Nepal Tourism Board participated in Korean Travel Fair, KOTFA 2008 from 5th-8th June 2008 in Seoul, Korea. It is the second time that Nepal Tourism Board(NTB) and private sector have participated in this fair targeting the Koran tourists. A private trekking company Stairway to Heaven treks and Expedition has also participated in the event. The historical, social, cultural ties and Buddhism, a common religious bond between the two countries has remained very strong for years. Taking this fact in account Nepal was highlighted as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites and other cultural attractions of Nepal. Likewise, being also a pioneer country in adventure activities, Nepal has focused Mt. Everest as an icon for mountaineers and other soft adventure attractions like trekking, hiking, rafting, jungle safari, paragliding, etc. too. During the fair, NTB has showcased the various other tourism attractions and activities of Nepal.. Nepal Tourism Board had also organized a grand cultural show during the fair at the main stage of the exhibition hall.. The show highlighting the Nepalese cultural attractions had gathered a huge number of audience.
Following the KOTFA fair, with purpose of promoting Nepal through Korean tour operator and Korean media, a presentation on Nepal's tourism was organized amidst prominent tour operators and press in Busan city on 9th June 2008. Total of seventy tour operators based in Busan and ten local media personnel were present in the program. His Excellency Nepalese Ambassador to Korea Mr. Kamal Prasad Koirala highlighted the Nepal Korean relationship and requested Korean media and Korean tour operator to promote Nepal.
Likewise Mr. Lee Keun Hoo, Chairman Busan Tourism Association, Mr. Chung, Hae-Moon, Ambassador for International Relations, Busan Metropolitan City and Professor Mr. Park Jae Sup of Inje University, Busan described the beauty and attraction of Nepal. They focused on regular promotional efforts needed in Korean market to boost the Korean inbound in Nepal. The presence of Senior Buddhist monk Ven. A San / Jung Woo of Tongdosa Temple of Yangsan – City had exhilarated the program. Earlier, Mr. Binay Prakash Shrestha, Director NTB had welcomed guests and summarized the Nepal's tourism attractions and Nepal Tourism Board's efforts in promoting tourism in Korea and urged Korean tourists to visit Nepal. NTB honorary PRR Mr. KP Sitoula had made a special presentation on Nepal and addressed the various queries of the tour operator and media persons together with director Mr. Shrestha. A few Nepalese representing local organizations from Busan and Seoul were also present in the program.
The positive trend in international visitors' arrival figure to Nepal continued on a robust growth of 11 % in the main season of January-April 2008. Among the South Korean visitors, the number is increased by 8% in this period. The total number of Korean traveler visiting Nepal by air in 2006 was 7002 and in 2007 it was 12,513 adding the increment of 78 % . The Korean arrival during the first five-month of 2008 is 6,537. The direct connection between Seoul and Kathmandu by Korean air has facilitated the Korean travelers to come to Nepal. Currently, Korean Air is flying once in a week on Seoul-KTM-Seoul sector.
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