Domestic Activities

Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has time and again raised its voice against all elements that have attempted to hard hit the growth of tourism industry. In close coordination with national tourism organisation and other tourism counterparts, the NATO has actively involved itself in tourism promotion and image-building activities since its establishment six years ago. Among several such activities, the followings are major that NATO underwent during the last one-year period.

      1. Formation of Crisis Management Cell 

When the country’s tourism sector was ailing to the domestic and international incidents, NATO had urged for the formation of high-level crisis management cell. The initiative of the association has now resulted in the formation of crisis management cell and is now operational. The NATO urges the government for an active involvement of private sectors in the cell. We believe the active involvement of the private sectors would help making the working of crisis management cell more professional and up to the expectations.

      2. Maoists’ assurance to not to hurt tourists 

Immediately after the Maoists’ unilateral withdrawal from seven months long cease-fire between the government and Maoists, the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) organised a programme in the capital and issued a joint appeal to the Maoists insurgents asking for their assurance to safeguard the tourists. The Maoists responded well to the appeal and have guaranteed for not to harm the tourist inside the country. So far no such incident where a tourist has been hurt targeted. Maoists have apologised if by chance some tourists have been hit by the insurgency.

       3. Organising Seminars and meetings 

The Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) has been time and again organised seminars and meetings to suggest the government for betterment of tourism industry. The recent one among the several came in the form of separation of travel agencies from the tour operators. We have asked the government to promote Nepal as a destination that refunds all expenses upon genuine complaints. This will help promote uplift the image of the country and allure more tourists. To assure the refund the NATO proposes to ask for a bank guarantee of Rs 2.5 million from each tour operators.

       4. Celebration of World Tourism Day 

The NATO has worked closely with Kamadhenu Association and NTB on World Tourism Day (27 September) to further motivate our inherited tradition of welcoming guests as Gods for last few years.

       5. Sponsoring FAM trips for international and national journalists 

Nepal Association of Tour Operations (NATO) always believes that the destination promotion can be more effective if the journalists are acquainted with the first hand information regarding the destination. It is the same reason why NATO has sponsored various tourism related programme including the organising of FAM tours to the journalists and the international tour operators.