So as to increase awareness and educate the Indian travel trade about Nepal’s tourism solutions and offerings, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is embarking on a three-city road display in India. The road show will target the Tier II cities of Ahmedabad and Indore on February 23 and 25, 2012 respectively. The Nepal Tourism Board also conducted a road show in Pune on February 21, 2012.

NTB’s advertising tactic will concentrate on B2B and B2C promotion programmes in every metro and satellite cities in India. Based on Diwakar Bikram Rana, Officiating Director-Tourism Marketing & Promotion, NTB, “India is the most significant market for the Nepalese tourism industry with approximately one-third total market share. The Indian market is important for Nepal in terms of value as well as volume. Pilgrimage, Leisure, MICE & Soft Adventure Activities are the primary segments Nepal is focusing on in the Indian market currently.”

In 2011, Nepal received 154,735 tourists from India by air, a 28 per cent raise as compared to 2010. The Indian tourist arrivals in January 2012 compared to the same month in 2011 show a growth of 29.2 per cent. Rana said, “No visa requirement, good air connectivity with 76 flights per week to India, easy access by road, year-round pleasant weather, favourable exchange rate for Indian currency are some of the main factors behind Nepal’s popularity as a holiday destination for Indians.

Rana added, “NTB plans to promote destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Manakamana & Muktinath as well as hill stations including Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Daman, Bandipur, Tansen in the Indian market. Soft adventure activities such as white-water rafting, biking, fishing, rock climbing, paragliding, ultra light aircraft and bungee jumping will be endorsed.”

The Nepalese delegation comprises Jai Matadi Tours & Travels, Heritage Tours & Travels & Shrestha Holidays.