KATHMANDU, JULY 17
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has announced a budget of Rs 1.59 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83, with a strong focus on tourism infrastructure development, market promotion, branding, and disaster preparedness.
This is the first time in the Board's history that the annual budget has been announced at the beginning of the fiscal year, said Rishi Ram Bhandari, coordinator of the budget formation sub-committee.
The allocated budget includes Rs 436.1 million for tourism market promotion, Rs 129.5 million for public relations and communications, Rs 26.7 million for research, planning, and monitoring, Rs 186.3 million for tourism resource development, and Rs 91.9 million for the implementation and monitoring of the Trekking Information Management System (TIMS). Similarly, Rs 116.6 million has been set aside for the Gandaki Province Office in Pokhara, and Rs 111.2 million for regional and international offices.
Other major allocations include Rs 46.2 million for organizing special events and travel marts, Rs 114.8 million for disaster risk management and contingency funds, and Rs 60 million for matching fund projects in partnership with UNDP. Additionally, Rs 30 million has been allocated for the Executive Secretariat and Committee, while Rs 262.7 million will support administrative and operational costs at the central office.
The NTB plans to intensify international promotion by participating in major travel fairs such as WTM London, ITB Berlin, ATM Dubai, Tourism Expo Japan (JATA) 2025, ITB China 2026, OTM Mumbai, SATTE New Delhi, and conducting sales missions in ASEAN, China, India, and South Asia. Branding efforts will include diaspora tourism, film and OTT partnerships, digital and influencer marketing, and production of promotional content. PR agencies will be hired in key markets such as Europe, China, and India.
In Pokhara, key programs like the Pokhara Street Festival, Pokhara Travel Mart, and tourism trail development will receive continued support. The NTB will also strengthen its regional presence with offices in Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, and an international office in India. Special thematic events such as the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM), Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM), Adventure Travel Mart, and Safari Tourism Mart are scheduled for this fiscal year.
NTB officials say the budget is geared toward enhancing Nepal's global competitiveness in tourism, diversifying its offerings, and promoting sustainable and inclusive travel across the country.
