MICE in (A new paradigm of tourism)

Presented By:- Mohan Krishna Sapkota Joint-Secretary Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation

Tourism in Nepal Brief Introduction

• Nepal - Located between and (a new world; Melting pot of Asia) • The Most Exotic Destination - image amongst new travelers • Tourism Capital of South Asia (having more than 6 decade’s tourist handling experience) • Paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts • Nature, Culture and Adventure are main features

OUTSTANDING FEATURES

• Super Star in Mountain World (the tallest Mt. Everest and 8 out of 14 tallest 8000+mts)

• Naturally Niche (23.23% of landmass is protected with 10 national parks, reserves, conservation areas)

• Unique and Wide Diversity (126 ethnic groups, 93 dialects, 2% of all the flowering plants in the world, 8% of the world’s ppln of birds, 4% of mammals on earth, 1 of the world’s 15 families of butterflies, 600 indigenous plants, 320 species of exotic orchids)

• History and Hospitality (Never Colonized history and age old traditions, 10 World Heritage Monuments, living / , culture of treating Guests as God)

Major Attractions 10 UNESCO Listed World Heritage Sites/Monuments • - Birthplace of Lord Buddha • Kumari – the only Living Goddess • 10 National Parks, 3 Wild Life Reserves, 3 Conservation Areas, 1 Hunting Reserve • 126 Ethnic groups and exemplary religious/social harmony • Mt. Everest and Eight 8000+ peaks • 326peaks are offered for Climbing from among 1300 peaks above 6,000m • Trekking : Everest – a lifetime experience, Annapurna- best trail in the world, Langtang-ancient trade route between Tibet-Nepal, Dolpo - trans Himalayan trek and Great Himalayan Trail.

Tourism Activities

Adventure Activities

• Land: , Trekking, Mountain Biking, Mountain Marathon, Rock climbing • Water: Rafting, Kayaking, Canyoning and Abseiling, Boating, Fishing • Air: Bungee Jumping, Ultra light aircraft, Paragliding, Mountain Flight, Heli -trek, Sky diving, Zip flyer

Cultural Tours

• City Tours / Village walks • Heritage Sites and Museums • and Buddhists sites. • Festival Events round the year • Other Attractions : MICE. Casino. Spa, Jungle safari. Hunting

History of MICE in Nepal (Background and current status)

• MICE is new paradigm of tourism in Nepal, started/highlighted since 1987 after 3rd SAARC summit. • Highlighted after cabinet meeting of 2011 in Mt. Everest Base Camp. • Gradually spread all over Nepal. • Lack of TSA, number of tourist arrival for MICE is not accounted but number of conventions are increasing.

Cont.. • Center of thriving Trans-Himalayan trade for merchants not only exchange goods but also ideas and philosophies. • Capital legacy as a meeting jaunt with international standard meeting facilities pre and post conference tours • Best place for MICE specially travel trade, caucus great location, excellent infrastructure, comprehensive high-tech convention facilities and expertise. • Conference, seminar or special incentive in different scenic splendors and unique blend of cultures in Mountain, Hills and .

Market Priorities of MICE

• MICE is in starting phase and new important tourism activity. • Meetings, Conventions and Exhibitions are most important than Incentives because of geographical location between India and China as well good infrastructures ,hi-tech equipments and skill staffs. • MC and E are in priority due to Head Office of SAARC, UNICEF, ICIMOD and other UN agencies office. Supportive Agencies of MICE

• Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. • Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) • Other sectoral Ministries like: -Ministry of Communication and information. -Ministry of Foreign affairs. -Ministry of Home affairs. -Ministry of Finance. Private Sectors agencies like: -Hotel Association Nepal (HAN). -Nepal Association of Travel and Tours Agencies (NATTA). -Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). -Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). -PATA., NATO etc

Why MICE In Nepal?

• Cultural and Natural Heritage site, three antique royal cities Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur with old Historical Monuments. • Different conference centers in Kathmandu city, Birendra International Conference Center(BICC) is a state-of-the-art convention facilities, Rastriya Sabha Griha (City Hall) , Hall , National Theater and number of luxurious hotels with meeting halls. • Convention centers feature a wide variety of superbly equipped rooms under a single roof also facilities like delegates in reception, theatre, classroom and U-shape style. Cont..

• The gadgets available include public address systems, tiepin microphones, cordless microphones, overhead, slide and multimedia projectors also with TV screens, LED and laser pane boards and laser pointers.

Convention facilities elsewhere

• World class convention facilities with state-of-the-art technologies that cater international meeting and conference in capital as well in picturesque town Pokhara, Nagarkot, Chitwan, Dhulikhel, Butwal and Dharan • Convention facilities Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Lumbini(Birth place of Lord Buddha) and are potential MICE destinations across the open border with India • Cities are linked by roads, domestic airlines and surface transport Cont..

• Luxury hotels with international class accommodation, competitive price, hospitality staffs , theme packages offers of hotel and incentives. • Registered 1000 hotels and 30,000 beds. • More than 5000 luxury rooms in star hotels in and outside the Kathmandu. • Air connectivity , 32 major Airlines from Kathmandu to different destinations and domestic airlines connections and Helicopter Services.

Other References for MICE • On-arrival Visas for almost all countries of the world. • Immigration and Customs in Nepal are not cumbersome. • Multiple entry visas for 15 days (US $25 or equivalent convertible currency), 30 days (US $40) or 90 days (US$100) can be obtained from any Nepalese diplomatic missions • Gratis Visas for 30 days are available for nationals of the SAARC countries • Easy foreign currency exchange facility and acceptance of visa master cards. • Advanced internet , Health facilities and quality services. • Good climate in Kathmandu Valley and the hills, balmy and cooler in summer. • Affordable cost, excellent infrastructure and hi-tech convention facilities.

Pre and Post conference engagement • Plenty of opportunity for delegates to mix business with pleasure, sight seeing tours, excursion to the hill resorts for mountain viewing, shopping for indigenous products as well as international brand labels, casinos, spa and many activities for body, mind and soul. • Mountain flights, Everest Flight, Helicopter sight seeing, golfing, jungle safaris. • Adventures sports like Rafting and Kayaking, Paragliding, Bungee jump, Cannoning, zip-flying, Rock climbing, Trekking and Mountaineering, Skydiving in Everest, Ultra light flight in Pokhara. • Night life based on Up-beat music, Cultural show, Delicious food and Drinks, Cinemas, Casinos, Bowling center.

Incentives for MICE

• Leave Tourism for the employees of Government and public corporations. • Incentives (Rs 500,000) for 100 foreign arrivals. • Waive of Custom duty to import materials and equipments to tourism entrepreneurs. • Promotional programs like- Agents familiarization trips, Media trip ,Diplomatic Mission’s trip. • Special events; International Hotels, Restaurants and Bars meeting, Film festivals, Sports(Football and Cricket) , International Folk festivals ,Business conclave, Social conference like- Lions International, Jaycees .

Way forward to Develop MICE By mitigating challenges • Need separate MICE strategy and dedicated staffs • Resource should be allocated for MICE. • MICE is in very initial phase, need to prioritize , define responsibility to NTB and prepare for implementation. • Formulate National MICE strategy and action plan. • Develop mechanism PPP and clarify roles and responsibility. • Develop new infrastructure and increase air connectivity. • Allocate budget , depute staffs and develop their capacity. • Organize special events based on nature, culture and adventure. • Start MICE branding and destination marketing. • Start TSA and Monitoring and Evaluation of MICE.

Your Suggestions and Advices are highly appreciated.

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tourism.gov.np

THANK YOU Welcome to Nepal