Jaya Baral has been unanimously elected as the new chairperson of the Women Tourism Entrepreneurs Network (WTEN), a prominent organization working to empower women entrepreneurs in Nepal’s tourism sector. Her election was confirmed during the network’s fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election program held on Sunday, marking a new leadership phase for the growing institution.
The AGM successfully elected a nine-member working committee under Baral’s leadership through an unopposed process, reflecting strong unity, trust, and consensus among the members. The smooth election has been widely viewed as a positive sign of institutional maturity and shared commitment toward advancing women-led tourism enterprises in Nepal.
Formation of a New Nine-Member Executive Committee
Alongside Chairperson Baral, the newly elected executive committee includes Sharmila Kafle as vice-chairperson, Sushma Tamang as secretary, and Anupa Adhikari as treasurer. Sweety Manandhar has been elected as co-treasurer. The committee is further strengthened by members Niru Adhikari, Sunita Gurung, Gita Sharma, and Laxmi Karki.
According to the former treasurer of the network, Sakuntala Devkota, the unchallenged selection of the committee highlights the collective confidence of members in the newly elected leadership team. She informed that the consensus-based election process underscores the organization’s collaborative culture and shared vision for women’s empowerment in tourism.
Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Tourism
Speaking after her election, Chairperson Jaya Baral emphasized that the core objective of the Women Tourism Entrepreneurs Network is to promote the economic independence of women by linking them with opportunities in tourism. She stated that the network will continue to focus on equipping women with practical skills, knowledge, and access to platforms necessary to grow and sustain their businesses.
“Our goal is to strengthen the economic self-reliance of women in tourism by providing them with the right tools, resources, and platforms to scale their enterprises,” Baral said. She added that women entrepreneurs play a vital role in making Nepal’s tourism sector more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.
Ongoing Programs and Capacity-Building Initiatives
Since its establishment, the Women Tourism Entrepreneurs Network has been actively implementing a range of programs aimed at addressing key challenges faced by women in tourism-related businesses. These include training programs on taxation and Value Added Tax (VAT), capacity-building workshops, and skills development initiatives tailored to women entrepreneurs.
The network has also been running creative and awareness-based programs to encourage women’s participation in tourism and hospitality services, travel operations, trekking, homestays, and other tourism value chains. By enhancing financial literacy, regulatory compliance, and entrepreneurial skills, the organization seeks to bridge gaps that often limit women’s growth in the sector.
Growing Membership and Institutional Background
The Women Tourism Entrepreneurs Network was founded in 2021 AD (2078 BS) under the leadership of tourism entrepreneur Nirmala Dhamala. Since its inception, the network has steadily expanded its reach and influence. Currently, nearly 100 women actively engaged in various segments of the tourism industry are affiliated with WTEN.
Members of the network represent a wide range of tourism-related professions, including travel and tour operations, hotel and hospitality services, trekking and guiding, adventure tourism, and tourism entrepreneurship. This diversity has enabled WTEN to serve as a common platform for experience sharing, networking, and collective advocacy.
Alignment With Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Goals
WTEN’s initiatives align closely with national and global efforts to promote women-led enterprises as drivers of sustainable tourism development. By focusing on issues such as access to finance, regulatory awareness, leadership development, and digital skills, the network aims to place women at the center of Nepal’s tourism growth.
The organization also advocates for gender-sensitive policies and institutional support that recognize the contribution of women to tourism employment and entrepreneurship. Through dialogue, training, and collaboration, WTEN seeks to ensure that women entrepreneurs are not only participants but also decision-makers in the tourism sector.
Looking Ahead Under New Leadership
As Chairperson Jaya Baral and her team begin their tenure, the network is expected to expand its activities, deepen member engagement, and continue advocating for an inclusive, women-friendly tourism industry that contributes to sustainable economic development in Nepal.
