Kathmandu, October 14:

The first Everest Sky Dive-2008 ended today, where a total of 33 divers from 14 countries took part and the participants hailed it as one of the biggest tourism and adventure event since the first ascent of the Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1953.

World Champion Skydiver from New Zealand Wendy Smith, who also took part in the diving, lauded the scenic beauty that the skydiving from the Everest provided.

Smith, an independent aerial photographer who has already skydived 17,700 times, said,

"The technology and safety measures were praiseworthy, but the visual beauty was extraordinary, as it was the most exciting experience of my life and I look forward to come back."

Chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Prachanda Man Shrestha said skydiving from the Everest was the next big tourism attraction in Nepal.

Mt Everest can be promoted as the highest skydiving destination in the world, he said.

NTB director Subhash Niraula facilitated Maya Gurung, the first Nepali woman to climb and skydive from Mt Everest and called her a brave woman.

With the success of the event, NTB will promote and endorse Everest Skydiving in Nepal Tourism Year 2011 as an attraction with its many other natural scenic and adventure events, as an attraction to the global community.

Organised by Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure in collaboration with High and Wild Company, United Kingdom, the skydiving event has been considered a great achievement for the promotion of tourism in Nepal.