Visit Nepal 2020

Visit Nepal 2020 also known by the initialism VNY 2020, was a tourism advertising campaign released by the Government of Nepal and a part of Visit Nepal campaign 1998—2011. The campaign is coordinated by Suraj Vaidya. Yeti, folkloric creature was chosen to be the official mascot. In March 2020, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.

A billboard showing the advertisement.

Campaign

Visit Nepal 2020 is the third campaign set by the Nepal government, followed by first in 1998 and second in 2011.[1] The government of Nepal aims to attract 1.5–2 million tourists in 2020.[1][2] It is coordinated by Suraj Vaidya,[2] and alongside members of the Program Implementation Sub Committee.[3] The coordinator wrote: "The success of VNY 2020 will depend on our national pride, willingness and ability to contribute".[3]

Promotion

To promote the campaign, the team has built over 108 sculptures around Nepal.[2] The official mascot was chosen to be the Yeti, folkloric ape-like creature from Himalayan folklore, and it was created by US-based Nepali artist Ang Tsherin Sherpa.[4][5] 108 Yeti's sculptures are planned to be displayed around Nepal by the end of 2020.[5][6][7] The sculptures are 7ft (2.1m) tall, they are painted by 108 artists, and cost 500,000 Nepalese rupees (approximately US$4,414; £3,380) per piece.[4][7] Kamal Pariyar of BBC News wrote about the Yeti's design: "Most people seem to agree this probably isn't what they imagine a yeti looks like".[4] The mascot was met with some outrage for funding of the statues, and "use of religious and cultural motifs".[5]

Cancellation

On 22 March 2020, the government announced to cancel the campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal.[8][9]

  • Majipa Lakhey, a demon in Nepali folklore. Lakhey Dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal.
  • Mount Everest, Earth's highest mountain above sea level.
  • Greater one-horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park.
  • Dal bhat, a traditional meal from Nepal.
  • A Tibetan prayer flag is a colourful rectangular cloth.
  • Daura-Suruwal is the national outfit of Nepalese men.
  • Chaubandi Cholo is a traditional woman's blouse of Nepali culture.

References
  1. "Nepal hopes to attract 1.5 mln tourists in 2020 – Xinhua | English.news.cn". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. "VNY campaign for 2020 and beyond: Vaidya". The Himalayan Times. 9 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "Nepal – lifetime experiences" (PDF). Visit Nepal. August 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. Pariyar, Kamal (28 January 2020). "How a mythical creature divided a Himalayan nation". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. Subba, Sanghamitra. "Love it or hate it, it's abominable". Nepali Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. "Yeti, our mascot". Visit Nepal. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. "Yeti, the mythical mascot for VNY2020". Visit Nepal 2020 News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. "Nepal calls off Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign citing coronavirus crisis". OnlineKhabar. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. "Visit Nepal 2020 called off, finally". kathmandupost.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
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