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When Khem Lakai was working as a consultant in Bahrain decades ago, he often met young Nepali migrant workers struggling in low-paying, physically demanding jobs. Many had borrowed heavily to pay recruitment fees and spent years repaying debts before they could support their families.
The experience changed his life.
Instead of continuing his international career, Lakai returned to Nepal with a vision—to equip young people with professional hospitality skills that could help them earn better incomes at home and abroad.
Turning Culture into Careers
Having studied hospitality in Switzerland and worked in several countries, Lakai believed Nepal already had one of the most important ingredients for success: its culture of welcoming guests.
“Hospitality is more than an industry in Nepal,” he says. “It is part of our tradition.”
Inspired by the Nepali belief “Atithi Devo Bhava”—meaning “The guest is God”—Lakai founded the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE) in 2007.
Today, the institution offers bachelor’s degrees in hospitality management, professional hospitality programmes and vocational training designed to prepare students for careers in hotels, restaurants and tourism.
Opening Doors for Young People
GATE also provides short, skill-based courses for students from low-income families who cannot afford full university degrees.
These practical programmes help graduates find jobs more quickly, particularly in overseas markets where skilled hospitality workers are in demand.
Lakai believes Nepal should invest more in vocational and technical education, saying practical skills can create employment opportunities even when traditional academic qualifications are not enough.
A Global Workforce
Graduates from GATE now work in Nepal as well as in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and several West Asian countries.
The college also partners with leading hotels in Nepal, including The Soaltee, giving students valuable industry experience and employment opportunities.
While many trained professionals leave Nepal for better-paying jobs overseas, Lakai says some are returning with international experience and fresh ideas, helping strengthen the country’s growing tourism industry.
Building Better Tourism
Lakai believes Nepal has enormous tourism potential, especially because it is located between two of the world’s largest travel markets—India and China.
However, he says high travel costs remain a major challenge. Visitors often spend a large part of their budget on transportation, leaving less money for local experiences, adventure activities and hospitality services.
He argues that improving infrastructure and lowering travel costs could encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more.
Loving the Job
GATE plans to expand its training programmes beyond Kathmandu and Pokhara while increasing partnerships with international hospitality institutions.
For Lakai, success in hospitality is about more than technical skills. His advice to young professionals is simple: enjoy what you do.
“If you enjoy your work,” he says, “your guests will enjoy their experience too. When work brings happiness, it creates balance in both your personal and professional life.”
Through his vision, Lakai has transformed hospitality education into a pathway for thousands of young Nepalis, proving that investing in skills can change lives, strengthen communities and support the country’s tourism future.
