In a significant move to bolster tourism collaboration between Nepal and Israel, His Excellency Shmulik Arie Bass, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Nepal, paid a courtesy visit to Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral tourism engagement and exploring avenues to increase the flow of Israeli tourists to Nepal.
During the meeting, Ambassador Bass underscored the importance of Nepal’s participation in the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) held in Tel Aviv, Israel. He emphasized that Nepal’s presence in this international tourism fair would serve as a vital platform for promoting the country as a premier travel destination among Israeli and global travelers. Highlighting the growing number of Israeli tourists in Nepal, he pointed out that over 8,000 Israeli visitors had traveled to Nepal in 2024 alone. This, he stated, reflects a strong potential for further expanding tourism exchanges between the two nations.
CEO Deepak Raj Joshi reaffirmed NTB’s commitment to fostering deeper ties with Israel through enhanced tourism initiatives. He acknowledged that Nepal has long been a preferred destination for Israeli travelers, particularly for trekking, adventure tourism, and cultural exploration. “Nepal has always welcomed Israeli visitors, and we are keen to strengthen our tourism cooperation through active participation in platforms like IMTM. NTB is committed to working closely with Israel to position Nepal as a leading travel destination for Israeli tourists,” Joshi stated.
The longstanding diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel serve as a strong foundation for tourism development. Nepal was the first South Asian country to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel on June 1, 1960. Following this, Israel opened its embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961, further solidifying the bilateral relationship. Over the years, the two nations have maintained close diplomatic ties through high-level visits, cultural exchanges, and cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, technology, and tourism.
The meeting between Ambassador Bass and CEO Joshi also explored potential collaborations in tourism promotion, such as joint marketing campaigns, cultural exchange programs, and direct engagement with Israeli travel agencies. Discussions also included ways to ease travel accessibility for Israeli tourists, improve tourism infrastructure, and facilitate better visa arrangements.
Israelis have shown a deep affinity for Nepal, with many drawn to the Himalayan trekking routes, especially the Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp, and Langtang Valley. The tranquil landscapes, spiritual experiences, and adventure opportunities make Nepal an attractive destination for Israeli travelers. Additionally, Nepal’s cultural heritage sites, such as Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Lumbini, have continued to attract tourists interested in Nepal’s rich history and traditions.
Looking ahead, both Nepal and Israel are expected to intensify their tourism cooperation by focusing on joint tourism promotion, investment in tourism infrastructure, and cultural exchanges. NTB’s renewed efforts to engage with Israeli tourism stakeholders could significantly boost the number of Israeli visitors to Nepal, further strengthening the economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
As both sides remain committed to expanding tourism collaboration, Nepal’s presence at the IMTM in Tel Aviv will likely be a major step toward increasing Nepal’s visibility in the Israeli travel market. With the growing number of Israeli tourists and Nepal’s commitment to proactive tourism engagement, the future of Nepal-Israel tourism relations looks promising.
