Kathmandu, January 30:

The 41st edition of Caravan Motors and Tourism Fair (CMT) 2009 concluded recently. The nine-day event was organised from January 17 to January 25 at New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre Landemesse in Stuttgart, Germany.

Altogether 92 countries took part in the tourism fair while 72 companies from Caravan Motors mostly from Europe participated in the fair. The fair was coordinated by Nepal German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) and Nepal Tourism Board participated in the fair along with six private parties: Om Mane Trekking, Himalayan Waves Trekking, Sherpa Society, Nature Trail Travels & Tours, Trekking and Expeditions, Royal Mt Trekking and Trek Nepal International.

All the private companies were accompanied by their respective German agents to communicate with the buyers and interested visitors. The fair attracted approximately 3,00,000 visitors in total and almost 50,000 visitors visited Nepal’s stall.

On January 20, Honorary Consul in Stuttgart, Ann-Katrine Bauknecht, organised a press meet which was addressed by Chandra Prasad Joshi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Lekh Nath Bhusal, Senior Officer, Nepal Tourism Board. The journalists mainly raised questions regarding carbon emission and environment preservation through tourism. The ‘plant a tree in Nepal’ concept implemented in Nepal was widely appreciated.