The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), a joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly organize a series of specialized mountaineering training programmes aimed at producing skilled human resources for Nepal’s mountain tourism sector.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Nepal’s mountaineering industry by enhancing professional skills, improving safety standards, and promoting sustainable mountain tourism through internationally recognized training programmes. The initiative forms part of the ongoing collaboration between the NMA and STP to build the capacity of mountain tourism professionals and ensure the long-term sustainability of Nepal’s globally renowned mountaineering sector.
Three Specialized Training Programmes Planned
Under the agreement, three specialized training programmes will be conducted in different mountain regions of Nepal. The Mountain Guide Summer Skill (Basic Mountaineering Training) will be organized in the Api Himal region, while the Mountain Guide Winter Skill (Advanced Mountaineering Training) will take place in the Kanchenjunga region. In addition, the Mountain Leader Training (Summer Skill) will be conducted in the Manaslu region. The organizers stated that the detailed training schedules will be announced in the coming days.
Focus on Professional, Safe and Sustainable Mountain Tourism
Speaking on the occasion, Hikmat Singh Ayer, National Project Director of the Sustainable Tourism Project and Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, emphasized that mountain tourism is Nepal’s most distinctive tourism asset and one of its strongest competitive advantages in the global tourism market.
He stated that building a skilled workforce is essential for ensuring the sustainable development of the sector. According to Ayer, qualified and professionally trained human resources are the foundation of quality, safe, and sustainable mountain tourism. He expressed confidence that the collaboration with the Nepal Mountaineering Association would help produce internationally competent mountaineering professionals while making Nepal’s mountain tourism industry safer, more professional, and globally competitive.
Senior Officials Sign the Agreement
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the Nepal Mountaineering Association by President Fur Gelje Sherpa, General Secretary Rajendra Bahadur Lama, and Treasurer Sumi Lama. Representing the Sustainable Tourism Project, the agreement was signed by Hikmat Singh Ayer, National Project Director and Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, Khadga Bikram Shah, National Project Coordinator, and Dharmaraj Dawadi, National Project Manager.
Strengthening Nepal’s Mountaineering Industry
The partnership marks another significant milestone in Nepal’s efforts to strengthen its mountaineering sector through quality training, professional excellence, and sustainable tourism development. By equipping guides and mountain leaders with advanced technical skills and internationally aligned training, the initiative is expected to enhance visitor safety, improve service quality, create employment opportunities, and reinforce Nepal’s reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations for mountaineering and adventure tourism.
