Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 14:

Sarvendra Nath Shukla, minister for tourism, culture and civil aviation, conferred the Mount Everest Golden Jubilee medals to eight Everest summiteers amidst a special function held in Germany last week.

Those honoured Everest summiteers were not able to receive the medals during the mega celebration on May 29, last year in Kathmandu, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of successful ascent of Mt Everest. On the occasion minister Shukla highlighted the importance of tourism industry for the country like Nepal. " ITB is a good event to reach to the western markets where Nepal has been participating for many years," he said.

Balaram S Malla, Royal Nepalese ambassador to Germany, shed light on the various tourism attractions that Nepal can offer to attract the European tourists. He also opined that the natural and cultural diversities of Nepal have always been the main attractions for the westerns.

Ann K Baucknet, honorary Royal Nepalese Consul of Nepal to Stuttgart (Germany), moderated the programme and Wolfgang Nairz made a multi media presentation with his varied experience relating to climbing the summit of Mt Everest.

Eight summiteers took part in the programme from Switzerland, Germany, Austria and The Netherlands. Jurg Marmet, Robert Bosch and Hans R Von Gunten from Switzerland, Helga Hennge from Germany and Sepp Hinding and Heinz Rockenbauer and Fasching Wolfgang-Austria. Fritz Vrijlandt from the Netherlands also received the award on behalf of Walters.

Nepali tourism entrepreneurs are currently participating at ITB, in Germany, to boost Nepal as a tourism destination, states a press release issued here today by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). ITB Fair is being held in Berlin, Germany from March 12 to March 16.