Khem Lakai is a visionary leader in sustainable hospitality. He currently serves as Chairman of the PATA Nepal Chapter and is a former Board Member and Trustee of the PATA Foundation. He also serves on the boards of EUHOFA International and APacCHRIE, underscoring his global influence in hospitality education. Lakai is the Founder of the Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education (GATE College), which has been honored twice at the prestigious World Hospitality Awards in Paris.

He is best known for pioneering the integration of experiential learning into mainstream university education in Nepal. Under his leadership, GATE College became the first institution in Nepal to offer Australia’s national qualification, TAFE NSW, allowing Nepali youth to earn a globally recognized Australian Commercial Cookery certification locally. Further elevating the standard of education, GATE College is also certified by the world’s No. 1 ranked hospitality school—EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne), Switzerland—making it the only EHL-certified academy in Nepal.

Through his work, Lakai has played a pivotal role in positioning Nepal as a regional hub for world-class hospitality education and training. GATE College became the first institution of its kind in Nepal to welcome international students from 23 different countries.

A strong advocate for conscious tourism, Lakai’s vision extends beyond traditional hospitality. He champions an industry model that is environmentally responsible and economically empowering. For over two decades, his leadership has inspired a new generation of hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs across Nepal and beyond.

Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, is a passionate tourism professional with over 23 years of experience and expertise in the industry. He has a strong network across public and private sector stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels. A well-recognized thought leader in the global tourism fraternity, he specializes in tourism planning, marketing, promotion, policy formulation, destination management, collaborative partnerships, project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, tourism resilience, and crisis management.

Deepak Singh is the Founder & President of Spiritual Journeys, LLC, based in Cambridge, MA, USA. Since 1997, his company has been curating spiritual tours across the Indian subcontinent, catering to intellectually curious travelers seeking profound experiences.With over five decades of experience living in the USA and England, and more than 25 years in the spiritual tourism sector, Deepak Singh brings a wealth of knowledge on how spirituality can create new markets, enhance client experiences, and foster meaningful cross-cultural relationships beyond religious and societal boundaries.

Title:Planning, Marketing & Execution of Spiritual Tours

Synopsis:

Spirituality helps people understand themselves, then others, thus bringing together people of differing backgrounds. This is being recognized by more people from more areas than ever before. Spiritual tourism is in its own right a growing business as individuals are using tours to reflect their lives.

A great tourist draw for Nepal is her spirituality because individuals from all countries are attracted to Nepal due to her traditions, sacred sites and Buddhism, together with the physical beauty and allure of the Himalayas.  This presentation will outline how to package a spiritual tour, and how to manage guests expectations.

Discussion will include:

• What, from the Western perspective this area has to offer to the individual seeking more on spirituality (with a common definition)
• What are visitors seeking, and thus what is a deliverable “deliverable”
• How and what destinations to choose and offer
• Defining expectations, and how we manage these expectations
• Weaving the natural beauty of Nepal to the tour
• What the both DMC and FTO need to manage. 

All-in-all, to ensure that the particular visitor not only comes back for more, but tells friends to come. 

Mr. Shahid Hamid is a renowned and highly respected figure in the tourism industry, serving as the Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Bangladesh Chapter. With over four decades of experience in hospitality and tourism, he has made significant contributions to the growth and development of tourism in Bangladesh and beyond.

Known for his visionary leadership and dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practices, Mr. Hamid holds a postgraduate degree in Public Administration from Dhaka University and a Diploma Degree in Hospitality Management and General Manager's Program from Cornell University in New York, USA. He is currently the Founder & Chairman of SH'otel Hospitality Management & Consultancy Ltd.

A Swiss native, Daniel Tschudy has been involved in the global hospitality  & tourism industries for more than four decades; of which he was stationed for 13 years in Canada, Germany, France, Japan, and China.

He now serves as a coach, speaker and writer about intercultural values & behaviours in the global business environment, and as a consultant to the international hotel- and tourism-communities. A thorough passionate about history (20th century), he does not perceive travelling as a convenience, but rather as a necessity and lifestyle, allowing him to be constantly in contact with his acquaintances and friends around the world.