Caravan Motors and Tourism International Tourism Fair ( CMT ) has become the Europe's largest market place for holiday makers and for travel professionals, travel agents and Caravan providers, it is the leading Trade Fair of the tourism Industry. The fair was started with a big bang on January 16 and ended with a flourish on Jan 24, 2010.
CMT has become even more important as a result of the move to the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, the new Landesmesse on the outskirts of Stuttgart next to the Airport Stuttgart-Echterdingen in 2008 in a new and a larger environment with modern architecture, transparency and spaciousness with almost twice as much exhibition space in Europe's most modern trade fair centre, including the International Congress Centre, compared with the Killesberg site. Â Germany's southwest region is the home of the world champion travelers. 4.6 million people living in Baden-Warttemberg never forego a holiday. Due to their high purchasing power, they invest an above-average amount in holidays. It is, therefore, natural that exhibitors count CMT as their most important and successful marketing instrument.
Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) has been coordinating the country's participation in CMT at Stuttgart, Germany since 1994 in cooperation with Mrs. Ann Katrin Bauknecht Honorary Nepalese Consul General of Stuttgart. Nepal first participated at the Fair in 1994 with a small information counter. In 1995 Nepal at the invitation of the state of Baden Wuttertemberg and Messe Stuttgart participated as the partner country. Since then, Nepal is taking part at the fair regularly marking 15 years history of continuous promotion of Nepalese tourism in German Market.
To present and promote Nepal as holiday-destination for the German as well as European market, disseminate Nepal as a safe destination to travel, promotion of business contacts between travel and tour operators and promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011, Nepal Tourism Board along with Sathi Nepal Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd., Nature Trail Travel & Tours Private Limited, Royal Mt. Trekking Pvt. Ltd. and Om Mane Trekking Pvt. Ltd have participated as exhibitors in the Nepal Stall in coordination of Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with GTZ Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, National Tea and Coffee Development Board and Honorary Consulate General of Nepal in Stuttgart.
Honorble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari led the Nepal Delegation to CMT 2010. The other Members of Delegation are
- NGCCI President Mr. Rohini Thapaliya, ( Padmashree Pvt. Ltd. )
- Immediate Past President Mr. B.K Shrestha ( Himalayan Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd.)
- Executive Member Mr. Krishore Raj Pandey ( Keyman Pvt Ltd. )
- Executive Member Mr. Herbert Wesely ( Logo Industries Nepal Pvt. Ltd. )
- NGCCI Chief Executive Officer Ms. Saraswati Maharjan
- Member Mr. Alex Lal Muktan ( Laser Infotech Nepal Pvt. Ltd. )
- Mr. Jitendra Bhattarai , Officer ,NTB
- Mr. Rajendra Bajgain, Gorkha Encounters
From left: NGCCI President Mr. Thapaliya, Hon'ble Tourism Minister Bhandari, Honarary Consul General Mrs. Bauknecht, Mr. Messner and Ambassador Mr. Pradhan at the Press Conference in CMT
Honorble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari addressed a Press Conference organized at the CMT 2010 in Stuttgart Germany on Jan 19, 2010 to update the tourism trade situation of Nepal and proclaim Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The new and attractive DVD was presented by Nepal Tourism Board showing prominent features and giving important information about Nepal as a favourite Tourist Destination. Press Conference was attended by more than 36 National and International Journalists including representative from CMT Messe.
Mrs. Bauknecht had invited famous Mountaineer and Nepal friend and patron Mr. Reinhold Messner to attend the press conference as main speaker whose presence also guaranteed maximum media attention. Mr. Messner broke a lance for the soft Tourism in Nepal, the main source of income for the poverty-stricken country. He is planning a tour in the spring in the Annapurna region, new Trekking routes to explore. With road construction change many future paths, new ways are sought so.
President of NGCCI Mr. Rohini Thapaliya presented the current scenario of Tourism in Nepal and stated that the presence of Hon'ble Minister for Tourism Mr. Bhandari itself shows the commitment for the promotion of Tourism in Nepal and expressed his willingness to welcome all in the Land of Himalayas.
Ambassador of Nepal to Germany His Excellency Mr. Suresh Pradhan
thanked all those concerned for organizing the event and also urged the Germans to work together to further enhance business activities between the two countries.
The programme was followed by questions and answers from the journalist audience.
Token of appreciation was also presented to Mr. Messner, Mrs. Bauknecht and H.E Mr. Pradhan at the programme.
Nepal Evening was also organized on the same day with special guest speaker Reinhold Messner at Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart which was hosted by Mrs. Bauknecht, Honorary Consul General of Nepal in cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Company and Nature Life International.
Hona'ble Tourism Minister Mr. Bhandari addressed the gathering and shed light on Nepalese tourism and Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
Mr. Messner did long presentation in Germany regarding his mountaineering experience in Nepal which has been able to provide wide publicity to Nepal. Mr. Messner's brilliant lecture and the high level reception afterwards with more than 300 VIP guests attending at the beautiful Mercedes-Benz Center in Stuttgart, the home base of Mercedes-Benz, was a great success and has been an outstanding evening which brought a lot of publicity for Nepal.
Ambassador Mr. Suresh Pradhan, CMT Delegates, Mr. Rohini Thapaliya, President of NGCCI, Coordinator Mr. Kishore Raj Pandey, CEO Ms. Saraswati Maharjan, Member Mr. Alex Lal Moktan from NGCCI and other participants were also present at the programme.
Nepal Stand at the main entrance of the main Hall No. 4 Touristik Hall the most prominent hall at Prime location covered with beautiful painting of Mt. Everest at back and the Shyambhu Stupa at the top and decorated with prayer flags was able to reflect the glimpse of Nepal. The exhibitors with their professional German partners and attractive holiday packages attracted lot more visitors at the Nepal stall. Nepalese high quality orthodox tea was also served free of cost to visitors as refreshment in cooperation with NGCCI Member All Nepalese tea and coffee Centre and National Tea and Coffee Development Board.
