Happy to report that the 5 year Tourism Development Framework for Ilam Municipality in Eastern Nepal is now completed and adopted. Consistent with the Nepal Tourism Development Strategy, Ilam is poised to become the tourism hub of Easter Nepal, a relatively unspoiled and undiscovered part of the rich Nepal cultural and adventure tourism experience. Thanks to my colleagues at Ilam Municipality for your enthusiastic collaboration and to the Nepal team of the Australian Volunteer Program for ongoing support. This is a region well worth visiting.
Tag Archives: Creative tourism
Developing Cultural Tourism In Eastern Nepal
My new Australian International Volunteer Program assignment, albeit still by distance, is consulting with Ilam Municipality on sustainable and cultural tourism development. Ilam is a hill station in eastern Nepal about 600 km from Kathmandu. It is well known for its spectacular views, nature walks and tea plantations with many lush tea gardens. The region is rich in cultural diversity. There are many different castes and ethnic groups living here, each with their own customs and traditions and religious rites and rituals. The region also appeals to researchers who travel from far and wide to study its rare birds and the Red Panda, a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and south-western China. Should be fun.
Kitipur – Nepal’s next cultural capital
Happy to report that my recent Australian International Volunteer Program assignment in Nepal is now completed. A joy once again to work (albeit remotely) with my Nepalese local government colleagues on tourism planning and development, particularly in the area of cultural and creative tourism.
Perched high on a hill just 5 Kms from central Kathmandu, the City of Kirtipur is one of the 11 municipalities in Kathmandu Valley. Also known as the as the ‘City of Glory’, it is a place of historical importance, with many significant cultural and religious sites including temples, stupas and monasteries. It also has many attractive natural features including lakes, caves and gorges.
The City has a culturally diverse population of approximately 66,000 people. It is home to people from 45 different caste and ethnic groups. The majority of the population is of traditional Newa heritage which strongly influences its way of life, food, architecture and traditional festivals.
It has a lot to offer culturally motivated international visitors and is poised to become Nepal’s next cultural capital.
How lucky am I to now have three places to call home in Nepal – when I’m able to travel there again.