By:Dr.Adal M.Hussain,Phd (AKA) Dr. Abbey ,Editor @ Large for World Liberty TV

Today, the Consulate General of Nepal in New York hosted an event entitled, “Reimagine Yourself . . . in Nepal” in New York City to mark the occasion of 75th anniversary of Nepal-USA diplomatic relations and to highlight the role of people-to-people contacts, goodwill and tourism as the bedrock of these relations.

Commemorating the occasion of seventy-five years of Nepal-USA diplomatic relations, the event provided an opportunity to showcase tourism and personal contact as defining features in strengthening and expanding warm bilateral ties between these two countries.

The event featured prominent speakers who shared their views on different aspects of tourism and people to people contacts. Acting Consul General Mr. Bishnu Gautam highlighted the concept of reimagination within Nepal’s tourism potential and its contribution to personal growth, community empowerment and recovery of tourism business.

The luncheon event, hosted in collaboration with the New York chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA NY), and Chhetry & Associates law firm, emphasized the power of adventure as a transformative experience.

Mr. Joebert Opulencia, Chairman of PATA-New York Chapter, spoke about the tourism potential of the Asia-Pacific region in general, and Nepal in particular. He encouraged the travel and tour operators to enlist Nepal in their preferred destination with consideration of people factor as the natural and cultural heritage of Nepal are exceptionally beautiful and people’s heart very warm.

Mr. Alexander K. Hardin, New York Regional Director of US State Department Office of Foreign Missions, offered his greetings to the group and spoke on positive USA-Nepal relations, growing community and cultural connections between the two countries, and assured continuous support to such efforts.

H.E. Amrit Bahadur Rai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, highlighted the potential of Nepal to become an international tourism hub for personal and professional growth through recreation and adventure as well as cultural and spiritual learning and healing yoga.

Keynote speaker Vanessa O’Brien, mountaineer, and six-time Guinness World Record holder as the first woman to reach extremes on land, sea, and air, spoke on Nepal’s leadership in mountaineering.

While sharing her fond memories of Nepal, she emphasized that Nepal is the ultimate destination for those seeking to reach great heights, find courage through awareness, and explore the limits of human potential.

Another Guest Speaker, Dr. Seth Sicroff, writer and veteran trekker, spoke on “Nepal tourism: a legacy of reimagination” and shared various ideas of further promoting Nepal-USA connections. While noting that this spring also marks the 70th anniversary of the first successful summitting of Mt. Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, Sicroff  pointed out that Hillary modeled his own development assistance initiatives on America’s highly original programs such as Sister Cities Act, the USAID, and most particularly the Peace Corps which have been instrumental to promoting bilateral and people to people connections, building goodwill and raising the living standards of the people in Nepal. He also quoted Hillary’s own rationale for the 1963 Himalayan Schoolhouse Expedition: “The basic fact is that people create goodwill – money cannot do it on its own,”.

Attorney Mr. Khagendra GC, NRNA USA former Chairman, and Vice President of Socialist International, highlighted diaspora’s role in promotion of art and culture and person-to-person contacts.

Mr. Alp Ozaman, Turkish Airlines Regional Marketing Manager in New York, shared how Turkish Airlines (TA) is contributing to boost tourism in Nepal by directly connecting USA and Nepal and other initiatives such as funded familiarization trips in an effort to encouraging even more US visitors to Nepal.

The invitees also expressed enthusiasm for the recently blazed the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) and explored possible collaboration to make it even more appealing.

Acting Consul General responded to the queries raised at the event, including on recently revised trekking measures taken by Nepal for the benefit and safety of travelers.

Officials from the Consulate General, PATA-New York Chapter, media, and travel and tour business executives were present at the event.

This event was long due, Nepal is truly a beautiful country that has so much to offer, Historical Sites, world’s largest Mountain in the World, the culture, food and above all this the wonderful people who are there to greet you and welcome you with open arms. Nepalese people are the most welcoming people in the world.

We like to thank the following people for their kind invitation, Mr. Joebert Opulencia, Chairman of PATA-New York Chapter and Acting Consul General of Nepal Bishnu Prasad Gautam , to learn more about Nepal tourism contact Consulate General of Nepal New York by clicking here.

To learn more or joining Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) , which is the voice and authority on travel and tourism to/from and within the Asia Pacific region. Click here for more information.

See more in our World liberty TV, Travel and Tourism Channels and blogs by clicking here.