KATHMANDU, July 18: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the country’s tourism promotion body, has approved a budget of Rs 1.59 billion for the Fiscal Year 2025/26. The NTB’s Executive Committee meeting held on July 15 endorsed the budget, according to Rishi Ram Bhandari, coordinator of the budget subcommittee.
The NTB said this year’s budget and programs aim to establish Nepal’s image in the international tourism community by developing safe, reliable and attractive tourism destinations. Coordinator Bhandari called it a historic budget with ambitious plans that will make budget implementation more effective. He added, “This FY, the NTB aims to increase tourist arrivals by at least 15 percent and revitalize the overall tourism sector.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepak Raj Joshi also emphasized that the budget is not just an accounting exercise, but a commitment to a new era. According to him, the budget focuses on boosting national production and foreign currency earnings through the development and promotion of tourism while creating more employment opportunities and ensuring the sustainable development of the tourism sector.
The budget aims to increase overall revenue from tourism by at least 15 percent by prioritizing quality tourist arrivals.
In the current FY, the NTB will run promotional programs in at least 50 source markets, produce 5,000 additional tourism-related human resources, and conserve at least 25 new tourism infrastructures.
NTB allocates Rs 1.7 billion for FY 2075/76
To expand its services, NTB has allocated 70 percent of the total budget for international marketing. It is also set to open a permanent office in India—Nepal’s largest source market. Over 400,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal in 2024 alone. The board said the plan to open an office in Delhi or another major city is in its final stage.
The board also plans to open regional offices this fiscal year. It has allocated Rs 436.1 million for tourism market management and promotion, Rs 129.5 million for public relations and publicity, Rs 26.7 million for research, planning, and monitoring, and Rs 186.35 million for tourism heritage and resource development.
Additionally, Rs 116.6 million has been allocated for the establishment and operation of new regional offices. Special promotional programs like Buddhist Travel Mart, Himalayan Travel Mart, Adventure Travel Mart, Sagarmatha Honor Program, and Safari Tourism Mart will receive Rs 46.2 million.
The NTB will also conduct promotional programs in the USA, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, and various European countries. NTB will participate in major global tourism expos under the theme “Nepal: A Lifetime Experience” and prioritize digital marketing, collaboration with international media, travel bloggers, and media familiarization tours.
The budget also includes allocations for domestic tourism promotion in collaboration with provincial governments, local bodies, and the private sector. The NTB said it will give special attention to emerging destinations in Sudurpaschim, Karnali, and eastern Nepal.
Other components of the budget include strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing research and data systems, and developing tourism-related human resources. The NTB has allocated separate funds for tourism studies, training, and expert programs.
The budget prioritizes sustainable tourism initiatives such as international fairs, sales missions, digital media campaigns, cine tourism, diaspora engagement, branding, and high-impact programs.
Physical infrastructure development, trail improvements, establishment of Namaste Centers, Buddhist destination promotion, training for mountainous regions, green hospitality certification, domestic tourism promotion, training for tour operators, language and digital skills training are also included in the budget.
Cultural and adventure destinations like Mithila, paragliding competitions, elephant festivals, mountain and jungle safaris will also be promoted.
Through its Pokhara office, NTB plans to organize the Pokhara Travel Mart, street festivals, Annapurna and Manaslu trekking promotion, tourist police training, basic and advanced canyoning training, and promotion of the Mountain Museum. Aggressive promotional campaigns will also be launched in India, China, and other South Asian countries.
The budget also outlines plans for implementing a robust Tourism Information Management System (TIMS), disaster management funds, climate sensitivity enhancement, research, and international collaboration to lay the foundation for a decade of sustainable tourism.
“This budget is not just about numbers,” CEO Joshi said. “It is a roadmap for Nepal’s tourism revival. We have developed market-specific strategies and will work with local and international partners to expand Nepal’s tourism sustainably.”
The Board’s Chairperson and Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation also expressed commitment to implementing the ‘Smart Tourism Nepal’ concept through private sector participation, local coordination, and international partnerships.
