Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the highly anticipated fourth edition of the Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM) on Tuesday (June 6) in Kathmandu. The event taking place from June 6-9, aims to promote Nepal's tourism industry under the theme of 're-connecting, rebuilding, and reinvigorating.' The Chief Guest marked the beginning of the mart by lighting the traditional Nepali Lamp, symbolizing the enlightenment of Nepal's tourism potential.

Organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the Nepal Airlines Corporation, among others, the event is set to attract over 400 representatives from 25 nations.

During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for Nepal, Sudan Kirati, emphasized the importance of the HTM in revitalizing Nepal's tourism sector after the setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed optimism that the event would help re-establish Nepal as a gateway to the Himalayas and position the country as a hub for adventure tourism and resilient travel.

Bibhuti Chand Thakur, Chairman of the PATA Nepal Chapter, also addressed the audience, highlighting the significance of the HTM as a platform to showcase Nepal's tourism products and forge international business connections.

The mart features a business session where 50 buyers from around the world will interact with 50 sellers and exhibitors, showcasing diverse tourism products. In addition, special sessions will focus on the recovery of the tourism industry post-COVID-19, as well as the efficient operations of the Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports. Experts from the field have been invited to share their insights on effectively managing the newly launched international airports.

One of the key highlights of the event is the plenary session titled 'Unlocking the potentials of Nepal's new international airports: strategies for market linkage, marketing, branding and more to drive tourism growth.' This session aims to explore ways to maximize the benefits offered by the Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports and propel the growth of Nepal's tourism industry.

The HTM was previously held annually from 2017 to 2019 but was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the revival of the event, Nepal's tourism sector hopes to regain its momentum and reinforce its position as a sought-after destination for adventure enthusiasts and resilient travelers.