Two major Sri Lankan travel trade organizations have brought their annual general meetings to Kathmandu, creating a new opportunity to promote Nepal as a tourism and business events destination while strengthening ties between the two countries’ travel industries. The Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) are holding their 51st and 38th Annual General Meetings, respectively, from September 17 to 20, 2026. The event is being held at Dusit Princess Hotel, Kathmandu, according to TAASL’s official information.
Kathmandu Hosts Major Sri Lankan Travel Trade Gathering
The decision by TAASL and IAASL to organize their annual meetings in Kathmandu has brought senior members of Sri Lanka’s travel trade to Nepal at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen international tourism confidence. TAASL represents travel agents in Sri Lanka, while IAASL represents IATA accredited travel agents, making the joint gathering an important platform for interaction between travel professionals from Sri Lanka and Nepal. The organizations have previously held their annual meetings in destinations including Beijing, Tokyo, Istanbul, Bangkok, Jakarta and Melbourne, while their 2025 meeting was held aboard the Genting Dream cruise in the Singapore-Malaysia region.
The Kathmandu programme is also giving participating travel professionals an opportunity to experience Nepal directly while engaging with local tourism stakeholders. The official event programme lists a city tour with lunch, gala dinner, airport transfers and accommodation at Dusit Princess Hotel as part of the participant package. The gathering therefore combines the formal business proceedings of the two associations with opportunities for delegates to experience Kathmandu and interact with Nepal’s tourism industry.
Nepal Showcases Tourism And MICE Opportunities
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has used the gathering to showcase Nepal’s diverse tourism experiences and its potential for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism. The board presented Nepal as a destination capable of hosting international gatherings and business events, while Sri Lankan travel industry professionals participated in discussions and interactions related to the country’s tourism offerings. Ruwanthi Delpitiya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, was also present at the events.
The participation of Sri Lankan travel trade representatives provides Nepal with an opportunity to build stronger links with professionals who influence travel decisions in the Sri Lankan market. According to the NTB, the presence of leading Sri Lankan industry professionals reflects growing confidence in Nepal as a destination for international gatherings and business events.
The engagement also creates scope for future cooperation between tourism businesses, travel agencies and industry organizations in the two countries.
Travel Industry Cooperation Takes Center Stage
The joint AGM also provides a platform for strengthening business-to-business connections between the Sri Lankan and Nepali travel sectors. Representatives of tourism and aviation organizations from both countries have participated in activities surrounding the gathering, creating opportunities to discuss tourism promotion, travel trade cooperation and stronger connectivity between the two markets. A networking session involving more than 100 industry representatives was also reported following the TAASL AGM, with discussions focused on strengthening Sri Lanka Nepal tourism links and expanding cooperation.
The event carries additional significance because the participating organizations have considerable experience in Sri Lanka’s international travel market. By bringing their annual meetings to Nepal, the associations have placed Kathmandu directly in front of a large group of travel professionals who can gain first-hand exposure to Nepal’s tourism products and services. Such industry level engagement can help create opportunities for future tourism promotion, travel packages and business partnerships between Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Kathmandu Strengthens Its MICE And International Event Profile
Hosting the 51st TAASL AGM and 38th IAASL AGM also highlights Kathmandu’s role as a venue for international tourism and business gatherings. The official event programme scheduled the meetings at Dusit Princess Hotel from September 17 to 20, with participants offered accommodation, meals, city tours and other hospitality services during their stay. The program demonstrates how a professional international gathering can combine business activities with destination experiences in Kathmandu.
For Nepal, the gathering comes at a time when the tourism industry is working to reinforce international market confidence and expand direct engagement with overseas travel businesses. The NTB’s participation, together with the presence of Sri Lankan travel professionals and diplomatic representatives, gives the event a broader tourism-promotion dimension beyond the AGMs themselves. The Kathmandu gathering is expected to contribute to Nepal Sri Lanka tourism cooperation, MICE promotion and stronger travel trade connections between the two countries.
