Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has decided to take the torch of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 campaign to the summit of Mt Ama Dablam.
At a press meet recently organised at the NMA secretariat, NMA President Zimba Zangbu Sherpa said the 10-member Nepal Tourism Year 2011 Torch Expedition to Ama Dablam will take the torch to the summit of the 6812m peak on January 14, coinciding with the formal launch of the campaign.
The ceremony will be broadcast live at Dashrath Stadium where the formal launch of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is being held. The government has waived permit fee for the mountaineers.
Travel trade associations like Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal and Himalayan Rescue Association are also supporting the expedition.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai is among the international dignitaries that have confirmed their participation for the inauguration of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign to be held at Dashrath Stadium on Jan 14.
According to Nepal Tourism Board, tourism ministers of SAARC member countries and secretary of Cambodian Tourism Ministry have also confirmed their participation, while tourism ministers of Japan and China have expressed their interest to attend the gala event. The government has invited tourism ministers of 24 Asian nations for the event.
SAARC tourism secretaries are scheduled to arrive on Jan 11 to participate in the extensive joint secretary level meeting of the SAARC Tourism Working Committee. They are set to discuss on the problems and barriers confronting tourism promotion.
The SAARC inter-government body will discuss the possibility of launching joint marketing campaigns, softening visa regime, giving access to cross-border driving licenses and increasing inter-SAARC movement by air by the national flag carrier of each country. nepalnews.com
