Kathmandu: Nepal has made a remarkable impact at the PATA Travel Mart 2024, held in Bangkok, Thailand, by winning prestigious awards and showcasing its tourism potential with the participation of 18 PATA Nepal member companies from the private sector. The event served as a significant platform for promoting Nepal’s tourism industry on an international stage.
The PATA Travel Mart, organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), saw participation from over 900 representatives from 45 destinations, including 266 representatives from 168 seller organizations across 24 destinations and 191 buyer representatives from 173 organizations in 31 source markets. The 47th edition of the mart was hosted at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, marking the 25th anniversary of PATA’s headquarters relocation to Thailand.
In recognition of its outstanding activities aligned with PATA’s objectives and spirit in promoting, marketing, and sustainably developing the tourism sector during 2023–24, PATA Nepal Chapter received the ‘PATA Award of Excellence.’ This prestigious award was received by PATA Nepal Chapter President Mr. Khem Lakai, Immediate Past President Mr. Vibhuti Chandra Thakur, Secretary-General Mr. Narendra Bhatt, and CEO Mr. Suresh Singh Budal during the PATA Power of Networking event held at The Abandoned Mansion Bangkok (The Coach Hotel) on August 29, 2024.
Upon receiving the award for the best chapter, Mr. Lakai remarked, “The reason is not important; the result is. The work done by PATA Nepal Chapter during challenging times has now gained global recognition, and we are proud as Team Nepal. We believe in shared prosperity through our country’s tourism.”
Moreover, during the PATA Gold Awards presentation ceremony held on August 28, Nepal’s Sustainable Tourism and Local Resources (STLR) project by the Nepal Tourism Board won the PATA Gold Award in the Community-Based Tourism category, while Intrepid DMC Nepal was honored with the Grand Title Winner Award in the Sustainability and Social Responsibility category.
The Nepal Pavilion at the PATA Travel Mart featured 18 tourism service providers, including Heritage Tours and Travels, Lemon Tree Premier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, Bhrikuti Himalayan Treks, Destinago Tours and Travels, Hotel Himalaya, Expedition Himalaya, Hotel Ratnashavbha, Community Homestay Network, Luxury DMC Travels, Himalayan Holidays Trekking, Buddhist Circuits Dot Com, Siddhartha Business Group of Hospitality, KGH Group of Hotels, Euro Asia Tours and Travels, Mountain Tiger Nepal, Visit Himalaya Treks, Off the Wall Trekking, and Nepal Yoga Home.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “PATA Travel Mart serves as a platform for high-quality buyers and sellers from within and outside the Asia Pacific to connect, reflecting the organization’s goal to promote sustainable tourism development. Hosting this year’s event in Bangkok strengthens our enduring partnership with Thai tourism organizations, underlining Thailand’s reputation as a leading MICE destination in the Asia Pacific region.”
Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal, expressed that Nepal’s enthusiastic participation in PATA Travel Mart has greatly contributed to enhancing international tourism cooperation and promoting its unique attractions and tourism products in the global market.
