NATTA signs partnership agreement with USAID

Kathmandu, Sept. 10

The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has signed an understanding for strategic partnership with the USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity.

This collaboration aims to strengthen Nepal’s tourism industry and enhance the competitiveness of tour and travel operators, marking a significant step towards the sustainable growth and recovery of Nepal’s tourism sector post-COVID-19, NATTA informed in a statement on Tuesday.

Under this partnership, NATTA and USAID will focus on delivering capacity-building initiatives, including training in digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and business strategies. These efforts are critical in expanding the global presence of Nepali tour operators, helping them attract and serve international tourists more effectively while promoting Nepal as a prime destination for cultural, adventure, and wellness tourism.

In addition to capacity building, this partnership will actively engage in advocacy and research initiatives.

According to NATTA, the two organisations will collaborate to identify and promote policy reforms that address challenges in the tourism sector by engaging with government authorities and stakeholders to create a supportive business environment.

"Additionally, they will conduct in-depth research to assess market trends, tourist preferences, and sector challenges, using the findings to develop innovative tour packages aligned with strategic tourism initiatives such as the Maya Devi heritage destination, MICE, and SAVE tourism," read the statement.

NATTA President Kumar Mani Thapaliya said, “Through our collaboration with USAID, we are not only helping tour operators enhance their marketing and business skills but also advocating for critical policy changes and conducting research that will shape the future of Nepal’s tourism industry. This partnership will significantly contribute to Nepal’s long-term tourism development.”

This collaboration is set to run from September 2024 to September 2026, with both parties committed to advancing initiatives that will create sustainable job opportunities, increase sales, and foster economic growth within Nepal’s tourism sector.

NATTA was founded in 1966, and it represents over 1,100 travel agents and tour operators across Nepal, advocating for ethical business practices, collaborating on tourism policy formulation, and conducting research to foster sustainable growth in the tourism sector.

Likewise, the USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity is a five-year initiative aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Nepal’s private sector by improving access to market-based financial and non-financial services, increasing productivity in key sectors, enhancing the business-enabling environment, and supporting private sector-led economic recovery.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 September 2024.