Kathmandu. The Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) has successfully represented Nepal at the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) Annual Conference and the International Conference of Mountain Tourism & Outdoor Sports (MTOS 2025) held from November 11 to 13 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.
Themed “Integration of Culture, Sports and Tourism for a High-Quality Life,” the conference gathered delegates from over 40 countries and 100 organizations to strengthen cooperation in sustainable mountain tourism.
Nepal’s Mundum Trail, located in the eastern hills and known for its unique blend of culture and biodiversity, was honored at the IMTA–MTOS Awards for its outstanding contribution to sustainable mountain tourism. The recognition follows last year’s selection of Annapurna I among the “World Famous Tourism Mountains”, reaffirming Nepal’s global leadership in mountain-based tourism.
The Mundum Trail’s recognition highlights its harmonious integration of indigenous culture, ecological richness, and community-led adventure tourism an emerging model of sustainable travel experiences in Nepal’s hill region.
At the event, NATTA President Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya delivered a well-received presentation on Nepal’s mountain tourism vision, complemented by a short video scripted and compiled by NATTA Secretary General Ms. Yubika Bhandari. The presentation underscored Nepal’s dedication to responsible trekking, cultural preservation, and inclusive community benefits, earning widespread appreciation from international delegates and IMTA officials.
“Nepal’s tourism vision is simple sustain our peaks, uplift our people, and deliver authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable experiences. Mountains connect us geographically, economically, and spiritually,” said President Thapaliya during his address.
As a founding and council member of IMTA, NATTA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible mountain tourism and fostering cross-border cooperation. During the conference, Mr. Thapaliya participated in the IMTA Council Meeting, which discussed integrating culture, sports, and tourism, improving safety standards, and strengthening mountain resilience through international collaboration.
The conference also featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. Peter Semone, President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Mr. Liu Zhaohui, Vice Chairman of IMTA; and Mr. Giorgio Grussu from the FAO Mountain Partnership Secretariat.
The NATTA delegation included Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya (President), Ms. Yubika Bhandari (Secretary General), and Mr. Bidur Khatiwada (Executive Member).
Marking 70 years of Nepal–China diplomatic relations, NATTA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening people-to-people connections through tourism. The association expressed readiness to collaborate with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), TAAN, NMA, and IMTA partners to promote Nepal’s mountain destinations as global models of sustainability, safety, and shared prosperity.
“We invite the world not only to visit Nepal but to partner with our mountain communities to protect, promote, and prosper together,” President Thapaliya concluded.
