KATHMANDU, APRIL 1
President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Kumar Mani Thapaliya, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations, marking a significant milestone for Nepal's travel trade sector.
The appointment was confirmed during UFTAA's recent Annual General Assembly, chaired by its president Sunil Kumar R.. This is the first time NATTA has secured direct representation on the global body's board.
Established on March 10, 1966, NATTA is one of Nepal's leading organisations in the travel and tourism sector, working to promote professional standards, advocate for travel businesses, and contribute to tourism policy development in the country.
UFTAA, also founded in 1966 and headquartered in Monaco, is a global confederation representing the travel agency and tourism industry, with a mandate to unify travel agencies, promote sustainable tourism, and advocate for the sector's interests worldwide.
Thapaliya, who also serves as an executive committee member of the Nepal Tourism Board, is expected to represent Nepal's private sector as well as broader national tourism interests at the international level.
The Nepal Tourism Board welcomed the appointment, describing it as a recognition of Thapaliya's leadership and a boost to Nepal's presence in the global tourism arena.
Industry stakeholders say the development will provide Nepal with a stronger platform to engage in international tourism policy discussions and promote the country's tourism potential globally.
