Nepal Doubles Down on China

In a fascinating counter-move to the European trend, Nepal is aggressively courting the Chinese market. The Nepal Tourism Board launched the eighth batch of its Chinese Language Training program for local guides and hoteliers in Kathmandu today.

The play

This is about high-value Buddhist heritage tourism. Nepal is moving beyond trekking to capture pilgrimage and cultural circuits. With a new Officiating CEO, Hikmat Singh Ayer, at the helm of the NTB, expect aggressive co-op marketing with Chinese airlines and tour operators to fill those seats that are avoiding Europe.