'Problem in tourism will impact other sectors'

 Kathmandu, Sept. 25

Sumnima Udas, Chair of International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament, said that when tourism suffers several other sectors will also suffer.

Speaking at the 51^st Anniversary and 47^th Annual Meeting of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter held in Lalitpur on Friday, she said that Nepal should continuously communicate with the foreign tourists to tell them the country is safe for travel and tourism as it is the livelihood of millions of people.

"The government and parliamentary committees instantly responded to the trend of cancelling Nepal visit of the tourists in the aftermath of the Bhotekoshi disaster," she said. The Nepal Tourism Board has put the loss to tourism sector at Rs. 15 billion. About 600 tourists from 35 countries are still missing.  

Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter Khem Lakai said that despite the recent blow by the devastating Bhotekoshi floods, the travel and tourism sector will recover with better resilience. "We need to ensure the safety of both the people and businesses with the use of technology and implementation of cooperation across countries and agencies," he said while adding that communities should be enabled with technology and economic opportunities.

Andrew Jones, Chairman of PATA Foundation, said that Nepali tourism business resurrected from every calamitiy with a unique signature warmth and hospitality.

"Resilience comes through adversity," he said suggesting that the focus must be beyond the immediate horizon while conducting high-level marketing campaigns to bring tourists back tomorrow.

He also suggested preparing hosts for future crises, connecting training to local risks, and supporting artisans and custodians for smart rebuilding.

Jones informed that the PATA raised about US$15,000 to support the relief operations after the Bhotekoshi disaster. He pledged PATA's support in community-led recovery of tourism sector.

 

Bhatta elected new chairman

The 47^th Annual General Meeting unanimously elected a new working committee of PATA Nepal Chapter under the chairmanship of Narendra Kumar Deo Bhatta, Managing Director of Heritage Tours and Travels.

Romi Aryal is elected as General Secretary, Prakash Chandra Lohani as a treasurer, and Jan Bishwokarma as Proxi Treasurer.

Likewise, Vijay Shrestha, Suman Ghimire, Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai, Sarita Lama, Maya Devi Shakya, Siddartha Bikram Thapa, Bashudev Dhungana and Dinesh Maharjan are elected as members of the organisation.

Sanjay Bhakta Mathema, Basanta Gautam, Ankit Sharma, Prakash Lama and Suman Maharjan are chosen as proxy members.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 26 September 2026.