The Government of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in partnership with Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) have launched a program entitled “Send Home a Friend”. The scheme encourages overseas Nepalis to persuade their friends, colleagues, relatives and acquaintances to visit Nepal and do their bit to increase tourist arrivals in the home country.

“We plan to extend this program to all countries where Nepali diplomatic missions are present. In addition to NRNs, we are also cooperating with Nepali embassies to enhances the effect,” said Diwakar B Rana Magar, tourism marketing and promotion.

“We also plan to broaden this program to every country where the NTB holds an event. For example, we started this program in Bangladesh during the NTB conference,” he added.

“Send Home a Friend’ was introduced on October 15, 2007 at the Non-Resident Nepali Conference in Kathmandu, and held its international launch in November 2007. “However, it wasn’t until January 2008 that we could hold the formal inauguration in collaboration with the Nepal Government,” said Rana.

The program is the first of its kind involving NRNs and the Nepal Government to promote tourism. It seeks to make the most Nepali diasporas for promoting tourism in Nepal. NRNs can work in partnership with the Nepal Government and the NTB and contribute to the national economy by promoting one of the biggest potentials of the country tourism.

Starting from the UK, Germany, the US and Australia, the program has spread to Korea, Finland, Bangladesh, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. The NTB has also developed an informative and user-friendly “Send Home a Friend” Website: www.sendhomeafriend.com where one can register, record information about potential guest and access information about the program and Nepal.

“We’ll acknowledge such registrations and keep a record. The person or organization with the maximum number of referrals will be honored and their contribution will be recognized by the Nepal Government at the end of the year”, explainded Rana. The website has received more than two thousand hits since it opened. Even though the “Send Home a Friend” program has been planned to last for one year only, the NTB intends to stretch it out if things go well. “If it turns into a success, there’s no reason to shut it down.” The success of the program will depend largely on NRNs, says the NTB. Their efforts will also help to create global publicity about the Nepal as a premier tourist destination.

“In Nepal, we will treat your friends as our special guests,” Rana said. “If we have prior information about their arrival  we will receive them at Kathmandu airport. We will also provide them an information package and a souvenir as a gift. We will also give them a privilege card which entitles them to receive discounts at domestic airlines, restaurants, shopping malls, department stores  and souvenir shops.”

“Send Home a Friend” is being implemented by the Ministry of Culture, Civil Aviation on behalf of the Government of Nepal.

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