Kathmandu: A 10-day-long seminar on tourism management concluded here today, marking a significant milestone in fostering dialogue on the culture of tourism.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the seminar was jointly organized by Ningbo Polytechnic University China and the Nepal-China Friendship Forum and was wrapped up in Kathmandu with a ceremony that included distributing certificates to the participants and reviewing the major insights gathered. Prof Dong Hong’an, Dean of the School of International Business and Travel at Ningbo Polytechnic University, highlighted the seminar’s success in integrating cultural and tourism dialogues, creating lasting impressions and memories of shared exploration and learning.
Prof Dong expressed his hope that participants would apply the knowledge acquired, spanning cutting-edge tourism concepts, practical management techniques, and a profound understanding of Chinese culture and tourism development models. He emphasized the importance of participants acting as bridges and messengers of friendly cooperation to promote mutual benefit, sustainable development, and economic progress in Nepal’s tourism industry.
The seminar brought together Chinese experts and dedicated Nepali professionals from the tourism sector for an intensive program featuring learning, exchange, and capacity building. Pragya Sharma, Managing Director of Outdoor Adventure Company, underscored the necessity of being skilled, innovative, organized, competitive, and internationally aware to thrive in the global tourism market, noting that the training was crafted to meet these needs. Sharma valued the academic partnership between Ningbo Polytechnic University and the Nepal-China Friendship Forum, expressing hope for future collaboration and urging participants to apply their newfound knowledge to strengthen Nepal’s tourism standards.
Shiva Adhikari, Managing Director of Adrift Adventure and a tourism campaigner, mentioned that the training would advance Nepal’s adventure and river-based tourism, fostering a spirit of coordination and cooperation within the tourism community. The seminar sessions, led by esteemed Chinese professors, covered essential topics such as sustainable tourism, homestay development, quality and service management, technology application, and cultural collaboration, contributing to the values of tourism growth.
Participants reported that the seminar was beneficial for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and exploring institutional partnerships to collectively advance in the tourism sector. Throughout the 10-day event, attendees not only participated in lectures and seminars but also explored various parts of the Kathmandu Valley to gain practical experiences in quality tourism products.
This program provided participants with the unique opportunity to explore international best practices in tourism management and gain insights into emerging industry trends. Key topics included new trends in Chinese tourist demand, the use of new media and digital tools in tourism marketing, innovative cultural tourism design and development, and integrated development practices of culture and tourism. The 30 participants included officials from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and CEOs and top leaders from the tourism industry.