Nepal stand at WTM 2000

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 20: Nepal Tourism Board along with the Royal Nepal Airlines and other 25 travel-trade companies from the private sector participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) held from 13-16, Nov. 2000 at Earl's Court, London, UK. WTM is the second largest travel trade fair in the world.

The WTM this year was participated by 627 exhibitors and 4,666 sharing companies from 165 countries making a total 5,293 exhibitors.The participation this year was significant because of the biggest ever presence of Nepal in WTM till date, according to NTB's press statement. The total area covered by Nepal this years was 190 square metres. The Nepalese stand this year was decorated with traditional Nepali architecture which depicted Kasthamandap. the entrance doors were made in golden colour in typical style with intricate designs and religious motifs. The pillars of the stand had intricate woodworkers and the roof was adorned with three golden gajurs.

Nepalese travel-trade by participating in the WTM fair, got the opportunity of establishing strengthening, expanding and developing new business linkes with the UK based outbound operators and travel trade during WTM. WTM was largely participated by hotels, travel trade operators, national tourism organisers, travel trade publicaitons from around the world. Nepal Tourism Board also published one-page advertisement and destination coverage information or World Travel Market Buyer's Guide and Diary 2000-2001 in order to gaine xtra mileage during and after WTM. UK remains one of the top five markets for Nepal and the visitor number from this segment since 1982 has almost tripled. NTB is organising various familiarising trips for the press in the forthcoming months to hit this market and create publicity and awareness on the diverse flora and fauna, adventure attractions and the traditional multi-ethnic culture of Nepal.

Coinciding with Nepal's grand participation at WTM, a special Nepal Night programme at the Royal Nepalese Embassy was held on November 14, 2000. Guests were accorded a warm welcome by women clad in traditional Nepalese costumes. The programme also included live Nepali music, Nepali cuisine and a multi-media presentation on the various products and facilities of Nepal. The programme was jointly coordinated by Nepal Tourism Board and the Royal Nepalese Embassy, UK.

Earlier, HE Ambassador of Nepal to the UK. Dr. Singha Bahadur Basnet, while welcoming the guests, highlighted the needs of aggressive marketing in the UK and stressed that this kind of programme can certainly help in bringing close ties between the industry members of the two countries. He also expressed the commitment and support of Royal Nepalese Embassy to Nepal Tourism Board in destination promotion in the UK. Tek Bahadur Dangi, Director of Tourism Marketing and Promotion of Nepal Tourism Board highlighted the tourism scenario of Nepal and the current and future prospects of tourism in relation to the UK market. He opined that the NTB is strongly committed towards enhancing its strategies so as to target the UK outbound market and also elaborated on the role of NTB towards bringing progressive changes in the future. R.R. Pandey one of the Nepalese participants at WTM and ex-Board Member of Nepal Tourism Board thanked all the participants and colleagues who had put in their efforts to make the programme as well as the participation at WTM a grand success. A multi-media presentation on Nepal was made which was highly appreciated by the invitees. On the same occasion, HRH Princess Jyotsna Basnet selected a lucky draw winner of the round trip air tickets sponsored by RNAC and a one-week holiday in Nepal. The function was attended by almost 70 travel agents and tour operators from the UK and other countries and journalists a part from various other dignitaries and participants of Nepalese delegation.

Earlier, HE Dr. Basnet inaugurated the Nepal Tourism Information Centre which has been established by the Friends of Britain and Nepal. On the same occasion, Mr. Dangi launched the third issue of the Kingdom in the Himalaya magazine. The information centre has been established with a view of enabling information to all the information seekers who are interested about Nepal. The office is located at 9 Warwik Street which is at the city centre. The programme was attended by various eminent personalities from the travel sector of both UK and Nepal as well as some of the key journalists.

Radisson’s chefs bag first prize

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov 20: In the cuisine competition "Australian Culinary Challenge-2000" held on Sunday, Radisson Hotel bagged the first position. Hyatt Regency, Hotel Annapurna and the Chef’s Association of Nepal were judged the first, second and third runners up.

Ten hotels and restaurants of Kathmandu participated in the competition which was sponsored by the Meat and Livestock Australia and co-sponsored by the Australian Embassy.

Each team, comprised of two chefs of 30 years or younger and supervised by a senior chef, had to devise its own menu by using meat, diary products and other ingredients from Australia.

While the Radisson Hotel team won a cash prize of Rs.50,000, the teams from Hyatt Regency and Hotel Annapurna were awarded Rs.25,000 and Rs.10,000 respectively.