"Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is very important not just for the travel trade"
Sunday - 29th August 2010
Himalayan News Service
KATHMANDU: Ambica Shrestha, president of Dwarika’s Hotel and Honorary Consul of Spain is a veteran Hotelier who has been involved in various capacities in the travel and tourism sector. She spoke with THT
Perspectives about the hopes and aspirations, plans and progress for Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and the hotel industry.
How is the coming season looking? What are your hopes for this season?
Just now the hotel industry is very positive. As of now, the bookings for the coming season look promising. But it now all depends on how the political situation in Nepal plays out. If any unpleasant incident occurs, the drop will take place at once. We are hopeful about the days ahead and hope there is no cancellations, etcetera. But as of now, the situation is looking very good for hotels and hotels as a sector may not even have enough rooms. The challenge will probably be in finding ways to increase properties and hotel rooms.
Has the present political stalemate in Nepal affected tourism?
The political stalemate and our inability to elect a prime minister is Nepal’s problem and a problem for Nepalis. This has not yet affected tourism or hotel bookings. However, if there are problems in the days ahead like insurgency or violence, it will certainly have a very negative impact. As of now, tourism is not affected by this and we are hopeful that things will be resolved and the tourism industry will not be affected.
Do you feel the necessary ground work and preparations are being done for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011?
There are certainly not enough rooms for the number of tourist that we are aiming at. It is not possible to add rooms in the present economy. There is a serious dearth of rooms and that is the problem because the booking for the next year are already there and we will not be able to accommodate that number. We now really have to work on finding more space and ways to take care of accommodation. It is very crucial that we make the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success. We need to achieve the figure that we have targeted and also spread the word throughout the world that Nepal as a destination is there and has numerous wonderful tourist attractions and many things to offer.
For the campaign, we at Dwarika’s are doing a bit of upgrading and things like that. We are putting in some new things and some areas are being upgraded and service added. So let us see how we can make this happen.
But the budget for marketing is delayed and so do you think enough is being done?
The biggest problem is that the budget has not been released. This is serious because it leads to the problem of not enough marketing and exposure. We as the travel trade are trying very hard to make this year a success. But there are constraints that are beyond us.
In general, the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is something very important not just for the travel trade. The issue is important because of a number of reasons. It is something that Nepal has to celebrate because it brings the focus on tourism. More than international tourist, locals should also join in the celebrations of Nepal as destinations and all the beautiful things Nepal has to offer. This is necessary because locals and people from all walks of life must realise the importance of tourism for Nepal and get involved in making this campaign a success.
Also, the locals must get their share of the tourist dollar. It must be spread out so that everybody gains and appreciates the importance of tourism for Nepal. This year we are looking at introducing Home Stay in a big way. We hope this will solve the problem of dearth of hotel rooms and also spread the income to the general public.
Any householder with a good house and rooms can host tourist. The home stay will also create a very good understanding between hosts and guest because those who stay in people’s homes develop a relationship and this means they develop contacts and will refer their friends.
Moreover, for the local
people it is good to have an
interaction with the tourist as they get exposed to
many things especially what tourist need and how to encourage tourism.
What would you like to see getting done in the way of preparations?
I would like to see the Nepal Tourism Board meet more often and now get more active. I would like to see the funds promised released and being used for the purpose of marketing and creating exposure. We have the Tourism Board and the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 committee and
I would like to see them
supported and allowed to
do the work they need to
get done. At the individual level, we are talking to the
international tour operators and those we deal with.
We are spreading the message and I am sure there is great interest.
What needs to be done
immediately?
Number one is improvements at the airport or at the point of arrival of the tourists. I see that they are working on expansion and other things, but the landing area itself is so congested. That is the number one area that needs attention and changes. There has been development but a lot more needs to be done. Tourist must get a good feeling as soon as they enter Nepal.
The other area that is in need of attention is the
condition of our streets and the traffic congestion. It is terrible. People would want to go sightseeing in the capital but they spend hours stuck on the road in a traffic jam. This is unacceptable.
We have to maintain the roads and improve the cleanliness of the city. Like even now, just look at the garbage piled up. This does not give a good message to tourist to come here.
Also the coordination between the various line ministries and the planning for making the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success, is lacking. This is because of the political impasse. But it is absolutely imperative that it happens because all the line ministries are important and coordination between them is a must. This campaign is not only for hotel or travel companies. It is a national campaign and Nepal really needs such a celebration.
