In this agreeable summer, we gather here in beautiful Kathmandu on this special day for the 1st International Mountain Tourism Day. On behalf of Guizhou Province, one of the hosts, I would like to extend sincere welcome to you, and express my heartfelt thanks to all the institutions and personages for your strong support!
The International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) is the world's first international mountain tourism organization initiated by and established in Guizhou. Guizhou is a typical mountain province. With a land area of 176,000 square kilometers, 92.5 percent of which are mountains and hills, it is known as a mountain park, as well as an area whose karst topography is most typical and complete in the world. With a permanent population of 36 million and 17 ethnic minorities living here for generations, Guizhou is blessed with living cultural heritage and original culture at different historical stages. In recent years, with the goal of building a domestic top and world-renowned mountain tourism destination and a province strong in mountain tourism, Guizhou has stepped up efforts to develop mountain tourism products and explore the connotation of mountain culture, and advanced the integrated development of tourism and other industries.
Nepal is a country of high mountains and 78 percent of its territory is mountains. For years, Nepal's mountain tourism has been prosperous and Nepal has launched many mountain tourism products. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek and other mountain hiking products of Nepal have been well known in the world. Both inland mountain areas, Guizhou and Nepal have a lot in common. The Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau where Guizhou is located is an extension of the Himalayas. Though far apart, the two areas share the same mountains. The same topography has generated the unique cultural effects and colorful ethnic minority cultures of both areas. Guizhou and Nepal have maintained frequent cultural tourism exchanges. Over the year, Guizhou has successfully hosted a succession of cultural and tourism exchange events like Colorful Guizhou Cultural & Creative Week, "Happy Chinese New Year, Charming Guizhou" Gala in Nepal, "Colorful Guizhou, Mountain Park" Exhibition and "New Year Concert 2019", thereby deepening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. We hope to continue strengthening exchanges with Nepal in mountain culture and tourism to learn each other's development experience, promote the development of the mountain economy and benefit mountainous people.
Ladies and gentlemen, mountain tourism has been in the ascendant and become an important driver of global tourism. Meanwhile, mountain tourism development is confronted with a lot of problems and challenges such as ecological damage, environmental pollution, climate change and poverty. Guizhou rich in mountain tourism resources is an ideal place for mountain tourism research and practice. We have hosted International Mountain Tourism Outdoor Sports Conference for four consecutive years, and organized international mountain outdoor sports such as outward bound, hiking and cycling, base jumping and rock climbing. A few new mountain tourism business types such as health preservation, summer resort & leisure, holiday & recuperation, auto camping and study tour are rising rapidly. We are willing to discuss mountain tourism development with you to cement cooperation, and welcome you to Guizhou for travel, holidays and investment.
At the Mountain Tourism Exchange & Business Cooperation Dialogue this afternoon, I will introduce Guizhou's mountain tourism resources and development, and treat you to the folk dance and song performance of colorful Guizhou. Welcome to the activities.
To conclude, I wish the event a complete success!
Thank you!
