KATHMANDU: Senior tourism entrepreneur and former president of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), JB Singh, passed away on Monday morning.

Singh, a prominent figure in Nepal’s adventure tourism sector, led TAAN for four terms between 1981 and 1996 and is credited with making significant contributions to the development, promotion and management of trekking and mountain tourism.

According to family sources, Singh’s final rites will be performed today at Pashupati Aryaghat.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) expressed deep sorrow over Singh’s demise, praising his visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to advancing Nepal’s tourism.

NTB said Singh played a foundational role in promoting responsible trekking, strengthening Nepal’s mountain tourism brand and building strong partnerships with national tourism institutions. His “humility, leadership and commitment to service” will remain an enduring inspiration, the board added.

TAAN also issued a notice mourning Singh’s passing and urged its members, former presidents, executive committee members and tourism entrepreneurs to attend the funeral ceremony at Pashupati Aryaghat today.

According to Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa, General Secretary of the TAAN, Singh was a figure who made “invaluable contributions” to the decelopment, promotion, and management of Nepal’s trekking and mountain tourism. Sherpa also called upon the tourism community to pay their final respects.