Records & People

Nepal's PM Balen Shah has become the country's biggest travel champion — and trekkers win

The world's youngest head of government is an engineer, a rapper, and now Nepal's most powerful tourism marketer — showcasing the country's trails…

By Laxman Rawal · Jun 20, 2026

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Most countries market themselves through tourism boards and glossy ads. Nepal now has something far more powerful: a prime minister who does it himself, on his own phone, to millions of followers. Since taking office in March 2026, Balendra "Balen" Shah — the…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

A leader who markets the mountains

Balen rose to power on the back of a youth movement and a reputation for getting things done, first as the independent mayor who cleaned up Kathmandu, now as PM. What makes him unusual on the world stage is how he communicates — directly, constantly, and…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

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