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Deepak Mahat
President |
Message from the President
It
is my great pleasure to kindly inform our respected tour
operators, friends and well-wishers abroad that some signs of
restoration of peace in Nepal have started to be seen after the
announcement of the unconditional ceasefire by the Communist Party
of Nepal (Maoist) on 3rd September, 2005. This move has
become very encouraging for all of us, as the new political
development may pave the way for establishing permanent peace in
Nepal. Being an umbrella organisation of almost 500 registered
trekking companies, the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal
(TAAN) has taken the new move in a positive light with the peak
tourist season round the corner. The ceasefire is expected to be
instrumental in reviving the Nepalese tourism industry that has
suffered severe setbacks one after another over the years.
Although no visiting tourist had
undergone any serious problem during the decade-long internal
conflict in Nepal, tourist arrivals in the country declined
sharply. This was because Nepal lost her image as a safe and
peaceful destination in the international arena. As a destination,
Nepal would not have faced that sort of problem if the
international media had not presented only the exaggereated
information. Despite this, tourists continued to visit Nepal and
enjoy while being in this alluring cultural-cum-adventure
destination. All the tourism-related activities also continued to
take place.
Since all the
tourist destinations in the country are now virtually peaceful,
trekkers, mountaineers and other nature lovers need not scare to
come. We are confident that the situation will change for the
better soon. So, I would like to request all our business partners
and tour operators to include Nepal in the list of destinations
and convey this message to others. As you know, Nepal has been
known worldwide as a 'Trekker's Paradise' with her unique places
for trekking.
Deepak Mahat
President
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