Kathmandu, February 27

Ang Tshering Sherpa, who died in a helicopter crash today, was a prominent entrepreneur and visionary who took the country’s tourism sector to new heights, making invaluable contribution to the development of the private sector.

Born in Pangkhum village of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district in October 1964, Ang Tshering made a foray into the travel business by establishing Thamserku Trekking, Nepal’s top mountaineering agency, with his elder brother Lakpa Sonam. Another big venture that they established together was Yeti Airlines.

Ang Tshering, an avid golfer, was the managing director of Yeti Airlines. Under his leadership, Yeti Airlines became Nepal’s largest domestic airline company.

Ang Tshering and his elder brother also own Gokarna Forest Resort in Kathmandu, a luxury resort in Kongde in the Everest region and another resort in Lomanthang, Upper Mustang. They also own Tara Air, Air Dynasty, Yeti Adventure, Yeti Homes and Altitude Air.

“Ang Tshering was unlike other Nepali entrepreneurs. Most Nepali entrepreneurs rush to make investments abroad after becoming successful here. He never thought of doing that and was always making plans to expand business in Nepal,” said Nima Nuru Sherpa, managing director of Altitude Air. “He was also keen on promoting quality tourism in Nepal and was always travelling to areas that were not popular with tourists.”

Ang Tshering set up trekking lodges all across the trekking trails in the Himalayas. He was in the process of building high-end super luxury resorts in remote Himalayan areas.

Ang Tshering started his career in the tourism sector in his early 20s and became successful fairly early, but success never went to his head and he remained down-to-earth, humble and kind-hearted, according to Bachchu Narayan Shrestha, general secretary at Pasang Lhamu Foundation.

Sherpa is survived by his wife Chanda and two sons — Nurbu and Pasang. His younger brother Ang Tendi also died in a chopper crash 22 years ago.