TEL AVIV (ISRAEL), Feb 14: 'Heaven is myth, Nepal is real'. The slogan left participants smiling, curious and amazed when Nepali ambassador to Isreal, Dr Anjan Shakya introduced Nepal that way during an event jointly organized by Nepal Embassy and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) at Tel Aviv on the eve of the two-day International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) on Monday.
Urging tour enthusiasts and investors to try Nepal as their new destination, Shakya said that Nepal offers over 100 tourist destinations and that there are untapped potentials in different sectors where investments are going to be rewarding.
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"We welcome tourists as well as investors from Israel and other countries. It is going to be a win-win situation for Nepalis and investors if they tap the potentials offered by Nepal in tourism, agriculture, technology and other fields," she said, "Nepal has mountains, hills and plains where coexist different communities and varieties of wildlife. Heaven is myth, Nepal is real."
Nadav Ben Yahuda, the first Israeli to climb Mount Annapurna and the one who had grabbed headlines in 2012 for halting his ascent to Mount Everest three meters from the peak to save the life of an unconscious Turkish climber also captivated the audience as he shared his precious mountain experiences in Nepal. "Nepal is unique and precious. Everyone should visit Nepal at least once in their lifetime. Nepalis are simple, happy and welcoming people who make you feel at home," he remarked.
Rohini Khanal, manager at NTB meanwhile grabbed the participants' attention as he played a captivating 'Visit Nepal 2020' video prepared by the board.
Diplomats of several countries, travel and tour operators, representatives from airlines, shipping companies and suppliers, hoteliers, researchers and Nepalis studying and working in Israel participated in the event many of whom also made it to the two day IMTM at Tel Aviv that concluded on Wednesday on 13 February. IMTM is considered a global and the biggest annual Mediterranean tourism market involving over 40 countries. The participants in the evening relished Nepali cuisine and enjoyed Nepali cultural shows.
