Nepal Tourism Board to Participate in World Travel Market London After Two Years

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is set to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM) in London this year, marking its return after a two-year hiatus. The event, one of the world’s largest tourism forums, will take place from November 5-7, 2023, in Great Britain.

NTB’s Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Raj Joshi, highlighted the importance of Nepal’s presence at the WTM, aiming to promote the country’s attractive travel destinations and expand its international market. Joshi, who recently began his second term as CEO on September 8, emphasized that participating in major international tourism forums like WTM has been a priority since he took office.

WTM London, held annually in November, is considered the second-largest travel and tourism exhibition globally, following the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) held in March in Berlin. Nepal has a 40-year history of involvement in WTM, with the last 25 years under the NTB banner and previous years represented by the Department of Tourism.

This year, the NTB has announced plans to include at least 30 companies in the event, inviting interested companies to participate. The Board’s absence from major international forums like WTM and ITB over the past two years was due to delays in endorsing operational procedures and procurement processes under the Board’s 2078 BS regulations.

Established under the Nepal Tourism Board Act of 2053 BS, NTB operates on a public-private partnership model with the primary aim of promoting Nepal as a premier tourist destination. Approximately 70% of its annual Rs 2 billion budget is allocated to international tourism promotion.

Participation in WTM London is expected to help reestablish Nepal’s position in the global tourism market, driving growth and encouraging international visitors.