1st India-Nepal tourism meet held in Kathmandu; highlights Mahakumbh 2025

Kathmandu: The Embassy of India in Kathmandu, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, organised the 1st India-Nepal Tourism Meet, aimed at promoting Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event focused on fostering connections and implementing circuit tourism between India and Nepal. 

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Arun Kumar Chaudhary, who was the Chief Guest. Also present were Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board. The session was inaugurated on Tuesday with the goal of strengthening tourism ties between the two countries.

In his speech, Prasanna Shrivastava emphasised the progress made in both physical and digital connectivity, which has led to an increase in tourism between India and Nepal. He also mentioned the importance of continued joint efforts to promote religious and cultural tourism, highlighting the potential of circuit tourism involving locations in both countries.

Deepak Raj Joshi, the CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, noted that India remains Nepal’s largest source of foreign tourists. He appreciated the initiatives taken by the Nepal Tourism Board to strengthen India-Nepal tourism relations.

The Chief Guest, Arun Kumar Chaudhary, talked about the importance of cross-border tourism, especially through land routes, which significantly contributes to Nepal's tourism industry. He also suggested that more focus is needed on improving cross-border connectivity, particularly in remote areas like Sudurpaschim Province.

During the event, Kirti, a Tourism Officer from the Government of Uttar Pradesh, gave a presentation about Mahakumbh 2025. The presentation highlighted the significance of the event for Nepalese devotees, underlining its importance in the upcoming year.

The event concluded with a captivating Kathak dance performance by an eight-member troupe from India, supported by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The B2B session at the meet saw the participation of 13 delegates from India and 60 tour operators from Nepal. The discussions focused on promoting cross-border tourism, particularly through land routes. The tour operators deliberated on travel plans for visitors, including those interested in the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits.

As part of the event, the Nepal Tourism Board organised a familiarisation trip from December 8-9, where delegates and tour operators from Uttar Pradesh visited Janakpur and Kathmandu. This trip allowed them to explore the rich cultural and historical sites, enhancing their understanding of the tourism potential in both countries.

ANI