The fifth edition of the Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM), Nepal’s premier international tourism trade fair, is set to be held in Kathmandu from Jestha 20 to 22 (June 3 to 5, 2025) with the aim of promoting Nepal’s tourism in the global market.
Organized jointly by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with Nepal Airlines and other key national and international tourism organizations, the event’s preparations have been completed, as announced during a press conference held in Kathmandu today.
The event will host over 700 delegates, including more than 100 international participants and numerous tourism stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, representing over 30 countries. The Himalayan Travel Mart is expected to be a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business development in the tourism sector.
Narendra Dev Bhatt, the coordinator of Himalayan Travel Mart and General Secretary of PATA Nepal Chapter, highlighted that the primary objective of organizing HTM is to strengthen Nepal’s presence in international source markets and to enhance its image as a must-visit tourist destination. He emphasized the special significance of this year’s mart as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of PATA Nepal Chapter and the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mt. Annapurna.
Since its inception in 2017, the Himalayan Travel Mart has been held annually in June and is recognized as Nepal’s most important international tourism business event. According to Bhatt, the mart fosters invaluable connections among global tourism and hospitality professionals and offers opportunities for business growth and industry insight.
PATA Nepal Chapter President Khem Lakai stressed the importance of continued support and collaboration from all partners to transform HTM into a world-class tourism event. He expressed confidence that HTM will play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable tourism development in Nepal.
Under the theme “Mountain Milestones and Momentum”, HTM 2025 aims to establish Nepal globally as the “Gateway to the Himalayas” and a premier hub for adventure, wellness, and sustainable tourism. The mart has become instrumental in fostering business relations, encouraging contemporary discourse, and facilitating progressive partnerships across the global tourism industry.
Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal Chapter, shared that this year’s HTM will focus on delivering insightful conferences, promoting destination knowledge, and creating effective buyer-seller interactions that help expand tourism markets and networks.
Institutional Director of Nepal Airlines, Anil Ghimire, remarked that the national flag carrier has been contributing significantly to Nepal’s tourism promotion by expanding flight services and adding new aircraft to enhance connectivity and destination marketing.
Suman Ghimire, Senior Manager at Nepal Tourism Board, expressed optimism that HTM would gain recognition similar to renowned international tourism fairs such as ITB Berlin and World Travel Market London. He further stated that HTM positions Nepal as a global leader in adventure tourism and helps raise Nepal’s profile in international tourism markets.
To enrich participants’ experience, the HTM has arranged two introductory familiarization trips for international buyers, bloggers, media, and delegates. The programs, Nepal’s Golden Triangle and ‘Kathmandu Surroundings’, will showcase the tourism highlights of Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara, offering an immersive glimpse into Nepal’s natural and cultural richness.
HTM 2025 will also feature over 20 national and international speakers who will share perspectives on spiritual, adventure, and luxury tourism, sustainable development, emerging market trends, contemporary challenges, and new opportunities in global tourism.
A key highlight of the mart is the B2B (Business-to-Business) session, where more than 60 buyers from the USA, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Russia, and CIS countries will meet with over 65 sellers representing destinations such as Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These strategic B2B meetings are expected to foster fruitful commercial relationships, stimulate market expansion, and boost tourism inflows.
The organizers believe that HTM will serve as a vital platform for reinvigorating Nepal’s tourism industry, especially in the post-pandemic era, by establishing stronger international networks, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and showcasing Nepal as a top travel destination with diverse offerings.
As Nepal continues its journey to establish itself as a global tourism hub, initiatives like the Himalayan Travel Mart play a crucial role in uniting industry stakeholders under a common vision for tourism-led growth, innovation, and cultural exchange.
With broad participation, visionary leadership, and strategic direction, the fifth edition of HTM is poised to take Nepal’s tourism promotion to new heights, reinforcing the country’s status as the heart of the Himalayas and a destination that offers more than just mountains, offering experiences that inspire the soul.
