Nepal gears up to welcome Korea Outbound for the upcoming seasonFriday, June 28th, 2024

27 June 2024

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Nepal Tourism Board recently concluded a series of destination and business promotion sessions in two cities of Republic of Korea with resounding success that promised a strong revival of Korean outbound to Nepal as Korea continue to stand as the top 10 source market for Nepal. 

Nepal Tourism Board in collaboration with the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul and Korea Tours and Trekking Operators’ Association of Nepal (KOTTAN), jointly organised Nepal Tourism Promotion Event with B2B meeting in Gwangju and Seoul, S. Korea on 25 and 27 June 2024 respectively where more than 100 Korean tour operators and media were present and briefed about the Nepalese tourism scenario. 

A strong contingent of 13 companies coordinated by KOTTAN had fruitful B2B meetings in the cities of Seoul and Gwangju. The primary objective of these events was to create the platform for business to business dealing and also educate the Korean Tour Operators and media about the new tourism products, attractions and offerings of Nepal in new scenario. Nepal not only offers adventure and spiritual activities but Nepal offers everything for everyone irrespective of their age or gender. Nepal is all season destination offering “lifetime experiences”. With the rise of new properties and some wonderful niche activities the horizon of Nepalese tourism has upscaled and Korean tourists can enjoy any segment of it. These efforts were well appreciated by the Korean Tourism Fraternities and media representatives. 

Addressing the program, Her Excellency Dr. Jyoti Pyakuryal (Bhandari), Ambassador of Nepal to Korea expressed that this event is as an ideal platform for exchange of new ideas, new market segments and to showcase diverse tourism products and services to increase prospective travelers in the context of gradual decline of Korean tourist in Nepal compared to 2018. She requested all the Korean tour operators to help in the increase of the arrival and sell packages of religious, spiritual, cultural and adventure tourism. She raised the issues of global warming and climate change and focused on sustainable tourism practices to be included in all aspects of tourism. She also opined on the ample investment opportunities in Nepal. He stressed her commitment to lobby for connectivity through NAC and increase flight frequency. 

Similarly, Mr. Pushpa Raj Bhattarai Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Nepal in Seoul expressed his happiness to see the groups of Nepalese and Korean tour operators’ collectively promoting tourism businesses between two countries. Tourism as a means of promoting soft diplomacy of a particular country, he further shed light on the 50^th anniversary of Nepal-Korea diplomatic relation between Nepal and the Republic of Korea. He requested both Korean and Nepali operator to work together in promoting tourism of Nepal. 

Likewise, Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director, Nepal Tourism Board did two brief presentations of ‘Destination Nepal’ and ‘Investment Opportunities in Tourism Sector of Nepal’. These presentations showcased the diverse tourism experiences that Nepal has to offer along with the prospects on investment opportunities to potential Korean investors. He said such type of program provides a wider platform for the two countries to unleash the potential of tourism promotion. 

Furthermore, Mr. Byun, Gi Tae, President, Korean Alpine Club participated in the B2B event of Seoul and urged to companies to materialize the opportunity for strong connections. Likewise, Mr. Lee Euijae, Standing Vice President of Korea Alpine Federation shared the affinity of Korean tourist towards Nepal and requested the Korean tour operators to capitalize this opportunity and support Nepal.

Mr. Amar Bahadur Shahi, President, KOTTAN in his closing remarks said that Nepal is one of the favourite destinations among the Koreans and invited all the Korean tour operators to experience the beauty of Nepal and its people. He also said that the tourism industry in Nepal is grateful for the warm welcome and encouragement it has received from travel agents of Korea. As a part of luck draw winner prizes, KOTTAN also gave 3 tour packages to the invited Korean tour operators in both the cities.

The program in Gwangju was attended by more than 65 participants including Nepali travel and tour companies along with Mr. Jeon, Sung Hyun, Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of Nepal in Gwangju, Venerable Hyung Jyang of Dewansa Temple and Mr. Seon, Sugh-Yeon, Chairman of Gwangju Tourism Association. Similarly, more than 85 participants attended the program in Seoul along with the representatives from Korea Alpine Federation and Korea Alpine Club.

Prior to this program, Nepal Sales Mission was held in Seoul and Busan in May 2023. The Program designed as B2B event provided opportunity for travel trade professionals from Korea to explore the vast tourism offerings of Nepal. Senior Nepalese Tourism Businessman Mr. K.P. Sitoula coordinated and facilitated the event in both cities and has committed for his full support to send more Korean tourists to Nepal.

Korea serves as 2.45% of the total tourist arrivals. This year also till May 2024, Korean Tourist arrival has reached to 12405 from which we can see the recovery of about 80% compared to the year 2019 pre-covid level where the arrival was 29680. Such interaction between Nepal/Korea business participants was optimistic in seeing the visitor numbers surge in the coming days.

Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director, Tourism Product and Development Department and Ms. Srijana Nepali, Officer, Tourism Marketing and Development represented NTB in the event. The 13 tourism companies /members of KOTTAN were: Adventure 14 Peak Trekking & Expedition, Raika Tours and Travels, Dreamline Trekking and & Tours, Trekking Camp Nepal Pvt. Ltd., I.B.Z Travels & Tours, Hotel Thamel Park & Spa Korean Restaurant, J. Vill Nepal Trekking & Expedition, Link Asia Tours and Travel, Good travels & Tours, Haneul Tours and Travels, J. Vill Nepal Travels and Tours Mountain Zone Tour & Treks Pvt. Ltd and Sora Adventure Treks & Expedition

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