Veteran tourism professional Jyoti Lal Khanna, who had served Nepal for decades, died in New Delhi, India on Tuesday. He was 83.

Khanna, born in Lahore, then part of undivided India, had come to Kathmandu in 1960 and started his professional career as a Manager of Hotel Coronation at Dilli Bazar.

He joined Yeti Travels in late 1968 as director of sales and became the managing director in 1972.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter said they were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing away of its founder member and treasurer.

PATA Nepal is eternally indebted to the invaluable contributions of Khanna who embarked upon with specific responsibilities for the formation of the PATA Nepal Chapter in 1975, PATA Nepal said in a statement.

Khanna was one of the pioneer tourism activists in Nepal who worked on different layers of services in travel and tourism associations including World Association of Travel Agents, American Society of Travel Agents, Nepal Association of Tour Operators from 2001 till 2004.

The executive meeting of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators also endorsed a motion of condolence on Khanna’s death.