Nepal Tourism Board Announces Budget for FY 2082/83Saturday, July 19th, 2025

70% of Total Budget Dedicated to International Marketing and Promotion; Office to Be Opened in India

Nepal Tourism Board, the national organization mandated to promote Nepal’s tourism, has announced a historic budget of NPR 1.59 billion (Rs. 1,59,97,00,000) for the fiscal year 2082/83. The budget was passed during the Executive Committee meeting held on Ashad 13, with the aim of launching ambitious and impactful programs in the coming year.

According to Mr. Rishi Ram Bhandari, Coordinator of the Budget Formulation Sub-Committee, the budget was approved on time and reflects a strong commitment to implementation efficiency. NTB’s Executive Director Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi emphasized, “This is not merely a numerical budget—it’s a declaration of a new era in Nepal’s tourism development.”

Focused Investment in International Promotion

Budget Allocation: Over NPR 1.12 billion (Approx. 70% of Total Budget)

The majority of the budget has been earmarked for international marketing and promotional activities. Key allocations include:
– Tourism Market Management and Promotion – NPR 436.1 million
– Public Relations and Publicity – NPR 129.5 million
– Research and Planning – NPR 26.7 million
– Tourism Heritage Development – NPR 186.3 million
– Regional Office Establishment and Operation – NPR 111.2 million
– Special Promotional Events – NPR 462 million

Priority programs include participation in international trade fairs, sales missions, digital media campaigns, diaspora engagement, cine tourism, and branding initiatives. The Board plans to intensify promotional efforts targeting key markets such as Europe, America, India, China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In a major move, preparations are also underway to establish an NTB office in India to enhance regional outreach and campaign effectiveness.

International Campaigns and Global Market Targeting

Estimated Budget: Over NPR 1 Billion (combined activities)

Tourism fairs, OTT collaborations, public relations campaigns, and diaspora-driven programs will be organized across major international markets. A strategic focus has been placed on improving Nepal’s global visibility through impactful branding, media presence, and digital engagement.

Destination Development and Local Empowerment

Budget Allocation: NPR 1.86 billion

To enhance Nepal’s tourism offerings at the grassroots level, NTB will implement a range of infrastructure and capacity-building programs. These include:
– Trekking trail upgrades and Namaste Center establishment
– Promotion of Buddhist circuits
– Green hospitality certification
– Domestic tourism promotion
– Training programs for tour operators, mountain areas, language and digital skills

Additionally, cultural and adventure tourism initiatives such as Mithila art, paragliding competitions, elephant festivals, and mountain/jungle safaris will be prioritized.

Regional Highlights: Pokhara-Focused Activities

Budget Allocation: NPR 116.6 million

NTB’s Pokhara Office will implement a series of strategic events and capacity-building programs, including:
– Pokhara Travel Mart and Road Festival
– Promotion of Annapurna and Manaslu Trekking
– Tourist Police and Canyoning Training (Basic and Advanced)
– Mountain Museum Promotion
Aggressive promotion campaigns will also be conducted in India, China, and other South Asian markets.

Special Promotional Events and Mart Programs

Budget Allocation: NPR 46.2 million

Dedicated funding has been allocated for high-impact promotional events such as:
– Buddhist Travel Mart
– Himalayan Travel Mart
– Adventure Travel Mart
– Sagarmatha Samman Program
– Safari Tourism Mart

Laying the Groundwork for Sustainable Tourism

Includes: TIMS, Disaster Fund, Climate Campaigns (Aggregate Allocation)

In line with NTB’s long-term vision, the budget supports initiatives aimed at sustainable tourism development. This includes:
– Effective implementation of the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
– Establishment of a Disaster Response Fund
– Research and international cooperation for climate resilience
– Broader environmental awareness campaigns

These initiatives mark a strategic shift toward building a future-proof and sustainable tourism industry in Nepal.

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