Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter organized a noble event, titled PATA ID, on 26th September 2022 at GATE College, Mandikhatar, Kathmandu, to celebrate the official Inauguration Day of the association which is 26th September 1975 and now falls on the eve of World Tourism Day each year! 

Embracing the theme of World Tourism Day, "RETHINKING TOURISM", PATA ID celebrated the 47 Years' journey of the PATA Nepal Chapter, presenting networking, interactions, recognitions and exciting door prizes; and this will be an annual event for each succeeding year ahead. 

During the formal function of PATA ID and World Tourism Day Celebration, PATA Nepal Chapter launched the promo video for the 4th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM) to be held in Nepal from 6th till 9th June 2023. PATA Nepal Chapter organized the three highly successful editions of HTM in 2017, 2018 and 2019, which could not take place later during the global pandemic.

HTM is Nepal’s premier international travel and tourism trade show for tourism marketing and promotion, availing the remarkable gathering of Global Buyers, Himalayan Sellers, Travel Bloggers, Influencers, National and International Media, Travel Industry Professionals and Delegates from around the world.

Similarly, PATA felicitated its four Annual Awards to the following tourism personalities and institutions.

 

1) Lifetime Achievement Award 2022:

PATA Nepal Chapter paid tribute to Mr. Joti Lal Khanna with the prestigious PATA Lifetime Achievement Award, with great respect, honour and heartfelt appreciation for his invaluable contribution to the association, as well as his lifelong dedication, untiring efforts and remarkable roles for over 45 Years to the promotion and development of the tourism sector in Nepal. 

2) Personality of the Year 2021

The ‘PATA Personality of the Year 2021 Award’ was rewarded to Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, in recognition of his unconditional support, persistent activism, advocacy, engagement, tireless contributions with boundless enthusiasm towards the promotion, sustainable development, and revival of Nepal's tourism sector during the global pandemic and beyond. 

 

3) Tourism Trail Blazer Award:

PATA Nepal Chapter honored Mr. Birendra Bahadur Basnet with the PATA Tourism Trailblazer Award 2022 in recognition of his exceptional leadership role and outstanding initiative over the years to strengthen the Nepali Aviation sector with his invaluable contribution and some pioneering initiatives to support the development of the aviation and tourism industry in his capacity as the Managing Director of Buddha Air.

4) Best Student Chapter of the year 2020 

The ‘Best Student Chapter of the year 2022’ was awarded to Global College International (GCI) in recognition of their dedication and contribution in engaging with Young Tourism Professionals at various initiatives of the PATA Nepal Chapter and best illustrating the activities, programs, and events in line with the aims and objectives of PATA Nepal Student Chapter. 

Mr. Bibhuti Chand Thakur (Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter), during his welcome remarks, emphasized the need of the hour to work together for upgrading and upscaling safety, security, sanitation and service standards for the sustainable growth and development of tourism industry in the country. 

Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, the Keynote Speaker, shared his insights on “Rethinking Tourism” in the context of Nepal, suggesting the 7 Pillars to work to unleash the optimum tourism potential, including Generating Demand from Asia while maintaining traditional markets, Building Digital Capabilities and Services, Encouraging quality investments and diversifying tourism sites, Effective management of tourism products/sites and service standardization, Human Capital Development, Quality (Value) focused Marketing strategies instead of targeting numbers, and Fostering Partnership and Collaborations at local, regional, national and international levels.

Mr. Rabindra Raj Pandey, the Distinguished Guest and Speaker, shared his experience, fond memories of his engagement with PATA and pioneering initiatives of the PATA Nepal Chapter in the 1980s and 90s to promote and develop the Nepali tourism sector. He appreciated the current promotional efforts and initiatives of PATA Nepal Chapter and the concept of celebrating the official inauguration of the association every year onward as PATA ID.