Narendra Dev Bhatta elected chair of PATA Nepal Chapter

Narendra Dev Bhatta has been elected the new chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association's (PATA) Nepal Chapter. The election held today on the occasion of the chapter's 51st anniversary selected a new executive committee under Bhatta's leadership.

Bhatta is the managing director of Heritage Tours and Travel. Romi Aryal, managing director of Square Hotel, was elected secretary general, and Prakash Chandra Lohani, president of Alpine Rescue Service, was elected treasurer.

Executive committee members include Bijay Shrestha, deputy chairman of Himalaya Airlines; Suman Ghimire; Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai; Maya Shakya; Sarita Lama; Siddhartha Bikram Thapa; and Basudev Dhungana. Seven proxy members were also selected.

Under PATA Nepal's provisions, the CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board will serve as first vice-chair and the marketing director of Nepal Airlines as second vice-chair. Representatives of government agencies, including the directors general of the Department of Tourism and the Civil Aviation Authority, will be ex-officio members.

Newly elected chair Bhatta expressed commitment to reviving the tourism sector, supporting affected communities and destinations, and uniting the industry going forward.

At the event, seven people who made courageous contributions during situations including the Bhotekoshi flood crisis were honored. Those honored include tunnel expert Professor Arnold Dix and Priya Adhikari, Nepal's first woman helicopter captain.

Outgoing chair Khem Lakai thanked members and stakeholders for their continued support.