Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Ram Kumar Shrestha inaugurated the 5th National Tourism Fair 2013 on May 10. Nepal Tourism Board organized the fair from March 10 to 12 to promote and develop domestic tourism. This Tourism Fair has been an effort to link the tourism industry across the country.

The fair had participants from 50 districts. Around 110 stalls of tourism organizations, government and non-government organizations, district development committees, trusts and development committees, tourism publications, and other industries were there in the fair (According to NTB) .The fair has showcased handicrafts, handmade carpet, information technology, cottage and micro enterprises, green energy and urban development at separate pavilions. The trade fair was organized to promote the local products and as a promotion tool for marketing Nepal Investment Year 2012-13.

Nepal Environment & Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF) also participated in the 5th National Tourism fair from 10th to 12th May, 013. This National level plat-form created by NTB provided NETIF an opportunity to share experiences among tourism stakeholders and the visitors. During the event we were able to share our experiences and lessons that we learned from the Finnish funded project (NTOEDP 2009-2013) conducted in the route of “Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail” (KVCTT) which covers three districts namely Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kavre.

NETIF has been promoting several hiking routes around SNNP and the “Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail (KVCTT) which starts from Sundarijal via Shivapuri National Park to kakani, Chisapani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Namobudhha and Panauti. The major activities conducted by NETIF in KVCTT were environment conservation awareness program, waste management, tree plantation, information & small scale infrastructure development, capacity building trainings, Promotion, networking & alliance building. Overall NETIF was able to develop and promote sustainable eco-tourism practices among the visitors, the communities, and the service providers.
It can be said NETIF has been effortful with high degree of success in addressing the issues of sustainable tourism by soliciting community participation at local and regional levels. In our opinion, at least a zeal and momentum has been created for sustainable tourism development and it must be continued, sustained and extended beyond the boundaries of KVCTT.

The event was wrapped-up with the closing ceremony at auditorium hall of Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap on 12th May, 2013. Chief Guest, Mr. Subash Niraula, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board graced the program. In the program, all the representatives from different development regions of Nepal gave their views about the National Tourism Fair 2070 and also gave some suggestions for the development of the Tourism for respective regions. The event also arranged cultural dance which was very enjoyable to watch. At the end of the program there was certificate distribution to all the participants and after the distribution Mr subash Niraula in his speech lauded the efforts of all the participants and gave suggestions and ideas for promoting and developing better tourism in Nepal.