In a bid to promote ailing tourism industry of the country, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organised sales mission in Paris and Brussels on the 5th and 6th March 2007 respectively.

A press release issued by NTB said Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and chairman of the board Madhav Prasad Ghimire led the Nepal delegation to both the places.

“The Sales Mission was organised to disseminate the message of peace and stability witnessed in the country recent months and, to foster the already existing warm relations amongst Nepal and the two friendly nations viz. France and Belgium,” NTB said.

The first Everest Summiteer of France and Member of Constitutional Assembly Pierre Mazeaud and other mountaineers- Marc Barard, Rober Parague, Guido Mayhem and Robert Haygh, Jacque Pirence, Willy Trorch from Belgium were felicitated for their heroic achievements as well as tourism promotion of Nepal.

Speaking at the Paris and Brussels programme, Ghimire emphasised that the change in the political situation in the country had ushered in huge prospects in the development and promotion of tourism.

He stressed that safety and security is no more an issue for the people to travel to Nepal. He also informed the guests that the Government of Nepal would leave no stone unturned to assist the sector to make Nepal the most tourist friendly destination.

Similarly, Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy of Nepal in France and Belgium stressed the commitment of the missions to fully cooperate in tourism promotion.

President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Ang Tshering Sherpa spoke of the importance of mountain tourism in Nepal and its overall impact to the people.

According to NTB, more than 70 media personnel, trade representatives, summiteers attended the program in Paris while Brussels saw a turn out of over 50.