In a significant move to strengthen tourism ties between India and Nepal, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kathmandu. The agreement was formalized during the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM 2025), with Mr. Ravi Gosain, President of IATO, and Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, President of NATTA, officially signing the MoU in the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation of Nepal, and Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board.
This strategic MoU aims to enhance two-way tourism flows between India and Nepal and promote sustainable tourism growth through joint efforts. Key objectives outlined in the agreement include increasing cooperation between tour operators from both countries, enhancing mutual visibility in global markets, facilitating B2B networking, and launching joint promotional campaigns focused on cross-border tour packages, pilgrimage circuits, and heritage trails.
The MoU also covers the exchange of tourism-related data, trends, and promotional materials; timely notifications on policy changes related to visas or tourism regulations; and coordinated efforts to encourage collaboration between government tourism bodies and private sector operators. The agreement further includes mutual participation in major trade events such as the IATO Annual Convention and NATTA Convention, organizing familiarization tours for travel agents and media professionals, and promoting knowledge-sharing on digital marketing and legal tools.
Mr. Ravi Gosain emphasized Nepal’s strategic importance to Indian tourism, particularly noting the large number of foreign tourists, especially from Buddhist countries, who visit Nepal during their Indian itineraries. He expressed optimism that this MoU will create new opportunities for members of both associations to collaborate and develop stronger inbound tourism offerings across the region.
The signing of this MoU marks a milestone in Indo-Nepal tourism cooperation and sets the stage for increased regional connectivity, cultural exchange, and sustainable tourism development through public-private partnerships.
