Nepal hosts regional workshop to discuss "better data for better tourism"

A regional tourism workshop organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) that aims to discuss the measurement and use of tourism data for "People, Planet and Prosperity" by generating employment opportunities and increasing tourism-related economic activities was inaugurated here on Wednesday.

The three-day workshop titled ''Measuring Tourism: Better data for better tourism in Asia and the Pacific'' is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

''We need accurate data and information to increase tourist inflow both on a quantitative and qualitative basis by promoting the tourism sector at national and international levels and to create employment opportunities as well as alleviate poverty through increasing tourism-related economic activities,'' Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati said.

''The focus now should be on product development and diversification, investment in the tourism sector, conservation of natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach the community and grassroots level, for building a path to the sustainable, resilient and responsible tourism industry,'' Kirati added.

The workshop was attended by senior officials from the UNWTO and saw representation from 12 countries that included India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Indonesia, Iran, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Korea, Thailand, and Spain.

Kirati also acknowledged the importance of tourism-related data and its potential use in policies and plans for steady tourism recovery from post Covid-19 pandemic.

National Planning Commission member Ram Kumar Phuyal on the occasion, said that data and statistics play an important role in today's dynamic world and underlined the need for effective collection, processing, management and utilisation of data for the sustainable development of the tourism sector.

"Use of the latest technology in the area of tourism infrastructure will make the tourism sector better, secured and reliable," Phuyal said.

A panel discussion by the high-level international delegates brought out various issues regarding access, processing of data and use of statistics for the development of a sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism industry.

In his opening remarks Beka Jakeli, Director of External Relations of the UNWTO, highlighted the key role played by tourism-related data in formulating tourism plans and policies.

About 150 delegates including 50 international delegates from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan are taking part in the three-day regional tourism workshop.

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