The Sudurpashchim Province has been described as a “Virgin Land” from a tourism perspective, with a strong appeal for both domestic and international investors to explore its untapped potential. On the eve of the Sudurpashchim Investment and Development Conference, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government and the Nepal Tourism Board, organized a special discussion and interaction session on tourism opportunities in the region.
The event brought together government leaders, tourism industry representatives, private sector stakeholders, and investors to exchange ideas on how to develop the province’s tourism infrastructure and attract sustainable investment.
Minister Pandey Calls for Investment in Nature, Culture, and Adventure
Speaking at the program, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, emphasized Sudurpashchim’s unique blend of nature, culture, and adventure as the foundation of its tourism appeal. He noted that many hidden tourism opportunities in the region are now coming to light.
“Sudurpashchim is a province with immense tourism potential, offering breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and adventure experiences. Through this investment conference, I invite investors to take part in developing the province’s tourism infrastructure,” Minister Pande said.
He also underlined the government’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment, stating, “We will take the private sector into confidence, resolve legal complexities, and formulate policies that encourage investment.” The minister further informed that budget has been allocated this year to establish a Nepal Tourism Board office in Sudurpashchim to support tourism development.
Provincial Government Ready to Welcome Private Sector
Sudurpashchim Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah echoed the call for investment, stressing that the provincial government is eager to welcome the private sector. “We want to showcase the province’s possibilities at both national and international levels through this investment conference. We are ready to guarantee legal protection and investment security for domestic private investors,” he said. Chief Minister Shah invited both domestic and international stakeholders to attend the upcoming conference, study the region’s potential, and commit to long-term investment.
Investment Conference Scheduled for Mangsir 1 and 2 in Dhangadhi
The Sudurpashchim Investment and Development Conference will be held in Dhangadhi on Mangsir 1 and 2. In preparation, the provincial government has been meeting various institutions in Kathmandu to discuss sector-specific investment opportunities.
During Friday’s interaction program at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation’s conference hall, a detailed presentation was made on Sudurpashchim’s tourism potential and the existing investment environment.
Broad Participation from Tourism Stakeholders
The event saw participation from prominent tourism stakeholders, including Binayak Shah, President of the Hotel Association of Nepal; Dipak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board; Yubika Bhandari, Secretary General of NATA; Thakur Raj Pandey, Vice President of NMA; Krishna Neupane, CEO of Siddhartha Hotel & Group of Companies; Ram Prasad Sedai, General Secretary of TAAN; Pampha Dhamala, Chairperson of the Tourism Committee at FNCCI; and Devraj Joshi, General Secretary of NARA, among others.
Representatives from tourism-related organizations expressed readiness to invest in Sudurpashchim but suggested that the government must identify priority investment areas and adopt policies that make the process easier for investors.
Tourism Infrastructure and Recent Government Initiatives
In recent years, the government has introduced initiatives to promote tourism in the far-western and Karnali provinces, including a two-year waiver of climbing permit fees for Himalayan peaks in the region. Additionally, the upgrade of Dhangadhi Airport is underway, and the construction of Kanchanpur Airport is in its final stages.
Sudurpashchim is also rich in religious tourism potential, with several culturally significant sites that can attract domestic and international pilgrims. Combined with its natural attractions, ranging from snow-capped peaks to pristine rivers and forests, the region offers a wide range of tourism products that could appeal to various market segments.
Religious, Cultural, and Adventure Tourism Potential
Stakeholders highlighted that Sudurpashchim’s tourism portfolio includes more than just scenic landscapes. Religious destinations, local cultural traditions, and unique adventure tourism experiences such as trekking, rafting, and wildlife exploration add to the diversity of attractions.
The interaction program reiterated that with the right infrastructure, such as better road connectivity, upgraded airports, quality hotels, and sustainable tourism facilities, the province could become a major tourism hub in Nepal.
Call to Action for Investors
Both the federal and provincial governments used the event to reaffirm their commitment to working closely with the private sector to unlock Sudurpashchim’s full tourism potential. Minister Pande and Chief Minister Shah encouraged investors to take advantage of the upcoming investment conference as a platform to explore opportunities, network with local stakeholders, and initiate projects that would benefit both the region and the investors.
As Sudurpashchim prepares for its investment conference, the message from the government and tourism leaders is clear: the province is ready for business, and it offers a rare chance to be part of developing a “Virgin Land” into a vibrant, sustainable, and profitable tourism destination.
