KATHMANDU: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has unveiled a budget of Rs 1.59 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83, placing a strong emphasis on improving tourism infrastructure, expanding global promotions, and preparing for emergencies. 

Highlights of the budget include over Rs 436 million for tourism market promotion, Rs 129.5 million for communications and PR, Rs 26.7 million for research, planning, and monitoring, and Rs 186.3 million for resource development. A separate Rs 91.9 million has been allocated to manage and monitor the TIMS system, while over Rs 116 million will go to the Gandaki Province office in Pokhara and Rs 111 million for regional and international offices.

NTB will continue to represent Nepal at global travel fairs such as WTM London, ITB Berlin, ATM Dubai, Tourism Expo Japan (JATA) 2025, ITB China 2026, OTM Mumbai, SATTE New Delhi, and launch sales missions across ASEAN, India, China, and South Asia. Branding campaigns will tap into diaspora tourism, film tie-ups, digital media, and influencer marketing, with PR agencies being hired in key markets.

Regional activities are also getting a boost, with programs like the Pokhara Street Festival, Pokhara Travel Mart, and tourism trail development included in this year’s plans. In the tourism assets and resource development which includes Namaste Center construction, trail signage, joint post construction at Sagarmatha National Park, trail improvements, cultural event support, training programs, and tourism infrastructure development. NTB also plans to strengthen its presence with new offices in Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, and India.

Special events such as the Buddhist International Travel Mart, Himalayan Travel Mart, Adventure Travel Mart, and Safari Tourism Mart are also on the calendar, reflecting NTB’s push for diversified and sustainable tourism growth.

This is the first time NTB has presented its annual budget at the start of the fiscal year, marking a notable step toward better planning and execution, according to Rishi Ram Bhandari, coordinator of the budget formation sub-committee. This early announcement aims to ensure timely rollout of programs and increased efficiency.