Tourism Day celebrated in London
A fun-filled event was organized at the Nepali embassy in London on Friday to mark the World Tourism Day with a message that Nepal is always safe for the tourists.
Welcoming the guests, organizer of the event and honorary Public Relations Representative of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for UK, Dhruba KC, expressed sorrow at the tragic loss of lives and property in recent violence in Kapilvastu district. He, however, said such stray incidents could happen in any country and that Nepal continues to remain a safe destination for tourists. He called upon the private sector to join hands with the government to promote Nepali tourism and help in the livelihood of tens of thousands families across the country.
Chairman of Non-Resident Nepalese Association, UK, Ashok Shrestha, said Nepal has so much to offer to nature lovers, mountain adventurers, spiritual seekers as well as those who wanted to see country’s rich cultural heritage. He, however, biggest hurdle for Nepali tourism was political instability and security. He said an estimated 1.6 million Nepalese living abroad could act as ‘honorary ambassadors’ to promote Nepali culture and tourism. For this, the government and NRNA needed to work in tandem, he added.
Expedition leader of the Team Everest, Marcus Ranney, said he recently had a truly life changing experience after visiting the Everest region last month. He said Nepal was the fantastic destination for holiday as well as adventure. “The biggest asset of Nepal, however, is her people,” he added.
Team Everest was part of one of the largest field studies for medical research conducted to investigate the effects of acute mountain sickness (AMS) across all physiological systems. Under the auspices of Team Everest, a group of 50 full-time medical students from Royal Free and University College Medical School trekked to the Everest Base Camp at a height of 18,500 feet above sea level.
Charge d’ affairs at the Nepali embassy in London, Jhabindra P. Aryal, said tourism was the mainstay of the Nepali economy and that the government was committed to promote Nepali tourism in partnership with the country’s private sector and international agencies. He reassured that Nepal remained a safe destination and there was nothing to worry so far as the safety of the tourist was concerned. He also expressed hope that Constituent Assembly polls would be held on time thereby ushering Nepal into a new era.
Chief guest at the function, journalist and mountaineer Ang Tsering Sherpa, said Nepal remained a fascinating destination for tourists from all over the world. He narrated his experience of climbing the Mt. Everest and said serene, high peaks of Nepal presented Himalayan bond between Nepal and rest of the world. A journalist with the Kantipur Publications, Sherpa is the first Nepali journo to climb the highest peak.
Other speakers including President of the Britain Nepal Chamber of Commerce (BNCC), Robert Atwater, highlighted immense potential between Nepal and UK in the areas of trade, tourism and investment. He said the Chamber was doing its best to promote British investment in Nepal.
Attired in Nepali national dress, Madan Thapa of Kosheli Parivar performed ‘Mangal Dhun’ and folk music while a musical video prepared by Samveda were also screened on the occasion. Vice Chairman of NRN UK, Khagendra Nepali, delivered the vote of thanks.
Over 150 guests, including representatives of various Nepali organizations in the UK, visiting Nepali artistes and executives from a number of travel trade companies, took part in the Nepali dinner that was served afterwards. nepalnews.com Sep 29 07
