PTM 2019 was unique as it was the first time in PATA’s 68-year history that a PATA event was organized in Central Asia. The exotic location had drawn in travel enthusiasts from the global tourism industry seeking novelty for their well-travelled clientele. Nepal Pavilion displaying a replica of Swoyambhu Stupa as a highlight with prayer flags and a handmade mural of the panoramic range of the Nepal Himalayas was much appreciated by the visitors and passers-by.
PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Tourism Board along with five PATA member organizations from tourism fraternity of Nepal including The Explore Nepal, Nepal Holiday Makers Tours & Travels, Himalayan Holidays, Fishtail Tours and Travels and Bhrikuti Himalayan Treks made impressive and successful participation at the 42nd edition of PATA Travel Mart 2019 held from Sept. 18-20 in Astana (Nur Sultan), Kazakhstan; promoting Nepal as a destination offering lifetime experiences.
The PTM2019, hosted by Kazakhstan Tourism, has attracted over 1,200 delegates from 63 global destinations. The delegate numbers embraced 347 seller delegates from 180 organizations and 34 destinations along with 252 buyers from 244 organizations and 48 source markets.
NTB and PATA Nepal Chapter disseminated tourism information about Nepal to the international delegates and local trade visitors; whereas tourism entrepreneurs discussed holiday packages and business opportunities with global buyers at Nepal Pavilion. Apart from getting Nepal tourism information and updates, visitors to the stall were interested in the different products that Nepal offered to the different demographic groups of travelers interested in visiting Nepal. In addition to trekking and adventure, queries were made on cultural tours and experiences, wellness tourism, luxury tourism, meaningful experiences and even volunteer tourism. Nepal’s premier international travel and tourism trade show, the Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM); and Nepal India China Expo (NICE), a noble initiative of PATA Nepal and NTB to mark the national celebration of Visit Nepal Year 2020 were also promoted among the international buyers at the mart.
On 21st September, PATA Nepal Chapter received the BEST PATA CHAPTER AWARD for the 3rd time in a row for its excellent efforts and engagement with the Next. Gens of Nepal’s tourism industry. This NextGen. Engagement Award is one of the prestigious acknowledgements by PATA to the Chapter that shows great dedication and contribution in engaging with the NextGen, to promote tourism industry among the young tourism professionals (YTPs).
PATA Nepal Chapter CEO, Mr. Suresh Singh Budal received the “Best Engagement with YTPs” Award presented by PATA Chairman Mr. Chris Bottril and PATA CEO Mr. Mario Hardy. Addressing at the PATA Chapters Colloquium, Mr. Budal briefed about Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign and Nepal’s Tourism Promotion initiatives; as well as activities by PATA Nepal Chapter among the representatives from PATA Chapters worldwide. He presented PATA Nepal’s efforts and initiatives in engaging the YTPs and affirmed that PNC’s achievements over the last years were not possible without the involvement and support of its young tourism professionals. He also extended gratitude and thanks to all senior leaders from Nepal and PATA HQ for continuous encouragement and support in the mission of engaging YTPs. He informed that PTM is one of the premiere travel-trade show of Asia-Pacific region offering business contracting and networking opportunities among global stakeholders of tourism.
Ms. Shradha Shrestha (Manager- NTB) said, “Participation in PTM as always was successful for Nepal. It was more of networking and establishing contacts with new and old buyers and sellers. Nepal was a new destination for Kazakh people. We saw a lot of interest from Nepal from South American Destinations like Argentina, Spain. The platform was beneficial for Nepal to promote the VisitNepal2020 campaign as well in Central Asia.”
“We also introduced a digital campaign to promote Nepal among visitors from around the world to engage and encourage them for following NTB social media platforms for regular updates about destination offerings in Nepal”, said Ms. Arhchana KC Rana, Manager-NTB.
