Thakurbaba Municipality is set to organize “Bardiya Digital Mela — कथादेखि यात्रासम्म” on September 20, 2026, with an objective of strengthening Bardiya’s tourism economy by improving the digital capabilities of local tourism entrepreneurs, homestays, small businesses and nature guides.
The initiative has brought together The Asia Foundation Nepal, local tourism entrepreneurs, content creators, influencers, government stakeholders, tourism associations, students and youth to promote Bardiya as an authentic, sustainable and digitally connected tourism destination. The initiative is designed around the recognition that Bardiya has exceptional tourism resources but remains relatively underrepresented across the digital platforms that increasingly influence travellers’ destination choices.
The Asia Foundation Joins Initiative to Strengthen Tourism Ecosystem
The Asia Foundation Nepal has joined the initiative to support the development of Bardiya’s tourism ecosystem and strengthen the capacity of local tourism businesses. The partnership focuses on enhancing digital skills among local tourism entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), encouraging innovation and digital adoption, expanding market access and improving the online visibility of local businesses. The initiative will also connect local tourism entrepreneurs with influencers and content creators, enabling them to showcase their products, services and experiences to wider audiences through digital platforms.
Bardiya’s Tourism Assets to Reach Wider Digital Audiences
Bardiya is home to some of Nepal’s significant natural and cultural tourism assets, including Bardiya National Park, Tharu heritage and the Karnali River. However, organizers say these assets have not received proportional visibility on the social media platforms that increasingly shape travel decisions. The digital mela seeks to address this gap by combining the storytelling power of content creators with the digital skills of local entrepreneurs.
Through authentic experiences, visual storytelling and online promotion, the initiative aims to present Bardiya directly to potential domestic and international travellers. The campaign is expected to create a continuous flow of digital content around wildlife, nature, local culture, adventure and community-based tourism.
Two-Day Influencer Expedition to Showcase Bardiya
As the first stage of the initiative, a selected group of 5–10 content creators and influencers will participate in a two-day immersive expedition across Bardiya ahead of the main event. The creators will experience the destination firsthand, including the Karnali River, Bardiya National Park, and Tharu cultural experiences.
They will document their journeys, interactions and experiences and share content through their respective digital and social media platforms. The organizers expect the expedition to generate authentic destination content and introduce Bardiya to large online audiences while giving creators an opportunity to tell the destination’s story from their own experiences.
Creator-Entrepreneur Confluence at Digital Mela
The second stage will be the one-day Bardiya Digital Mela, which will bring together content creators, tourism entrepreneurs, government representatives, tourism associations, students and young people at a common platform. The event will feature panel discussions, influencer talks, digital skill-building sessions, networking opportunities and cultural performances. Local businesses will also have an opportunity to showcase their products and services through an exhibition area.
The event has been designed as an interactive and content-focused experience, beginning with an entrance arch and registration area and continuing through a content-creation photobooth, main-stage discussions, cultural performances and business exhibitions.
Digital Skills for Local Tourism Entrepreneurs
A major focus of the initiative is to equip local tourism businesses with practical digital skills that can help them promote their services independently. Homestay operators, small tourism businesses, and nature guides will be encouraged to use digital tools and online platforms to improve their visibility, communicate directly with potential visitors, and develop compelling stories around their experiences. The initiative aims to ensure that the benefits of digital tourism promotion extend beyond content creators and reach local entrepreneurs who directly contribute to Bardiya’s tourism economy.
Post-Event Content Campaign to Maintain Visibility
The third stage of the campaign will focus on post-event content amplification. Content generated during the influencer expedition and the digital mela will continue to be distributed across digital and social media platforms after the event. The organizers aim to maintain Bardiya’s visibility beyond the event and create sustained interest in the destination. The long-term objective is to build digital momentum for Bardiya’s tourism sector while helping local businesses develop the capacity to sustain their own digital presence.
Content Creators and Local Influencers to Participate
A group of content creators and influencers has been identified to participate in the campaign, including Nepal8thwonder_, Milan, Mr Goley, Unlocked_ai, Ashwin, Sweta Basnet, Dr Anikeet, Nischal Karki, RGB Nihal, and Mira Khadka. Local influencers and personalities participating in the initiative include Sanjana Chaudhari, Anuram Chaudhary, Khagendra Nepal, Manju Mahatara, Bibash Rana Magar, Bal Krishna Tharu, Deepak Rajbanshi, Shardul Bhattarai, Bhawany Prasad Kandel, and Govinda Tharu. Their participation is expected to strengthen the connection between Bardiya’s tourism businesses and digital audiences while providing visitors with first-hand stories and experiences from the destination.
Building a New Digital Story for Bardiya
The Bardiya Digital Mela — कथादेखि यात्रासम्म seeks to go beyond a conventional tourism event by creating a platform where destination experiences, digital storytelling and local entrepreneurship converge. Through the combination of an immersive creator expedition, a creator-entrepreneur event and sustained post-event digital promotion, the initiative aims to create a new digital narrative for Bardiya. The organizers expect the campaign to contribute to greater visibility for local tourism businesses, encourage digital innovation and strengthen Bardiya’s position as an authentic and sustainable tourism destination in Nepal.
