"Send Home A Friend," officials urge NRNs
In a bid to promote country’s tourism sector, Nepal’s top tourism officials have urged expatriate Nepalis to encourage their foreign friends to visit Nepal.
Launching a joint campaign initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) at a function in London on Saturday, Minister of State for Tourism Prithvi Subba Gurung said Nepalis residing abroad could work as a goodwill ambassador and help in promoting tourism back home by encouraging their friends to visit Nepal.
He said bringing home a tourist would help create seasonal employment for up to seven Nepalis and would also help in the alleviation of poverty. Referring to the splendid natural beauty of Nepal, its unique cultural diversity and hospitality, Minister Gurung said, "Unfortunately, our situation is like that of a poor man who is sleeping on the bed of gold but doesn't know its value."
Making a presentation on the theme “Send Home a Friend and Nepal for All Seasons,” newly appointed CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Prachanda Man Shrestha, said Nepal is passing through a process of institutional transformation and the peace process is also underway, which gives a very positive message for prospective tourists. “This is the time for all of us to capitalize on this momentum and move ahead,” said Shrestha, adding, the contribution, involvement and participation of NRNs in the campaign would go a long way in promoting Nepal as a preferred tourist destination.”
Addressing the function, newly appointed Nepali ambassador for the United Kingdom, Murari Raj Sharma, said Nepali diaspora was emerging strongly and had already made a good beginning. He said the NRN community was likely to come up with a major source of investment and technology transfer for Nepal in the next 15 to 20 years as is the case with India and China.
“We, Nepalis, have always sought jobs abroad. Now, many people are opening their own business. Such endeavors that create employment opportunities and generate revenue need to be encouraged,” he added. He also urged expatriate Nepalis to take initiative to encourage their friends to visit Nepal.
President of the NRN UK chapter, Ashok Shrestha, said Nepal has been described by international media as one of the 50 wonders of the world and one of the ten destinations where people must visit in their life time. He, however, said lack of connectivity had proved a major obstacle in promoting Nepali tourism. He said if given an opportunity, NRN community had the expertise and resources to manage and revamp the state-run Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).
During the question and answer session, most of the participants expressed concerns regarding the poor condition of the country’s only national flag carrier, lack of professionalism among some employees at the Tribhuvan International Airport and frequent strikes that left bad impression among the tourists.
Responding to the queries, Minister Gurung blamed the political leadership for the present ailing condition of the NAC and said he was committed to push forward reforms despite various obstacles.
Director at the NTB, Subash Nirola, delivered the vote of thanks while honorary permanent representative of the NTB in UK, Dhurba KC, conducted the programme that was organised at the Nepali embassy premises in London. Nearly three-hour long programme was followed by Nepali buffet lunch.
According to the NTB, the “Send Home a Friend” campaign will be launched in Germany on March 11, 2008. Similarly, the campaign will be launched in Japan, USA and Hong Kong among members of Nepali diaspora in April, May and June 2008 respectively. nepalnews.com Nov 18 07
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