A two-day free Tourism Photojournalism Training commenced on Tuesday in Kathmandu, aimed at enhancing the skills of journalists working in tourism and photojournalism across Bagmati Province. The initiative is jointly organized by the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) and the Kathmandu Chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).
Strengthening Journalists’ Capacity for Tourism Promotion
During the inaugural session, Project Manager Dharma Raj Dawadi expressed optimism about the training’s role in promoting Nepal’s tourism stories at an international level. He highlighted that the STP focuses on infrastructure development and service quality enhancement along three major trekking routes: Api-Saipal, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga. Dawadi emphasized that capacity-building programs like this training would help fill the human resource gap in the tourism sector and strengthen Nepal’s tourism promotion nationally and internationally.
Workshop Focus and Expert Guidance
The training includes sessions on journalistic skills, multimedia promotion, and destination-focused digital documentation. Pradeep Raj Onta, president of NFPJ, described photojournalism as the backbone of tourism promotion and stressed that the stories captured by journalists would help position Nepal as a compelling tourist destination globally. “The photographs you take today from Pokhara, Annapurna, and Gandaki will showcase Nepal as a strong tourism destination on the world map,” he remarked.
Technical and Practical Knowledge Sharing
Participants received practical and theoretical instruction from experts. Dilip Prakash Karki, Communications Advisor at NTB, provided insights on the objectives of the tourism board, fundamentals of tourism journalism, and effective reporting techniques. Trainer Banta introduced participants to the history of photojournalism, technical skills, and photography techniques, while Sunil Chudamani Bajracharya covered camera operation, preparing photo features, and understanding the significance of photography in storytelling.
Field Visit to Apply Learning
On the second day of training, participants will engage in practical exercises on photo storytelling and undertake a field visit to apply their skills in real-world tourism settings. The hands-on component is designed to enhance the journalists’ ability to capture compelling images that tell stories about Nepal’s diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and tourism products.
Wide Participation Across Bagmati Province
The training saw the participation of 30 journalists from various districts of Bagmati Province, including Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, and Kavre, representing both local and regional media outlets. The program aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively promote Nepal’s tourism destinations through photography, ultimately supporting sustainable tourism development in the region.
