Irresponsible ministry and Nepal tourism year 2011

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal has declared year 2011 as ‘Visit Nepal Tourism Year 2011’ to attract tourists from all over the world. The time has almost come and there are very less activities for the event. There could be announcement and advertisement in international media, on web, Nepalese consular sections or embassies to attract tourists. Simple social networks could also be helpful for it.

A week back, when I was at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), I was surprised to see how well the ministry has planned for Tourism Year. First of all, there was so long queue at passport control for departure that delayed most of the airlines by an hour. Again, for security check, there was single door to pass through (though there were 3 doors with security check machines). So you could imagine the crowd at rush time at TIA. After sometime when there was such long queue, they started ‘fast security check’ but didn’t bother to start other gates.

After security check, there were two lobbies for rest before boarding. I saw a information screen and television in each lobby. Each television was with cable channel of neighboring country in loud volume. I don’t understand the purpose of television and with movie channel in language neither international (which can be understand by many passengers) nor in national (if targeted to own citizens). Are we promoting someone’s culture, tradition, language and business at the cost of our tax money? Who is doing this for what shake?

It would be much nicer if those televisions would have been used to promote Nepalese tourism. It should have displayed pictures of Nepal or documentary especially prepared for tourism. Nepal Tourism Board has such materials and they could be played continuously so that the tourists who were leaving the country would know about the next event in Nepal. They will definitely convey the message to their family and friends. They may also see the place or culture or tradition which they might have missed in this visit and would like to come again after seeing on the screen. Even if they see the thing they have already visited, they may be excited to see on screen and discuss each other.  Last moment event is memorable for long so the best way to use those televisions is promote tourism in Nepal.