Narendra Dev Bhatta elected PATA Nepal Chapter chair

Narendra Dev Bhatta has been elected chair of the Nepal Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

In elections held today alongside the chapter's 51st anniversary, a new executive committee was chosen under the leadership of Bhatta, managing director of Heritage Tours and Travel.

Romi Aryal, managing director of Hotel Square, was elected general secretary, and Prakash Chandra Lohani, president of Alpine Rescue Service, was elected treasurer.

Seven people were elected to the executive committee, including Himalaya Airlines Vice President Bijay Shrestha, Suman Ghimire of Jungle Safari Lodge, and Maya Shakya of Park Village Hotel and Resort. Seven people, including Dinesh Maharjan and Jan Bishwakarma, were elected as proxy members.

Under the provision for government representation on the executive committee, the CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board will serve as first vice president, while the directors general of the Department of Tourism and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal will be ex-officio members.

Chair Bhatta pledged to work on reviving the tourism sector, support affected communities and destinations, and unite the industry.

At the event, seven individuals were honored for their courage during the Bhotekoshi flood crisis and other occasions, and for their contribution to tourism, including tunnel expert Professor Arnold Dix and Nepal's first woman helicopter captain, Priya Adhikari.

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