Kathmandu:Nepal Tourism Board organised the West Europe Road Show from 17-31 March 2000 covering ten cities in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and also a visit to the S.M.T. Fair at Paris, France.
The Road Show was be organised to create greater awareness of Nepal as an ideal holiday destination in the European market and also give the private sector participants an opportunity to meet at close quarters existing and potential tour operators and media in these countries, according to NTB statement.
The Road Show covered Hamburg, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Cologne, Brussels, Geneva, Zurich, Munich, Vienna and Frankfurt. Balram Singh Malla, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Germany visited the venues at Cologne and Frankfurt, while Kedar Bhakta Shrestha, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Benelux countries was present at Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg. Shambhunath Simkhada, Royal Nepalese Ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Mission in Switzerland also present the occasion in Geneva. The Honorary consul General’s in the various cities were also present at the venues. Welcoming the guests at the respective venues, the Nepalese ambassadors highlighted the attractions of Nepal and why it is a “must see destination” for all tourists.
The Road Show Destination Presentation followed lby reception was held at top venues in each city. After the address by the Ambassador/Honorary Consul, Tek Bahadur Dangi, Director-Marketing & Promotion made a power-point destination presentation accentuating NTB’s role in product development and marketing and promotion of Nepal. In his presentation, he pointed out that Nepal is a destination for all seasons, age-groups and budgets. Nepal is essentially the country of Mt. Everest but it has much more to offer ranging from a rich cultural heritage and bounteous biodiversity, from subtropical jungles in the south to arctic climates in the north. The multimedia show held the people in thrall and was very much appreciated by the invittees, many of who were surprised at the quality and quantity of tourism activities and tourism facilities and services available in Nepal. This was followed by a detailed introduction of the private sector participants and table-talk sessions. The Maximum weightage was given to the table-talk sessions in order let the invitees have a chance to learn about each participant’s exclusive property and services individually. The venues at Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Luxembourg, Zurich and Vienna drew enthusiastic tour operators and journalists who were very interested in Nepal and its Tourism products. Celebrities who attended the NTB functions were Mr. Eugene Berger, Secretary of State for environment and an Everest summiter at Luxembourg and Toni Hagen at Zurich. Hagen mesmerised the guests with anecdotes of his long association with Nepal. He stated that of all the countries that he had visited, none was comparable to Nepal in addition, Royal Nepal Airlines participated at Frankfurt, Condor at Hamburg, Qatar Airlines co-hosted the event at Munich and Cologne and Lauda Air co-hosted at Vienna. All the Airlines also provided two free tickets each to be given away in a lottery draw at the venues. The eight lucky winners will be visitting Nepal on a one-week holiday sponsored by the participating companies. All the invitees were given a press kit consisting of brochures, map, destination manual, C.D. Rom and wallet. The Road Show has generated and enhanced the destination image of Nepal to a great extent in the respective countries and it w ill have a positive impact in the Nepalese tourism industry in the future said NTB.