Kathmandu: The Pacific Asia Travel Association Nepal Chapter has launched a baseline survey in Thamel aimed at bringing small and medium-sized tourism businesses into the digital payments ecosystem. The initiative, titled “Cross-Border Acceptance in Thamel,” is being carried out in collaboration with Visa Inc. and began on Tuesday.
The survey is being conducted with support from the Nepal Tourism Board, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, and the Thamel Tourism Development Council. To carry out the fieldwork, PATA Nepal has mobilized 30 students studying tourism and hospitality management from its member academic institutions.
Although Thamel remains Nepal’s most vibrant tourism hub—attracting over 80 percent of international visitors—many small and medium businesses in the area still face challenges in adopting digital payments and participating in cross-border commerce.
The survey aims to gather detailed insights into the current state of digital payment adoption, business readiness, existing challenges, and gaps in knowledge and skills among local merchants. It will also identify businesses that have yet to adopt international card payment systems and help connect them with relevant banks.
Speaking about the initiative, Sabbir Ahmed, Country Manager for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan at Visa Inc., said the company is committed to strengthening Nepal’s tourism ecosystem by promoting digital payments. He expressed confidence that expanding cross-border payment acceptance in Thamel would make transactions easier for international tourists while opening up new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Nepal Chapter, emphasized that the initiative aims to position Thamel as a model destination and empower small businesses to thrive in the global digital economy.
The campaign will cover a wide range of tourism-related sectors, including handicraft shops, retail and clothing stores, travel and tour operators, cafés, restaurants, hotels, spas, and wellness centres. Following the survey, the next phases will include training programs, business engagement sessions, and capacity-building initiatives.
Organizers also plan to scale this digital transformation model to other major tourist destinations across Nepal in the future.
Comment Here