KATHMANDU, MAY 6.The government has appointed Hikmat Singh Ayer, a senior director at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), as the officiating Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country’s apex tourism promotion body.
The decision was made by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation on Monday, authorizing Ayer to carry out the responsibilities of the office head.
The leadership position at the Board became vacant following the removal of the previous CEO, Deepak Raj Joshi. Joshi was relieved of his duties after the government introduced a new ordinance related to the Board’s governance. To ensure that the daily administrative and promotional activities remain unhindered, the Ministry decided to hand over the leadership to Ayer based on seniority.
In a formal circular, the Ministry stated that Ayer will oversee daily administration, policy implementation, program coordination, and tourism promotion activities. “The responsibility has been assigned to maintain management continuity and ensure that the Board’s regular functions are not obstructed,” the Ministry’s letter reads.
Ayer, a veteran figure within the NTB, has extensive administrative and managerial experience in the tourism sector. Having served as a senior director for a long period, he has previously led various high-level projects and promotional programs for the Board.
Tourism stakeholders have responded to the leadership change with the hope that it will provide policy stability and ensure the smooth execution of ongoing programs. Under Ayer’s temporary leadership, the Board is expected to prioritize international marketing, strengthening Nepal’s presence in the global market, and streamlining internal management.
The process for appointing a permanent CEO is expected to begin once the legal and administrative procedures following the ordinance are finalized.
