Kathmandu, March 28: At the collaboration of Nepal Tourism Board and the Itahari Sub Metropolis, the sixth Eastern Travel Mart kicked off today in Itahari.
The event aims to connect touristic potentials of Koshi Province with the international market. Koshi Province’s Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment, Bhim Parajuli, inaugurated the three-day event. On the occasion, he highlighted the significance of Koshi Province in terms of its natural, cultural, and religious richness.
“Koshi Province has the potential to become a gateway to Nepal’s tourism,” he said, adding that its biodiversity, wetlands, and wildlife tourism make the province unique. “From the world’s highest peak, Sagarmatha, to the country’s lowest point at Kachankawal, the province is rich in heritage,” he added.
Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, expressed hope that the event would be effective in promoting tourism in eastern Nepal.
He added that the government has identified the tourism sector as a key pillar of the economy. It is being developed as a major source of employment and income generation through the 16th Periodic Plan and the ‘Nepal Tourism Decade’.
Secretary Niraula stated that the tourism in eastern Nepal is no longer just in the stage of potential but it has already entered the phase of implementation.
He acknowledged that the platforms like the Eastern Travel Mart had laid the foundation for promoting Koshi Province’s tourism in the international market.
Likewise, Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, described tourism as a medium that connects culture, economy and people. He said that eastern Nepal is an important hub for adventure, cultural, and natural tourism.
Joshi was of the view that trekking routes in the Makalu and Kanchenjunga regions, tea gardens of Ilam, religious sites and adventure activities can make eastern Nepal competitive in the international market.
Similarly, Punya Prasad Bhattarai, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travels (NATTA), Koshi Province and Mart Coordinator, informed that the Mart aimed to bring tourism entrepreneurs from border areas into a single platform and explore and expand business opportunities.
On the occasion, Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of the NTB, was honoured for his significant contribution to the tourism sector.
The concept of organizing Travel Mart across all provinces was the brainchild of Ayer. He has also contributed in promoting tourism in the eastern region.
The travel mart has been considered an important link in connecting cross-border tourism market. The Eastern Travel Mart saw notable participation of tourism entrepreneurs from India and Bhutan, including Narayan Singh, First Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
According to the organizers, more than 100 international tourism entrepreneurs from various States in India such as West Bengal, Bihar and Sikkim as well as Bhutan participated in the event.
Also, more than 50 entrepreneurs from various provinces of Nepal have also marked their participation in the event.The Board said that the Mart will run through March 30. #nepal #rss
