Celebrating 1st International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day  
Government of Nepal has announced May 29 as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day to commemorate the heroic achievement of late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary for their historic ascent of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) on May 29, 1953. Government of Nepal and Tourism Board in association with various tourism associations and stakeholders of tourism are jointly organizing different programs to celebrate this day on 28 and 29 May, 2008. (See the attachment for detail program)

Objectives of this event are: to pay tribute and remember the first climbers for their heroic achievement in human history, promote Nepal as a world-class adventure tourism destination, create awareness about the importance of our mountains for our livelihood, maximize the involvement of all stakeholders for their respective roles in preserving the mountain environment and help to preserve Sagarmatha (Everest) region as an icon of Nepal.

There will be a grand procession in the morning of 29 May followed by Inaugural program in Kathmandu. Similarly, a symposium on adventure and responsible tourism, a workshop on water painting of mountain theme, a wall climbing and quiz contest programs among school/college students, mountain film festival and various programs are being organized in association and leadership of the Ministry, Nepal Tourism Board, Tourism Associations and Non-governmental organizations based in Kathmandu and Sagarmatha area. Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon in Sagarmatha region is going to coincide the event. Likewise, many foreign dignitaries related with our mountains are also joining us in celebrating this day. UAAA council meeting is being organized in Kathmandu by NMA on 29 May. TAAN is taking the lead in organizing the morning procession on 29 May at 6.30AM from Bhadrakali, Sahid Gate. We invite all to join us and express your solidarity to make this celebration a success.

Being the first program to celebrate 29 May as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day, we look forward to receiving active support of the media and all our stakeholders/partners specially the Ministry, NMA and TAAN for the success of this event. We also request all concerned to provide their suggestion and comments to Nepal Tourism Board after completion of the event so that we can work to make our future celebrations more visible and effective. 

Nepal goes colorful in ATM Dubai- 2008
Nepal Tourism Board, along with four private companies participated in the ATM- 2008 held in Dubai, UAE during May 6-9, 2008. The fair was keenly observed and visited by the media, travel related agencies and the common public in the Gulf Region.

The Gulf region is the fastest growing region in the world and the ATM reflected that. The 14 year old international exhibition has doubled in size in the past four years with the space of 25,000 sqm; the success of the event reflects the growth of the region's travel industry. With 2,208 exhibitors from all aspects of industry from all corners of the world, the ATM is undoubtedly a special platform to showcase the tourism attractions and to meet with the travel related organizations.

Nepal was very well received in Dubai by the media and the travel industry. With many new airlines flying to UAE and connecting the Gulf region to Nepal, there seemed numerous queries, interests and attractions towards to Nepal. The Nepalese companies enjoyed unprecedented meetings and flow of the visitors; and Nepal seems to have great tourism potentials in the region. On May 8, Nepal organized a short presentation on Nepal to address the inquiries of the media, travel professionals and common people and to brief them on the current scenarios in Nepal.

The Nepal stand was visited by His Excellency Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa, the Nepalese Ambassador to UAE and by the Embassy officials. Yeti Travels, Flyyeti.com, Shangri-La Hotel and La Meridian Resort were the private companies that participated in the fair.Mr. Gahendra Rajbhandari – Officer participated the fair from Nepal Tourism Board.

Rogers' "Rhythms of Life" project completed in Nepal
The Nepal Tourism Board is delighted to announce that Australian Sculptor, Andrew Rogers has just completed the tenth segment of his global "Rhythms of Life" Land Art Project against the stunning vistas of Jomson and Pokhara in Nepal. Andrew Rogers and his team were in Nepal creating the sculptures, 22 March to 5 April, 2008.

Rogers' "Rhythms of Life" project is the largest contemporary land art project in the world – 12 sites in disparate exotic locations (from below sea level and up to altitudes of 4300 metres). Up to three Geoglyphs (land sculptures), each measuring up to 660 feet x 660 feet, are created on each site.

Since 1999, "Rhythms of Life" sites have been completed in Israel, Chile, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Iceland, China, India and Turkey.

The "Rhythms of Life", derived from his earlier bronze sculpture, and "Labyrinth" which is a symbol of contemplation associated with both the Hindu and Buddhist religions, are located in Jomsom, in the deepest gorge on earth. They face a sacred 7,000m snow covered mountain called Nilgiri, and are adjacent to the Kaligandaki River, one of the most famous rivers in Nepal, which becomes a raging torrent in monsoonal times and is held sacred by the local river people.

The third Geoglyph "Knot", which is one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism, was created in Pokhara, in the Seti Gorge.

These three Geoglyphs are connected by the idea of the Rhythms of Life and together form the tenth of the twelve sites, which are in the process of creation.

The construction of this segment of the Rhythms of Life project involved over 450 people from the local Nepalese community. The lines of the Geoglyphs stretch approximately 2550 metres and comprise over 4500 tonnes of rocks, which were shifted by hand. Lisa Choegyal and Carolyn Syangbo coordinated the Nepal logistical arrangements. By completion the project will have involved over 5,000 people on six continents.

"Geoglyphs constructed in desert and altiplano landscapes comprise my "Rhythms of Life" – metaphors for the eternal cycle of life, growth, and all the attendant emotions that colour human existence. They are optimistic symbols of life and regeneration – expressive and suggestive of human striving and introspection. Geoglyphs embrace a wide cultural vision linking history and heritage, and the pursuit of the spiritual," says Rogers.

Andrew Rogers is one of Australia's most distinguished contemporary sculptors with an international reputation. He exhibits internationally and his critically acclaimed sculptures are in numerous private and prominent public collections in Australia, S.E. Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States of America. He has received many international commissions and the eleventh segment of his Rhythms of Life project commences in mid May in Slovakia on the side of a 2500 year old Castle, with the assistance of hundreds of Romanian Gypsies.

Govt. waives royalty for Mid and Far West Mountain peaks
In an attempt to promote Nepal for All Seasons, the Government of Nepal has waived the climbing fee for all peaks of Mid and Far Western Development Region of Nepal for five years, according to a letter issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation on April 29, 2008. The royalty for climbing Everest and other peaks has been slashed by 75 per cent during winter and rainy seasons and 50 percent during the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season will remain the same. Royalty for other 326 peaks over 6,500 metres that are open for climbing have been slashed on a similar basis.

Visitors Arrival in April 2008 (by air only)
The arrival figures released by Immigration Office, TIA indicate that visitors' arrivals to Nepal in April 2008 reached 32,665, which is a marginal decrease of 1% as compared to same month last year. However European Sector remains unchanged with almost the same figure as compared to the April 2007. France grew up by 21%, Austria with 20%, Netherland & Israel with 28%, Switzerland with 66%, Spain with 25%, but UK, Sweden & Germany decreased by 20%, 31%, & 20% respectively.

There are some significant growths recorded; Australia & New Zealand arrivals show a growth of 51%. Closely following the trend are Canada & USA with the growth of 25%. The arrival figure shows a decrease of 18% for the Asian countries. SAARC countries arrival is decreased by 14% where India has the share of 19% decrement. Bangladesh on the other hand shows an extraordinary growth of 60% which may be the positive impact of the recent Bangladesh Sales Mission program held vigorously. Taking the data into consideration, the main reason for the decrease in arrival might be the prediction of uncertainty in the minds of travelers due to our Constitutional Assembly (CA) Polls.

Analyzing the total number of arrivals in the first four months of this year, it shows 1,28,802 visitors to Nepal with an increment 11.15% than the total arrival of the same period of last year. Therefore, we are still hopeful of getting a healthy growth in days to come. The successful completion of the Constitutional Assembly Election with peace being reinstated in the country will definitely give a good message to the potent travelers and also to the travel trade fraternity of the world.