National 6 (Spotlight Weekly)

Northern Prospect

The government authorizes 78 travel agencies to bring tourists from China

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

More than six months after China officially enlisted Nepal as an out-bound destination for its citizens, the Nepalese government has recognized 78 travel agencies to bring tourists from its giant northern neighbor. The Chinese government authorized 67 of its own travel agencies for the same purpose in November last year.

Nepal was granted "Approved Destination Status" by the Chinese government last year. About two dozen countries have received that status, Nepal being the first in South Asia. Tourism authorities of the two countries have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop tourism in both countries, paving the way for new avenues for Nepal's ailing tourism industry.

Kathmandu durbar square : Tourist attraction

The MoU has provisions on visit programs and procedures for tourists from China. Under the agreement, tourists from China can visit Nepal in group comprising at least five people through travel agencies recognized by the two governments.

Entrepreneurs say the Nepalese side needs to do its homework in order to profit from the Chinese decision. "The ball is in our court now and we must be prepared to handle the Chinese tourists to our maximum benefit," said Yogendra Shakya, a prominent Nepalese tourism entrepreneur.

He said Nepal was slow in tapping the Chinese market. "We had a clear advantage, as we were one of the first few countries to have been granted such status by the Chinese government," said Shakya. "But now, many other countries are ahead of us in terms of tapping Chinese tourists."

Currently, Chinese tourists comprise only two percent of total tourist arrivals in Nepal. This situation could change significantly in the months ahead. As a traditionally close neighbor with a rich cultural and natural heritage, Nepal could attract a considerable number of tourists from China.

The prospect of Chinese tourists coming to Nepal has sent a positive message to Nepal's tourism industry, which has faced a series of blows ever since the December 1999 hijacking of an Indian airliner from Kathmandu generated bad publicity for the country and sparked a decline in the number of Indian tourists.

The upsurge in Maoist attacks and the royal palace killings last year kept a large number of potential visitors away. The kingdom has also suffered from the global decline in tourism following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington DC last September. In anticipation of the imminent flow of tourists from the north, a number of Chinese restaurants have sprung up in the valley.

The sheer size of the Chinese tourist market is enough to make anyone drool. The number of Chinese visiting foreign countries reached 10.41 million in 2000, a number that is growing rapidly each year. According to the World Tourism Organization, China will be the topmost destination and fourth largest tourist-generating market by 2020.

Meanwhile, at the invitation of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and in close co-ordination with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Royal Nepal Airlines and Nepalese travel trade industry, a four-member crew from China Central TV arrived in Kathmandu on March 24. The board invited the crew as part of its marketing plan. The board expects such familiarization trips would be helpful in promoting Nepalese tourism overseas.

According to an NTB press release, the CCTV crew will film in and around Kathmandu valley, Nagarkot, Pokhara, Lumbini, Royal Chitwan National Park and other places of tourist interest.

They will enjoy soft adventures like mountain flight to the Everest, river rafting, ultra-light aircraft ride and jungle safari. Since the Chinese are expectedly soft adventurous people, these activities together with cultural products will be highlighted.

The program will be featured in the highly popular "Chai Tai Variety Show" of CCTV Channel 2, which is seen across China. The program, which emphasizes culture, intellect and entertainment, has a very stable audience of more than 30 million. It is expected to generate huge awareness about Nepal in China.