The Everest, Himalayas & Buddha highlighted in SE Asia Sales MissionMonday, September 18th, 2017

BANGKOK, Thailand, Sept. 14, 2017 – Destination presentations and B2B sessions of Nepal Tourism starting from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, went on to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and finally concluded in Bangkok, Thailand on 14 Sept. 2017 as a part of SE Asian countries jointly conducted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and SOTTO Nepal (Society of Travel and Tour Operators) and supported by Nepal Embassy in Bangkok and Nepal Airlines. In total, 19 travel and tour operators affiliated to SOTTO Nepal participated in the program conducted in all the three cities.

Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand, Dr. Khaga Nath Adhikari speaking on the occasion highlighted on interest of mutual benefits and emphasized on joint initiatives and said that “Nepalese would love to see the beaches and Thaivisitors would be fascinated by the Himalayas” while focusing on other tourism activities and places as well.

Making a destination presentation, NTB’s Officiating Director, Bimal Kadel emphasized that ” Even though places like Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara and Lumbini are very popular, Nepal’s tourism revolves round the fulcrum of Everest and the Himalayas , along with the spiritual connection of Lumbini, Birthplace of The Buddha”.

SOTTO Nepal President Mr. Anil Lama also said that, ” The purpose of the sales mission was to drive tourist traffic to Nepal and also to sell Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam packages to the Nepalese people who have shown great interests to travel to these countriesas proven by ever growing numbers”.

Director of Tourism Authority of ThailandMs. K. Wannalert said that, “The natural beauty of Nepal is second to none” recounting her visit to Nepal a few years ago and further added that ” both the countries could possibly work together for mutual benefit” .

Nepal team also interacted with Cambodian counterpart at a program in Phnom Penh on Sept 12 where Mr. In Thoeun, Director General of Ministry of Cambodia Tourism reiterated that ” Buddhism is the cornerstone connection between Cambodia and Nepal fostering tourism and people to people relations bilaterally and it is likely to grow in coming years”. Likewise, Ms. Chhay Sivlin, President of Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) also made her commitment for tourism promotion mutually in her note address. To build on the partnership and to strengthen network further ,SOTTO Nepal signed an MoU with CATA for further joint cooperation and mutual benefit of tourism.

Earlier on Sept 10, at Ho-Chi Min city , Nepal team made a comprehensive presentation to tour operators and media who were invited to the program. Discussion with Ms. Nyu Yen Thi Khanh, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh Tourism Association was also held for tourism promotion between the two countries .

While Nightlife and Shopping and key highlights in Thailand; traumatic memories of Vietnam war; and the Civil War perpetuated by Kheme Rouge leader Pol Pot are the main attractions for tourism business in Cambodia.

Around 300 tour operators and medias, intotal, were present in the programs of the three cities who were all given Certificates of Appreciation for the participation at the programs and raffle draws were conducted in all the three cities where Bangkok-Kathmandu-Bangkok tickets were sponsored by Nepal Airlines while tour packages was provided by SOTTO Nepal.

With proper connectivity, Nepal could be a hub in South Asia catering to visitors who are flying to and from Kathmandu to various cities of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and adjoining countries.

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