TAAN: Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal, An Introduction

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) was formed and registered with the Kathmandu CDO Office in 1979 by a handful of trekking agents who realized that it was time to assemble and create an umbrella organization. Under which they could work together to meet their common goals and also assist the government by providing suggestions to develop trekking business into a revenue generating industry. Such a body was necessary for many reasons. There was a need for a single organization, which could undertake the major responsibilities to develop and promote adventure tourism in the country. The need for a responsible body, which could play a significant and conducive role to mitigate mountain environmental stress, was felt essential.

Since the inception of TAAN not only the trekking agencies have been increasing, and so has the TAAN members. TAAN limited its membership only to Nepalese trekking agents at its initial phase. Nevertheless, it opened its associate membership to foreign organizations to broaden the scope of the Association.

TAAN members (537 General Members, 8 Associate Members and 49 general members of TAAN Regional Pokhara Chapter) meet annually to endorse policy guidelines, which govern the Executive Body. It frequently communicates with the concerned bodies of the government to simplify the procedures and solve the problems related with trekking. TAAN has four Sub-Committees, which assist to meet its objectives. It also organizes workshops to make trekking agents aware of the rising pollution in trekking routes and other problems encountered by the trekkers and trekking agents. The executive body, which is elected every two years, has 6 office bearers, 8 Executive Members, 1 immediate Past President, 1 Chapter Representative and 3 Nominate Executive Member/s.