NTB & UNDP Introduce Online Course for Nepal Travel SpecialistsMonday, June 9th, 2025

Kathmandu, Nepal – June 2, 2025 — The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, is proud to announce the official launch of the “Nepal Travel Specialist – Basic Level” online course. This digital learning initiative aims to strengthen the knowledge and service quality of professionals across Nepal’s tourism value chain.

The course comprises 10 comprehensive units that cover a wide spectrum of tourism-related topics, including:

• Overview of Nepal’s geography, culture, and biodiversity
• Major tourism products (trekking, adventure, heritage, wellness)
• Sustainable tourism principles and destination stewardship
• Responsible travel practices and climate resilience
• Customer service skills and visitor engagement strategies

It is tailored for tour operators, guides, travel agents, and tourism students, and serves as foundational training for those aspiring to become certified Nepal Travel Specialists. This course provides consistent, accurate, and accessible information about Nepal’s tourism offerings. Highlighted by key tourism stakeholders, this initiative aims to equip international travel professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to promote Nepal effectively in global markets. It also offers a learning platform for individuals interested in Nepal’s culture, nature, and travel opportunities. By fostering a skilled and well-informed workforce, the course supports the sustainable growth of tourism. As a pilot, it opens avenues for similar future programs led by the Nepal Tourism Board, enhancing Nepal’s global tourism image.

“We are thrilled to launch this course as a cornerstone of our digital capacity-building efforts,” said NTB CEO. “Through this collaboration with UNDP, we are not just sharing knowledge, but also strengthening the foundations for a more sustainable, inclusive, and professional tourism industry.”

UNDP Nepal Resident Representative, Kyoko Yokosuka, added: “This course represents our joint commitment to enhancing livelihoods through tourism. Digital learning tools like this allow equitable access to skills and knowledge, especially for youth and professionals in rural areas.”

 Key Features:

• Self-paced online modules for flexible learning
• Interactive multimedia content including videos, quizzes, and visual guides
• Certificate of Completion to enhance professional credibility
• Free access via the NTB e-learning platform

This course development is aligned with the Government of Nepal’s goal to welcome 3.5 million tourists annually by 2032 as part of its Tourism Decade strategy. By investing in human capital and e-learning platforms, NTB and UNDP aim to ensure Nepal’s tourism industry remains competitive, sustainable, and resilient in a global marketplace.

The Sustainable Tourism Project (2025–2028), jointly launched by NTB and UNDP, aims to create 2,500 jobs and enhance tourism skills for 5,000 people, particularly women and marginalized groups. Through infrastructure upgrades, digital innovation, and local capacity building in priority destinations, the project supports Nepal’s Tourism Decade goal of attracting 3.5 million tourists annually by 2032. Aligned with national development plans and the SDGs, it seeks to promote inclusive, sustainable tourism, boost visitor satisfaction, and drive economic growth by leveraging Nepal’s cultural and natural assets. The project comes after the success of the earlier Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP) between NTB and UNDP, which started earlier in December 2020 to revive Nepal’s tourism sector hard-hit by the COVID pandemic. The programme created 9,900 jobs through the construction and improvement of small tourism infrastructures and the renovation of cultural heritage sites in selected tourist hotspots, including the Everest and Annapurna regions. Earlier, NTB had worked with UNDP from 2002 to 2007 on the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program (TRPAP).

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