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Nepal: A Country Of Contrasts

It is a day of mixed feelings for me. Early this morning I got alarm emails from Nepal and the UK concerning the student protests in Kathmandu over the alleged Young Communist League (YCL) murder/assassination of two youths in a remote district.

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Nepal Is More Than Ready

Nepal is ready for you / Photo by Camilla De Moraes

Hopefully the days of nationwide insurgency are over now that the Maoists have come above ground. The Nepalese tourism industry has proved its resilience over the years by growing despite the turmoil – enough people continued to visit Nepal despite warnings.

“I think people realised that they are not safe anywhere these days.”

The 9/11 attacks, the Bali bombings, the Madrid bombing, and the London bombings, all proved to people that there are worse problems than insurgents in Nepal. They made the industry resilient. We had to learn to fend for ourselves. Traditional agents were quick to be disloyal when the advisories went sour and companies were forced to reach out to the market themselves through trade fairs, by improving their websites, and by marketing their products directly to clients. As a result many companies are now more conscious of market requirements and sustainability issues than ever before.

Sustainability

In 2006, a project on the marketing of sustainable products of Nepal by UNEP, SNV, Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Government got over 50 private sector operators to join the Sustainable Tourism Network. Several of them got selected for the MAST project, received training and even attended some trade shows as part of the marketing effort. It does not prove much, but does show that operators are conscious and willing to change.

Adventure sports destination

The International market is beginning to see the potential of Nepal as an adventure sports destination.  A  major international mountain biking championship recently took place in Nepal, an international kayak championship is held every year, the world’s highest marathon – The Everest Marathon, which starts at Everest Base Camp (5350m) and ends at Namche Bazaar (3440m) – is held in Nepal (the first race was won by a Nepalese trekking cook!).

If anything good came out of the insurgency it’s that the tourism industry is now more resilient and professional than ever.

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Competing With The “Developed” World

Photo by socialtreks.com

This comes first hand from trying to travel to the UK right now for the World Travel Market in London, and from years travelling in the “developed” world for business.  I am a Nepalese entrepreneur trying to compete in the global travel market.  Business is about opportunities and one has to be able to pounce on them. This means the ability to quickly reach places where opportunities arise. Unfortunately, for a large part of the world travel has several hindrances, and the biggest hurdle is the visa.  You are guilty unless proven innocent and the visa official is the judge. We have to prove that we have no intent to stay or seek employment which is fine and countries are required to check but how can it be proven.  Compare the small selection of requirements listed below that I have to contend with against someone travelling from the UK, the U.S. or the EU into Asia, Africa or Latin America where an entry visa can often be purchased on arrival.

1. Are you employed? If yes, give us originals of your salary sheet for at least three months to six months and a letter of temporary leave from employment.
2. Are you self employed? prove that you have an organization. Is it legal? Give registration papers, and possibly bank statements, to prove that this is not a paper organisation.
3. Are you married? do you have children (you might consider coming back to)?
4. Who invited you to the UK? Do you have papers to prove this? Originals please, no emails or faxes! Can this organisation please prove that you will go back once the business is over? (by the way, there is not much chance that an organisation from “our” parts of the world would have enough money and zeal to actually travel on their own, without having to get an invitation)
5. Have you booked your tickets? Return please. We want to make sure you are coming back. So there is no chance that you can change your dates without spending big money, even if the opportunity arises?
6. Are you applying from your home country, or a country where you are a resident? If not, please go back there to apply. (no way you are allowed to change your itinerary)
7. Do you have enough personal savings? please give us an original of your six monthly bank statement of your personal account.

Finally, after all this preparation, you might get a visa (or you might not!).  How can WE compete in this globalised world?