Laxu Sapkota is a mid-level manager in the tourism industry. He has spent six robust years promoting travel experiences. Starting his career in the non-profit sector, he quickly ascended from an entry-level role after gaining diverse experiences across various positions. His transition into tourism was tumultuous and far from seamless; but it was driven by a deep-seated love for travel and photography. His expertise lies in customizing immersive travel packages that resonate with global audiences.
Laxu leverages his keen eye for photography to capture the essence of destinations for the sake of his clients. His career journey reflects a commitment to sustainable tourism practices and community engagement, a quality he inherited from his exposure to non-profit humanitarian sector. He adds value to his clients by injecting unique perspectives in travel. He has worked on impactful projects undertaken during his non-profit tenure. His visionary approach and dedication to excellence has led Laxu to continue to shape memorable travel experiences. A sense of inspiration, wanderlust, and celebration of culture is what Laxu will leave you with.
I am Laxu Sapkota, born and raised in heritage-rich Kathmandu Valley. My childhood was spent among the inspiring landscapes of this beautiful valley, which sadly do not exist today due to rampant housing and “willy-nilly” kind of urbanization. The white range of peaks in the north have always inspired me to travel. I remember vividly as a kid when I used to run outside on every occasion that I saw a hot-air balloon over green terraced fields of the valley. On a clear spring morning and even during autumn with mild climate, the skies over Kathmandu were sometimes adorned with colorful balloons with various kinds of arts, especially ones with the gigantic “Buddha Eyes”. Those moments still inspire me today. I have harbored dreams of traveling to the mountains — and this has been my inspiration to later take-up travel and tourism as my profession.
At school, there was a sort of “stereotypical” competition where every student wanted to be doctor or an engineer. Not me. Everyone seemed to be focusing on maths while I, with just a couple of other students, spent quiet time inside the room of Sociology. Thanks to the inspiration from our teachers, I was drawn to the learning of society and how a society impacts us as civilized beings. At the time of leaving school, although I did not know it, I seem to have taken up the universally true notion that little good deeds done by a few men will always impact society for better in the long run.
Later when I came out of college, my career aspirations intertwined with this notion. Hence, I started looking for entry-level positions in social work. After a couple of applications in non-profit organizations, I got lucky enough to start my career in 2012 doing volunteering at community levels. Two years later in 2014, I joined VSO Action Learner, a project of UK Aid, where I got a chance to do some visible result-oriented work. It felt impactful at the time which was fueled by encouragement from peers and mentors. And I became instantly encouraged to seek more in this sector. After a year or so at VSO, from early 2015, I actively started looking for work in non-profit sector. From 2015 to 2018, I worked in several non-government non-profits in different roles. Starting from Project Management, I was quickly diversified to Media Management, Execution, Operations, Organizational Development, Donor Liaison, Fundraising, and Managerial. This wide array of experience and exposure for four plus years helped me identify the non-profit sector in Nepal.
As good as it was at the time, deep down I was always searching for excuses to travel and be on the road. It happened several times when travel and photography urges became so powerful that I began to take long vacations just for the love of travel. Eventually in 2019, I decided to give the traveler in me a trial at tourism industry. I quit the desk job at WYESHR, a non-profit against human trafficking where I was working as a Project Manager. I spent a year on the road happily before COVID hit the world, but I felt I was hit the hardest. My shift from development sector to tourism sector came as a severe blow to my economic condition. During COVID and the immediate years, activities at non-profit sector increased; while tourism activity decreased dramatically, coming down to almost zero. In retrospect, it could not have been a worse time to change careers. I have yet to meet a second person who jumped from non-profit to tourism sector right before COVID. Yes, I was definitely alone with an extra amount of self-inflicted crisis.
But I was content. From 2018, I had worked in the tourism sector of Nepal doing executive work, management work, and most importantly, overseeing every aspect of marketing and sales. I believe these are some of the toughest skillsets in the industry. The experience I have garnered through these years continue to help me in general management and organizational management. I might have shifted from zero-profit industry to profit-making industry, but I did so for my deep love for travel and tourism industry and of course the love of mountains.
Currently I am working as General Manager at Trek Me Nepal, a trekking and travel company based in Kathmandu. When I am not busy customizing programs at the office, I am found making documentaries and quietly framing wildlife in the hills and mountains of Nepal.
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