ATTA Members Join Forces To Make Good For Nepal

14 June 2016
Translate

image2When the terrible news regarding the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal back in April 2015, reached the rest of the world, many people and organizations asked themselves: What can WE do to help and give back to Nepal and it’s people in these difficult times?

Through the ATTA and their many initiatives to support the people and the local businesses in this world renowned trekking destination, among them the AdventureWeek Rebound Nepal where the phrase “Nepal is Open for Business” was created, the adventure travel community were kept informed of the rebuilding progress that were taking place in the country. In late Autumn 2015 LWimages Studio were contacted through the ATTA network platform by Nepalese ATTA member Everest Summit Lodges. They asked to join forces to spread the word that Nepal is back on it’s feet and that the best thing to do is to visit the country and support the local economy directly.

20160520_Nepal_P1A9585-HDR_1200pxWith the inspiration from other stakeholders within the adventure travel community, Lukasz Warzecha - photographer shooting commercial and editorial assignments for the outdoor adventure industry and Ulrika Larsson - Studio Director & Producer at LWimages (and former ATTA team member), spent two weeks in late May 2015 with Everest Summit Lodges, visiting their comfort lodges outside Kathmandu and in the Khumbu Valley, creating new marketing material pro bono during a 8 day trek with staff and guides from Everest Summit Lodges.

image3Being able to have a first hand experience on location, realizing that the Khumbu Valley is as beautiful as ever, we understood there is no reason for people to stay away from this part of Nepal. We didn’t meet a lot of westerners and according to many Nepalese companies, tourism is still down 40-50% but it’s looking brighter. Several people we spoke to, let us know that bookings for Autumn 2016 are looking positive and showing signs of slowly returning back to the numbers of visitors typical a few years ago.

We encourage all ATTA members to reach out to each other, collaborating across the borders, both geographical and creative ones. Being able to support a fellow adventure travel company on the other side of the world, has given us new perspectives, stretching the frames of traditional ways of looking at collaborations within the adventure travel industry.

 

Comments