I have been given the task of researching on an incredibly beautiful World Heritage site, The Kathmandu Valley. It was a cumbersome task to get 3 peer reviews on “The Kathmandu Valley” in Nepal but I ultimately tasted success after cooling my feet for a long time as i got some positive responses. The 3 experts for my task are as follows :-
1) Mr. Dave :-
Website :-�http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/
Info :�http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/about.html
Dave has been a single man on a global quest to search a calm and serene atmosphere like home. He grew up in a very poor household and has been through hardships quite early in his life. His day revolved around washing, saving, surviving and dreaming. He ventured out initially with a small and hence eventually it turned out to be a travel adventure of sorts. In 2005 he began the overland part of this current journey. In 2005 he took the brave responsibility of this overland journey and it’s still going on. That was more than 8 years ago. Hats off to this guy who is on a quest to find an appropriate home for him for several years. And it is too obvious that the definition of so-called home is different for such an elegant personality like him. He goes against the popular notion that “Home is a state of mind and not a place”.
This guy has done much work to help the tourists visiting Kathmandu Valley. He has provided lots of information starting from the cuisine of Nepal to Health related advices for people travelling to Nepal. He is really an expert as a travel blogger as he has done extensive research to simplify the visits for people. He has written about the connectivity problems and the voluntary services in Nepal which is quite an important aspect. So, ultimately he is being considered an expert for my task. His website can be visited to know about his valuable contribution.
2) Miss Inger Vandyke :-
Website :-�http://ingervandyke.com/
Info :-�http://ingervandyke.com/bio/
Inger Vandyke is a professional wildlife photographer a freelance contributor to many geographic journals. In January 2004, she began her professional photography career and she now contributes images and stories to over 20 publications including syndicated and independent newspapers. Her images also adorn public education campaigns, advertisements, marketing material, multimedia productions, storyboards and websites. She has a passion for photography as she has travelled over 45 countries to get some incredible images. He has been to Kathmandu valley many times since adulthood. His images reveal the curiosity and the picturesque beauty of the valley. He is being considered an expert for my task for his excellent research work on The Kathmandu Valley.
3) Mr. Steve Davey :-
Website :- stevedavey.com
Info :-�http://www.stevedavey.com/aboutstevedavey.html
Steve Davey is insanely optimistic and believes that the best of life is always in front of him. A writer and photographer based in London, Steve has turned his day job into a way of life. He travels compulsively and is in love with the chaos of being on the road. A self-confessed crap sightseer, he is more interested in how places work and often how they don�t, than visiting monuments and museums. He would also rather be told he resembles Jean Reno than a badger and is working on immoral ways to use this to his own advantage.
Steve�s work has appeared in magazines, books and newspapers all over the world. He is the author and principal photographer of Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die published by BBC Books. This bestselling title has sold over 300,000 copies and has�some 30�co-editions around the world. A�second�title Unforgettable Islands to Escape to Before You Die,�was published in 2007, and involved Steve catching 99 flights in a year and flying the equivalent of over seven times around the world.
He is being considered an expert for my task because of his excellent photographic skills as he gives a broad outline about the stupendous beauty of the Kathmandu Valley.
Part-II
The interviews of 2 of my experts are stated below. The questions along with their replies are given below.
1) Mr. Dave :-
a) What are your views on the richness of legacy of “The Kathmandu Valley” ?
The legacy is already there. The preservation is what needs to happen. Currently foriegn investment in preservation is the main income in restoration projects. With tourisim being Nepal’s primary source of income it would make a lot of sense to divert funds from that into restoration and protection.
b) What positive steps should be taken to preserve the culture of the Valley?
Newari people should be more focused on rather than ousted as political folly. The Newari were the first people to inhabit the valley yet there is very little documentation about this in Kathmandu itself.
c) What steps should be taken to make the World Heritage site a most favoured tourist destination?
The Kathmandu valley is made up of several heritage sites and not just one. Unfortunately it’s overrun by tourism and little is done to preserve it for the future. Having UNESCO labeld sites has only impacted the valley in a negative way due to a lack of sustainable infrastructure.
d) What role should the developed nations play in preserving World Heritage sites in developing countries( like Nepal) ?
Developed nations have been pivotal in preserving heritage sites in Nepal. However increased entrance fees and a lack of maintenance has resulted in less tourists interested in visiting.
e) How would you like to invite people to visit the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and promote its beauty?
One can start by removing the mass of�pollution�that’s�eroding�the valley away. Move the brick factories out of the valley. At the moment people are arriving to Kathmandu and wanting to�get�out straight away due to the rise of�pollution�in the last 10 years.
2) Miss Inger Vandyke :-
�a) What are your views on the richness of legacy of “The Kathmandu Valley” ?
The Kathmandu Valley and its ancient capitals could be considered as one of the wonders of the world. �As sites of significant cultural and historical interest, they draw millions of tourists to Nepal every year. �The collective pressures of over population, traffic, congestion and even ‘loving these monuments too much’ poses great challenges to their preservation but these challenges need to be overcome or else the world may lose some of its most unique and beautiful architectural treasures.
b)�What positive steps should be taken to preserve the culture of the Valley?
�More thoughtful tourism ventures where tourists are encouraged to engage in their travel in a more positive way. �I’m not just talking about helping out in orphanages but volunteering in the construction of buildings, rehabilitating forests and streams, teaching in local communities, assisting with sustainable agriculture projects etc.
c) What steps should be taken to make the World Heritage site a most favoured tourist destination?
�I think the World Heritage sites are managed quite well in terms of numbers. �One of the main issues I’ve had with visiting some of Kathmandu’s cultural sites is the lack of illumination on them at night. �It would be wonderful to see the dome of Swayambhunath shining in the night sky if this was possible. �Bodhnath is another that would be wonderful to see at night. �It would also be good to know how much of the entry fee that is paid goes towards the preservation of that site too.
�d) What role should the developed nations play in preserving World Heritage sites in developing countries( like Nepal) ?
Developed countries need to share their levels of expertise in preservation with developing world countries like Nepal. �They also need to donate money and know that the money is going to be spent only in activities surrounding preservation.
e) How would you like to invite people to visit the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and promote its beauty?
�I think social media is going to play a greater role in the future of marketing tourism in Nepal. �Imagery is also important and the promotion of public events like festivals. �I haven’t seen a single website that has all of the festivals on in the Kathmandu Valley listed, details on how to participate in them and what to see, when they are on, if there is a ticket price, what a tourist should bring if they decide to join a festival etc. �This would be a wonderful tool to have.
The response from my 3rd expert has not yet received. I will update the following as soon as I get a response.
