The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Banke Chapter, issued a seven-point declaration on the occasion of its seventh anniversary, outlining a series of commitments focused on improving connectivity, developing integrated tourism circuits, attracting Indian visitors, strengthening digital promotion and expanding tourism opportunities across the region. Tourism entrepreneurs have called for regular and effective air connectivity between Nepalgunj and potential new destinations, including Pokhara and Janakpur, as part of efforts to strengthen tourism in Banke and the wider western region.
Nepalgunj Airport to be developed as a major tourism gateway
The declaration of NATTA places particular emphasis on developing Nepalgunj Airport as a major tourism gateway to western Nepal. NATTA Banke Chapter has stated that it will maintain continuous coordination with relevant government agencies, airlines and the private sector to improve air connectivity and explore new routes. Regular flights linking Nepalgunj with destinations such as Pokhara and Janakpur are expected to make travel more convenient while also creating opportunities to connect western Nepal with other major tourism centres through integrated travel packages.
The NATTA chapter has also called for the development of a religious tourism circuit by connecting important religious and spiritual destinations in Banke and neighbouring areas. Destinations such as Bagheshwari, Baba Barfani, Santaneshwar, Govardhan Dham and Bhuvar Bhawani would be linked through coordinated tourism packages. NATTA also plans to promote initiatives connecting Nepalgunj with major religious and spiritual destinations, including Kailash Mansarovar, Lumbini and Rara, with the aim of creating wider tourism circuits, encouraging longer visitor stays and generating greater economic activity in the region.
Religious and cross-border tourism given priority
The declaration gives particular attention to Indian tourists, who are an important tourism market for Nepal’s western border region. NATTA Banke Chapter has emphasized the need for convenient movement up to the Rupaidiha border, along with improved and tourist-friendly border management. It has also expressed support for concepts such as a green line and smart border, seeking cooperation from the relevant authorities to make cross-border travel more efficient and welcoming for visitors.
The chapter further aims to connect Banke and Bardiya with major tourism destinations across Lumbini Province, Karnali and Sudurpashchim, promoting the region’s potential for religious, natural, cultural and adventure tourism. Rather than promoting destinations individually, the initiative seeks to develop interconnected travel routes that encourage visitors to explore multiple destinations during the same trip. Tourism stakeholders believe such regional integration could help increase visitor spending while creating employment, business opportunities and income for local communities.
Digital promotion and destination branding to be strengthened
Another key area identified in the declaration is the wider use of digital platforms for tourism promotion. NATTA Banke Chapter has said it will make effective use of social media, digital content, visual materials and modern promotional systems to strengthen the branding of tourism destinations and expand their reach in national and international markets.
The approach is expected to provide greater visibility to destinations that remain relatively under-promoted despite having significant tourism potential. Through stronger digital storytelling and targeted marketing, the chapter aims to present Banke and surrounding areas as destinations offering a combination of religious, cultural, natural and adventure experiences.
NATTA Banke Chapter President Dilliraj Regmi said the organization had introduced new concepts aimed at supporting tourism development and promotion in the region. He said the chapter would give priority to developing new tourism packages, digital promotion, capacity building for tourism entrepreneurs and stronger cooperation among the government, private sector and local communities.
Border tourism campaign planned to attract more visitors
The chapter has also announced plans for a border tourism promotion campaign targeting Indian and other visitors entering Nepal through the Nepal-India border. President Regmi said the chapter would work with relevant authorities to create a more visitor-friendly environment by improving access to information, services and facilities for tourists arriving through the border.
The initiative seeks to transform the border from merely an entry and transit point into an important component of the region’s tourism system. Better information, easier access, improved services and coordinated promotion could encourage visitors entering through the Nepal–India border to spend more time in Banke, Bardiya and other destinations in western Nepal. The strategy could also help connect border visitors with wider tourism circuits extending towards Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim.
Local communities placed at the centre of tourism development
The seven-point declaration also emphasizes meaningful participation of local communities and stakeholders in tourism development. NATTA Banke Chapter has stated that community involvement should extend across destination development, infrastructure, promotion, service delivery, market expansion and the creation of new commercial opportunities.
The organization has adopted the campaign slogan “Partnership in tourism, prosperity through tourism”, reflecting its vision of using tourism as a foundation for local economic development. The chapter believes that stronger partnerships among government bodies, tourism businesses, communities and other stakeholders will be essential to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach local communities and contribute to sustainable growth.
Through improved air connectivity, integrated religious and tourism circuits, stronger border management, digital destination branding and community participation, the seven-point declaration seeks to establish Banke and the wider western region as a more connected and competitive tourism destination. The initiative places particular importance on linking existing attractions with major national and cross-border tourism markets, with the broader objective of making tourism a stronger contributor to employment, local enterprise and regional prosperity.
