Tourism Capacity Development Program
KEEP’s Tourism Capacity Development program is focused on increasing the professional skills of tourism professionals in Nepal.
The program offers training on areas such as the environment, ecotourism, conservation, leadership, language, mountain safety and First Aid.
Some of the major training programs recently provided by KEEP include:
English and German language training
KEEP runs an ongoing program of tailored English language courses aimed at improving the conversational abilities of tourism professionals throughout Nepal. Improving language skills has a positive impact on the people of Nepal as it increases the confidence of participants to do their jobs well and increases their transferable skills.
Guides, porters and tourism entrepreneurs are taught practical vocabulary and conversation essential for successful interaction with clients.
Course duration ranges from two to four weeks and the courses are run by a combination of Nepalese and international instructors. In 2007-9 KEEP ran English language courses for 345 tourism professionals in Kathmandu and rural areas and in 2008, a German language course was successfully attened by 23 students.
These training sessions also give KEEP the opportunity to increase participants’ awareness about environmental and social issues. On the course we provide information about the flora and fauna of Nepal, cultural heritage, trekking responsibly in the Himalayas, ecotourism, first aid and mountain safety, encouraging participants to pass this information on to their clients and orgaisations.
Wilderness first aid training
A large number of tourists come to Nepal every year to take in the sights and sounds of nature by trekking through some of the most renowned mountain ranges in the world.
Navigating such unpredictable terrain can often lead to unforeseen accidents and injuries and with this in mind, KEEP provides five-day courses designed to equip trekking professionals with basic first aid knowledge.
Courses are geared towards prevention and raising awareness about the dangers commonly encountered on a trail and in high altitude and low temperature areas. Participants develop practical skills for emergency situations and learn to put precautionary measures into practice.