The presidency of the Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF Nepal) will see a three-way contest in the organization’s upcoming election scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on Chaitra 28. The election will be held during the 27th Annual General Meeting and 13th National Convention of the organization, where new leadership will be selected to guide the forum for the next term. According to the election schedule, three candidates have announced their candidacy for the post of president.
Three Leaders in the Presidential Race For VITOF
The candidates contesting for the presidency include the organization’s first vice-president, Harisharan Thapaliya, second vice-president, Manhari Dahal, and former secretary, Dipak Pandey.
All three candidates are long-time members of the organization and have been actively involved in promoting rural tourism initiatives across the country. Their candidacies are expected to generate significant interest among members as the forum prepares to elect its new leadership.
Leadership Transition in Rural Tourism Body
The organization currently operates under the leadership of its president, Sakuntala Devkota. The upcoming election will determine the new executive committee that will steer the organization’s activities for the next two years.
VITOF Nepal conducts elections every two years as part of its democratic governance system. The leadership transition is viewed as an important process for strengthening the organization’s institutional capacity and ensuring continuity in its mission of promoting tourism in rural areas of Nepal.
Role in Promoting Rural Tourism
Established in 1997 (B.S. 2054), the Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal has played a significant role in advancing rural tourism in the country. The organization has worked to connect local communities with tourism opportunities, encouraging visitors to explore villages, cultural heritage, and natural attractions beyond the traditional tourist hubs.
Over the years, VITOF Nepal has collaborated with tourism stakeholders, local governments, and communities to develop sustainable tourism initiatives that benefit rural livelihoods while preserving cultural and natural heritage. The forum currently has more than 1,000 registered members involved in tourism-related activities across Nepal.
Expanding Activities Across Provinces
In addition to its national activities, the organization has also been expanding its regional presence. Through its provincial chapter in Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province, VITOF Nepal has been actively working to promote rural tourism development in the region.
Various programs, community-based tourism initiatives, and promotional campaigns have been launched to attract both domestic and international visitors to rural destinations in Gandaki and other provinces. As the election approaches, members and tourism stakeholders are closely watching the leadership race, which is expected to shape the future direction of the organization and its role in strengthening rural tourism across Nepal.
