The sixth edition of Himalayan Travel Mart 2026 kicked off in Lalitpur on Monday, bringing together tourism stakeholders from around the world to promote Nepal as a major travel destination and explore emerging opportunities in the sector.

More than 100 international delegates from 27 countries are participating in the event, including 75 global buyers and representatives from over 80 exhibiting organisations.

Organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter under the theme “New Frontiers in Tourism”, the event aims to strengthen business links between Nepal’s tourism entrepreneurs and international buyers while examining new trends shaping the global tourism industry.

Addressing the opening session, Suresh Singh Budal, chief executive officer of PATA Nepal Chapter, said the global tourism landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, and Nepal should capitalise on growing demand for sustainable, regenerative, wellness-oriented and authentic travel experiences.

He said Nepal’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance have given the country a unique position in the international tourism market.

“We are not only seeking to increase tourist arrivals but also to develop sustainable, inclusive and community-friendly tourism,” Budal said.

He said the organisers have replaced the traditional one-day conference with the newly introduced HTM Insight Forum this year to encourage deeper dialogue, knowledge-sharing and collaboration among tourism stakeholders.

According to Budal, Nepal’s greatest tourism asset remains the hospitality and warmth of its people, which continues to leave a lasting impression on international visitors.

Describing Nepal as one of the world’s leading adventure tourism destinations, he said activities such as trekking, mountaineering, rafting, paragliding and mountain biking have helped establish the country as a hub for adventure travel.

Discussions during the mart will cover a wide range of topics, including adventure tourism, sustainability, wellness tourism, MICE tourism, destination weddings, digital payment systems and regenerative tourism.

Organisers expect the event to generate new business opportunities, expand international partnerships and further strengthen Nepal’s presence in the global tourism marketplace.