Kathmandu-A 28-day Wellness Therapy Training for members of the LGBTIQ+ community has begun in Kathmandu, bringing together nine participants with the shared aspiration of building professional skills, enhancing their livelihoods, and contributing to Nepal's emerging wellness tourism sector.

The training is being implemented with the support of the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), a joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and UNDP Nepal in coordination with the Blue Diamond Society (BDS). The initiative reflects the project's commitment to creating equitable employment opportunities and ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities, and sexual and gender minorities are able to participate meaningfully in Nepal's growing tourism economy.

The 28-day intensive programme combines both theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on training. Participants will develop a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology, professional ethics, client care, hygiene and safety standards, and wellness service delivery. The practical component equips trainees with market-oriented skills in full-body massage, foot massage, head and shoulder massage, and other therapeutic techniques designed to meet the evolving needs of the wellness and hospitality industry.

The initiative comes at a significant time as the Government of Nepal has declared 2027 as 'Nepal Wellness Year,' reaffirming its commitment to positioning Nepal as a premier global wellness destination. The national vision promotes yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, naturopathy, spiritual retreats, Buddhist and Vedic philosophies, and the country's rich Himalayan healing traditions as unique tourism products.

The initiative also seeks to diversify Nepal's tourism offerings beyond trekking and mountaineering while generating dignified employment and sustainable income opportunities for local communities.

Complementing this national vision, the Government of Nepal has recently developed a National Wellness Tourism Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy aims to establish quality standards, strengthen professional competencies, promote ethical and safe wellness practices, and elevate wellness therapy into a recognized, respected, and decent profession capable of creating sustainable employment across the country.

By equipping LGBTIQ+ individuals with professional wellness skills, the training contributes directly to the broader objectives of Nepal Wellness Year 2027 by expanding the country's skilled wellness workforce while promoting social inclusion and economic empowerment.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hikmat Singh Ayer, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board remarked, 'Nepal's vision for Wellness Year 2027 is founded on the principle that the benefits of tourism must reach every community. Wellness tourism presents new opportunities for dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth. Through this initiative, we are ensuring that members of the LGBTIQ+ community are not only beneficiaries but active contributors to Nepal's evolving wellness tourism industry.'

The CEO further added, 'The Nepal Tourism Board is committed to promoting tourism that is inclusive, respectful, and accessible to all. Empowering marginalized communities through professional skills development strengthens both social equity and the competitiveness of Nepal's tourism sector. Diversity is one of Nepal's greatest strengths, and an inclusive tourism industry is essential for sustainable national development.'

The National Project Manager of STP, Mr Dharmaraj Dawadi, emphasized that inclusive skills development remains central to the project's approach, 'Creating pathways to decent employment for marginalized communities is fundamental to sustainable tourism development. By investing in professional wellness skills, we are supporting individuals to build confidence, access dignified livelihoods, and contribute to Nepal's growing wellness tourism market.'

This training demonstrates how inclusive capacity-building initiatives can simultaneously advance social justice, strengthen the tourism workforce, and support Nepal's long-term vision of becoming a leading wellness tourism destination in South Asia.