“We are lagging far behind when it comes to promotional activities,” said Surya Bahadur Bhujel, chairman of Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC).
Bhujel also urged Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to organize promotional activities at least thrice a year. “We need to organize promotion activities at least thrice a year.” According to Bhujel, Pokhara´s tourist destinations should be promoted in India, China and other South Asian countries.
Tourism entrepreneurs also stressed the need for evaluating the effectiveness of past promotional activities. “We need to look whether the promotional activities conducted in the past have been fruitful,” said Hari Sharma, chairman of Paschimanchal Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (PHEA).
Sharma also stressed the need for developing physical infrastructures to encourage tourists to spend more time in Pokhara. “Many tourists complain about lack of adequate places to visit in Pokhara,” said Sharma. ´We must develop more places where tourists spend time.”
Ananda Raj Mulmi, former chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said NTB must develop a database of tourists. “Tourism promotional activities must be conducted accordingly,” said Mulmi.
Trekking entrepreneurs said they are facing problems as trekking routes have been shortened. “Annapurna circuit trekking route, which was a 21-day trek, can now be completed in just seven days,” said Narayan Prasad Sapkota, Western Chapter President of Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
The government has set a target of brining in two million foreign tourists to Nepal by 2020. Tourism entrepreneurs said the target of two million tourists cannot be achieved under the existing situation.
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