NETIF INCENTIVES- NTEODP A SELF FUNDING PROJECT IN THE FUTURE

NETIF’s ultimate plan is to hand over our NTEODP (Nepal Tourism, Environment and Outdoor Development Project) to the local communities. NETIF encourages hotel owners to practice sustainable tourism and also to be involved in social responsibility within their communities. The project, whose main aims where to establish the KVCTT to bring tourism into the area and allow local communities to set up small business enterprises in order to create a suitable income and to eliminate the need for villagers relying on things like tree cutting, which is environmentally destructive, for income. The aim was to establish clean, local communities which are environmentally aware, have proper means of waste management and the means to generate income from tourism and eco friendly farming practices. Eventually NETIF will phase out the project, leaving in place the infrastructure for the villagers to continue on themselves. In order to do so, the project needs an outside source of funding other than the funds contributed by NETIF. With this in mind and NETIF’s plans to phase out this project and move on to a new project in 2011, we have implemented the following incentives:-

Donations Boxes – Environment Support Fund:
As part of NETIF’s plan to make the NTEODP self funding, NETIF has gifted to every hotel, lodge and guest house along the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail a donation box which has been placed in the reception areas. The aim of the donation boxes is to collect money which goes into the Environment Support Fund for local areas. The monies raised are used for the upkeep of the environment in the project area. Local communities can use the money for clean-up programs, training programs and other requirements to improve, promote and help further the establishment of local business, the protection of the environment and the management of waste.

Panoramic Posters:
Getting the perfect photo may have taken many months of patients, but finally NETIF was able to get the ultimate panoramic mountain snap shot from Chisapani. This photo has now been produced into a Panoramic Poster which was funded by NETIF. The idea behind producing the poster is to help raise funds for the ongoing financing of the project. The posters have been placed on sale in various tea houses and hotels in Chispani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and other places along the trekking trail. Funds raised directly go into the project fund for the local areas.

Green Coupon Program:
NETIF has come up with the Green Coupon Program. The program is aimed at promoting eco friendly eating establishments and also helping to raise funds for the NTEODP. NETIF is working in conjunction with certain Kathmandu Restaurants with eco friendly ethnics and that utilize organic and local produce. Green Coupons can be purchased from Hotels and lodges along the trekking trail. Part of the purchase price of Green Coupons goes straight to the project fund and the purchaser can use the coupon in restaurants in Kathmandu that are listed on our website or that display the NETIF placard.

OUR FINNISH FREINDS – HELPING WITH TOURISM ON THE KVCTT:
NETIF receives funding from, and works in conjunction with the Finnish INGO Soumen Latu. Soumen Latu works in Finland for the promotion of outdoors and recreation as well as sustainable tourism. They have been funding NETIF's activities in Nepal for the last three years. But their help in promoting Nepal as a tourist destination goes much further. Every year, Soument Latu helps to arrange many groups which come out to Nepal for trekking along the KVCTT and other regions in Nepal. These groups get to experience Rural Nepal, our culture, hospitality and nature through visiting the KVCTT and also helping the local communities by bringing valuable income. The experience that visitors have in Nepal is important and by establishing the KVCTT as a high class sustainable tourism project, we can make a good impression on all visitors here who will then go home and help promote the trail and the wonderful time they had in Nepal by word of mouth.

Dear Visitors,
Nepal Environment & Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF) is a non-profit NGO working in the field of environment and tourism. NETIF envisions a “Better Environment for Better Tourism”. The benefits for creating a ‘Better Environment for Better Tourism’ are almost limitless, let’s just imagine what a better environment for tourism would be like – a peaceful destination without pollution and waste where nature and wild life are protected and where friendship prevail among the hosts and guests, or a destination where each tourist will have a memorable holiday, local communities will have enough economic benefits and tourism entrepreneurs will have enough business and security.

As a part of its activities, NETIF in association with local communities and hoteliers have issued COUPON FOR CONSERVATION for responsible visitors travelling around Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail. The visitors can get coupon in the partner hotels in Mulkharka, Chisapani, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, after certain amount of cash contribution. In return the visitors will be offered lunch/dinner in selected responsible hotels and restaurants in Kathmandu. The earnings made from the sale of the coupon will be collected in the bank account of local communities and will be utilized for waste management, conservation education and improvement of trails, culture/heritage environment conservation and development of green belts throughout the trail. The program expected to motivate responsible tourism entrepreneurs that promote fair trades, local products, organic foods, sustainable waste management, child labor free, and alternative energy as well as generate direct benefits to the local communities from tourism.

Please, think about the areas you travel in and envisage what you would like to see in the future. Let yourself imagine the possibilities of that you could be proud to leave for this area. Your small effort will be a big contribution for the well being of the host community and the Environment.

Thank you for your kindness.

Nepal Environment and Tourism Initiative Foundation
www.netif-nepal.org