Owing to the recent outbreak of Corona Virus in Wuhan, China, the supposed Nepal India China Expo (NICE) has been suspended until further notice. The notice was published by PATA Nepal Chapter on the 28th of January 2020 apologizing to all the buyers, sellers, sponsors, partners, speakers, guests, and delegates of NICE supporting Visit Nepal 2020.
Following the inauguration of VNY 2020 on the 1st of January 2020 and the Mt. Everest Fashion Runway on the 26th of January 2020 in Kala Patthar (5,644.5 m), Nepal India China Expo was the next big tourism event about to be held in Nepal.
What is Nepal India China Expo (NICE)?
Executing plan for the Nepal-India China Expo
Credit:myrepublica.nagriknetwork.com
It was announced on the 11th of September 2019 that the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter would be hosting Nepal India China Expo (NICE). The historical event and decision were taken in association with Nepal Tourism Board and Visit Nepal 2020.
NICE is the first-ever tri-nation tourism concept forwarded by PATA Nepal Chapter, which brings tourism and hospitality of three neighbouring countries; Nepal, India, and China. The real goal behind the expo is bringing together stakeholders, travel agencies, and tourism business organizations from both the private and public sectors.
The event of this sort has not been organized before, and Nepal in between China and India can help bridge the tourism potential of the countries.
As per a report of 2018, about 150 million Chinese vacationers travelled the world, but only 0.1% of them visited Nepal. Further studies showed that out of 28.85 million Indian holidaymakers, only 0.75% entered Nepal.
This research clearly shows that Nepal has not been able to target the globetrotter market of these two great economic nations.
How is Nepal India China Expo (NICE) helpful to Visit Nepal 2020?
PATA Nepal and Nepal Tourism believe that the forthcoming tourism event can be beneficial for raising the economy of Nepal, which saw a significant downfall after the 7.3 Mw earthquakes on the 12th of May 2015.
The earthquake triggered a series of landslides and avalanches on Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Lantang Valley. The critically acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the Kathmandu Valley like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudanath Stupa, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and the Changu Narayan Temple are destroyed to some extent.
Another historical site Bhimsen Tower, popularly known as Dharahara (61.88 m tall nine-storied tower) was brought to the ground.
As per PATA Nepal, NICE will play a vital role in fortifying the travel and tourism industry between the three South-Asian countries. This MICE tourism will play an essential role in fulfilling the target set by the Nepal Tourism Board to bring in 3 million travellers, backpackers, visitors, vacationers, sightseers, and explorers inside the country.
Furthermore, if Visit Nepal 2020 goes as planned, then Nepalese can expect an increase in the following of tourists and globetrotters by 5 million by the year 2030.
For Nepal India China Expo, the land where Lord Buddha was born is expecting about 1000+ foreign delegates from around the world, 200+ regional buyers, 100+ exhibitors, 15+ high-profile public speakers. There will be hundreds of delegates and guests, including media personnel, trade visitors, and government officials to mark the nationwide celebration of Visit Nepal Year 2020.
Government authorities have joined hands with major stakeholders and tourism-related organizations of Nepal. The tourism board seeks full co-operation from the people, airline companies, hotels, homestays, media, and the overall travel-trade faculty of Nepal.
When is NICE being held?
Nepal India China Expo was supposed to start from the 21st of February 2020 till the 25th of February 2020. However, owing to the recent outbreak of Corona Virus in China, the event has been postponed until further notice.
PATA released a statement on the 28th of January 2020 signed by the chairman Bibhuti Chand Thakur apologizing for the inconvenience and has asked to remain in touch for further updates regarding NICE.