KATHMANDU: Nepali travel trade companies participating at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 in London have lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, alleging mismanagement in the placement of the Nepal Pavilion at this year’s international tourism fair.

The complaint was sent to secretary at the MoCTA and copied to NTB CEO Deepak Raj Joshi and board member Rishiram Bhandari.

The delegation of 27 companies, attending the event under NTB’s coordination, said the Nepal Pavilion, located at Stall No. N12-511 at ExCeL London, was placed in a poorly lit and less-frequented corner, resulting in minimal footfall and negligible business engagement.

“The stall was positioned in a dark corner, completely away from the main flow of visitors. This wrong decision has caused significant loss of time, finances, and promotional opportunity for both NTB and the private participants,” the group stated in its collective complaint said.

Claiming that the management failure has negatively impacted Nepal’s tourism image and business prospects, the participants demanded that NTB take the responsibility and refund the stall fees collected from private firms, as well as cover transportation and accommodation expenses incurred by participants.

The complaint, jointly signed by the Nepali exhibitors, further stated that such mismanagement has rendered Nepal’s participation in global tourism marts ineffective. “Despite the large expenses made under the name of tourism promotion, the return in terms of exposure and business networking is almost zero,” the statement read.

The signatories include Trekking Team Group, Altitude Himalaya Pvt. Ltd, Alpine Club of Himalaya, The Trekker’s Society, Well Nepal Travel and Treks, Nepal Big Mountain Travel Company Pvt. Ltd, Outshine Adventure Pvt. Ltd, Kora Tours, Chhaya Devi Complex Ltd (Aloft Kathmandu Thamel), Nepal Social Treks and Expedition, Buddha Air, Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks & Expedition P. Ltd, Snowy Horizon Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd, Earth Nepal Travel & Trek P. Ltd, Accessible Adventure Pvt. Ltd, Burhan Wilderness Camps, Expedition Himalaya.com Pvt. Ltd, Ethical Trekking Nepal, Desire Nepal Treks, Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd, Touch Kailash Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd, Himalayan Quests & Adventures, Pokhara Ultralight Pvt. Ltd, Ojha Holidays Tours & Treks Pvt. Ltd, Hotel Mount Monastery Pvt. Ltd (The Terraces Resort).

The participants urged NTB to ensure transparent coordination and better strategic placement in future international tourism events to maximize Nepal’s visibility and credibility on the global stage.