Kathmandu, Jan. 24: The inauguration of CMT (Carayan Motor Tourism) international Tourism Fair (from 20-28 January) 2001 was held in a grand way on 20th January 2001 in Stuttgart, Germany. The Fair is organised by Stuttgart Fair Authority (Messe Stuttgart) every year, since 1968 according to a press release of the Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) CMT International Tourism Fair, which is organised every year is one of the premier tourism fairs in Europe, CMT is the first major international tourism fair to be held in Western Europe at the beginning of each year and attracts more than one thousand travel related prominent cooperate bodies and tourism promotion boards from more than one hundred nations. Besides Germany, large number of visitors from Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands visit the fair to select and arrange their next holiday destination.
After the opening session Prime Minister, Tourism Minister and Lord Mayor of Stuttgart visited the Nepal Stand Mr. B. K Shrestha, President, NGCCI, Mr. Rohini Thapaliya, Vice President, NGCCI, Gopal S.L. Kakshapati, Vice President, NGCCI, Executive Members Laxman Shrestha, Mr Senon Dorje Lama, and Royal Nepalese Honorary Consulate General Mrs. Ann-Katrin Bauknecht were on hand to receive the VIP delegates at the Stand , B. K. Shrestha, President NGCCI briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospect of tourism industry in Nepal. Around 2500 people visited the Nepal stand to inquire about the travel arrangements to Nepal. Mongolia situated in front of Nepal Stand is the partner country besides Italy and New Zealand this year for CMT International Tourism Fair 2001.
A Press conference was organised to promote tourism industry in Nepal on 21st January 2001. Speaking on the occasion H.E. Balaram Singh Malla. Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany highlighted the importance of CMT international Fair in the promotion of Tourism industry in Nepal. He also expressed the role of NGCCI in helping promote Nepalese tourism industry in Germany. Addressing the same function B.K. Shrestha, highlighted the prospect of inward investment in the area of hydropower, telecom, agro, communication and tourism. He also thanked the German people and the government for having soft corner towards Nepal. And he expressed the hope that NGCCI would always be there to facilities anybody wanting to do business in Nepal.
Gopal S.L. Kakshapati briefed the gathering on the development of Tourism industry in Nepal from 1950 till date. He stressed mainly on sports tourism, educational tourism, flora and fauna etc. that Nepal possess. Honorary Royal Nepalese Consulate General Mrs. Bauknechi also addressed the function. The function was attended by a large gathering of German press corp, high ranking officials and other invitees. Approximately 100 people attended the function.
NGCCI is being assisted by Nepal Tourism Board and Honorary Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Stuttgart for the fruitful outcome from the country’s participation from this fair in the promotion of tourism in the country. Every year since 1994, Nepal Stand has occupied the same location—at the main entrance of Hall.
A 22 member Nepalese business delegation led by B.K. Shrestha comprises of Rohini Thapaliya, Gopal Kakshpati, Kishore Khanal, Laxman Shrestha, Pravakar Rana. VPs, Chairman; Building Committee, Secretary and Manager NGCCI respectively. Other members are from Travel Trade Industry and Press.