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.

Sharanjit has brought you the news from Asia on BBC World News, Bloomberg Television and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for a quarter of a century. She spent eighteen years with BBC World News, covering business and politics, anchoring from its Asia bureau and from London's Broadcasting House. She regularly anchored live on location on breaking stories from the Asia Pacific region, while contributing to BBC World Service radio and the BBC news website. A Singaporean native, she's produced and presented documentaries on TV and radio about her city on the BBC. Educated in North America with undergraduate degrees in Journalism and a Masters in English, Sharanjit has lived and worked in Washington DC, London, Tokyo, Vancouver and Singapore, bringing a truly global perspective to her work. She now regularly moderates high-level debates for the United Nations, the ADB and other multilateral and financial institutions while balancing a board career and advising companies and educational institutions on diversity, inclusion and media strategy. In May 2024, she was installed as the Chancellor of Bath Spa University, succeeding her predecessor, Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons and is the first Singaporean ever appointed to such a role at a UK university. As a result, she divides her time between her homes in Singapore and Bath. 

• Senior Broadcast Journalist & Presenter BBC News 2003 – June 2021 (18 years) Sharanjit spent eighteen years with BBC World News. She anchored and produced Asia Business Report and Newsday from the channel’s Asia bureau in Singapore and also presented several BBC World News programmes in London, filed reports for radio on the BBC World Service and written for BBC news online. She’s reported for domestic BBC programmes such as Breakfast, the One and Six ’clock news and regularly anchored live on location on breaking stories in the region such as the Hong Kong protests, the Sri Lankan Easter Sunday bombings, the Christchurch shooting, the Trump-Kim summits among others. She’s interviewed heads of State from Canada, New Zealand , Australia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and, Singapore, the chief executives and chairpersons from various Fortune 500 companies and the Presidents of the World Bank and IMF. Sharanjit was highly commended as best presenter at the Asian TV Awards in 2017 and an episode of Newsday she anchored won Best News Programme the same year. She is now such a familiar face for viewers in Asia that she is regularly invited to moderate high level debates for international organisations and companies. 
• Anchor Bloomberg Television 1999 – 2003 (4 years) Sharanjit was one of the main anchors from Bloomberg's Asia Pacific headquarters in Tokyo, presenting a three-hour rolling news programme, "On The Money Asia" and reporting on breaking financial stories as well as major news events such as the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.
• Financial Correspondent Bridge Information Systems (acquired by Reuters) 1998 – 1999 (1 year) A multifaceted role at that involved filing market updates for TV and radio as well as writing newswires on Asian foreign exchange movements at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis (before being poached by Bloomberg). 
• Freelance Reporter, Canadian Broadcas ng Corpora in 1996 – 1998 (2 years) Reported for the award winning show ‘Pacific Rim Report’. Sharanjit started off in Vancouver, B.C. covering the student protests at the APEC summit in 1997 and several other stories, then moved to Singapore to file reports during the Asian Financial Crisis.

Ashok Pokharel is the Managing Director of Shangri La Tours (Pvt.) Ltd., the Authorized Service Contractor for UPS in Nepal, and leads several other ventures including Himalayan Journeys, Rum Doodle, APG Nepal, Shangri La Logistics, and Shangri La Education Foundation.

Active in Nepal’s travel industry since 1990, he is currently serving his third consecutive term as President of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO). He has previously held leadership roles in the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines Corporation, and PATA Nepal Chapter, where he served as Chairman and Honorary Secretary.

Mr. Pokharel has represented Nepal on international platforms including the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Board and Asia Division Steering Committee. He is also a Charter Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu Metro and has served as Assistant Governor of Rotary International District 3292.

An experienced industry leader and speaker, he continues to contribute to Nepal’s tourism development and global engagement.

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.

Andrew Jones is a highly respected thought leader in tourism and hospitality and a PATA Life Member. With over 50 years of global experience, he has held senior roles in management and corporate positions in hospitality across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Founder of Sanctuary Resorts, Andrew champions responsible and sustainable tourism that nurtures body, mind, and spirit. He serves as a key advisor on CSR for PATA, sits on the PATA Foundation Board of Trustees, and contributes to global forums on responsible travel.

A passionate advocate for wellness, CSR, and community engagement, Andrew is a sought-after speaker and mentor shaping the future of tourism.

With a strong background in tourism management and international development, Ms. Eichkorn has been actively shaping sustainable travel experiences since 2009. Since 2018, she has been leading the Sustainable Tourism Sector at the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), where she facilitates connections between tourism companies from Ecuador, Nepal, and Tunisia and the European travel market.

At HTM 2025, Ms. Nora will present a compelling session on “Meeting the Travel Demand of the European Market”, offering valuable insights and practical guidance on accessing new opportunities and fostering sustainable tourism growth.

Mr. Anand Jha currently heads Government Engagement for Visa in India and South Asia. He brings a wealth of experience working with the government(s) in the region. Most recently, he was the Managing Director, Head of India & South Asia Government Relations, for Blackstone, a leading global private equity investment firm. Previously, he held senior executive roles at Heineken and Wal-Mart India. Before joining the private sector, for close to two decades, Anand served in the Indian Civil Services, working across various ministries within the Government of India. He eventually rose to the position of Additional Director General of Investigations, in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Anand is a lawyer by training and holds an LLM in International Trade and Commercial Laws from Durham University. Additionally, he holds multiple degrees from the University of Delhi and professional certification from the Said Business School at Oxford University.

Cecile Hermetz is an esteemed Global Network Consultant at HC Consulting, Paris, bringing over 25 years of expertise in the international insurance and assistance industry. Formerly a key player in a major global alliance of medical and roadside assistance companies, Cecile now specializes in supporting providers to expand their international footprint through targeted ventures that enhance product offerings, service quality, and client engagement.

Throughout her career, Cecile has led the development of a robust global network of medical assistance providers and local correspondents, operating 24/7 across more than 150 countries. Her work ensures that insurance companies' clients receive exceptional care and support whenever and wherever they need it most.

Dr. Suvash Dawadi is a general practitioner who has been working at CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Center, a pioneering medical center dedicated to caring for travelers for the past 8 years. He completed his entire medical training including a residency program in General practice and Emergency Medicine from the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Dawadi has a special interest in travel medicine, sports medicine, expedition medicine, and high-altitude medicine and He holds a Diploma in Mountain Medicine approved by UIAA/IKAR/ISMM.

He is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine and International Society of Mountain Medicine and also serves as a member of the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA). He has been a member of the Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal from the first year of Medical School initially joining in 2007. Since then, he has served as a volunteer doctor for Everest ER, a tent aid post at the Everest Base Camp for the spring climbing season of 2018. He has also worked as an expedition doctor on Lobuche East, Kilimanjaro and for multiple high-altitude trail races including the Manaslu and Mustang Trail races. His work at CIWEC provides him a unique position to be able to practice travel health issues including and not limited to high altitude travel. He has presented in national and international conferences including the ISMM World Congress on Mountain Medicine 2018,2021 as well as the World Extreme Medicine Conference 2021. He has also contributed to a few publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Mr. Sridhar Thota is the General Manager of Hilton Kathmandu, bringing with him over two decades of extensive experience in the hospitality industry. At Hilton Kathmandu, he is recognized for his dedication to blending modern luxury with Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. Under his leadership, the hotel places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and community engagement, with 99% of the staff being local, 42% women, and initiatives in place to support specially-abled employees. He believes in crafting experiences that go beyond accommodation, aiming to turn each guest’s stay into a cherished memory.

Beyond his professional role, Mr. Thota is deeply committed to community service. He has led initiatives such as fundraising for Mendies Haven Children’s Home and organizing environmental clean-up drives in Kathmandu. His leadership embodies a holistic approach to hospitality, seamlessly combining operational excellence with cultural authenticity and social responsibility.

With over two decades in tourism and hospitality, Angeline is a seasoned, multilingual professional recognised for her expertise in partnerships, market expansion, luxury and experiential travel, brand management and destination marketing. She has held leadership roles across Asia Pacific, driving impactful outcomes in both public and private sectors.

She is regarded for her strength in forging and managing global and regional partnerships, leading successful collaborations with tourism networks and hospitality brands. She has spearheaded integrated marketing campaigns and contributed to prestigious tourism initiatives, including the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference and the planned World Economic Forum Special Annual Meeting in Singapore, enhancing destination visibility and delivering measurable commercial results.

Currently, as part of Virtuoso’s inaugural North & Southeast Asia team, Angeline oversees member relations and leads strategic engagement in key luxury markets, strengthening alliances and supporting sustainable growth in the region.

Her notable career includes roles with the Singapore Tourism Board (in Singapore, France and South Korea), Atout France, Relais & Châteaux and Avis Budget Group. She has consulted and spoken for international organisations including UN Tourism, APEC, PATA and Euromonitor, sharing insights on tourism trends and strategy. In 2024, she served as Tourism Consultant for UN Tourism’s 18th Executive Training Programme on redefining Luxury Tourism - curating the curriculum, delivering the keynote and moderating a panel discussion. She also spoke at the APEC Workshop on Smart Tourism, and at the China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation, where she addressed the convergence of highland, eco and luxury tourism.

Angeline’s passion for adventure tourism complements her travel expertise. She has trekked, hiked, cycled, paraglided, camped and glamped in North and Southeast Asia, parts of the Himalayas, as well as Europe and South America. These experiences give her a unique perspective on the intersection of nature, culture, sustainability and experiential travel, enriching her approach to destination storytelling and tourism development.

Her industry influence is also reflected in leadership roles with PATA, ANTOR Korea and SKAL Singapore. With cross-sector expertise, a collaborative mindset and global outlook, she offers insights that can shape industry dialogues, inspire innovation and strengthen destination positioning in a competitive global travel landscape.

Mr. Ajeet Bajaj is a well-known tourism personality, an accomplished adventurer and explorer who has completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam by skiing to the North Pole and the South Pole and climbing the Seven Summits.

He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2012 and has been felicitated with various awards by adventure tourism associations in India. Ajeet Bajaj scaled Mount Everest with his daughter Deeya in 2018, becoming the first Indian Child-Parent duo to do so. He has completed the Polar Trilogy and rafted and kayaked some of the most challenging rivers in the world. Mr. Bajaj has also conducted over 500 motivational talks for government agencies, corporate houses, and educational institutions.

Aayusha Prasain is a committed professional  in the field of responsible tourism, with a strong foundation in international development and a deep-rooted passion for creating meaningful change. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Homestay Network (CHN), she has been instrumental in driving transformative initiatives that support the empowerment journey of local communities and promote sustainable travel. With a career spanning youth-led initiatives, multilateral agencies, and grassroots organizations, Aayusha brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.

Upaul Majumdar is currently the Head of Practice – Tourism for South Asia with Dolma Consulting UK and is looking into tourism rejuvenation and development across India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

He was formerly the General Manager at Crowne Plaza Soaltee, Kathmandu, Nepal, the LSG Flight Services Unit, Kathmandu and working for the Intercontinental Hotel Group i.e. IHG India office. He took charge of the hotel operations in July 2015, right after the massive earthquake in Nepal and during his tenure of over five years, he was able to turn around this 50 year old hotel and make it the highest turnover and most profitable hotel company in Nepal. The Company Soaltee Hotels Ltd., is a public limited company and currently the shares trade at a 2500% of its face value on the Nepal Stock Exchange. The Hotel has received many awards and recognitions during his tenure, including the Highest Tax Payer Award from the Govt. of Nepal in the Hotels sector in 2017, the Best Destination MICE Hotel from Hospitality India Awards in 2017, Leader in F&B Sales from IHG-SWA in 2016, and Brand Leader in Hospitality from CMO Asia. He recently won the award for the Best General Manager (Hospitality) in Asia from CMO Asia Awards 2018 in Singapore on 1st August, 2018.

Upaul has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry with significant expertise in upscale and luxury hotel operations & marketing. Upaul brings his knowledge of the hospitality market, the real estate asset perspective as well as a strong understanding of the airline catering business, which will all benefit the overall growth and success of the hotel company. He is an expert on post-Covid recovery for the hotel and tourism industry and is a vibrant speaker and thought leader in the new way of working. He was a TED Talk speaker on Covid Recovery strategies for the hospitality industry and is a sought-after thought leader in Tourism and Hospitality in Nepal. He is also the Advisor to the Tourism & Civil Aviation Committee of the FNCCI(the largest private sector trade body in Nepal). He is a Commerce and Hotel Management Graduate and holds an MBA Degree with a specialization in Marketing from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. As an outgoing personality, Upaul has a strong passion for hiking.

Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, known as the “Shepherd of the Snow Leopard,” is a celebrated conservationist and Snow Leopard Champion within the WWF network. Featured among World Atlas’s “12 Most Incredible Conservation Heroes,” he has received Nepal’s “Prabal Jana Sewa Shree” and the Alumni International Medal from Lincoln University.

With a PhD in Natural Science from the University of Zurich and over 30 years of experience, Dr. Gurung has led landmark efforts in biodiversity conservation—from establishing protected areas to pioneering trans-boundary landscapes. Under his leadership, WWF Nepal has achieved milestones such as multiple years of zero rhino poaching, the Tx2 tiger doubling goal, and deeper understanding of snow leopards.

His work helped the Terai Arc Landscape gain global recognition as a UN World Restoration Flagship. Dr. Gurung is a firm advocate of empowering youth and communities to safeguard Nepal’s conservation legacy.