"I am hopeful that Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Convention will help to spread the message throughout the world that Nepal is in position to welcome guests," Nembang said, addressing the 20th Convention of NATTA held in Kathmandu on Friday.
D B Limbu, president of NATTA, said Nepal's tourism industry has not been able to recover fully despite serious efforts put by the government and the private sector. "We have set 'Building Better Tourism with Renewed Strength' as the theme of the convention to put focus on tourism recovery efforts," he said, adding, Nepal is welcoming tourists providing better service with value additions.
At the program, Uday Nanayakkara, president of Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) delivered keynote speech on the theme.
Addressing the program, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripasur Sherpa said Nepal needs to point out problems and challenges in the industry and find appropriate solutions so that tourism industry can make more contribution for economic development.
Similarly, Dipendra Bahadur Kshetry former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), said tourism sector contributes 4.3 percent of GDP in Nepal, compared to global average of 10 percent.
Around 500 travel agencies are tour operators are associated with NATTA.
ERIC VALLI TO HELP IN TOURISM PROMOTION
Meanwhile, NATTA conferred NATTA conferred NATTA Sagarmatha Award on Eric Valli, the renowned French photographer and director of award winning movies like 'Caravan' and 'Honey Hunters of Nepal'.
"When I came here in Nepal for the first time, I fell in love with this country. If, I can be of any help to Nepal, we can work together and I am always there to help Nepal," Valli said, after receiving the award. "This country has given me so much love. Now it is my obligation to promote this beautiful country," he added.
Similarly, Chinese celebrity Ming-Yang Jiang has been named the Goodwill Ambassador of NATTA. Jiang, who will be promoting Nepal in China, said he would love to promote this beautiful country with Himalayas, rich culture and tradition not only in China but across the world.
Nagarik journo Bhadgaule awarded
3,670 Chinese tourists have visited Nepal so far in 2022
Amrit Bhadgaule of Nagarik Daily has received NATTA National Travel Writer Award.
Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa handed over the award to Bhadgaule on Friday.
NATTA also awarded journalists Raju Baskota (Annapurna Post), Shiva Shrestha (Paryatan Abhiyan), and Shiva Adhikari and Image Channel.
Meanwhile, NATTA conferred NATTA Bhaskar Award on Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Dipendra Bahadur Kshetry in recognition of his contribution in introducing repatriation policy.
Similarly, Fewa Tours & Travels and Gandaki Tours &Travels received NATTA Excellence Award.
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