Pokhara, Bharatpur and Lumbini set to merge adventure, wildlife and Buddhist tourism with joint packages and promotion. Nepal is promoting the Silver Triangle tourism project, linking Pokhara, Bharatpur and Lumbini to attract more tourists who can spend more time and money. The three destinations i.e., (Pokhara, Bharatpur and Lumbini) are working together to promote a combination of experiences and opportunities for business and tourism growth. The three local governments are promoting a joint offering of attractions, rather than competing for tourists.
The three municipalities signed a memorandum of understanding on June 9, 2026 in Pokhara to boost tourism promotion and cooperation. Since then, the local governments have started to adopt the plan in their policies and programmes. Recently, a meeting was held in Bharatpur with local stakeholders and private sector participants to discuss the plan and identify practical steps to develop the proposed tourism circuit.
Three Different Offerings for Domestic and International Travelers in Nepal
Each of the three destinations i.e., (Pokhara, Bharatpur and Lumbini) offer something different Pokhara is famous for its lakes, Himalayan views and adventure activities, Bharatpur offers wildlife experiences, biodiversity and cultural attractions and Lumbini offers Buddhist heritage, spiritual experiences and cultural and educational visits in Nepal. Combining the destinations could help attract more domestic and international tourism.
Tourism stakeholders proposed seven to 10 day travel packages, combining accommodation, transport, meals, guiding services, entrance tickets and online booking, according to visitors’ interests, budgets and time constraints. Officials and stakeholders also proposed strengthening joint promotional materials and online content for promoting multi-destination tourism in Nepal.
Online Promotion and Connection with Other Cities Seen as Important
Destination awareness and connection with other cities will be important factors in the success of the three destinations’ joint tourism efforts. Nepal Tourism Board Executive Member Santosh Pokharel proposed using online content, including videos, to attract domestic and international tourists to the three destinations. Information boards are also planned to promote the other two participating cities for the convenience of the tourists.
Moreover, tourism representatives stressed the need for improved transport and services for connecting the three destinations, along with increased private sector investment and sustainable operations at Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport. Enhanced services and connections will help make it easier for visitors to reach the three destinations, but the proposed tourism circuit and its packages still require practical planning and implementation.
Implementation Will Dictate Success of the Multi Destination Project in Nepal
The three participating municipalities identified several areas of cooperation, including developing integrated tourism packages, an annual travel mart on a rotational basis, expanding business networks and joint promotional campaigns. The plan also aims to connect hotels, restaurants, transport operators, travel agencies, homestays, handicraft businesses and local product suppliers within a tourism value chain. A tourism fair is expected to be organised as part of the effort to boost cooperation and promote the three destinations together.
However, the biggest challenge will be to ensure the commitment of the local governments to achieve the plan’s objectives, including defining responsibilities, implementing the plan on a timely basis, continued private-sector investment and enhanced transport and visitor services.
Monitoring the impact of the tourism circuit, such as how long visitors stay in each of the three destinations, what they spend and how much benefits local businesses will also be key to the success of the initiative. The success of the Silver Triangle tourism project ultimately depends on its ability to attract more visitors to the three destinations i.e., (Pokhara, Bharatpur and Lumbini) and ensure that they stay for a longer period of time, enhancing the benefits for local businesses and communities.
