“Play on the positives, the Embassy is more than happy to support the revival of tourism of Nepal”- HE Ranjit Rae, Ambassador, Embassy of India. He informed about recent decision of the Government of India to allow LTC (Leave Travel Concession) for staffs traveling to Nepal.

A meeting to discuss on the key tourism campaigns to help revive the tourism of Nepal was held on 4 June 2015, at the Park Village Resort, Kathmandu. HE Mr. Ranjit Rae, Ambassador, Embassy of India graced the meeting. Secretary General of South Asia Foundation, Managing Director and Directors of Nepal Airlines Corporation, Director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Executive members from Hotel Association of Nepal, Officials from Nepal Tourism Board, Executive and Advisory members from PATA Nepal Chapter were present at the meeting.

Mr. Suman Pandey, Chairman- PATA Nepal Chapter initiated the meeting with a thank you note to His Excellency for his time and support that he is willing to extend for and during the recovery campaign. He explained on the recovery measures taken till date like setting up of Tourism Recovery Campaign, initial round of brainstorming and interaction program with the PATA team on crisis management. He further went on to explain the marketing campaigns lined up and its necessity in the recovery task.

HE Ranjit Rae expressed his solidarity to the campaigns and marketing schemes outlined by the Tourism Recovery Committee. Take whatever measures to make people feel safe and play on the positives, was the suggestion given at the table. He suggested the tourism entrepreneurs to focus on heritage and cultural tourism from India, keeping in mind the state of the trekking routes at the moment and MICE would be another sector to promote in India. He said he is willing to facilitate a delegation team led by Honorable Tourism Minister of Nepal to India. He has also consented to lend his support in inviting celebrities from Film Industries, Sports and Corporate fields for the recovery campaigns.

Mr. Basant Mishra, Secretary- PATA International stressed on the necessity to relay the same message with precise details to the world by concerned organizations and media

Mr. Sugat Ratna Kansakar, Managing Director- Nepal Airlines Corporation informed about NA’s plans to launch flights to Mumbai and Bangalore in the near future. He further went on to point out the effectiveness of marketing on Indian Channels.

Mr. Rahul Barwa, Secretary General, South Asia Foundation highlighted on their plans to support initiatives of the Nepalese Tourism Industry for inviting the Celebrities including AR Rahaman, Amitabh Bachhan and Shantanu Moitra, a famous Bollywood Music Director

Mr. Sunil Sakya, Executive Member of HAN/ PATA Nepal Chapter said that India’s biggest strength in terms of celebrity figure was Mr. Amitabh Bachan and his endorsement of a safe Nepal would play a great role in getting Indian tourists to Nepal. He mentioned that SAF Nepal is extending all cooperation to get celebrity singer and actors from India. He said that the right time for marketing was now! Ms. Ambica Shrestha, Advisory to PATA Nepal Chapter, Mr. Prabin Pandey, Executive Member HAN/ Advisory PATA Nepal Chapter, Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, Sr. Official from Nepal Tourism Board all concluded that we need to organize FAM trip of tour operators, journalists, get celebrity figures like actors and singers to come to Kathmandu and advertise it as a safe destination. Mr. Prabin Pandey further suggested that Nepal should go for the Feature Country in the PATA Travel Mart 2015 which is scheduled for September 2015.