Nepal is the country where Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, is located. Mountaineering and other types of adventure tourism and ecotourism are important attractions for visitors. The world heritage Lumbini, birth place of Gautama Buddha, is located in southern Nepal, and there are other important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country.
The government of Nepal has declared 2011 to be Nepal Tourism Year, and hopes to attract one million foreign tourists to the country during that year.The tourist industry is seen as a way to alleviate poverty and achieve greater social equity in the countrye Hindu and Buddhist heritage of Nepal, and its cold weather are also strong attractions.