IATO and NATTA Ink MoU in Kathmandu to Strengthen India-Nepal Tourism Partnership

In a significant move to boost bilateral tourism, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2025 in Kathmandu.

Signed by IATO President Ravi Gosain and NATTA President Kumar Mani Thapaliya, the MoU was witnessed by Nepal’s Minister of Tourism, Badri Prasad Pandey, and Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance two-way tourism flows between the neighbouring nations by encouraging collaboration between government bodies and private operators. Key highlights include joint promotional campaigns for pilgrimage and heritage circuits, participation in trade fairs such as the IATO Annual Convention and NATTA Convention, and the facilitation of B2B networking among travel entrepreneurs.

The MoU also promotes the exchange of tourism data, market trends, and policy updates, while supporting familiarisation tours for agents, influencers, and media to improve destination awareness.

“Nepal is a natural partner in our tourism ecosystem,” said Gosain. “This partnership allows both countries to leverage shared cultural and spiritual assets to attract global travellers.”

With this collaboration, India and Nepal are poised to create a seamless, enriched travel experience, reinforcing their shared legacy and future as cultural tourism hubs.