World-renowned climber Mingma Gyabu Sherpa has stated that Mount Everest is Nepal’s pride and identity, and that only by promoting it effectively around the world can the country achieve a significant increase in tourist arrivals. Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu to inform entrepreneurs and business leaders about the upcoming Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit, scheduled for May 29 in the capital, the celebrated mountaineer emphasized the critical need for such events to attract investment into the tourism sector.
Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, who has summited some of the world’s most challenging peaks, brought his unique perspective as both a climber and a tourism ambassador, underscoring that Everest is not merely a mountain but the very symbol of Nepal’s natural heritage and global standing.
AMS Global Himalaya Foundation Organizing Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit
The AMS Global Himalaya Foundation, which is organizing the upcoming events, has been actively working to promote Nepali folk art, culture, and tourism on the international stage. The Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit, scheduled for May 29 in Kathmandu, are expected to draw representatives from more than 30 countries around the world.
The foundation has already completed tourism promotion and cultural programs in countries including Japan, the Philippines, China, the UAE, Canada, the Maldives, and Sudan, focusing on Nepali culture, art, music, language, and tourism development. These international engagements have helped build a global network of supporters and collaborators who share the foundation’s vision of positioning Nepal as a premier cultural and adventure tourism destination.
Foundation Chair Satyakala Tamang Lama Outlines Vision for Global Promotion
Satyakala Tamang Lama, Founder Chairperson of the AMS Global Himalaya Foundation, informed the gathering that the foundation is organizing various promotional programs to spread awareness about Nepal’s folk art, culture, and tourism around the world. As part of this ongoing effort, the foundation is set to host the Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit in Kathmandu in May, with participation from representatives of more than 30 countries.
Tamang Lama emphasized that such international gatherings provide a unique opportunity to showcase Nepal’s diverse cultural heritage, from its traditional music and dance to its exquisite handicrafts and culinary traditions, all while creating platforms for dialogue on peace, sustainability, and responsible tourism. She noted that the foundation has already completed tourism promotion and cultural programs in multiple countries, building lasting relationships with international partners who are eager to collaborate on future initiatives.
Foundation’s International Reach Across Asia, the Middle East, and North America
According to Tamang Lama, the foundation has completed tourism promotion and cultural programs in countries including Japan, the Philippines, China, the UAE, Canada, the Maldives, and Sudan, focusing on Nepali culture, art, music, language, and tourism development. Each of these programs was tailored to the specific interests and cultural contexts of the host country, ensuring that Nepali offerings were presented in a manner that resonated with local audiences.
In Japan, the foundation highlighted Nepal’s spiritual tourism and trekking routes; in the UAE, the focus was on luxury adventure travel and MICE tourism; in Canada, the emphasis was on sustainable and community-based tourism; and in Sudan, cultural exchanges and heritage tourism took center stage. This diversified approach has allowed the foundation to build a broad and resilient network of international partners, reducing dependence on any single source market while creating multiple channels for tourist inflow into Nepal.
Tourism Entrepreneurs and Journalists Emphasize Economic Prosperity Through Tourism
At the program, tourism entrepreneurs, including Jimba Jangbu Sherpa, Damodar Ghimire, Mingma Dorje Sherpa, Asim Rai, and journalist Rishi Dhamala, also spoke, emphasizing the need to focus on the development of the tourism sector for the country’s economic prosperity. The speakers highlighted that tourism is one of the few sectors where Nepal has a distinct competitive advantage, given its natural beauty, cultural richness, and the warmth of its people. They called for greater collaboration between the government and private sector to address infrastructure gaps, improve service standards, and implement effective marketing strategies that target high-value traveler segments in the Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit.
The speakers also stressed the importance of accurate and positive storytelling about Nepal in international media, countering negative perceptions that may arise from isolated incidents and instead highlighting the overwhelming hospitality and safety that the country offers. Journalist Rishi Dhamala, in particular, noted the media’s role in shaping perceptions and urged responsible reporting that supports the nation’s tourism ambitions while holding stakeholders accountable for maintaining high standards.
A Call for Concerted Action to Realize Tourism Potential
The gathering concluded with a collective call for concerted action from all stakeholders, government, private sector, civil society, and media, to realize the immense potential of Nepal’s tourism industry. With the spring season already underway and international visitor numbers showing signs of recovery, events like the Everest Tourism Award and World Peace Summit are seen as timely interventions that can accelerate the momentum.
Mingma Gyabu Sherpa’s message was clear: Everest is Nepal’s greatest natural asset, but Everest’s value can only be fully realized through deliberate, sustained, and creative promotion. As the May 29 events approach, organizers are working to ensure that the summit delivers not just ceremonial recognition but concrete outcomes, including investment commitments, partnership agreements, and media coverage that reaches potential travelers around the world. For a nation seeking to rebuild its economy and reclaim its position as a top global destination, the message from this gathering was one of optimism, determination, and shared purpose.
