Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research - North South (NCCR N-S) jointly organised a national conference on newly opened Machhapuchhre Model Trek in the capital on Monday.

Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation Shatrughna Prasad Singh Koiri inaugurated the trekking trail amidst a function in Pokhara last week. The trekking trail covers seven village development committees – Lahachowk, Ghachowk, Machhapuchhre, Rivan, Lwangghalel, Dhital and Sardikhola VDC – in Kaski district.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the national conference, State Minister Koiri thanked the Swiss agency for its support in developing tourism products in Nepal. He also said the government was ready to join hands with private sector for developing tourism infrastructures.

Dr Bishnu Raj Upreti of NCCR N-S, said the state should take initiative in developing new trekking trails. He also called upon government agencies and travel trade associations to identify and promote new trails.

Pranil Kumar Upadhyaya, Ph.D researcher, made a presentation on conflict-sensitive code of conduct on the new trail. He also proposed the concerned stakeholders to implement code of conduct to lessen pressure on environment and adopt sustainable tourism practices.

President of TAAN Pokhara Chapter Basanta Dawadi called upon the government and concerned stakeholders to identify and promote new trekking trails. Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of NTB, called upon the need to promote trekking package in a novel way so as to attract more visitors to the country. He also hailed NCCR N-S for helping develop the new trekking trail.

Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Thomas Gass expressed his happiness over developing a new trekking trail on the assistance of a Swiss agency to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland. "Nepal is celebrating 2011 as Nepal Tourism Year. It is an opportunity for Nepal to showcase its new facets of tourism. Nepal can be winner in the race of ecotourism products in international arena," he added.

Government officials, representatives of travel trade associations, travel trade people and mediapersons attended the programme.

The programme was supported by Nepal Tourism Board and Annapurna Conservation Area Project/Nepal Trust for Nature Conservation. nepalnews.com