KATHMANDU: Nepal's Embassy in France hosted a function on Thursday at the UNESCO Hall in Paris to sensitise foreigners about Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011.
The program was inaugurated by Nepal's Ambassador to France Mohan Krishna Shrestha and French Senator and President of France-Nepal Amity Group Jean-Pierre Kucheida jointly by lighting a holy oil lamp.
High ranking representatives from French Foreign Ministry; Ambassadors of USA, China, Japan, Laos, Malta and El Salvador to UNESCO; Professors; former French Ambassadors to Nepal; journalists; tour operators; representatives of Nepali societies in France; Nepali students; French NGO's active in Nepal and many others from different walks of life were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shrestha said the Government of Nepal had decided to celebrate Nepal Tourism Year with an objective of welcoming one million international tourists in the country.
Nepal is a reservoir of natural beauties, rich flora and fauna, exotic and adventurous wildlife and is considered as a living museum of religious temples, monuments, age-old traditions, cultural festivals, arts as well as palaces of traditional architecture, he said.
Shrestha also elaborated on the modem tourism activities available in the country such as bungee jumping, canoeing, eco-tourism, jungle safari and hunting in the preserved area, mountain flight, paragliding, ride in ultra-light aircraft, rafting and trekking. Unity in diversity is an excellent hallmark of the Nepali people, he said.
On the same occasion, Senator Kucheida expressed his happiness to attend the inaugural ceremony and wished Nepal Tourism Year a grand success. He said that he holds profound affection towards Nepal and Nepali people and always wish for their well-being. He expressed readiness to work closely to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries.
A documentary made by Nepal Tourism Board "Naturally Beautiful Nepal ¬ Once is not Enough" was screened at the function. |
