Kathmandu, December 21

Nepal is hosting the Global Adventure and Mountaineering Conference and Expo (GAMCE) 2017 from March 31 to April 2.

The three-day event is being organised by House of Rajkarnicar in partnership with Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Indian Mountaineering Foundation and China Mountaineering Association.

According to organisers, GAMCE 2017 is an international forum for exchange of products, services, information and for building consensus on international issues related to mountaineering and adventure.

Speaking during the press briefing here today, Birendra Rajkarnicar, managing director of House of Rajkarnicar, said that GAMCE 2017 is inspired by the remarkable growth in world adventure sports and tourism in recent years. Highlighting World Trade Organisation statistics that adventure tourism in the world increased by 195 per cent to $263 billion from 2010 to 2013 compared to general global tourism growth of five per cent in the same period, Rajkarnicar said, “GAMCE aims to promote Nepal and the Himalayas as one of the world’s renowned adventure destinations.”

“We have been promoting Nepal’s tourism through events in other countries. GAMCE will promote Nepal’s tourism from Nepal itself,” he added.

Organisers said that the event will focus on three parallel tracks: adventure as sports, adventure as tourism and adventure in the context of environment. Furthermore, the conference consists of adventure travel services, expedition travel services, adventure sports gear and accessories (canoes, rafts, kayaks, mountain-bikes, dirt bikes, parachutes, para-gliders, skis, skateboards, surfboards and fishing gear), mountaineering harnesses and outdoor products (tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and camp products).

Similarly, participants in event are expected to include adventure sport enthusiasts, athletes, adventure travel operators, expedition organisers and travel media, among others.

Organisers said that GAMCE 2017 will also be complemented by sideline events such as Himalayan rush, Himal race, Himalayan kayak race, Himalayan MBT challenge and Fewa para-gliding shows.

Addressing the event, Chief Executive Officer of NTB Deepak Raj Joshi said that tourism-related events in Nepal and beyond are a must to promote Nepal as tourism destination. “We believe GAMCE 2017 will be a platform to promote Nepal’s adventure tourism within the country and beyond.”