Nepal Celebrated World Tourism Day 2014
Kathmandu: Nepal marked the 35th World Tourism Day under the global theme of ” Tourism and Community Development “, focusing on the ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities.
The all-day carnival exhibited different cultural performances in theKathmandu valley, including tourist entry points and major tourist hubs across the country. The WTD is celebrated every year on 27th September to highlioght tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic values.
“As tourism can empower local communities and can boost the industry, it is necessary to explore new products as we have diverse products within small areas, ” said Suresh Man Shrestha, secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, addressing the WTD here on Saturday.
He added there were various success stories of rural community empowerment by tourism and this potential needs to be recognised.
Each time we travel, use local transport as a destination or buy products from a local market we are contributing to a long value chain that creates jobs, provides livelihoods, empowers local communities, and ultimately brings in new opportunities for a better future,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organsiation of the United Nations in its message. “As we approach the 2015 deadline for the United Nations Millenium Development Goals and prepare to embrace the new sustainable development goals, this year’s WTD represents and opportunity to further advance tourism’s contribution to economic, social and environmental sustainability,” Rifai said. “Empowering individuals and communities around the world at all levels through tourism can be a fundamental step towards these goals.”
On Saturday morning, the Tourism Ministry, in association with Nepal Tourism Board and tourism associations and tourism stakeholders, organised a morning procession from Tridevei Marga – Thamel to Basantapur – Kathmandu Durbar Square to mark the 35th World Tourism Day 2014. The government officials welcomed tourists at theTribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
Nepal Association of Rafting Agents offered free rafting for each tourist from USA, UK, Germany, Russia, China, Malaysia, Thailandand Norway. Free entrance to first three tourists to Khokana was offered gifts by Khokana Sanitation and Tourism Development Committee. Likewise Bhaktapur Municipality organised a welcome programme to first group of tourists with cultural procession and free entrance.
On this occassion Nepal Heritage Society organised a talk programme at Dwarika’s Hotel on “Archaeological Excavation inNepal ” by Mr. Prakash Darnal, Archaeologist of Department of Archaeology, government of Nepal.
A 20 % discount coupon was offered to all tourists in restaurants and guest houses of Bhaktapur by the Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee. Thamel Tourism Development Council organised aThamel street festival. Tourists were welcomed with cultural procession at Kakarvitta -eastern Nepal, Gaddhachauki and Kanchanpur by tourism stakeholders. Silver Entertainment Dharan and Hotel Association Bhedatar jointly organised Changa Chait Utsav (Kite flying festival) to mark the World Tourism Day 2014.
Likewise, swing (Rote Ping), face painting, mountain bike rally, mini marathon and food festival were organised in Dharan and Bhedatar of eastern Nepal.
On the occassion of World Tourism Day 2014, Midi-Nepal Tourism Development Committee and Chitwan Tourism Development Committee organised a cleanup campaign in Chitwan.
Source: Kathmandu Post & Bijaya Pradhan – Board Member, Nepal Heritage Society, Kathmandu.