27th Anniversary of Nepal Tourism Board: Announcement of Nepal ASEAN Tourism Year 2026Wednesday, December 31st, 2025

Kathmandu – On the occasion of its 27th anniversary, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has officially announced the celebration of the ‘Nepal–ASEAN Tourism Year 2026.’ During the inaugural ceremony, NTB’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepak Raj Joshi welcomed the guests and presented a special strategy targeting 2026, highlighting ASEAN countries as a high-potential market for Nepal.

According to CEO Joshi, over 107,000 tourists from ASEAN countries have already visited Nepal, making it a significant and long-term market. He stated, “Nepal will be strongly established in the ASEAN market through Buddhist and spiritual tourism, nature and adventure tourism, wellness and Ayurveda, as well as culture and community-based tourism.”

The program was chaired by Mukunda Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. The chief guest at the ceremony was Anil Kumar Sinha, the Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and the distinguished guest was Shraddha Shrestha, the Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

CEO Joshi also shared that it is estimated that 1.16 million tourists will visit Nepal in 2025, marking an increase of about 3% compared to the previous year. He added that by 2025, 31 tourism marts, 12 branding and corporate activities, and more than 20 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events will be held. Furthermore, after the Gen Z movement, live broadcasts from eight major tourist destinations, travel information in nine languages, 69 tourism infrastructure developments, and 41 programs and development activities from the east to the far west of Nepal have already been carried out.

“Tourism is not only a core sector but also a cross-sector industry,” Joshi said. He also mentioned that 2,600 professionals from various sectors would receive training in 2025. Additionally, he informed that policy-level research, market-based studies, and sustainable tourism projects in key trekking trails like Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, and Api-Saipal are ongoing to identify potential, improve quality, generate employment, and create new markets.

NTB also unveiled seven major travel trends that will define 2026:Peace over noise Gen-AI in administration Trust over choice
Road over air travel Highly personalized experiences over standardized formats Off-grid destinations over tested ones Culture as a priority . Looking forward, Joshi outlined the 2026-2035 strategic plan, which focuses on participatory approaches, digitally-driven professionalism, innovative policies and practices, blending local and global experiences, eliminating unproductive programs, and focusing on high-value tourism.

Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, also the chief guest of the program, praised the Nepal Tourism Board’s contributions in promoting Nepal’s tourism and enhancing the country’s image internationally. He mentioned, “Despite limited budgets and resources, the Tourism Board has made significant achievements. The board’s role in sustainable development through tourism is crucial.”

Minister Shraddha Shrestha of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens highlighted that Nepal is not only a destination but also a place to collect experiences, enjoy nature, and observe cultural diversity. She also recalled her 21 years spent with the Nepal Tourism Board.

Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and also the Chairman of the Nepal Tourism Board, assured that he is ready to resolve any legal and policy-related issues hindering the progress of tourism promotion in the country. He emphasized that the board is prepared to address challenges in marketing Nepal internationally using the highest technology and efficient human resource management.

NTB Vice Chairman Ram Prasad Sapkota shared that the board is working effectively, with a focus on coordinating with the private sector and the government to implement successful programs. Santosh Bikram Thapa, President of the Board’s Employee Union, stressed the importance of career development for employees, improving economic regulations, and addressing staffing needs.

Additionally, messages from PATA CEO Nur Ahmad Hamid, World Tourism Network, and UN Tourism were shared via video. The program also witnessed the release of the board’s annual publication, “In Focus.” Traditional dances and performances from all seven provinces were presented during the event.

Photo Credit: Prakash Chandra Timilsina.

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