KATHMANDU: On the occasion of its 27th foundation day, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) formally announced the celebration of ‘Nepal–ASEAN Tourism Year 2026’, aiming to strengthen tourism ties with ASEAN countries.
During the inauguration ceremony, NTB Executive Director Dipak Raj Joshi welcomed the gathering and outlined a targeted strategy for 2026, presenting ASEAN nations as a high-potential and long-term market for Nepal.
According to CEO Joshi, over 107,000 tourists from ASEAN countries have visited Nepal so far, highlighting the region as a significant and sustainable market for Nepalese tourism. He stated, “Through Buddhist and spiritual tourism, nature and adventure tourism, wellness and Ayurveda, and culture- and community-based tourism, Nepal will be strongly positioned in the ASEAN market.”
Joshi also shared a roadmap for 2026–2035, emphasizing participatory approaches, digital-driven professionalism, coordination of innovative policies and practices, integration of local and global experiences, elimination of non-productive programs, and a focus on high-value tourism.
The event was chaired by Mukunda Niraula, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and attended by Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Anil Kumar Sinha as the chief guest, and Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha as a special guest.
Video messages were delivered by PATA CEO Nur Ahmad Hamid, the World Tourism Network, and UN Tourism. The board also released its annual publication, In-Focus, during the ceremony.
The initiative underscores Nepal’s commitment to attracting more tourists from ASEAN countries and expanding its international tourism footprint through strategic planning and targeted marketing.
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