Nepal urged to promote adventure tourism, Mountain Guide Day observed

Kathmandu: Mountaineers and travel trade professionals have urged the government to tap its immense potential by promoting adventure tourism and waive tourist visa fees temporarily to revive the collapsing tourism industry of the country.

Speaking at a program organized to mark 10^th Annual National Mountain Guide Day by Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), the stakeholders emphasized to develop tourism infrastructure and promote Nepal aggressively in the world tourism market.

On the occasion, Minister for Culture , Tourism and Civil aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel highlighted on government plans and programs to revive Nepali tourism sector keeping in view the adverse effects of devastating earthquake of April 25 ( 2015) and Indian trade embargo.

” Two years extension of the permits issued to mountaineers to climb Everest , construction of Pokhara Regional Airport, promotion of cultural and religious tourism including Lumbini and promoting Nepal aggressively in the world market are some of the initiatives to be taken by the present government ,’Pokharel said.

Minister Pokharel added that Nepal waived visa fees for Chinese tourists to attract more visitors from China. China has also lifted its travel advisory for its citizens visiting Nepal.

Similarly, Director General of Dept. of Tourism Govinda B . Karki , President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Ang Tshiring Sherpa, TAAN Vice President Tashi Lhakpa Sherpa, NNMGA President Dorjee Lama Sherpa and NNMGA General Secretary Phurba Namgyal Sherpa stressed on making Nepal a top destination of adventure tourism.

On the occasion, various mountain guides, aspirant guides, newly qualified guides and travel personalities were honored for their contribution in mountaineering development of the country.

‘Snow leopard ‘and famous Everest summiteers Ang Rita Sherpa, 72, was also felicitated for his contribution in promoting Nepal. Ang Rita climbed Everest ten times without the use of supplemental oxygen and is known as ‘The Snow Leopard’.

Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), established in 2005, is a member country representative of International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (UIAGM/IFMGA).

The association aims to strengthen skills of mountain guides through trainings and produce quality manpower in mountaineering. So far, 35 International mountain guides are affiliated in NNMGA.