The long-pending appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has entered a new phase after the Board of Directors formed a three-member selection subcommittee to initiate the recruitment process. The move comes more than three months after the CEO position became vacant following the removal of former CEO Deepak Raj Joshi. The formation of the subcommittee is expected to pave the way for the publication of a vacancy notice and the subsequent evaluation of candidates for the top executive position of the country’s principal tourism promotion agency.
Indu Ghimire to Coordinate Selection Panel
The three-member subcommittee has been formed under the coordination of Indu Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. NTB Board members Sahadev Dhamala and Pemba Sherpa have been appointed as members of the committee.
The panel has been constituted in line with the legal framework governing the appointment of the Tourism Board CEO. Its primary responsibility will be to manage the initial stages of the recruitment process, including preparing the vacancy announcement, receiving applications, assessing candidates and conducting the prescribed interviews and presentations. Following the evaluation, the committee will recommend three candidates to the Tourism Board’s Board of Directors for the final appointment.
CEO Position Vacant Since Baisakh
The NTB has been operating without a permanent CEO since Baisakh 19, 2083, when the government removed former CEO Deepak Raj Joshi. The prolonged vacancy has left the tourism promotion body functioning under interim leadership while major tourism promotion, marketing and institutional activities continue. The appointment of a permanent chief is therefore considered important for maintaining continuity in the Board’s decision-making and ensuring the effective implementation of tourism-related programs and policies.
Vacancy Announcement Expected Soon
With the selection subcommittee now in place, preparations are underway to invite applications from qualified candidates. The committee is expected to publish the vacancy announcement next week, opening the process to both individuals who had previously been considered for the position and new candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements. Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications, professional experience and suitability for leading the Tourism Board. The selection process will include presentations and interviews as prescribed by the applicable regulations.
Three Candidates to Be Recommended
The selection mechanism does not allow the subcommittee to directly appoint the CEO. After completing the assessment, the subcommittee will recommend three candidates to the Nepal Tourism Board’s Board of Directors. The Board will then select and appoint one candidate from among the three recommended names. The appointed CEO will serve a four-year term, subject to the provisions of the prevailing law.
Qualifications and Professional Competence in Focus
Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganes) has emphasized the importance of selecting a competent and qualified individual to lead the Tourism Board. The minister has indicated that the appointment should prioritize professional capability, qualifications and competence, while maintaining fairness and transparency throughout the selection process.
The government has also acknowledged the need for structural and institutional improvements within the Tourism Board. However, the appointment of a permanent CEO is considered necessary to ensure that the Board can continue its regular functions effectively.
Selection Governed by Tourism Board Law
The CEO recruitment process is governed by the Nepal Tourism Board Act, 2053 (1997) and the Nepal Tourism Board Rules, 2055, including the provisions governing the formation and responsibilities of the selection subcommittee. Under the existing framework, the selection subcommittee comprises one Joint Secretary from the Tourism Ministry and two members of the Tourism Board.
The subcommittee is responsible for evaluating eligible applicants and recommending three candidates, while the final authority to appoint the CEO rests with the Nepal Tourism Board Committee. Thus, the Tourism Ministry or Cabinet does not directly appoint the final candidate; the final selection is made by the Tourism Board from the three names recommended by the selection subcommittee.
Indu Ghimire Returns to CEO Selection Process
The latest appointment process also brings back an official who was involved in the previous CEO recruitment exercise. Indu Ghimire, who has now been appointed coordinator of the new selection subcommittee, had previously coordinated the committee formed to recommend candidates for the Tourism Board CEO position in Bhadra 2081. Her involvement provides administrative continuity as the Board begins another attempt to fill the leadership position.
Permanent Leadership Seen as Crucial for Tourism Board
The Nepal Tourism Board plays a central role in promoting Nepal in international tourism markets, developing tourism-related programs and coordinating with government agencies and private-sector stakeholders. The absence of a permanent CEO for more than three months has raised concerns over continuity in leadership and decision-making. The new recruitment process is therefore being closely watched by tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders.
With the selection committee now constituted and a vacancy announcement expected shortly, the process to appoint a permanent CEO has finally gained momentum. If the recruitment proceeds according to schedule, the Tourism Board could soon have a permanent executive head after months of uncertainty, providing renewed leadership for tourism promotion, destination marketing, institutional management and implementation of the Board’s annual programs.
