KATHMANDU: Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, has extended an open invitation to global leaders, climate experts, and tourism professionals to participate in Sagarmatha Sambaad-2025, to be held in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18, 2025.
Speaking at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference 2025 in Istanbul, CEO Joshi called on the international community to join Nepal’s initiative for a global dialogue on climate change and sustainable tourism.
During the conference, a partnership agreement was also signed between the Tourism Board and PATA to support preparations for the event. The collaboration includes the drafting of a ‘Tourism White Paper’, the creation of a joint forum, and institutional strengthening programs.
CEO Joshi also made a special appeal to tourism professionals to attend the Himalayan Travel Mart 2025, scheduled for June 3–5 in Kathmandu, calling it more than just a business gathering: “It will be a celebration of the unique, meaningful, and sustainable experiences that Nepal can offer.”
In line with the PATA conference theme — “Knowledge for Ever, Sustainability for the Future” — Joshi highlighted Nepal’s eco-tourism model, community-based tourism, and sustainable development efforts, emphasizing Nepal’s tourism vision rooted in natural, cultural, and social diversity.
On the sidelines of the event, the Nepali delegation met with Dr. Randy Derband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and agreed to expand cooperation on destination certification, research, and capacity building.
The Nepal Tourism Board also held meetings with tourism data scientists, AI experts, and environmentalists to strengthen strategies for positioning Nepal as a sustainable and evidence-based tourism destination in the post-pandemic era.
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