Noting
that “the long-term often gets shortchanged” following a disaster, Tourism
Cares CEO Mike Rea announced the creation of the Nepal Recovery Fund and issued
an appeal to consider the challenges facing the local tourism community
following the devastating earthquakes that rocked the Himalayan kingdom over
the weekend.
“People should certainly fund immediate relief efforts,”
said Rea, “but we are urging the industry to earmark some of its giving for
Nepal’s tourism industry and its long-term recovery now.”
Rea noted that tourism is
an especially important part of Nepal’s developing economy, and will be even
more so after primary relief efforts are complete. According to the World
Tourism and Travel Council, tourism in 2013 contributed 500,000 jobs and 8.2%
of GDP, with strong growth projected.
The fund will be used in consultation with local industry
leaders. Anticipated tourism projects may include:
- Identifying needs and prioritizing actions for
tourism recovery
- Revitalizing Nepal’s tourism product and its
marketing
- Targeted restoration and physical investments in
projects that may otherwise “fall through the cracks”
- Training and recovery funds for industry
professionals.
Tourism Cares, whose membership includes more than 120
industry companies and associations, will allocate 100% of fund donations to
program expenses, waiving administrative fees.
To donate or download a project brief, visit www.tourismcares.org/NepalRecovery.