Hari Prasad Mainali, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Chairperson of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), has announced that strategic policy reforms will be introduced to advance the country’s tourism sector. Speaking at a welcoming program organized at the NTB headquarters in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Secretary Mainali emphasized the need for collective action to harness tourism as a key driver of Nepal’s economic prosperity.
“Tourism is the foundation of Nepal’s prosperity. It generates employment, boosts income, and enhances our national identity on the global stage,” Mainali stated during his address. He underscored his commitment to ensuring effective policy facilitation that addresses existing challenges and supports result-oriented operations at the Tourism Board.
“As Secretary and Chairperson, I will work to make policy frameworks more tourism-friendly,” he said. “The role of tourism in Nepal’s national development is undeniable, and every stakeholder must be actively involved in its promotion.”
The event also marked the formal oath-taking ceremony of newly appointed NTB board members—veteran tourism entrepreneur Narendra Dev Bhatt and President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Kumar Mani Thapaliya. Secretary Mainali administered the oath of office and secrecy to both members.
CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, welcomed the new board members, noting that their innovative thinking, industry experience, and fresh energy would be instrumental in guiding the board’s future. “Bhatt’s expertise in high-end tourism and Thapaliya’s leadership in the organized travel sector are valuable additions,” said Joshi.
Presenting an overview of the board’s current activities and future roadmap, CEO Joshi expressed confidence in achieving sustainable and progressive growth in Nepal’s tourism industry through enhanced collaboration with the new leadership.
“We will continue focusing on strategic partnerships and innovation to enhance Nepal’s global tourism competitiveness,” Joshi added.
Also in attendance at the program were Joint Secretary Indu Ghimire, NTB officials, board members, and staff. Their presence reflected broad institutional support for the new leadership and upcoming initiatives.
The Tourism Board’s leadership reshuffle and emphasis on policy-level facilitation come at a crucial time as Nepal aims to revitalize its tourism sector following global disruptions in recent years. With renewed commitments and experienced professionals on board, the NTB is poised to lead with vision, action, and strong institutional cooperation.
