Thapa elected NATA President
New executive body formed
Bhola Bikram Thapa, Managing Director of President Travel & Tours, is the new president of the Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA). He was elected to the office for a tenure of two years at NATA’s 34th annual general meeting held in Kathmandu on September 8.
Talking to NTTJ upon his election, Mr. Thapa said his first and foremost duty will be to look into the internal problems facing the travel agencies. "I will then sit with the chairmen of the different travel related associations, as well as with the airlines, government officials and hotels to map out a plan of action to resolve the problems," he said.
Mr. Thapa, 52, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and a diploma in general course conducted by Thai Airways. He has extensive experience in the travel trade, having worked for a number of travel agencies and resorts in various capacities. He launched his flagship company, President Travel & Tours, in 1976 and today consists of two other sister concerns - President Treks & Expedition and President International. President is the GSA for Gulf Air, Qantas Airways, Eurail and Britrail as well as Qantas Holidays.
He is, in addition, the President of Nepal-Australia Chamber of Commerce and previously held the post of General Secretary of NATA from 1992-94. A Rotarian, he has participated in various travel conferences and marts around the world.
The other members of the new executive committee are: Mr. Narendra Dev Bhatta, 1st Vice President; Mr. Gopal S. L. Kakshapati, 2nd Vice President; Mr. Shashi Ram Bhandari, General Secretary; and Mr. Ram Kaji Koney, Treasurer. The other executive members are Mr. Pavitra Kumar Karki, Mr. Arjun Prasad Sharma, Mr. Rajendra Man Sherchan, Mrs. Renu Bajracharya, Ms. Tina Poon and Mr. Bikram Raj Onta.
The newly elected NATA Executive Committee with the outgoing prsident
Mrs. Ambica Shrestha (seated center)
Sarmah, NATA's Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Hari P. Sarmah is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA). An Associate Professor of English under Tribhuvan University, he was also the Program Coordinator at the Visit Nepal Year 1998 Secretariat. Dr. Sarmah previously served as the Administrative Officer of the National Committee Nepal for the International Youth Year in 1985-86 for which he was decorated with the Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Fourth Class, by His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. He is also involved in national youth and sports organizations of Nepal, various social activities as well as in Nepalese literary movements.
