Rural Tourism: NTB discovers new destinations

Kathmandu – 2^nd November
The Nepal Tourism Board {NTB} has found 10 new destinations that could rev up Nepal’s Tourism Year – 2011. These scenic spots will up the tempo and create new dimensions for the upcoming NTY-2011 which is geared to bring in one million tourists. Lila Baniya, manager – Sustainable Tourism Development – NTB, said the move was to diversify tourists to rural destinations with more natural landscapes.

He also said the government was also expected to involve the private sector on a more practicable basis for infrastructure development related to tourism in these specific areas. Baniya went on to state the government had allocated Rs. 20 million to promote NTY-2011 but the funds weren’t released due to the delay in endorsing the budget. He however said that work related to this end would pick up steam. The work included selecting particular houses or resorts provide training, FAM trips & making tour packages for market promotion would carry on. ‘There are challenges as new activities need to be launched and this included infrastructure that would determine the length of stay for tourists in villages’, he said. According to Baniya, last year, the government of Nepal implemented a pilot programme from Khaptad to Ilam to discover new destinations. Likewise, the Tara Goan Development Board (TGDB} and other organizations were also studying the feasibility of sustainable village tourism development across the length & breadth of the country.

According to NTB, villages like Sirubari, Ghalegoan, Nar Phu, lumbini, Chepang, Pasgoan, Dhading, Sailung, Siklish, Sairung, Balanthali, Sivpuri, Bhujung, Gorkha, Ganga Jamuna and Nagarkot have already gained high popularity in village tourism. It is also stated some travel agents already promote travel packages to some of these destinations. As per Village Tourism Promotion Forum-Nepal {VITOF}, international & domestic visitors were very positive on Rural Tourism. Surya Prakash Shrestha – president – VITOF said, ‘despite the growing interest and potentials of village tourism, there is no support or priority given by the government for tourism diversification’,

Shrestha further added that village tourism was a promising tool to prolong the length of stay for tourists and also reflected on Nepal’s indigenous communities, their culture, religion and ethnicity.
it is firmly hoped that Rural Tourism will be supported from all relevant  quarters and enhance the interests of tourists, giving value for money and boost Nepal’s  tourism setup.