The Nepal–India Cross-Border Tourism Connect 2026 formally concluded today with a farewell ceremony for the Indian tourism delegation at Sunauli, following a four-day programme aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation, business relations and cross-border visitor movement between Nepal and India.
The programme began on October 25 with the welcoming of the Indian delegation at Sunauli. The delegation travelled through various tourism destinations and participated in destination visits, hospitality experiences, tourism discussions and business-to-business networking activities before departing Nepal on October 28.
Official Closing Ceremony Held in Chitwan
The official closing programme was held on October 27 at Latauli Sanctuary Resort in Chitwan in the presence of Rajendra Prajapati, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Labour and Transport of the Bagmati Province Government. The closing ceremony brought together Indian delegates, Nepali tourism entrepreneurs, organisers, tourism associations and other stakeholders. Tokens of love and appreciation were presented to the participating delegates, supporters and stakeholders for their contribution to the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Prajapati said our country is a country rich in culture and renowned for its hospitality. He highlighted the welcoming nature of the people of our country and said our country has the cultural diversity and hospitality needed to attract visitors from neighbouring countries and beyond. He also stressed the importance of strengthening tourism relations between Nepal and India through direct engagement and cooperation among tourism stakeholders.
Tourism Experiences and Destination Promotion
Laxman Thapa, Event Coordinator and CEO of ILA Hotels & Resorts and Maulakalika, said the programme was designed to give Indian tourism professionals first-hand experiences of Nepal’s tourism products. According to Thapa, the Indian delegates were taken to temples, resorts and hotels and provided with safari experiences during their stay. These visits were intended to let Indian travel professionals experience its hospitality and tourism products firsthand and explore opportunities to promote them in the Indian market.
The delegation also visited Tharu Gaun Resort in Amaltari, Nawalpur, where participants experienced local hospitality and engaged in destination promotion, tourism discussions, and business-to-business networking. The Amaltari visit highlighted Nawalpur’s Tharu culture, community-based tourism, wildlife experiences, and nature-based attractions, and provided an opportunity to showcase the destination directly to Indian travel trade representatives.
Strengthening Nepal–India Tourism Partnerships
Organised jointly by NRNA ICC and Samriddha Chitwan Abhiyan, the programme sought to connect Nepali hotels, resorts, travel companies and tourism destinations with India’s travel market. The initiative focused on developing joint tourism packages, expanding visitor movement and creating long-term business partnerships between tourism professionals from the two neighbouring countries.
Som Nath Sapkota, organiser of the programme and spokesperson for NRNA ICC, said the initiative was designed to promote Nepal’s tourism destinations in the Indian market while also encouraging Nepali travellers to explore destinations in India. Sapkota emphasised the need to bring tourism businesses from both countries together to develop practical partnerships, increase visitor movement and create new business opportunities. He concluded the programme with a vote of thanks.
Broad Participation from Indian Travel Trade
The Indian delegation comprised 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 travel companies from across India provided Nepali tourism businesses with an opportunity to directly present tourism destinations, hospitality products, and travel experiences to professionals from the neighbouring market. The direct interaction is expected to support business networking, destination promotion, and the development of cross-border travel packages.
Strong Support from Tourism Stakeholders
The programme was 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.
The participation and cooperation of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Kapilvastu Municipality, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, Tilottama Municipality, Devdaha Municipality and Ramgram Municipality further strengthened the initiative. The involvement of local governments, tourism associations, private-sector businesses and other stakeholders provided a broader platform for destination-level promotion and stronger connections between Nepali tourism enterprises and the Indian travel trade.
Building Tourism Connectivity Beyond Borders
The four-day programme carried the central message, “Connecting Borders, Building Friendships, Growing Tourism.” Through destination visits, direct engagement between travel professionals, business-to-business networking and discussions on joint tourism packages, the initiative sought to transform the longstanding cultural, geographical and social relationship between Nepal and India into stronger tourism and business partnerships.
The organisers said such initiatives can play an important role in creating a more sustainable framework for cross-border tourism cooperation while increasing awareness of its diverse destinations among Indian travellers. Following the conclusion of the official programme in Chitwan on October 27, the Indian delegation was given a farewell at Sunauli on October 28, marking the completion of the Nepal–India Cross-Border Tourism Connect 2026.
