Nepal Wins “Best Stand” at FITUR 2016, Madrid, SpainTuesday, January 26th, 2016

MADRID, Spain, Jan. 25, 2016 – Nepal bagged the “Best Stand” Award at FITUR 2016  for simple and colorful representation. “A mountain brought to the hall. Prayers turned into colored flags form a tent that protects the country which showcases both its mysticism and its mountainous side in a stall,” said jury, appreciating Nepal stall.

President of Jury for Stand Awards and General Director for Spain and Portugal, IATA, Mr. Javier Valdes, honored the Nepali delegation by visiting Nepal stall to present the award. The award was received by Mrs. Ujjwala Dali, Officiating Director for Tourism Marketing and Promotion from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Mr. Sudhir Upadhyay – Coordinator for FITUR from Nepal Association of Travel & Tour Agents (NATTA). Nepal stall located in Asia Pacific section in Hall 4, was designed with Buddhism theme, replicating the Bauddhnath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, standing tall post-earthquake. Taking into consideration the European people’s keen interest and curiosity in Buddhism, the stupa dome with its “all seeing eyes” and colorful prayer flags attracted lot of visitors to Nepal stand. Over 225,000 total visitors thronged various country pavilions during the 5-day fair.

In Madrid, FITUR assembled the great business and innovation forum of the worldwide tourism industry where NTB in coordination with NATTA, participated along with 16 private companies from Nepal from  January 20 – 24, 2016.  The 36th edition of FITUR 2016, a premier business and promotion forum, was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, Leticia Ortiz. The trade show brought together 9,500 plus companies of wholesalers, tour operators, travel agencies, carrier companies, hotels, accommodation, leisure and culture service companies, and tourism travel media from more than 165 countries to showcase their countries and products alike.

FITUR regarded as the second biggest travel fair in the world after ITB Berlin, highlighted initiatives to simplify international travel with scheduled B2B forums and various workshops etc., branding it as an indispensable tool for the global tourist market. The first three days being exclusively for trade visitors, the participating travel and tour operators from Nepal entertained global trade visitors updating them on post-earthquake tourism scenario such as back to business accommodation and infrastructure facilities, status of trekking trails, safety issues, queries on flight connectivity, visa formalities, tours/activities and best time for Nepal visit etc.

Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, confirmed that international tourism “is growing unceasingly” and advanced that in 2015 it increased by 4.4 % to 1.2 billion international tourists worldwide. Tourism contribution is instrumental in economic growth and job creation in many parts of the world, making it crucial for countries to promote policies that foster continued growth of tourism, including travel facilitation, human resources development and sustainability.The world tourism scenario highlights the issue of safety and security, where the tourism development greatly depends upon our collective capacity to promote safe, secure and seamless travel. UNWTO had very prominent presence at FITUR 2016 organizing various workshops/seminars focusing on accessible tourism as an effective business strategy, food tourism, shopping tourism and future of tourism: innovation, governance and critical paths. A major concept of “third generation tourism” has come up in FITUR dealing with travel technology.

NTB and NATTA participated were partnered in the fair by 16 private companies from Nepal – Outshine Adventure Pvt. Ltd, Sampurna Adventura Travel & Tours P. Lt., Vista Adventure Nepal Pvt. Ltd, Destination Nepal Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd, Palpali Tour & Travel Pvt. Ltd, All Nepal Trekking Pvt. Ltd. Red Carpet Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd, Buna Treks && Expedition Pvt. Ltd, Makalu Adventure Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd, Royal Mountain Travel – Nepal Pvt. Ltd, BCN Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd, Asian Adventure Treks & Expedition P. Ltd, Osho World Adventure Pvt. Ltd, Yala Adventure Pvt. Ltd, Vista Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd. and Gaama Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd.

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