CEO Insights Magazine

As one of India's largest service industries, Travel & Tourism & Hospitality plays a pivotal role in the nation's growth today. According to a report, the travel market in India is projected to reach $125 Bn by FY27 from an estimated $75 Bn in FY20. And, where there are major players exercising their business in the space and overhauling it, IME Travels, one of the leading IATA accredited travel agencies also stands recognized. Established in 1996, IME Travels, today possesses a glorious experience of serving clients in the field of national and international travel & tourism, spearheaded by its CEO Rudra Prasad Sapkota (Binod).

Recently, CEO Insights ASIA indulged in an exclusive conversation with Binod to know more about his leadership stint. Let’s read on!

Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences? What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?
To begin, I am a very simple person. I began my career in 2000 while attending college, starting as an assistant and working my way up to manager during my 12-year tenure at an international airline. Additionally, I also ran my own travel company during this time. In 2018, I joined IME Travel to further explore my business ideas and capabilities, and I have been running the company solely ever since.

Motivation varies from person to person, but I personally inspire my team with a deep love and passion for travel. I encourage them to desire to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures, and share their experiences with others. I challenge them to develop new products and services, identify market opportunities, and create a successful enterprise while also inspiring them to generate revenue. Ultimately, each team member's motivation will depend on their individual goals, values, and priorities.

How would you define IME Travels. as an organization and its current position in the market?
IME is a prominent conglomerate business group with significant interests in diverse industries, including banking, capital investment, remittance, automobiles, IT, tourism, hospitality, hydro, industrial business, cable car, and so on. As a subsidiary of IME Group, IME Travels is expanding its capability in possible ways. Being a leading travel management company in Nepal, IME Travels is providing an extensive range of services, such as tours, trekking, ticketing, vehicle rentals, visa assistance, and more. The company's commitment to delivering exceptional service and its focus on innovation has earned it a reputation as a highly respected and well-recognized travel management company in the region. IME Travels' team of experienced professionals prioritizes customer satisfaction and works tirelessly to ensure a seamless travel experience.

Tell us about your flagship offerings and what are the value additions that customers can expect from your offerings.
We offer a comprehensive range of tourist services to our customers, including ticketing, tours, vehicle rentals, hotel bookings, adventure activities, and more. To further improve our service offerings, we have recently completed the development of a travel portal. Through this portal, our customers have access to a wide range of domestic and international hotels, airlines, tours, and adventure activities. Additionally, our trade partners can leverage the portal to conduct their business operations. Our commitment and strive to continue providing world-class travel management services to clients, underpinned by excellence, integrity, and innovation, is reflected in our respect for our customers, whom we value highly.

Tell us about your leadership and governance approach. What are the guidelines you follow as a leader?
In the travel and tourism industry, it's important to always be available for clients, and being formal isn't necessarily required. However, employees should be punctual, cheerful, friendly, and obedient to ensure a positive client experience. Mistakes can leave a negative impression, so it's important to train and encourage team members to work proactively and provide a positive client experience without feeling overwhelmed.

Could you reflect on some of the toughest challenges you have encountered in your journey so far? How did you overcome them and what did you learn from them?
Yes, as an individual, I tend to react quickly in challenging situations. However, I strongly believe that exercising patience is crucial when dealing with difficult circumstances. In my experience, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor can often lead to more favorable outcomes. While I have not personally encountered any significant incidents, one of my team members faced a challenging situation during a Jeep tour in Upper Mustang Region, where the vehicle overturned and incurred severe damage. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were sustained, and the guests received prompt treatment and recovered well. Nevertheless, the incident kept me on edge for two sleepless nights until the situation was resolved.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?​
As someone in the travel industry, I believe that the destination we are heading towards is a never-ending process. We will always have new places to explore, new experiences to offer, and new opportunities to grow. Our goal is to continue providing exceptional service to our customers and to inspire them to explore the world around them. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to the journey.

Rudra Prasad Sapkota (Binod), CEO, IME Travels​
Sapkota is one of the most successful tourism entrepreneurs and an intelligent and articulate speaker in Nepal, having had a twenty-yearplus stint in an international airline and the Travel & Tourism industry. Having entered the business at the early age of almost 18, he has gained vast experience and profound knowledge of the Travel and Tourism Industry and has been very successful in maintaining cordialrelationships with customers, agencies, and other respective government and regulatory bodies. As a tourism entrepreneur, having traveled to more than 20 countries on business and personal trips, he has also participated in several seminars and trade fairs held inside and outside Nepal.Besides, he is equally active in social welfare & charitable services.

•Hobbies: Discussing unique ideas on a particular topic, Walking, and Hiking
•Favorite Cuisine: Preferably Veg
•Favorite Book: Bhagavad Gita
•Favorite Travel Destination: Lumbini and Everest Region