A two-day visual storytelling/ Tourism Photojournalism Training has commenced in Lumbini to strengthen the promotion of tourism destinations across Lumbini Province through impactful visual storytelling. The training is being conducted under the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), jointly implemented by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) and the Nepal Journalists Federation, Rupandehi Chapter.
The training aims to empower photojournalists to effectively capture and communicate the religious, cultural, natural, and community-based tourism narratives of Lumbini Province through the lens of a camera. Speaking at the inauguration, STP Manager Dharma Raj Dawadi emphasized that Lumbini is far more than the birthplace of Lord Buddha. He noted that the province is rich in diverse tourism stories encompassing heritage, culture, landscapes, and local communities, all of which deserve global visibility through compelling imagery.
He further stressed that in the era of digital communication, visual media plays an increasingly decisive role in sustainable tourism development. According to Dawadi, photojournalists serve as key storytellers who can bridge local destinations with global tourism markets by presenting authentic and responsible narratives. He expressed confidence that the training would help uncover tourism potential and promote lesser-known destinations of Lumbini Province in a sustainable and impactful manner.
Photojournalism as a Backbone of Tourism Promotion
Addressing the participants, Pradeep Raj Onta, President of the National Forum of Photo Journalists Nepal, described photojournalism as the backbone of tourism promotion. He highlighted that learning is a continuous process and encouraged participants to responsibly document the stories of districts such as Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Palpa, Nawalparasi, and Bardiya.
Onta remarked that the way journalists frame local stories today will play a vital role in positioning Nepal more strongly on the global tourism map. He added that the training would support photojournalists in bringing forward the hidden destinations, cultures, and community narratives of Lumbini Province in a meaningful and visually engaging way.
Expert-Led Sessions on Tourism Communication and Visual Narratives
The training features expert-led sessions covering both theoretical and practical aspects of tourism photojournalism. Dilip Prakash Karki, Communication Consultant at the Nepal Tourism Board, delivered a session on the fundamentals of tourism journalism, NTB’s promotional strategies, and the power of visual storytelling in destination branding. He emphasized the importance of aligning visual content with national tourism promotion goals while maintaining authenticity and ethical standards.
Similarly, senior photojournalist and trainer Sunil Chudamani Bajracharya provided in-depth insights into the history of photojournalism, technical photography skills, and the structure of photo features and visual stories. His session focused on enhancing participants’ ability to create compelling photo essays that communicate strong narratives and emotional connections.
Field Visit and Practical Learning
On the second day of the training, participants will engage in hands-on practice through a field visit, where they will develop photo stories based on real-world tourism settings. This practical component is designed to help participants apply their learning in capturing destination narratives, community life, and cultural expressions through structured visual storytelling.
Approximately 30 photo and tourism journalists from various districts of Lumbini Province are participating in the training. The diverse participation reflects growing interest in tourism journalism as a tool for regional development and sustainable destination promotion.
Boosting Destination Branding and Local Tourism
According to Pradeep Shrestha, Training Coordinator and Treasurer of NFPJ, the training is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the visual documentation, destination branding, and promotion of both emerging and established tourist sites in Lumbini Province. He expressed confidence that the skills gained through the program would support long-term tourism promotion efforts by creating a strong visual archive of the province’s tourism assets.
The training underscores the growing recognition of media and visual storytelling as powerful instruments for sustainable tourism development. By equipping journalists with the necessary skills and perspectives, the initiative aims to strengthen Lumbini Province’s tourism identity and expand its reach in national and international tourism markets.
