The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter concluded its 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 51st Anniversary celebration on September 25, 2026, at The Plaza in Lalitpur, with the theme “Resilient Nepal.” The AGM of the PATA Nepal Chapter unanimously elected a new Executive Committee, with Narendra Deo Bhatta, Managing Director of Heritage Tours & Travel, as the new Chairman of the PATA Nepal Chapter. He succeeds Khem Lakai, who had served as Chairman since June 6, 2024. Lakai will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chairman.
Bhatta Pledges Focus on Tourism Recovery and Resilience
Following his election, Bhatta said he was honored to take responsibility for leading the association at a critical time for Nepal’s tourism sector. He thanked outgoing Chairman Lakai for his leadership and contribution over the past two years and emphasized the importance of collaboration among the private sector, government agencies, international partners, PATA and the PATA Foundation.
Bhatta also highlighted the recent Bhotekoshi flood disaster and the need to support affected communities and tourism destinations. He said his priorities would include working with the Executive Committee, members and partners to contribute to recovery, strengthen resilience and carry Nepal’s tourism industry forward with a unified voice.
New Office-Bearers Elected
The AGM elected Romi Aryal, Managing Director of Square Hotel, as General Secretary, while Prakash Chandra Lohani, Chairman of Alpine Rescue Service, was elected Honorary Treasurer. The newly elected Executive Committee members include:
- Vijay Shrestha, Vice President, Himalaya Airlines
- Suman Ghimire, Executive Director, Jungle Safari Lodge Pvt. Ltd.
- Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai, Executive Director, Busy Bee Café
- Maya Sakya, Director, Sales & Marketing, Park Village Hotel & Resort
- Sarita Lama, Managing Director, Off the Wall Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
- Siddhartha Bikram Thapa, Managing Director, Marcopolo Travels
- Bashudev Dhungana, Managing Director, Banbas Chitwan
Seven Proxy Members Join Executive Committee
The AGM also elected seven Proxy Members to the Executive Committee. They are Dinesh Maharjan, CEO of HighGround Adventure Nepal; Jan Bishwokarma, Executive Director of Khumbila Hotel; Sanjay Bhakta Mathema, President of Go Travels Nepal; Ankit Sharma, General Manager of Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort; Basanta Gautam, Chairman of Temple Tree Resort; Prakash Lama, Managing Director of Mega Treks & Expedition; and Suman Maharjan, General Manager of The Plaza.
Public-Sector Representatives Included
The PATA Nepal Chapter Executive Committee will also include six public-sector representatives. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board will serve as First Vice Chairman, while the Marketing Director of Nepal Airlines will serve as Second Vice Chairman. The four Ex Officio Members will comprise the Director General of the Department of Tourism, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Corporate Director of Nepal Airlines, and a representative of the Nepal Tourism Board.
Seven Individuals Honored for Flood Response and Contributions
The anniversary ceremony also recognized individuals for their courage, humanitarian efforts and contributions during the recent Bhotekoshi flood crisis and beyond.
The honorees were:
- Professor Arnold Dix, International Tunnelling and Underground-Space Specialist
- Captain Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first female helicopter captain
- André Lüthi, Author and President of Globetrotter
- Dylan Dugas, World Central Kitchen
- Rajendra Dawadi, Head Teacher, Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School
- Bikram Karki, Search and Rescue Team Leader and Mountain Rescue Coordinator, Nepal Mountaineering Association
- Choy Teh, Head of PR & Partnerships and Destination Strategist at Horus Development & Consulting
The recognition highlighted their respective contributions during a period when communities and tourism destinations affected by the Bhotekoshi floods required emergency assistance and coordinated support.
Khem Lakai Calls for Collective Tourism Recovery
Outgoing Chairman Khem Lakai expressed gratitude to members and stakeholders across Nepal’s tourism industry for their continued cooperation and support during his tenure. He called on the tourism sector to work together with a common voice to accelerate recovery from recent challenges and support the sustainable growth of tourism in Nepal.
PATA Foundation Reaffirms Support for Nepal
Andrew Jones, Chair of the PATA Foundation, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony. Jones reflected on Nepal’s resilience through various challenges and reaffirmed PATA’s continued commitment to supporting Nepal’s tourism sector. He also highlighted the PATA Foundation’s Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund, which is intended to support the livelihoods of tourism workers affected by recent challenges, as well as provide support to the PATA Nepal Chapter and its Student Chapter.
Former Tourism Leaders Share Remarks
The program also featured special remarks from Sunil Sakya, former Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter, and Dipendra Purush Dhakal, former Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism. Their participation added a historical perspective to the 51-year journey of PATA Nepal Chapter and its role in Nepal’s tourism development.
Sumnima Udas Highlights Government-Private Sector Cooperation
The Chief Guest, Sumnima Udas, Member of Parliament and Chair of the International Relations and Tourism Committee, congratulated PATA Nepal Chapter on completing 51 years and acknowledged its contribution to the promotion and development of Nepal’s tourism industry.
Udas also addressed the impact of the recent floods and emphasized the importance of coordinated recovery efforts between the government and private sector. The 51st anniversary celebration concluded with renewed emphasis on resilience, collaboration and recovery, as PATA Nepal Chapter begins a new term under the leadership of Narendra Deo Bhatta.
