal in the Mission. Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director, Mr. Pradip Gaire, Officer and Mr. Shiv Raj Pandey, Officer of NTB participated in representing Nepal Tourism Board.
DEBRIEFING OF THE SALES MISSION
After the successful event, a Debriefing Luncheon meeting with the delegates who participated in the Nepal Sales Mission in Sri Lanka at Colombo, Sri Lanka was held at Hotel Marshyangdi in the afternoon, 17th December 2021.
The feedback form was filled out by the participants to express their reactions towards the mission.
The participants expressed their satisfaction to NATTA along with Coordinator Secretary Mrs. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha and Sub Coordinator Executive Member Mr. Hari Kumar Shrestha for effective coordination of the Sales Mission in a short period.