Tourism Insights: NTB’s New Push for Data-Backed Planning

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has unveiled a new monthly digital publication titled “Tourism Insights,” featuring key statistics, trends, and global perspectives related to Nepal’s tourism industry. The initiative aims to provide policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers with data-driven insights to guide the sector’s sustainable growth.

The publication was launched during a “Meet and Greet” event held in Kathmandu on 12 October under the theme “Current Status of Tourism and Strategies for Revival.” The event brought together heads and representatives of major tourism associations across Nepal.

According to NTB’s Research Officer Kavindra Bhatt, the digital release includes data on tourist arrivals, major source markets, regional arrivals, foreign exchange earnings, and foreign direct investment in tourism. It also features statistics and trends from international organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Speaking at the event, NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi expressed confidence that Tourism Insights will serve as a valuable tool in advancing Nepal’s tourism sector toward sustainable development. He also highlighted NTB’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of tourists and promote Nepal as a secure and welcoming destination in the post-crisis context.

NTB Vice-Chair Ram Prasad Sapkota emphasized the need for stronger coordination with the private sector and urged the government to recognize tourism as a national priority. Board Member Rishi Bhandari expressed concern that while previous governments had shown some interest in tourism upliftment, the current administration has yet to give it adequate priority.

Similarly, NTB Member and PATA General Secretary Narendra Bhatt stressed the importance of long-term strategic planning to prevent the sector from weakening during crises. Another NTB Member and NATA President Kumar Thapaliya pointed out that while the board has plans to open promotional offices in key markets like India, legal constraints have hindered the effectiveness of some initiatives.

Binayak Shah, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the hotel industry and called for collective efforts to address them. Other participating individuals—including Khem Lakai (President, PATA Nepal Chapter), Sagar Pandey (President, TAAN), Man Bahadur Shahi (President, SOTTO), Chopendra Khadka (General Secretary, Rural Tourism Promotion Forum), Suresh Budal (CEO, PATA Nepal), and Pampha Dhamala (CNI Tourism Department)—suggested promoting Nepal as a safe destination through national and international media, inviting foreign influencers, and forming a government-led task force to tackle ongoing tourism challenges.

With Tourism Insights, NTB aims to strengthen evidence-based policy dialogue, enhance collaboration between public and private sectors, and position Nepal as a resilient, safe, and competitive destination in the global tourism landscape.