Nepal’s  Trade Center located in Katmandu goes off a 3 day exhibition showcasing tourism products from Rural parts of Nepal such as Mustang. This sort of exhibition is easy to organize given the exhibition is held in the crowded and easy-walking Kathmandu, and given the crumbling economy, how many of Nepalese will travel in their own country to give some uplift to a long wounded tourism, has yet to be recorded.

Many of those visited the exhibition seem more concern about economy, rate of unemployment and about the role of  new Royalless Government of Nepal. We interviewed a few and here is what they have to say:

A local grocery Lady says, “I don’t know if this exhibition was for me or someone else in this country. Since the gas price has been skyrocketed, and unimaginable inflation is here, we all Nepalese live a life that is populated, corrupt, and toiled to twist anyone’s brain! Now, its time to not only to boost tourism, but boost employment, provide some sort of relief to elders such as me and my husband who is in his 70s. I alone can not make ends meet and the Government needs to do something about elders of this nation, many of them abandoned by Sons or Daughters, neglected by the Government. You ask me have I been to the exhibition. Why ? She Replied”

A female student who visited the exhibition center said, “They always do one thing or another. Its all for travellers and those seeking their names in news headlines.

Unless you boost the economy of this nation, every exhibition for us is like a slap on our face. First, we have a new baby; a Government backed by the people, put some money in my old dad and mum’s pocket, then may be, I could save money to travel. I have to work, pay college fee and look after my Dad and Mum and you expect me to have enough money to goto Mustang ?.”

She goes on, “It’s like a show just like any other, placed before solving any problems we face daily, like the skyrocketing of cost of living, tuition fees and so on”

A day time worker, Bijaya Kumar Yadav says,  the exhibition is important and should be done across Nepal. Its silly for Nepal Tourism Board to do a show in Kathmandu to start with. He asserts, “Those who have money don’t  even know our country’s beauty. But our Employers don’t give us any Holidays at all. I am hoping, our Labor Board gets serious on private Companies that treat employees in inhumane way such as working under a bond, no holidays and so on for all year around. Pension? Are you kidding me. There needs to be a connection between all BOARDS, and there is a lack of communication and leadership as well. We don’t have qualified people on the right chairs to do the job right. I am hoping that they pass some kind of Bill that makes it easier for all those who work in Private companies. Do you know? Some of them don’t even give sick leaves.”

The exhibition is set to highlight the strength and uniqueness of Village tourism among everyone including travellers who are at home or abroad. You can expect alot from a new Government, and Nepalese are hopeful now then ever before.

Nepal’s Tourism has picked up since last year, and each month means a plus point.