‘This autumn will be a booming season for Nepalese tourism’

Joy Dewan is a dynamic personality involved in the travel trade sector. Born in 1958, Dewan is the Managing Director of Zenith Travels (P) Ltd., the GSA of Qatar Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Sahara Airlines, India, and the Hong Kong-based Dragonair. Dewan is also the Managing Director of Zenith Trekking, Zenith Rafting and Ideal Automobile. Graduated in commerce from North Bengal University, St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, India, in 1979, he also completed diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management from the London-based Belair Education Center in 1984. He has been working as General Secretary of Board of Airlines Representatives in Nepal (BARN) since 1990. He is also the member of Security Committee, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Worked as the member of executive committee of Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA) from 1995 to 1997 and Tourism Committee member of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) between 1996 to 1997, he is also involved in the social activities as international director of Rotary Club of Kantipur, executive member of Nepal-Qatar Chamber of Commerce and several other organizations.

Recently, he talked to B. M. Dahal of The Rising Nepal on various contemporary issues related to tourism. Excerpts:

As a travel trade entrepreneur, how do you see the present scenario of tourism in Nepal ?

I think it has changed for the better. It was not good during the summer because the country lost a lot of Indian traffic. This autumn looks good. Almost all the on-line airlines are full and people are finding it difficult to get seats. I have come to know from the booking office of Qatar Airways that thousands of tourists are wait-listed from the outstations like London and other parts of Europe. A lot of people from abroad are requesting our Kathmandu-based office for the seats during this autumn. But on the contrary, hoteliers are saying that the traffic will drop this time. They may be true in the sense that we have more hotel rooms than we have air seats. Still I am confident that this autumn will be a booming season for Nepalese tourism if we do not get cancellation in the days to come.

The country’s tourism industry has been unable to flourish in a desired manner. What are the major factors affecting this potential industry?

One of the major factors is the political instability in the country. Because of the modern communication technology, the world has become very small and people all over the world know what is going on in Nepal. In such a situation, the Nepalese media have to be aware of it and work in a responsible manner. It also the responsibility of the media to protect the country and the tourism industry. If they do not draw lines and continue to write all sorts of thing, it will have negative impacts on the country’s tourism. This means the whole economy of the country may again suffer from setback.

The media seem to be focussing on the Maoist activities and other issues related to peace and security. They should not over-sensitize such issues. Terrorism is there all over the world. Every country has disturbances and politically unstable atmosphere. Despite this, many countries have been able to head for prosperity and progress. We hav to have positive ideas for the development of the tourism industry.

What could be those ideas?

We have to conduct more promotional activities abroad and involve our tour operators there and inform them about the country’s situation in a positive light. Since Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has no sufficient fund for the promotion abroad, we have to take help from the airlines operating to the country. We have to join hands with them to promote the country globally in an effective manner. With their strong network, they can play a significant role for promoting the country in different destinations.

Moreover, as the foreign embassies based here are the major sources of information for the prospective visitors from their respective countries, we must lobby for our tourism. We also have to inform them of our plans and programmes to be carried out in future. The travel trade people have to be in close coordination with them so that they may dispatch positive messages about the country to their people. Also we have to bring out programmes to boost up the country’s image, which is very important.

As our ultimate goal is to bring in more tourists, the government has to encourage the foreign airlines and provide more facilities to them. They can have an important contribution to the promotion of tourism of the country. Being a landlocked country, air access is essential for us if we want to expand our tourism.

It is also very important for the government to strengthen our national flag carrier-RNAC. RNAC has to be made able and efficient to promote the country like the national flag carriers of other countries are found fully involved in promoting their respective countries. The country and the national flag carrier have to go side by side for tourism promotion.

How do you view the policies and programmes of the government and of the NTB in terms of tourism promotion ?

I think, they have planned properly. With the formation of NTB, the representation of the private sector has started. So, there is coordination between the government and the private sector. Now NTB has come up with good plans for destination promotion. It has formed different committees to look after the individual markets/destinations.

Despite their such activities, the bottom line is the effective implementation of their plans and programmes.

It is said that there is a cutthroat and unhealthy competition within the travel trade industry. How can it be controlled ?

A cutthroat competition is already here. Although various travel trade related associations have tried to check it, they have been unable to do so as the whole world is going for free market policy. In free market, there is no protection. So, you cannot tell anybody not to undercut.

What are the activities of BARN?

BARN is an association of both the online and offline carriers. Actually, board of airlines is an association of only online airlines in other countries. Considering the fact that both the online and offline carriers work for aviation, the offline airlines have been included in BARN. As an association of carriers, it raises voices whenever there are problems with the government in relation to the airport, taxation, flight operation, fare, among others. It also coordinates with the government regarding issues such as taxation, customs and civil aviation.

You are the GSA of Qatar Airways for Nepal. How is it promoting Nepal abroad?

Actually, Qatar Airways managed to increase its frequencies during Visit Nepal Year’98. It actually saved Nepal’s face in the international arena when Lufthansa pulled out from the country. Starting with one flight a week in 1995, the airline has been so successful that now it operates daily flight. Considering the demand, we are also planning to have more flights. The airline has been promoting Nepal as an exotic destination through its network in various destinations. It allocates a lot of budget for the promotion of Nepal all over the world. It has developed its own brochures about this Himalayan Kingdom. This is benefiting Nepal. It has brought travel agents and tour operators from various countries like Qatar, Dubai, Doha, Abudhabi, Cairo and Egypt to Nepal for promoting this country in that part of the world.

How do your think Nepal should enhance and diversify it tourism products ?

In terms of tourism products, Nepal has tremendous ranges of natural products. But we have been unable to capitalize them because of poor infrastructure. So, we have to concentrate on building infrastructures. Productwise, I think, Nepal is the most fascinating destination in the world but we are weak in marketing. We need to explore and open up new destinations and promote them by making them easily accessible.

As you are in the election fray for the leadership of NATA, what will be your programmes if you get elected ?

As I have realized to contribute something for the association, I have been interested in getting involved in NATA. I think that it is high time I should do something for the association. In democracy, associations are very important. So, it is our responsibility to make the institution strong and effective. Such associations alone can work for the benefits of all the members. NATA will be devoted to welfare of travel agents. We will raise voices for the protection of commissions, among others. If we are able to protect it, all the travel agents will be prosperous and successful in business.

Do you any more to say ?

Actually, we are very concerned about the Indian market. This is a big loss for the country as well as the Industry. It is blamed that there is anti-Indian feeling among Nepalese. So, we have to clear this air to solve the problem. There should be a strong relation between Nepal and India at the people’s level. The relation at the diplomatic level will alone cannot be so effective. The associations formed at the people’s level should work to further consolidate relations between the two countries.

Boudhanath: Lord of Wisdom

BY PRAVEEN KHADKA

The great white stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments in Nepal. This stupa is also known as the "Lord of Wisdom." This stupa contains one of the most fascinating architecture in the country.

This stupa is said to be built in the fifth Century A.D. The base of the Stupa is octagonal. According to a legend, during the reign of King Dharma Dev Kathmandu had suffered from a terrifying draught and the king was very worried. An astrologer advised him that the draught could end only if a man with all the 32 virtues was sacrificed before the royal spout, which was also running dry.

The astrologer also told him that the only persons who had the 32 virtues in the kingdom were only the king and his son. Then the king made up his mind to sacrifice himself for the benefit of the kingdom. The following night he commanded his son to go to the dry spout inside the royal palace at mid-night and behead the person without looking at him.

The prince obeyed his father and did as he was told. But to his great horror he found that the person he killed no one but than his own father. In order to atone the big sin of patricide and for penance the prince built this great stupa.

The stupa stands on the massive three levels in Mandala-style platforms. It is an imposing structure standing within the area of 36 meters. The basic feature of the stupa is very much like that of Swayambhunath stupa except for final display. It is, however, much bigger than Swaymbhunath stupa and lies on the ground where as the former one stands on hill top.

The holy site Bouddhanath stupa represents a typical Buddhist architecture. Its main feature is a white dome identified with spotless pure jewels of Nirvana and a 13-tier golden spire in conical shape surrounding the dome. A triple series of thirteen steps leads up to the glistening white dome.

While the base symbolizes the earth, the white mound symbolizes another element water. And the central tower symbolizes fire, the crescent, and the air. O n the underneath the towering structures is a pair of eyes of Buddha painted on all the four sides of the stupa symbolizing the supreme wisdom. Between the eyes there is the third eye and below the symbol like a question mark. This symbolizes the oneness of Buddha. The absence of mouth and the lips on the divine self means it speaks to no one but sees all and knows all.

This site is frequently visited by both Buddhists and Hindus, as Boudhanath is considered as an entry point of the ancient Nepal-Tibet trade route. Though thousands of visitors from around the world and the different places of Nepal visits this stupa to pay homage and to gain knowledge to know about the culture and civilization.

The days considered most auspicious to visit the Bouddhanath stupa are in Buddha Purnima, Samyak day of the Maghi, Loshar Festival and the full moon and new moon days of every month.

Buddha Purnima, the birthday of the Lord Buddha falls on the full moon day of the month of Baishak, according to the Nepalese calender, is celebrated by lightening butter lamp the whole day and night. Once every twelve years, a special ceremony called samyak day in the month of Magh is observed with great feast and fervor. On this day there are dancing, music and recitation of hymns and prayer.

During Loshar, Buddhists worship Lord Buddha and other Buddhist deities by lighting butter lamp. In every full moon and new moon days butter lamp is lightened at the stupa.

The visitors slowly circle the stupa clockwise, following the wall, setting the wheels of mane in the motion and chanting "Om Mani Padme hum......" This means ‘Oh! The jewels in the lotus’.

This stupa is also listed in the world Heritage Sites by UNESCO.