The Nepal–India Cross-Border Tourism Connect 2026 begins today with the aim of increasing Indian tourist arrivals in Nepal and promoting Indian tourism among Nepali travellers. A delegation of Indian travel and tourism professionals arriving from various cities will be welcomed at the Sunauli border at 3:00 PM today.
The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism connectivity between the two neighbouring countries by bringing tourism entrepreneurs, travel professionals, hospitality businesses and destination representatives together. The programme is expected to create a platform for business networking, destination promotion and the development of cross-border tourism opportunities.
Tourism Leaders to Jointly Inaugurate the Programme
The event will be jointly inaugurated by Robin Prasad Sherchan, Senior Vice President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council (ICC); Rajesh Sinha, President of the Travel Trade Welfare Association, India; Dr. Jatendra Pal Singh, President of the Indo-Nepal Tourism Welfare Society, India; and Sharada Basyal Belbase, Executive Director of the Tourism Development Council, Lumbini Province.
The participation of tourism leaders and representatives from both countries is expected to give further momentum to efforts to expand tourism cooperation and strengthen business-to-business relations between Nepal and India.
Nepali Tourism Businesses to Connect with Indian Travel Market
Organised jointly by NRNA ICC and Samriddha Chitwan Abhiyan, the programme aims to strengthen tourism cooperation, business relations and cross-border visitor movement between Nepal and India. It will connect Nepali hotels, resorts, travel companies and tourism destinations with the Indian travel market, encourage the development of joint tourism packages and build long-term partnerships between tourism professionals in both countries.
Som Nath Sapkota, organiser of the event and Spokesperson of NRNA ICC, said the initiative was designed to promote Nepal’s tourism destinations in the Indian market while encouraging Nepali travellers to explore destinations in India. He emphasised the importance of bringing tourism businesses from both countries together to develop practical partnerships, expand visitor movement and create new business opportunities.
Organisers Complete Preparations for Tourism Networking Programme
Laxman Thapa, Event Coordinator and CEO of ILA Hotels & Resorts and Maulakalika, confirmed that all preparations for the programme had been completed. He said the organising team and hospitality partners were ready to welcome the Indian delegation and facilitate the scheduled activities, destination visits and business-to-business interactions.
The programme is being organised in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), PATA Nepal Chapter, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association Nepal (HSMAN), Indo-Nepal Tourism Welfare Society, India, Travel Trade Welfare Association, India, Nawalpur Paryatan Samiti, Kawasoti, Grace International, Father & Son Trek & Expedition, Global Concern Center for Climate Change and Tourism Info Nepal, among other organisations.
Local Governments and Tourism Stakeholders Join Initiative
The participation and cooperation of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Kapilvastu Municipality, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, Tilottama Municipality, Devdaha Municipality and Ramgram Municipality have further strengthened the programme.
Other expected participants include tourism and environmental expert P.K. Sherpa; Suresh Baral, Chairperson of the District Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Kathmandu; Bishnu Prasad Ghimire, Central Member of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation Nepal; representatives of Rupandehi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; representatives of social and professional organisations; and media personnel.
The involvement of local governments, tourism associations, private-sector businesses and other stakeholders is expected to support destination-level promotion and create stronger links between tourism enterprises and the Indian travel trade.
Indian Travel Trade Delegation Arrives from Multiple Cities
The Indian delegation includes representatives from Greenways Travels, SMH Holidays, Suvidhaa Travels, Easytime to Travel, Go Travel Guru, STA Travels, Shubhi Travels, Oneiro Vacations, Namaskar Travel Services, Mansa Travels, Sachan Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., ALCC Holidays LLP, Luxtripper Holidays Pvt. Ltd., Utsav Travels, Flystep Holidays Pvt. Ltd., Elorstar Trip, Holiday Adda, Travel Puff, Saga Luxury and Apex Alpha Connector.
The participation of a broad group of Indian travel companies is expected to provide Nepali tourism businesses with an opportunity to present destinations, hospitality products and travel experiences directly to travel professionals from the neighbouring market.
Ramgram Stupa and Buddhist Heritage Included in Delegation Visit
Following the welcome and inauguration at Sunauli, the delegation will travel to Ramgram Municipality, where Mayor Dhanpat Yadav will welcome the visitors and host a tea reception. The delegation will also visit Ramgram Stupa, an important Buddhist heritage site associated with the preservation of the Buddha’s relics.
The visit is expected to highlight the cultural and religious connections shared by Nepal and India while showcasing Lumbini Province’s potential for Buddhist and heritage tourism. The inclusion of Ramgram in the programme also reflects the organisers’ effort to promote destinations beyond Nepal’s most established tourist centres.
Amaltari to Showcase Wildlife, Tharu Culture and Community Tourism
The team will then proceed to Tharu Gaun Resort in Amaltari, Nawalpur, for local hospitality, destination promotion, tourism discussions and business-to-business networking. The Amaltari visit will provide an opportunity to showcase Nawalpur’s Tharu culture, community-based tourism, wildlife experiences and nature-based attractions to the Indian travel trade.
Sapkota said Nepal and India share geographical proximity, cultural connections, religious traditions and a long history of people-to-people relations. “By linking these connections with tourism and business cooperation, both countries can generate significant economic and social benefits,” he said.
Joint Tourism Packages Seen as Key Opportunity
Sapkota added that there are considerable opportunities to develop joint tourism packages featuring Chitwan’s wildlife and nature, Nawalpur’s Tharu culture and community-based tourism, Lumbini’s Buddhist heritage, and Pokhara’s natural beauty and adventure tourism.
Such packages could encourage longer visitor stays, create local employment, attract investment and expand market opportunities for hotels, resorts and other tourism enterprises. The organisers believe combining destinations from different parts of Nepal into integrated itineraries could make Nepal more attractive to Indian travellers seeking diverse experiences within a single trip.
Hospitality Sector Mobilises for Cross-Border Tourism Promotion
Hospitality and tourism partners supporting the programme include Latauli Century Resort, Tharu Gaun Resort, ILA Comfort, ILA Hotels & Resorts, Maulakalika, Landmark Forest-Park, Banbas Resort, Siddhartha Wildlife Resort, Soaltee Westend Resort Chitwan, Miraaya Wellness & Golf Resort, Unnati Cultural Village (UCV), Machan Wildlife Resort, Royal Tulip Chitwan Nepal and Tiger Palace Resort.
Their participation reflects the private sector’s interest in expanding the Indian market and developing stronger commercial links with Indian travel companies. The networking activities are expected to provide participating businesses with opportunities to discuss accommodation, tour packages, destination experiences and potential future collaborations.
Programme Targets Investment, Employment and Shared Tourism Growth
The Nepal–India Cross-Border Tourism Connect 2026 aims to make cross-border tourism more than a travel initiative by linking it with business cooperation, cultural exchange, investment, employment generation and shared economic prosperity.
The organisers expect the programme to help position Nepal as an attractive neighbouring destination for Indian travellers while expanding opportunities for Nepali tourism businesses in the Indian market. They also believe stronger tourism connectivity can contribute to increased visitor spending, longer stays and greater economic benefits for local communities.
‘Connecting Borders, Building Friendships, Growing Tourism’
The event’s central message is “Connecting Borders, Building Friendships, Growing Tourism.” The organisers aim to translate the longstanding cultural, geographical and social relationship between Nepal and India into stronger tourism and business partnerships.
Through direct engagement between travel professionals, destination promotion, business-to-business networking and joint package development, the programme seeks to establish a more sustainable framework for cross-border tourism cooperation between the two countries.
