The Sustainable Tourism Livelihood Regeneration Project (STLRP) has been honored with the prestigious PATA Gold Award for the third consecutive year. Implemented by the Nepal Tourism Board with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, the STLRP aims to promote community-based tourism across the country.
The Project was recognized for its outstanding efforts in creating tourism-related employment opportunities and enhancing capacity in sustainable tourism. It has successfully developed new tourism destinations in 85 local levels across 58 districts in all seven provinces of Nepal. This initiative carried out with joint investment from local governments, has significantly contributed to the tourism sector’s recovery and growth.
The STLRP had previously won the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in 2023 and 2024. The earlier awards acknowledged the Project’s initiatives for empowering women through tourism and its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.
Nandini Lahe Thapa, Acting Executive Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board, expressed pride in the Project’s achievements, highlighting its significant contribution to the promotion of tourism in Nepal. She stated, “The Project was awarded in recognition of its significant contribution to the promotion of the tourism sector.”
The Project’s impact has been substantial, providing 10,000 temporary jobs in the tourism sector post-COVID-19 pandemic and offering capacity enhancement training to 4,000 individuals. Under the Project, river guide training has been provided to women, and trekking guides have been trained, according to Dharma Dawadi, Acting Manager of the Project.
Dawadi also mentioned that a tourism strategy has been devised for 150 local levels, and a national sustainable tourism club has been formed in 130 schools. This comprehensive approach ensures the long-term sustainability and growth of the tourism sector in Nepal.
The continuous recognition of the STLRP with the PATA Gold Award underscores its vital role in fostering sustainable tourism and community development in Nepal.
