KATHMANDU, Aug 2: Travel bloggers are promoting Nepal’s tourism to the world. Recently, both foreign and domestic travel bloggers have been creating and sharing videos about various tourist destinations in Nepal online, which has been increasing global awareness of the country’s tourism.
Travel blogging involves capturing videos of any destination visited, editing them meticulously, and sharing them online. Bloggers combine elements of traditional blogging, videography, and storytelling to provide viewers with captivating and immersive experiences of the scene’s audiences are searching for.
Advocate Ajay Tamang, who enjoys traveling to various places in Nepal, mentioned that he visited Bhairabkunda in Sindhupalchowk after watching a travel vlog by Yatri. “I watched Yatri's travel vlog about Bhairabkunda in Sindhupalchowk, and it made me want to visit, so I went,” said Advocate Tamang. “The place isn't very explored, but it succeeded in uplifting my spirits. With proper exploration, it has the potential to become a significant tourist destination.”
He says that travel vlogs tend to focus more on new or unexplored places rather than famous tourist destinations.
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“I usually decide on the places I visit based on travel vlogs,” he said. “Since these vlogs provide comprehensive information, I watch as many travel vlogs as possible about different places before setting out. They make it easier for people like me who enjoy traveling by including diverse information about each location.” He mentioned that he often watches vlogs from both Ghumante and Yatri.
In Nepal, popular tourist destinations have traditionally been Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and trekking regions such as Manang, Mustang, and the base camps of Everest, Annapurna, and Mardi Himal. However, recently, travel vloggers have been successfully conveying the message that there are many other beautiful and picturesque places in Nepal beyond these well-known areas.
Travel vloggers have made a great contribution in showcasing to the world that any region in Nepal, whether cultural, natural, or geographical, is a potential tourist destination. While Nepal’s tourism was once limited to specific areas and geographies, it has now expanded to include regions from eastern Nepal, such as Ilam and Panchthar, to the far western districts of Darchula, Bajhang, and Bajura.
Travel vlogs like "Ghumante" with 271,000 subscribers, "Nepal" with 175,000 subscribers, "Srijana Siju" with 119,000 subscribers, and other popular vlogs such as Yatri, Parikrama, and Muna Chiya have truly attracted people from around the world to explore new and diverse places in Nepal. These vlogs provide detailed and unique videos about hundreds of tourist destinations across Nepal's eastern, western, northern, and southern regions, sharing them globally online.
Their videos, which have millions of viewers, are watched by countless people around the world. Anyone, from any corner of the globe, can watch them at their convenience. Travel vlogging does not require significant investment or manpower. Aside from a few people and basic expenses, there are no additional costs involved. Without any government investment or manpower, travel vloggers are effectively promoting Nepal's tourist destinations in the global market.
Currently, renowned international travel bloggers with significant followings include Nas Daily with 13.6 million subscribers, Best Ever Food Review Show with 18 million subscribers, Mark Wiens with 1.7 million subscribers, S-Theory with 9.08 million subscribers, and Dale Philip with 3.42 million subscribers. These prominent bloggers have visited Nepal and created videos showcasing various aspects of the country.
Their blogs, with millions of subscribers, feature numerous videos about Nepal's mountainous tourism, cuisine, and adventure activities. These videos have been viewed by millions around the world, greatly promoting Nepal's tourism globally and making it a topic of interest for tourists.
Travel vlogs not only serve as sources of information but also play a role in influencing their audience. This can be beneficial for the tourism industry.
Parina Bhujel, who works at an office in Thamel, says, "Travel vlogs are ideal content for any nature lover. For me, watching travel vlogs always makes me want to go traveling." She added, "When we friends need to choose a travel destination, we watch travel vlogs." She mentioned that she often watches travel vlogs by Ghumante and Sisan Baniya.
Travel vloggers promote new destinations and inspire potential tourists to visit these places. They encourage people to explore destinations that are more unique or off the beaten path. They provide their audience with detailed information about the environment, lifestyle, traditions, customs, and experiences of these places. In other words, travel vloggers are effectively engaged in marketing tourism.
For tourists interested in traveling, the information provided by travel vlogs about various destinations enhances the credibility of those locations. Effective promotion helps to highlight and elevate the image of the destination.
