International Conference at Kathmandu University on Responsible Tourism Development in the Asia-Pacific Region Concludes

Kathmandu — The Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) successfully concluded the 12th Travel and Tourism Research Association Asia Pacific Chapter (TTRA APAC) Annual Conference 2025 — held from December 6 to 8 — under the main theme “Regenerative Travel and Tourism Research in the Asia-Pacific.” The conference established itself as a meaningful gathering of tourism scholars, industry leaders and global partners.

Strengthening regional collaboration

This year’s conference brought together esteemed universities, institutions and business leaders from Nepal, Hong Kong, Japan, India, United States, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, China, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, among others. This helped reinforce regional cooperation for advancing regenerative travel and tourism research across the Asia-Pacific region. More than 40 researchers from these countries presented their papers during the event.

Key discussions and expert participation

Over the two-day programme, participants actively engaged in keynote speeches, parallel research presentations, expert panels, panel discussions and experience-based learning sessions. In-depth and forward-looking discussions were held on regenerative tourism, technological innovation, sustainable development in the Global South, and changing tourist behaviors.

Distinguished speakers and experts from Nepal and abroad — including for example international and Nepali authorities in tourism research and sustainable tourism — shared insights on emerging regenerative practices in the region.

During the “Legacy Project Hour,” organisations presented exemplary sustainable and regenerative tourism practices. International delegates also took part in post-conference visits that included cultural experiences at Patan Durbar Square.

Prioritising tourism education: KUSOM’s commitment

The Dean of KUSOM and conference chair, Prof. Vijay K. C., noted that for a country like Nepal, tourism is an important social, cultural, and economic pillar. Recognizing its importance, KUSOM has decided to deepen its engagement in this field by meaningfully integrating management education with hospitality and tourism. Accordingly, KUSOM currently runs undergraduate programmes in hospitality and aviation management, and plans to launch postgraduate programmes in tourism with a strong focus on experiential learning, research and innovation.

KUSOM expressed heartfelt thanks to all the distinguished speakers, presenters, participants and partners for contributing to the success of the 12th TTRA APAC 2025 conference. Support came from various institutions including World Trade Organization Chairs Programme Nepal (WTO Chairs Programme), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), and several colleges, hotels, banks and educational foundations.