A guest lecture on ‘Tourism Scenario in Nepal’ was organized by International Centre for Academics (ICA) on 20th May, 2023 via Zoom. The session was attended by good number of learners of Bachelor of Tourism Studies (BTS) and Masters of Travel and Tourism Management (MTTM) and prospective learners too. 

Mr. Sunil Sharma- Senior Manager, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) was the key speaker of the session. The presentation primarily centered on providing an introduction to the Tourism Scenario in Nepal, offering a brief overview of the overall development of tourism in the country. It presented an overview of tourist arrivals in Nepal before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the top five markets that generate tourism to Nepal. The presentation also emphasized significant tourism products and activities.

Furthermore, it provided an explanation of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), which is a key agency responsible for the comprehensive development, marketing, and promotion of tourism in Nepal. The virtual meeting discussed the formation and functions of the NTB. Additionally, the presentation shared Nepal's efforts to promote tourism through virtual platforms during the pandemic. This included participation in major virtual tourism fairs and the development of health protocols for tourists during this period.

The presentation also delved into the regional and seasonal diversity of tourism in Nepal, highlighting the country's rich cultural and natural diversity. During the pandemic, both the NTB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly launched a project called the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP). The roles and functions of the STLRP were also highlighted in the presentation. With more than 17 years of rich experience in the tourism sector, Mr. Sharma very well addressed the queries of the participants with relevant examples; which were taken during the Q&A round. The efforts and initiatives taken by the NTB and future plans to recover the Covid-19 loss were also very clearly highlighted by the guest speaker.

Overall the session was very much productive to understand the tourism scenario of Nepal in the present time. To access the full recorded session, please follow the link 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDiYi3YYThk