KATHMANDU: Bharat Jung Pandey has been elected president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) for the 2026–28 term, defeating Yubika Bhandari and Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha in a three-way contest.

Pandey, director of Everest Miracle Travels & Tours, secured 188 votes at NATTA’s 59th annual general meeting and 25th executive committee election held at the Soaltee Hotel on Thursday. Bhandari received 158 votes, while Shrestha polled 106.

Pandey, who has more than two decades of experience in the tourism industry, had contested the election with the “Bharat & Team” panel.

Sunil Sharma was elected senior vice-president with 251 votes, defeating Bishnu Pandey and Varun Mehta. Sabita KC Bhattarai won the vice-president post with 177 votes, while Raj Kumar Devkota was elected general secretary with 158 votes.

Ramesh Parajuli was elected secretary with 195 votes, Diki Sherpa treasurer with 208 votes and Jeevan Koirala joint treasurer with 166 votes.

The eight elected executive committee members are Smarika Thapa (211 votes), Prakash Lohnani (210), Nabin Gurung (205), Dinesh Mainali (189), Suman Lal Shrestha (188), Swastika Pradhan (184), Sanket Dahal (165) and Bibash Paudel (158).

The election followed a competitive campaign involving three panels, with the candidates pitching different priorities for the travel trade and the wider tourism industry.

After his election, Pandey pledged to focus on good governance, transparency and broader member participation. His key priorities include modernising NATTA services through a “Digital NATTA” initiative, strengthening international tourism promotion and working to remove policy and regulatory hurdles facing tourism businesses.

The new leadership takes charge as Nepal’s travel and tourism sector continues to seek stronger international market promotion, improved business conditions and greater policy support.