Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and various tourism related organizations organized a special program in the capital to celebrate the day.[break]
Speaking at the program, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma said Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 campaign would not become successful if bandas and strikes continue unabated.
“Frequent strikes and shutdowns have severely affected the tourism industry. Incidents like these have degraded Nepal´s image in international image,” Bishwokarma said.
Minister Bishwakarma also awarded members of Nepal Civil Servants Everest Expeidtion 2011 and record-setting Everest summiteer Apa Sherpa.
During the program, Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN) awarded Sushil Bhattarai of Nagarik daily with TAAN Sagarmatha Journalism Award 2011. Bhattarai shared the award with Shila Pandey of Kantipur daily. The award carries a purse of Rs 50,000 and letters of appreciation.
TAAN also awarded Chaya Sharma with TAAN Pasang Lhamu Education Award and Shiva Adhikari with Dr Harka Gurung Memorial Award.
Similarly, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation awarded Sagarmatha National Award 2011 to Mingma Sherpa of Sankhuwasabha district. Sherpa is the first Nepali mountaineer to climb all 14 peaks of the world that are above 8,000 meters. The award carries a purse of Rs 100,000 and a citation.
The ministry also awarded Luanne Freer, who is associated with Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), with Tenzing-Hillary Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 50,000.
Nepal has been celebrating May 29 as International Sagarmatha Day to commemorate the first summit of Mt Everest back in 1953.
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