March 14: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has started working on branding various tourist destinations in the country. NTB has initiated branding tourist destinations starting from Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. The branding of destinations on the basis of the originality of the place begun on March 12.
Dr Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of NTB, informed that NTB plans to initiate the branding of tourism destinations from Lumbini followed by other destinations.  He informed that the concept of destination branding has been put forward to help tourists understand the destination better.
"As any tourist destination has its own identity and specialty, we will continue to include it and brand it," he said, adding that "making Lumbini an attractive destination will help further identify it nationally and internationally."
While branding Lumbini, the board has given priority to Japanese architect Kenjo Tangeko's architect, Brahmi script, Burmese font, and sacred garden and integrated Lumbini's natural beauty, the resounding atmosphere of 'Om Mane Padme Hum’, the pristine city of Prince Siddhartha and The Bodhi tree for the branding.
Similarly, Lumbini's geography, natural beauty, pond, the historic Ashoka pillar, birds, ancient architects, forest, flora, tradition, and beautiful environment have been included in the branding, said Regmi.
Nepal previously branded the entire country under the brand 'Naturally Nepal'.
This time, Lumbini, one of the tourist destinations of Nepal, has been branded with colors, names, and logos to make it known in the international arena. It is believed that this will help in highlighting the importance of Lumbini globally.
As Lumbini is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, the board expects to bring in more tourists by branding the place.
More than 1.6 million domestic and about 4 million foreign tourists visit this destination annually. NTB is also preparing to brand Kirtipur and Pokhara.