By Arvid Thapa for Dispatch News Desk
Tourism industry celebrating International Everest Day today despite Nepal government decided postpone celebration
KATHMANDU: Private sector in tourism industry is celebrating International Everest Day today on May 29 despite the fact that Nepal government decided to push back the celebration of International Everest Day after postponing National Tourism Fair. International Everest Day honors the first ascent of Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29, 1953.
Nepal postponed celebrations of International Everest Day to mark Loktantra Day (Democracy Day) which falls on the same day. Chief of the Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism Madhu Sudan Burlakoti informed local media that both events are highly important in for Nepali history and government decided this year to postpone Everest Day as its celebration could diminish the commemoration of Loktantra Day that marked a new era in Nepal’s political history. He informed media that Nepali government is now planning to celebrate Everest Day sometimes in July-August.
It may be mentioned that private sector is already protesting against the government and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) demanding new Tourism Board. More than 35 travel trade associations have been organising various protests under the Joint Tourism Coordination Council. They have demanded reforms in the NTB and ending the irregularities at the board to enable it to conduct effective marketing and promotion of Nepal’s tourism in the national and international arenas.
