New Government Signals Tourism Reform, Minister Paudel Emphasizes Quality and InnovationMonday, April 6th, 2026

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganess) has called for a transformation in working style following the change in government. He also stressed for quality enhancement, innovation, and long-term planning to position Nepal as a competitive global tourism destination.
Minister Paudel has underscored the need for a shift in approach alongside the change in government, stating that tourism remains a key pillar for Nepal’s economic development. He emphasized that traditional methods must give way to innovative promotional campaigns and result-oriented strategies.

“Government has changed, and our working style must change too,” Minister Paudel said. He also added that Nepal stands at a crucial moment where it must deliver outcomes that once seemed unattainable. He highlighted the importance of understanding social psychology to design more effective tourism interventions.

Reaffirming his commitment to policy-level facilitation, Paudel stated that he would not engage in retaliatory practices but would instead promote a performance-driven culture. “I will forgive weaknesses and appreciate strengths, but I am also ready to take bold decisions when necessary,” he noted.

During the welcome ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) presented the organization’s overall structure, programs, and policy direction. The CEO emphasized strengthening public-private partnerships (PPP) to enhance coordination between the government and private sector and to promote Nepal more effectively in international markets.

Key reform agendas and sectoral challenges were also presented. These included the effective implementation of the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS), expanding collaboration with the private sector, institutional reforms within NTB, and strengthening and expanding its operational capacity.

The need to amend NTB’s staff and financial bylaws to improve efficiency and governance was also highlighted. Additionally, stakeholders discussed strategies to navigate tourism challenges arising from the ongoing Middle East crisis, with a focus on crisis management and diversification of source markets.

The engagement between government leadership and tourism stakeholders is expected to accelerate structural reforms, improve service delivery, and reinforce Nepal’s position as a safe, unique, and year-round destination in the global tourism market.

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