- Action Planning Workshop for Tomorrow's Khokana held in Lalitpur
- "Action Planning Workshop for Tomorrow's Rapti Valley (Deukhuri) Capital City" Held in Lamahi, Lumbini Province
- Media Interaction held on plan for Tomorrow’s Rapti Valley (Deukhuri) Capital City
- Art Competition on Tomorrow’s Rapti City held in Rapti Valley (Deukhuri) Capital City
- National Tabletop Simulation Exercise by NDRRMA MOHA
- Workshop on Earthquake Hazard Assessment and Aftershock Forecasting was held in Lalitpur
- 26th National Symposium on ‘Earthquake Risk Reduction and Management in Nepal’ held in Kathmandu.
- Mason Training begins in Darjeeling, India
- 26th Earthquake Safety Day observed in Nepal with the slogan: Let's promote use of Local Resources and Technology for Earthquake Resilient Structures
- Shaping Visioning Scenarios for Rapti, the Lumbini Provincial Capital City in Nepal
- View all
Tour & Travel sector to enhance disaster resiliency
With a view to bring travel and tourism sector stakeholders in disaster risk reduction process and raise disaster risk awareness in this sector by implementing various collaborative works together , a half-day workshop on "Disaster Preparedness of Tour and Travel Business Sector" was organized on 28 April 2013 at Hotel Radisson, Kathmandu. The half-day workshop was jointly organized by Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) with the support from USAID/OFDA.
"Now we have come to realize that we must go beyond response and relief, and focus on reducing vulnerability ahead of natural disasters" “Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, Chief Secretary of Government of Nepal expressed in his opening speech at the workshop. He firmly stressed that effective preparedness and mitigating the negative impact of disaster is now of prime concern for all of us.
Mr. Naveen Kumar Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs in his inaugural speech appreciated such type of key initiative carried on with active involvement of private sector and also briefed on various government initiatives on Disaster Risk Management.
This was the first workshop of this kind where more than 100 participants from Tour & Travel sector have actively participated and brainstormed on this theme.
Addressing the workshop, Mr. Robert Friedman, Regional Advisor, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA/USAID) highlighted on DRR support in Nepal and appreciated efforts of Nepal Government to mitigate adverse impacts of potential threat. He emphasized the significance of "Promoting Public Private Partnership for Earthquake Risk Management (3PERM)" bringing the level of commitments and potential energy and leadership of private sector to consider Earthquake/Disaster Risk Management as one of the priority areas for mainstreaming into the development process.
Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Executive Director of NSET highlighted the role of private sector in earthquake risk management, and the need for the private sector to make their family and their business safer through the development and implementation of Business Continuity Plan. He pointed out the importance of the Tours and Travel business in the national economy, and that is the reason why this industry should be safe against disaster. He hoped to be working with the sector in the days to come so that the Tour and Travel business is well prepared and that their business continues uninterrupted even after a large earthquake in Nepal.
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) President, Mr. Pavitra Karki expressed his happiness to bring NATTA to be a part of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative in Nepal.
To kick-off the interactive exercises to follow, NSET Deputy Executive Director Mr. Ramesh Guragain presented briefly on "Disaster Preparedness for Family and Business sector".
It was followed by presentation of Mr. Madhusudan Acharya, 1st Vice President, NATTA on Disaster Preparedness of Tours and Travel Business Sector. In his presentation he briefed on the main activities of members of NATTA members and potential impact to their functions during and after an earthquake. He highlighted the possible ways to start initiative on Earthquake risk reduction and preparedness and stressed on the need to establish a special unit for Tourism Earthquake /Disaster Management in the Government/Nepal Tourism Board.
Mr.Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Project Manager 3PERM, briefed on the fundamentals of Business Continuity Planning BCP and its need for emergencies. He highlighted on the seven steps to better prepare business for emergencies. Mr. Sangachhe stressed on the need for the Public private partnership for disaster risk reduction
After the interactive sessions, a brainstorming session of SWOT analysis was carried out where the participants brainstormed on the strength, weakness, opportunities and threat of NATTA regarding Earthquake Risk Reduction and the next steps to be taken.
The purpose of the SWOT analysis was partly to inform the participants about what can be done to prepare for an earthquake and partly to have them reflect on where they can improve towards achieving earthquake safety and what their role and responsibility can be.
The workshop brought about a realization among the participants on the role of tour and travel sector in disaster risk management and the need of disaster recovery and Business Continuity Planning. It initiated a dialogue among various stakeholders of tours and travels which can enhance the earthquake awareness and can promote the private organizations to manage the risk as well.
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