A major tourism policy gathering aimed at positioning Koshi Province as one of Nepal’s leading tourism destinations concluded successfully in Biratnagar, with stakeholders collectively identifying eight strategic priorities focused on tourism expansion, investment promotion, cross-border collaboration, and community-based tourism development.
The “Koshi Tourism Conclave–2083,” organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of Koshi Province, brought together government officials, tourism experts, policymakers, private sector leaders, international participants, and tourism entrepreneurs to discuss long-term strategies for unlocking the province’s tourism potential. The conclave is being viewed as an important step toward establishing Koshi Province as a competitive tourism hub in eastern Nepal.
The program is jointly coordinated by Koshi Province Tourism Secretary Dr. Indra Prasad Sapkota and his team, along with the Trail-Based Tourism Development Project.
Experts Highlight Wellness Tourism and Sustainable Mountain Tourism Opportunities
The conclave featured key presentations centered on emerging tourism opportunities within the province. During the event, wellness and lifestyle expert Dr. Raju Adhikari presented a keynote on “Wellness Tourism in Koshi Province,” emphasizing the growing global demand for health-focused travel experiences and the potential for Koshi to develop wellness-based tourism products.
Similarly, tourism policy expert Dr. Anu Kumari Lama delivered a keynote presentation on “Mountain Tourism Potential and Sustainable Development in Koshi Province,” outlining opportunities for developing environmentally sustainable mountain tourism while ensuring long-term conservation and responsible destination management.
High-Level Participation from Government and Tourism Stakeholders
The event was chaired by Koshi Province Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment Bhim Prasad Parajuli, while Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki attended as chief guest.
The conclave also witnessed participation from Speaker of Koshi Provincial Assembly Ambar Bahadur Bista, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Hikmat Singh Ayer, President of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Kumar Mani Thapaliya, President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Koshi chapter, tourism entrepreneurs, and other senior stakeholders.
International participation was also notable, with tourism representatives from India’s West Bengal including media advisor Birendra Chamling and tourism campaigner Raju Basu joining discussions focused on regional tourism cooperation.
Panel Discussions Focus on Investment, Rural Tourism and Border Connectivity
Three separate panel discussions formed the core of the conclave, focusing on tourism development, investment opportunities, infrastructure challenges, policy reforms, and strategies for regional cooperation.
During the first panel discussion, senior officials including Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, NTB Officiating CEO Hikmat Singh Ayer, FNCCI Koshi President Rajendra Raut and Provincial Investment Board CEO Saroj Koirala discussed investment opportunities, tourism sector expansion and the need for policy reforms to attract greater private sector participation.
On the occasion, NTB Officiating CEO Hikmat Singh Ayer emphasized Nepal’s strategy of targeting nearby international markets, particularly India and Bangladesh, highlighting the growing importance of regional tourism promotion and the strong potential of neighboring markets for increasing tourist arrivals in eastern Nepal.
The second panel discussion focused on strengthening community-based and rural tourism, exploring ways to increase local participation in tourism activities while creating authentic visitor experiences linked to local communities, culture and heritage.
Meanwhile, the third session concentrated on cross-border tourism promotion, border facilitation measures and strategies to strengthen broader Nepal-India tourism cooperation, particularly in eastern Nepal where border connectivity offers major tourism opportunities.
Provincial Government Reaffirms Commitment to Tourism Development
Addressing the gathering, Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said Koshi Province serves as Nepal’s eastern gateway and possesses enormous untapped tourism potential through its natural landscapes, religious sites, cultural diversity and adventure tourism opportunities.
Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki said the provincial government remains fully committed to accelerating tourism growth through the preparation of a provincial tourism master plan, legal and policy reforms, promotion of international adventure sports tourism, educational tourism development and expansion of tourism investment through public-private partnerships.
Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Parajuli stated that tourism remains one of the most effective sectors for immediate job creation, adding that the provincial government has prioritized tourism infrastructure development, destination promotion and tourism-related budget allocation to strengthen the sector.
Eight Strategic Priorities Finalized for Tourism Growth
At the conclusion of the conclave, participants collectively agreed on eight major priorities to guide future tourism development efforts in Koshi Province.
The priorities include expanding cross-border tourism and international tourism cooperation, promoting village-centered community-based tourism, preserving and promoting local culture, indigenous architecture and traditional cuisine, ensuring effective implementation of tourism-related laws and policies, launching joint tourism promotion programs involving federal, provincial, local governments and the private sector, establishing a dedicated Tourism Information Center in Koshi Province, initiating efforts to establish a provincial office of the Nepal Tourism Board, and introducing Tourist Police and Tourism Hotline services to improve visitor safety and service delivery.
Conclave Seen as Major Step Toward Building Eastern Nepal Tourism Hub
Tourism stakeholders say the successful completion of the conclave reflects growing momentum toward transforming Koshi Province into a major tourism destination capable of attracting both domestic and international travelers.
With stronger regional cooperation, better policy frameworks, improved infrastructure and increased private sector participation, officials believe Koshi Province could emerge as one of Nepal’s strongest tourism growth centers in the coming years.
The conclave is expected to serve as a roadmap for future tourism planning while creating long-term economic opportunities for local communities across eastern Nepal.
