The fifth edition of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Himalayan Travel Mart officially began Tuesday, June 3, at Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu.
Organised by the PATA Nepal Chapter in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board, and Nepal Airlines, the three-day event is expected to draw international tourism buyers and sellers from Himalayan nations. Delegates representing more than 25 countries will attend the event.
This year’s Mart holds special significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of an 8,000-metre peak—Mount Annapurna.
“The Mart pays tribute to the late French climber Maurice Herzog, who became the first person to summit Annapurna I on June 3, 1950, placing Nepal on the global mountaineering map,” said Khem Raj Lakai, Chairman of Pata Nepal Chapter.
French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal became the first humans to stand atop an 8,091-meter summit—three years before the historic ascent of Mount Everest.
The achievement—and Herzog’s book that followed—helped spotlight Nepal as a premier adventure destination.
Read: The Eldest Peak: Diamond Jubilee of Glory for Annapurna I
“In honour of his legacy, Herzog’s son, Mathias, is set to be felicitated during the event,” Lakai informed.
PATA, during the three-day event, will also honour the late Pravakar Shumsher Rana, founding president of the PATA Nepal Chapter, who established the association in 1975 and played a pioneering role in shaping Nepal’s tourism industry.
The Himalayan Travel Mart continues to redefine how Nepal engages with the global tourism market. “Unlike outbound promotional efforts requiring participation in major expos like ITB Berlin, WTM London, or FITUR, this homegrown initiative offers an international platform right in Nepal, providing local operators direct access to global buyers,” Lekai added.
“This event is a strategic milestone in our efforts to brand Nepal as a sustainable and meaningful travel destination,” said Suman Pandey, Vice Chairman at PATA. “It’s not only about showcasing products, but building the future of responsible tourism together.”
The Mart features B2B sessions, keynote speeches from global tourism experts, and recognition of outstanding tourism professionals. The event also highlights Nepal’s growing potential as a sustainable, spiritual, and wellness-focused destination.
PATA Nepal has played an instrumental role in Nepal’s tourism development—particularly in the absence of leadership in the Nepal Tourism Board last year, when it led efforts to support Nepali exhibitors’ participation at ITB Berlin. The Chapter was recently honoured as the “Best Chapter” by PATA International for its proactive initiatives.
The organisation has also led regional efforts such as the Nepal-India-China Expo (NICE), held in Pokhara earlier this year, targeting emerging markets in neighbouring countries and promoting decentralised tourism.
As part of its broader vision, PATA Nepal advocates for sustainable tourism practices, improved aviation safety, and destination diversification—highlighting opportunities in culinary, spiritual, and wellness tourism. It also actively supports government-led initiatives such as the Sagarmatha Sambad.
