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.