Rupandehi: A two-day tourism photojournalism training program has commenced in Rupandehi with the aim of strengthening the promotion of tourist destinations in Lumbini Province. The training is being conducted under the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), jointly implemented by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The program is organized in collaboration with the National Photojournalists Group Nepal (NFPJN) and the Rupandehi chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, and began on Monday.
STP Manager Dharmaraj Dawadi said the training aims to introduce Lumbini Province’s religious, cultural, and natural destinations to the global audience through the lens of the camera. “Lumbini is not only the birthplace of Buddha; it is also rich in culture, history, nature, and community-based tourism stories,” he said. “Photojournalists play a crucial role in presenting these stories effectively. As the role of media becomes increasingly decisive in sustainable tourism development, this training is expected to help highlight tourism potential and connect local destinations to the global market.”
NFPJN President Pradeepraj Want described photojournalism as the backbone of tourism promotion and emphasized that learning is a continuous process. “The way you capture the stories of Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Palpa, Nawalparasi, or Bardiya today will help establish Nepal more strongly on the global tourism map,” he said, adding that the training would help bring forward the stories of overlooked destinations, cultures, and communities of Lumbini Province.
During the training, NTB Communication Consultant Dilip Prakash Karki delivered sessions on the fundamentals of tourism journalism, the board’s promotional strategies, and the effectiveness of visual storytelling. Another trainer, Sunil Chudamani Bajracharya, provided training on the history and technical aspects of photojournalism, as well as photo features and visual storytelling structures.
On the second day, participants will take part in a field visit for practical exercises on visual storytelling. Around 30 photo and tourism journalists from various districts of Lumbini Province are participating in the training.
Training Coordinator and NFPJN Treasurer Pradeep Shrestha expressed confidence that the program would make a significant contribution to visual documentation, destination branding, and the promotion of both emerging and established tourist destinations across Lumbini Province.
