According to Travel and Tour World, Nepal has recently seen a gradual rise in the tourism industry. Over 1 million tourists visited Nepal in 2024 alone.
From trekking in the Himalayas to exploring cultural heritage, tourists are seeking curated experiences. This growing demand is creating space for new travel agencies to emerge and succeed in starting a travel agency in Nepal.
If you've ever thought about starting your own travel agency, this guide is crafted for you. It not only breaks down the essential steps but also provides insights into how successful agencies in Nepal began from scratch and built strong foundations.
Types of Travel Agencies You Can Start in Nepal
Before diving into a detailed step-by-step process of starting a travel agency in Nepal, one must select a specific niche within the travel industry.
Nepal’s tourism sector is filled with unique opportunities. From mountain adventures to luxury tours, there’s space for every kind of travel agency. If you know what’s missing or what you can offer better, you can create your own niche and stand out in this competitive market.
The two major categories of travel agencies are inbound and outbound. Inbound agencies serve foreign tourists visiting Nepal, while outbound agencies help locals travel abroad. Deciding between the two helps define your customer base, marketing approach, and required documentation.
Within these categories, you can go further and create a niche: adventure travel, luxury tourism, cultural tours, or sightseeing. Choosing a specific focus helps you build a clear brand identity from day one.
Let’s walk through every important step of starting a travel agency in Nepal.
Step-by-Step Process of Starting a Travel Agency in Nepal
To build a successful travel agency in Nepal, it’s essential to follow certain steps. These steps are not just formalities—they lay the groundwork for your brand, operations, and legal status.
The process may feel lengthy at first, but it becomes much easier when you break it down into actionable tasks. Let’s take a look at each step.
Step 1: Decide the Type and Name of Your Travel Business
Start by deciding what type of travel agency you want to run. You can ask yourself, will your company serve domestic travelers or international tourists? Will you specialize in adventure treks, cultural tours, or outbound travel?
Having a clear direction from the beginning makes it easier to plan and execute your business idea for starting a travel agency in Nepal.
Alongside this, choose a name that fits your brand vision. It should be memorable, easy to spell, and ideally available as a domain name for your website. A catchy and meaningful name can help you stand out and attract customers.
Step 2: Prepare Required Legal Documents and Licenses
Here are the essential documents you need to start:
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Detail application form
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Article of Association (AOA)
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Memorandum of Association (MOM)
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Passport-size photo of the owner and shareholders
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Land ownership certificate (from Malpot Office)
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PAN/VAT registration
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Company registration certificate
If you choose a niche like adventure or luxury travel, you may need additional documents. For example, adventure agencies like Trekking Agencies often need guide licenses, insurance, and TAAN membership.
Step 3: Register Your Travel Agency with Government Bodies
Once you’ve prepared your documents, you’ll need to register with the Office of the Company Registrar and obtain the necessary licenses from the Department of Tourism (DoT). This process involves submitting your documents, paying registration fees, and fulfilling legal requirements.
Specific types of agencies may need extra steps. Outbound agencies, for example, require a higher bank guarantee and additional approvals to handle international bookings.
These little steps can help your journey of starting a travel agency in Nepal, smoother and effective.
Step 4: Develop a Solid Business Plan
Travel agencies usually earn by selling travel packages, partnering with service providers, or charging service fees. For example, adventure agencies earn through trek packages and local partnerships, while luxury agencies may earn through high-end accommodation and custom services.
Business models may vary, but successful ones always have clarity. Choose whether you’ll operate as a retail agency, a tour operator, or an OTA (Online Travel Agency).
Step 5: Build Your Tour Packages and Services
Creating attractive, detailed packages helps you reach customers faster. A well-written package page on your website can build trust and answer common questions even before a client contacts you.
Start by understanding and analyzing what your targeted audience is looking for. For example, adventure seekers want trek difficulty levels. And, Cultural tourists want heritage site visits. You must create and optimize your content according to the needs of the targeted audience.
Also, use SEO-friendly descriptions on your service pages. This helps you show up on search engines and attract organic traffic. Add high-quality images and use simple language to explain your offers.
Step 6: Website Development and Digital Setup
A perfectly responsive website works like your 24/7 digital shop. However, it is important that your website is mobile-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate.
It is also important to build your website with a professional custom website design and development company.
Besides the website, maintain a presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Business Profile. This allows you to connect with travelers where they already spend time online.
Step 7: Marketing and Promotion of Your Travel Agency
Marketing is essential, whether you’re offering trekking adventures or holiday packages. A strong digital presence helps you reach your ideal customers.
Start by sharing your unique offers, mission, and values on your site and social media. It is important to provide information about the company and the services you provide, on the Internet.
Step 8: Monitor, Optimize, and Scale Your Travel Business
While it's important to promote your company through the Internet, you must analyze what works and what doesn’t. Use website analytics, social media insights, and booking trends to adjust your marketing strategies.
Optimization leads to growth. Once you find what’s working, scale it up. Expand your services, form new partnerships, or even enter new markets.
Startup Costs and Investment Breakdown
Starting a travel agency in Nepal involves both setup and operational costs. The cost may also vary depending on the agency type, location, and services.
Here’s a basic breakdown of estimated one-time setup costs:
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Company registration: NPR 10,000 – 15,000
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PAN/VAT: Free – NPR 1,000
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Tourism license: NPR 3,000 – 5,000
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Bank guarantee:
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For Inbound Travel Agency: NPR 5,00,000
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For Outbound Travel Agency: NPR 10,00,000
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Office setup: NPR 50,000 – 2,00,000
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Consultancy/legal support: NPR 10,000 – 25,000
- Professional Website Development: NPR 1,50,000 or more depending on your requirement
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Optional association memberships (e.g., TAAN, NATTA): NPR 15,000 – 25,000
Monthly operational costs:
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Rent: NPR 20,000 – 60,000
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Staff: NPR 50,000 – 2,00,000
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Utilities/internet: NPR 5,000 – 10,000
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Marketing: NPR 10,000 – 50,000
Benefits of Starting a Travel Agency in Nepal
Starting a travel agency in Nepal opens the door to both personal growth and business opportunity. Despite the challenges that may arise in the early stages, the rewards are truly fulfilling.
With the right guidance, anyone passionate about travel can turn their vision into a sustainable business.
Here are the key advantages:
1) Capitalizing on Growth Tourism
Nepal’s tourism industry has been growing steadily, with more local and international visitors each year. This means there are still better opportunities for starting a travel agency in Nepal.
New Travel agencies can still capture the market share with new and unique travel packages.
2) Personalized Service and Local Expertise
Travel agencies can design custom trips tailored to the requirements of travelers while starting a new travel agency in Nepal.
Agencies can also offer unique cultural experiences to international travelers. This helps them to gain a personalized, authentic travel experience in Nepal.
3) Access to Exclusive Perks and Deals
Most travel agencies receive special discounts from hotels, airlines, and service providers. These benefits help them offer better prices and value to their clients. Agencies also enjoy perks like FAM (familiarization) trips to explore destinations first-hand.
4) Contribution to the Local Economy
In the context of Nepal, Travel agencies create jobs, especially in tourism-heavy and rural areas. They help local guides, transport workers, homestays, and small vendors earn a living. This encourages eco-tourism and supports efforts to preserve Nepal’s culture and environment.
5) Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Running a travel agency allows entrepreneurs to choose their own working hours and location. It’s perfect for people who want freedom, independence, and flexibility in their work life. Many travel lovers enjoy running a business while discovering new places themselves.
6) Increased Visibility and Online Growth Potential
A strong website helps a travel agency grow its online presence and brand recognition. Using SEO and partnerships, agencies can attract more visitors and convert them into clients. Sharing customized travel packages online boosts visibility among both local and international travelers.
Top Travel Agencies Who Started from Nothing
8K Expeditions
8K Expeditions began with a simple goal—to make high-altitude expeditions safer and more inclusive. Founded by Lakpa Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa, and Lakpa Thendu Sherpa, the team brought years of climbing experience together. They started with a small crew and a strong belief in community-based tourism. Today, they are known for responsible guiding, well-planned expeditions, and support for local professionals.
Kami Rita Sherpa
Born in a mountain village, Thame, into a family of climbers, he first summited Everest in the early 1990s. Instead of stopping there, he turned his passion into a career. With over 30 Everest climbs, Kami Rita is now a trusted name in the climbing world. He continues to guide expeditions while sharing his deep knowledge of the Himalayas.
Lukla Outdoor
Lukla Outdoor was launched by a team of women with a mission to create eco-friendly outdoor gear. The journey of the Lukla Outdoor started right from the famous Lukla Village. What began as a local project has now gained global recognition.
Pioneer Adventure Pvt. Ltd.
Pioneer Adventure was founded by skilled mountaineers with years of hands-on experience. The company was built on trust, teamwork, and safety. Starting from humble beginnings, they are now a full-service adventure company that offers peak climbing, trekking, and expedition services. Their focus on client satisfaction and professional standards helped them earn a solid place in Nepal’s travel industry.
The Summit Force
Led by experienced guide Nga Tenji Sherpa, The Summit Force started with a simple idea—deliver safe, well-managed expeditions with a personal touch. With over 17 years of climbing experience, the team specializes in high-altitude expeditions, especially in the Himalayas. Their approach blends traditional Sherpa knowledge with modern mountaineering practices.
If they can do it, so can you. These stories show that persistence, clear vision, and digital awareness can build great travel brands from scratch.
Conclusion
Starting a travel agency in Nepal might feel complex, but with the right information, it becomes manageable. Focus on the basics—legal setup, business planning, digital setup, and marketing. Let Rewa Soft handle your online presence while you focus on your core business.
Nepal’s tourism potential is still growing. There’s room for new ideas, new players, and better services. If you're ready to begin your journey, start small, learn fast, and build with purpose.
