KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 2Nepal's Annapurna I has been awarded the title of "World Famous Tourism Mountain" at the International Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports Conference, held in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, China.The recognition was presented by the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), a global network of over 199 organizations from 38 countries dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism.

This award highlights Annapurna I's natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and cultural importance.Kumar Mani Thapaliya, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), accepted the award on behalf of the organization at a ceremony held on September 26. NATTA, which represents over 1,100 members across Nepal's tourism sector, plays a vital role in advancing professionalism and sustainable tourism development in the country, according to the press release issued by the NATTA.The award, categorized under "Natural Orientation," celebrates Annapurna I as a premier global destination for trekkers, climbers, and nature enthuiasts.

Standing at 8,091 meters, Annapurna I is renowned for its stunning landscapes and challenging trekking routes.

The IMTA conference, themed "Tourism and Peace," brought together over 400 participants from 38 countries, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in mountain tourism.Expressing his appreciation, Thapaliya said, "This recognition confirms Nepal's leading role in mountain tourism.

It is a tribute to Annapurna I's global importance and our commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices.

We extend heartfelt thanks to IMTA's selection committee and its personnel, including Mr.

Zhiheng Zhang, Mr.

Liu, and Mr.

Deng Shijie, for their support."Thapaliya also acknowledged the efforts of NATTA's Board Members and Secretariat, with special mention to Secretary General Yubika Bhandari, who led the application process.

He extended his gratitude to Rajendra Lama, a Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) member, and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) executive, for their valuable input.

NTB CEO Deepak Raj Joshi provided the necessary backing for the submission, while past president Achyut Guragain encouraged the initiative.Beyond its scenic splendor, the award highlights Nepal's conservation efforts, particularly through the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the country's largest protected area.

ACAP works to balance environmental conservation with the socio-economic development of local communities, NATTA further states in the release.NATTA remains committed to promoting responsible tourism in Nepal and collaborating with local stakeholders, the NTB, and international partners.

This recognition underscores the importance of global and regional partnerships in advancing sustainable tourism in the Annapurna region and beyond.

NATTA looks forward to continued collaboration with IMTA and its global members to showcase Nepal's rich cultural and natural heritage, it added. .

This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com