Kathmandu: A tripartite contest is set to take place for the new leadership of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), the umbrella organization of tour and travel businesses established in 1966.
NATTA is scheduled to hold its 59th Annual General Meeting and 25th Executive Committee Election this Friday. Three separate panels led by Jiswa Tuladhar Shrestha, Yubika Bhandari and Bharat Jung Pandey are contesting for the 2026–2028 executive committee.
The competing panels have placed tourism development and the promotion of tourism as a key pillar of the national economy at the center of their election agendas. NATTA is currently led by President Kumar Mani Thapaliya.
Jiswa Tuladhar Shrestha-led panel
The panel led by incumbent Senior Vice President Jiswa Tuladhar Shrestha has entered the race with the slogan “Strong Leadership, Secure Business and Prosperous Tourism.” The group recently unveiled a 12-point election commitment aimed at making NATTA a stronger, inclusive, transparent, technology-friendly and business-oriented organization.
The panel has pledged to encourage new-generation tourism entrepreneurs and transform NATTA into a capable, accountable and result-oriented institution that not only represents the voice of tourism businesses but also actively works to resolve their problems.
Shrestha, Managing Director of Swan Tours and Travel, has more than two and a half decades of experience in the tourism sector. Bishnu Pandey of Himalayan Club Tours and Travels is contesting for Senior Vice President from her panel.
Pragya Pathak Sharma is contesting for Vice President, Sushil Pant for General Secretary, Ramesh Ghimire for Secretary, Krishna Prasad Dhakal for Treasurer and Dr. Bimala Dahal for Joint Treasurer.
Executive Committee candidates include Pradeep Acharya, Sudarshan Gajurel, Dinesh Ghimire, Anu Raut (Adhikari) and Rojina Ranjitkar.
The panel has pledged to promote international tourism, expand global markets, improve air-ticketing systems and encourage new entrepreneurs and small businesses. It has also highlighted resolving air-ticketing and VAT-related issues, expanding tourist bus parks and intercity transportation networks, developing a “Smart NATTA,” controlling unauthorized tourism activities, promoting provincial tourism and strengthening air connectivity.
Yubika Bhandari-led panel
The second major contender is Yubika Bhandari, who currently serves as General Secretary of NATTA. Managing Director of Shashij Holidays International Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd., Bhandari has more than two decades of experience in the tourism industry.
Her panel is contesting under the slogan “When Tourism Rises, Nepal Rises.” The group has pledged to give equal priority to tourism businesses in destinations and those operating outside the Kathmandu Valley.
The panel has also promised to make NATTA more technology-friendly, strengthen policy coordination with the government and prioritize capacity development for tourism entrepreneurs. It aims to establish NATTA as a leading institution in Nepal’s tourism sector.
Barun Mehta, Director of Worldwide Tours and Travels, is contesting for Senior Vice President. Other candidates are Dhak Nath Dhakal for Vice President, Krishna Prasad Dhakal for General Secretary, Shraddha Joshi for Secretary, Ramakumari Pyakurel for Treasurer and Bidur Khatiwada for Joint Treasurer.
Executive Committee candidates include Pradeep Prasad Uday, Bibash Poudel, Shriram Thapa, Smarika Thapa, Sanket Dhakal, Dr. Umesh Gupta, Hom Bahadur Pariyar and Rajendra Prasad Tripathi.
Bharat Jung Pandey-led panel
The third panel, led by Bharat Jung Pandey, Managing Director of Everest Miracle Travel and Tours, is challenging the two women-led panels in the leadership race.
Pandey’s panel has put forward the slogan “Transforming NATTA: Strong NATTA, Prosperous Tourism—With Members and For Members.” The group has emphasized good governance, transparency and greater participation of members in the organization.
Its election agenda includes expanding international tourism promotion, addressing problems related to air tickets, airlines and transportation, and strengthening coordination with embassies and diplomatic missions. The panel has also pledged to focus on capacity building and international relations.
The group has proposed a Digital NATTA and initiatives to facilitate national and international tourism development, inbound tourism and multinational tour management. Sustainable tourism, clean infrastructure, protection of members’ interests and strengthening the financial and organizational capacity of NATTA are also among its priorities.
Sunil Sharma of Society Travel is contesting for Senior Vice President, while Sabita KC Bhattarai is contesting for Vice President, Raj Kumar Devkota for General Secretary, Ramesh Parajuli for Secretary, Diki Sherpa for Treasurer and Jeevan Koirala for Joint Treasurer.
Executive Committee candidates include Dinanath Pandey, Dinesh Mainali, Deepak Marasini, Nabin Gurung, Prakash Lohani, Sarala Sapkota, Sumanlal Shrestha and Swastika Pradhan.
With three panels presenting different approaches to institutional reform, business facilitation, technology adoption and tourism promotion, the upcoming NATTA election is expected to be closely contested as tourism entrepreneurs prepare to choose the leadership for the 2026–2028 term.
