PATA Nepal Chapter has organized the 3rd edition of PATA Youth Talent Quest (YTQ2020) which is an annual event by PATA Nepal Chapter as a part of its engagement with Young Tourism Professionals (YTPs) that provides a platform among the students from PATA Nepal Chapter member colleges to compete and showcase their multifaceted talents, knowledge, and skills.

PATA YTQ aims to uncover talented young tourism professionals, and further empower them with the necessary training, involvement, and exposure to PATA Nepal Chapter programs and activities, and engaging them in the best possible way to carve their successful future endeavors.  This year, PATA Nepal Chapter has introduced the three key competitions under PATA YTQ 2020- Public Speaking Competition, Tourism & Hospitality Quiz, and PATA Futsal Tournament 2020.

The Grand Finale of YTQ2020 – Public Speaking Competition was organized on 24th of February 2020 at GATE College, Mandikhatar, Kathmandu with the participation of 10 contestants (tourism and hotel management students) representing different member colleges of PATA Nepal Chapter including Atharva Business College (ABC), Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE), International School of Tourism and Hotel Management (IST), Kathmandu Academy of Tourism and Hospitality (KATH), Little Angel’s College of Management (LACM), Mid-Valley International College (MIC), Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal College of Travel and Tourism Management (NCTTM), Public Youth Campus (PYC), and Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management (SMSHM). 

The event kicked off with a welcome remark by Mr. Khem Lakai, the Treasurer and Human Capital Development Coordinator of the PATA Nepal Chapter and the Remarks from Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, Former CEO of Nepal Tourism Board. A distinguished panel of Judges including Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal- Former Secretary of Ministry of Culture Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mr. Sunil Sakya- IP Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter and Mr. Bijay Amatya- CEO of Kora Tours made the assessment on Public Speaking skills and competencies of the Students on the three key topics of contemporary concerns at national & international Tourism- 1) Building Resilience and Ways forward to mitigate the Risks and Crisis in Tourism; 2) Challenges and Opportunities for the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign; and 3) Positioning NEPAL as a must-visit destination. 

The judges were so impressed with the performances of the contestants and appreciated PATA Nepal Chapter for the great initiative and continuous engagement with young tourism professionals.  Mr. Sanjay Nepal from NATHM College was announced as the winner of the Public Speaking Competition. As a winner, he gets an opportunity to participate at PATA Annual Summit 2020 to be held in Ras al Khaimah, UAE from March 31 till April 3, 2020.  Similarly, Mr. Samjik Hang Rai from GATE College and Ms. Robina Shrestha from Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management were selected as 1st and 2nd runners up.

The 2nd event of PATA YTQ2020, Tourism and Hospitality Quiz held on 27th February at Mid-Valley Int’l College was kicked off with welcome remarks by PATA Nepal Chairman-Mr. Bibhuti Chand Thakur, and Ms. Reetal Rana, the Executive Committee Member of PATA Nepal and Principal of MVIC. Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management became the Winner of the Tourism and Hospitality Quiz; whereas NCTTM College and GATE college achieved the 1st and 2nd Runners up position respectively.

The PATA YTQ2020 was supported by several sponsors and partner organizations including Zenith Training Institute, High Ground Adventure, One Horn Adventures, Buddha Air, Summit Air, KGH group of hotels, Sabre Nepal, Aarya Village Travels, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Going Nepal, Rafting Star, Foodmandu, Simsime Travels, and Eternity-the Student Lounge, and the member educational institutions-GATE, MVIC, IST, KATH, Gateway, NCTTM, and Atharva Business College.