Narendra Deo Bhatta has been appointed Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter at the association’s 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at The Plaza in Lalitpur. Bhatta succeeds Khem Raj Lakai, who served as Chairman of the PATA Nepal Chapter since June 2024. Lakai was elected chairman at the chapter’s 45th AGM, succeeding Bibhuti Chand Thakur. The leadership change comes as PATA Nepal Chapter marks its 51st anniversary, with the 47th AGM bringing together tourism entrepreneurs, industry professionals and representatives from the country’s travel and hospitality sector.
Bhatta’s Leadership in Nepal’s Tourism Industry
Bhatta is a veteran tourism entrepreneur and the Founder and Managing Director of Heritage Tours and Travels. He has been actively involved in Nepal’s travel and tourism industry for several decades and has held leadership positions in several tourism-related organizations.
He served as General Secretary of PATA Nepal Chapter from June 2024, having been elected to the position at the chapter’s 45th AGM. During his tenure, he was involved in various tourism promotion, industry advocacy and international engagement initiatives of the association.
Bhatta has also represented Nepal’s private tourism sector on the Executive Committee of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). He was appointed to the NTB Executive Committee in May 2025, replacing a member whose term had ended. He has continued to participate in NTB and PATA Nepal initiatives, including international tourism promotion programmes. In April 2026, Bhatta delivered the welcome remarks at a Nepal Tourism Promotion and B2B programme in Tokyo jointly organized by NTB, Nepal Airlines Corporation and PATA Nepal Chapter.
Former Chairman of Himalayan Rescue Association
Bhatta had also played a significant role in Nepal’s mountain tourism and rescue sector. He had served as Chairman of the Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal (HRA) from 2017 to 2020. HRA’s official records listed him as the organization’s chairman during the three-year period, following D.B. Koirala and preceding Hari Prasad Dharel. During his tenure, Bhatta had led the association as it continued operating its medical aid posts and emergency services in Nepal’s high-altitude trekking regions. He had also chaired HRA’s 44th and 45th Annual General Meetings in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Recognition for Contribution to Tourism
Bhatta’s contribution to Nepal’s tourism sector has also been recognized by PATA. At the 45th AGM in 2024, he received the PATA Special Contribution Award 2024 for his contribution to Nepalese tourism and his support and legal guidance to the association. With his appointment as Chairman at the 47th AGM, Bhatta now takes the leadership of PATA Nepal Chapter, adding another major responsibility to his long-standing involvement in Nepal’s tourism industry.
