Kathmandu: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) jointly implemented by NTB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct specialized mountaineering training programs aimed at developing skilled professionals for Nepal’s mountain tourism sector.
Under the agreement, three specialized training programs will be organized in the Api, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga regions to strengthen the country’s pool of qualified and professional mountain tourism personnel. The programs include Mountain Guide Summer Skills (Basic Mountaineering Training) in the Api region, Mountain Guide Winter Skills (Advanced Mountaineering Training) in the Kanchenjunga region, and Mountain Leader Training (Summer Skills) in the Manaslu region.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board and National Project Director of the Sustainable Tourism Project, Hikmat Singh Air, said Nepal’s mountain tourism is one of the country’s strongest competitive advantages and that building a skilled workforce is essential for its sustainable development.
“Competent human resources are the foundation of quality, safe, and sustainable mountain tourism. Through this collaboration with the Nepal Mountaineering Association, we believe Nepal will be able to produce internationally competent mountaineering professionals while making its mountain tourism sector safer, more professional, and globally competitive,” Air said.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Nepal Mountaineering Association by President Fur Gelje Sherpa, General Secretary Rajendra Bahadur Lama, and Treasurer Sumi Lama. Representing the Nepal Tourism Board and the Sustainable Tourism Project, the agreement was signed by National Project Director Hikmat Singh Air, National Project Coordinator Khadga Bikram Shah, and National Project Manager Dharmaraj Dawadi.
