The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under their Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), have signed an agreement with the Rastriya Nachghar to develop cultural performance packages and strengthen cultural tourism along the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga trekking trails.
The collaboration aims to diversify Nepal’s tourism products by integrating cultural heritage with adventure tourism, while creating new economic opportunities for local communities in remote Himalayan regions.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) by Hikmat Singh Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board and National Project Director of the Sustainable Tourism Project, and Kiran Babu Pun, General Manager of the Cultural Corporation.
Partnership to Link Culture with Adventure Tourism
Under the agreement, the three organisations will work together to transform Nepal’s rich cultural heritage into a marketable tourism product that complements the country’s renowned trekking destinations.
The initiative seeks to encourage visitors to extend their stay in remote Himalayan regions by offering authentic cultural experiences alongside trekking activities. By enriching visitors’ experiences with local art, music, dance and traditions, the project is expected to generate direct economic benefits for local communities while preserving indigenous cultural heritage.
The collaboration also reflects Nepal’s broader strategy of promoting sustainable tourism through community participation, cultural preservation and destination diversification.
Project to Run Until Mid-January 2027
According to the agreement, the project will be implemented from Shrawan 2083 to Poush 14, 2083.
As the implementing partner, the Cultural Corporation will lead the programme titled “Development of Cultural Performance Packages for the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga Trekking Trails.”
The project is designed to enhance the attractiveness of emerging trekking destinations by integrating professionally developed cultural programmes into the visitor experience.
Cultural Packages to Be Developed for Himalayan Destinations
The agreement outlines a wide range of activities aimed at developing comprehensive cultural tourism products for the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga regions.
These include training programmes for cultural package development, mobilisation of local cultural artists and resource persons, provision of traditional musical instruments and sound systems, preparation of model cultural performances and the development of locally inspired cultural presentations tailored to tourists.
The project also seeks to document and promote the unique traditions, music, dances and performing arts of local communities, ensuring that visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the region’s cultural identity alongside their natural beauty.
Programme to Expand to Janakpur, Manaslu and Lumbini
In addition to Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga, the project will also extend cultural performance package development programmes to Janakpur, Manaslu and Lumbini.
These destinations represent some of Nepal’s most significant cultural, religious and adventure tourism hubs. By developing destination-specific cultural experiences, the project aims to strengthen Nepal’s tourism offerings across diverse regions and encourage visitors to explore beyond traditional tourism circuits.
The expansion demonstrates the project’s ambition to create a nationwide model for integrating culture into tourism development.
Inclusive Tourism Through Skills Development
A key component of the project focuses on promoting inclusive tourism by creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
The programme includes vocal training, talent presentation, and recording sessions designed specifically for individuals with different abilities, enabling them to participate actively in Nepal’s cultural tourism industry.
By incorporating inclusive cultural programmes, the initiative seeks to ensure that tourism development benefits a broader section of society while promoting equal opportunities within the creative and cultural sectors.
Promoting Cultural Exchange Between Himalayan Communities
The project will also facilitate cultural exchange programmes among cultural groups from the Api, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga regions.
These exchanges are intended to strengthen cooperation between local communities while encouraging the sharing of traditional art forms, music, dance and cultural practices.
Organisers believe the programme will not only preserve local traditions but also create new tourism experiences that showcase Nepal’s diverse cultural heritage to domestic and international visitors.
NTB Highlights Importance of Authentic Cultural Experiences
Following the signing ceremony, Hikmat Singh Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and National Project Director of the Sustainable Tourism Project, emphasised that Nepal’s Himalayan trekking routes are not only renowned for their spectacular natural landscapes but also for their living cultures and unique identities.
Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said the new collaboration would connect tourism more closely with local culture, creating richer and more authentic travel experiences for visitors.
“Sustainable tourism is built on providing visitors with authentic experiences that combine Nepal’s mountains with the local culture, art and way of life,” Ayer said
Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), added that the partnership with the Cultural Corporation would introduce a new dimension to cultural tourism in destinations such as Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga while creating employment and income-generating opportunities for local artists and cultural practitioners.
Supporting Destination Diversification and Community Development
Hikmat Singh Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), further stated that the Sustainable Tourism Project is expected to contribute not only to the preservation of Nepal’s cultural heritage but also to the diversification of tourism products through active community participation.
Hikmat Singh Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), expressed confidence that integrating cultural performances into tourism experiences would help make Nepal’s emerging destinations more competitive in the international tourism market while promoting sustainable local development.
The initiative also aligns with Nepal’s long-term tourism strategy of expanding visitor experiences beyond traditional trekking by highlighting the country’s rich cultural diversity, thereby encouraging longer tourist stays, higher local spending and more inclusive economic growth in remote mountain communities.
