The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Gandaki Chapter is set to organize the “Pokhara Nepal Promotional Campaign and B2B Sales Mission” in Kolkata, India, from June 11 to June 15, with the objective of promoting Pokhara and Nepal as premier tourism destinations in the Indian market.
Announcing the initiative at a press conference in Pokhara, NATTA Gandaki said the campaign will showcase Nepal’s tourism products, destinations, and experiences through documentaries, promotional materials, and business networking activities targeting tourism stakeholders in eastern India.
Focus on Tourism Promotion and Business Networking
According to NATTA Gandaki General Secretary Chet Bahadur Karki, the campaign will feature presentations highlighting Pokhara and Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings, including adventure, culture, nature, and pilgrimage tourism. Promotional materials will be displayed and distributed among tourism professionals, travel trade representatives, media personnel, and potential visitors.
The campaign will also include business-to-business (B2B) interactions aimed at strengthening partnerships between tourism entrepreneurs from Nepal and India. Discussions will be held with relevant stakeholders regarding the operation of international flights from Pokhara International Airport and the expansion of tourism connectivity between the two countries. In addition, delegates will undertake familiarization visits to key tourist destinations in Kolkata and engage with local tourism industry representatives.
Participation of Tourism Stakeholders from Nepal and India
The four-day programme will be attended by a 22-member delegation from Nepal, including tourism entrepreneurs, travel professionals, journalists, and social media influencers.
Representatives from several leading Indian tourism organizations are also expected to participate, including the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of Bengal, Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association, Enterprising Travel Agents Association (Eastern Chapter), Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (West Bengal Chapter), and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India.
The campaign will be led by NATTA Gandaki President Kishor Dahal, while First Vice President Sangeeta Poudel will serve as the coordinator and Second Vice President Rajesh Pahari as co-coordinator. The initiative is being supported by the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Provincial Office.
Growing Indian Market Offers Significant Opportunities
Speaking at the press conference, Maniraj Lamichhane, Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Provincial Office, highlighted the growing importance of the Indian market for Nepal’s tourism industry. He noted that Indian visitors accounted for approximately 29 percent of total tourist arrivals in Nepal last month, underscoring India’s position as one of Nepal’s largest source markets.
Lamichhane expressed confidence that the promotional mission would contribute to opening new air connectivity routes linking Pokhara with Indian cities such as Delhi, Dehradun, Varanasi, and other destinations, thereby enhancing accessibility and tourism exchanges.
Private Sector Driving Tourism Promotion
Pokhara Tourism Council President Taranath Pahari said the campaign would play an important role in promoting not only Pokhara but Nepal’s overall tourism industry. He emphasized that Nepal’s hospitality and tourism-friendly environment continue to attract a growing number of Indian visitors, contributing significantly to the recovery and expansion of the tourism sector.
Former Nepal Tourism Board member Basudev Tripathi highlighted the crucial role played by the private sector in tourism promotion. He said the collective efforts of tourism organizations have contributed to major achievements, including the establishment of Pokhara International Airport, the declaration of Pokhara as Nepal’s Tourism Capital, and the implementation of various international marketing campaigns.
Continuing International Promotion Efforts
NATTA Gandaki represents tour and travel entrepreneurs from 11 districts of Gandaki Province and has been actively engaged in tourism promotion beyond advocating for the interests of its members. The organization has conducted numerous domestic tourism promotion activities, familiarization tours, international sales missions, and destination marketing campaigns over the years. Through these initiatives, NATTA aims to strengthen Nepal’s visibility in international markets and increase foreign tourist arrivals.
Prior to the Kolkata mission, NATTA Gandaki successfully organized similar promotional campaigns in major Indian cities, including Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, and Siliguri. According to the association, those initiatives contributed to a noticeable increase in the number of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara and other destinations across Nepal.
Strengthening Nepal’s Presence in the Indian Market
With India remaining one of Nepal’s most important tourism source markets, NATTA Gandaki believes the upcoming Kolkata campaign will further strengthen tourism cooperation, expand business partnerships, and enhance Nepal’s visibility among Indian travelers. The association expects the promotional mission to generate new opportunities for tourism businesses while supporting broader efforts to position Pokhara, Gandaki Province, and Nepal as attractive year-round destinations for international visitors.
