Nepali delegation showcases tourism at PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Malaysia

KATHMANDU: Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter, together with Nepal Airlines and nine private travel companies, promoted Nepal’s tourism at PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Malaysia.

The international business‑to‑business travel trade event was held from August 18 to 20 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak. The mart attracted more than 1,100 tourism delegates from 48 countries and brought together 221 buyers from 29 source markets and over 365 sellers representing more than 200 organisations. Across the two main days, participants took part in more than 4,000 scheduled business appointments to build partnerships and explore new markets.

Exhibiting within the Nepal Pavilion, companies showcased the country’s varied attractions, including mountaineering, trekking, spirituality, luxury travel and community‑based tourism. Nepali exhibitors also highlighted wellness offerings alongside their broader appeal as the country prepares to observe 2027 as Wellness Year.

The private sector delegation comprised Himalayan Holidays Nepal; ExpeditionHimalaya.com; Destinago Tours & Travels; Royal Mountain Travel; Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon; Off the Wall Trekking; Mountain Delight Treks & Expeditions; Mountain Tiger Nepal; and Mission Nepal Holidays.

At the mart, the PATA Nepal Chapter promoted the 7th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM 2027), Nepal’s premier international travel trade show, which is scheduled for June 1 to 4, 2027, in Kathmandu.

"PTM 2026 was very fruitful for Nepali exhibitors, and it gave us a proud moment to celebrate once again, as the PATA Nepal Chapter received the 'Award of Excellence' among global PATA Chapters," said Bibhuti Chand Thakur, Immediate Past Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, "PATA Travel Mart is about building valuable, quality business connections that extend beyond the event, and the opportunities they create can grow into lasting partnerships."

YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, said hosting the event offered an important chance to strengthen engagement with the international tourism community and contribute to the future growth of tourism across the Asia Pacific.

Following the conclusion of this year’s event in Malaysia, the next PATA Travel Mart is scheduled to take place in Macao from September 20 to 22, 2027.