Kathmandu, June 02 — In a bid to strengthen Nepal’s tourism industry, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, has launched the “Nepal Travel Specialist – Basic Level” online course. This new digital learning initiative is designed to enhance the skills of tourism professionals, helping them provide quality service and improve the overall visitor experience in Nepal, according to NTB.
The course, offered free of charge through the NTB’s e-learning platform, includes 10 comprehensive units that cover a wide spectrum of tourism-related topics, including overview of Nepal’s unique geography, culture and biodiversity; promoting key tourism products such as trekking, adventure, heritage and wellness; applying sustainable tourism practices; and mastering customer service skills, climiate resilience and visitor engagement strategies, among others.
“We are thrilled to launch this course as a cornerstone of our digital capacity-building efforts,” said NTB CEO. “Through this collaboration with UNDP, we are not just sharing knowledge, but also strengthening the foundations for a more sustainable, inclusive, and professional tourism industry.”
UNDP Nepal Resident Representative, Kyoko Yokosuka, added: “This course represents our joint commitment to enhancing livelihoods through tourism. Digital learning tools like this allow equitable access to skills and knowledge, especially for youth and professionals in rural areas.”
Skills for a Changing Tourism Landscape
The course is designed for a broad audience—including tour operators, travel agents, guides, and tourism students—and aims to sharpen their skills in multiple areas:
Customer service excellence to enhance visitor engagement
Sustainable tourism practices to help mitigate climate impact
Cultural and environmental stewardship to promote responsible travel
Visitor experience strategies to increase satisfaction and loyalty
By building these key skills, the course ensures that tourism professionals can confidently showcase Nepal’s rich cultural and natural heritage to the world, while fostering a more resilient tourism ecosystem.
Building Capacity for the Future
In addition to providing specialized knowledge, the course offers learners the flexibility of self-paced online learning with interactive multimedia content, including videos, quizzes, and visual guides. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion, a valuable credential to enhance their professional credibility and employability.
This course is a key component of the NTB and UNDP’s broader strategy to align with the Government of Nepal’s Tourism Decade vision. The goal is to attract 3.5 million tourists annually by 2032 and ensure that Nepal’s tourism workforce is equipped with the skills needed to compete in the global market.
A Commitment to Inclusive, Sustainable Growth
The launch of the course also ties into the Sustainable Tourism Project (2025–2028), a collaborative effort aimed at creating 2,500 new jobs and upskilling 5,000 individuals, with a focus on women and marginalized communities. This initiative includes investments in infrastructure, local capacity building, and digital innovation across key tourist destinations in Nepal.
Building on the success of previous projects, including the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (2020–2023), which created 9,900 jobs, the new program continues to prioritize skill-building in rural areas and underrepresented communities.
Strengthening Nepal’s Global Appeal
By equipping tourism professionals with critical skills, the course not only benefits Nepal’s domestic workforce but also serves as a tool to improve the country’s global tourism profile. The NTB and UNDP aim to provide international travel professionals with up-to-date, accurate information about Nepal’s offerings, fostering stronger connections between Nepal’s tourism industry and the global travel market.
As Nepal’s tourism industry rebounds and evolves, this digital learning initiative ensures that its workforce is well-prepared to meet the demands of a competitive global industry while preserving the country’s unique cultural and environmental heritage.
