Nepal has been awarded the prestigious title of Adventure Tourism Destination of the Year at the India International Travel Mart (IITM) 2025, held in Pune, India. The honour was presented during the grand Awards Night on November 29, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in the Indian and South Asian tourism markets.
The three-day event, which ran from November 27 to 29, brought together tourism boards, travel trade professionals, and global industry stakeholders. Representing Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Board Member Narendra Bhatta and Senior Officer Narayan Basyal received the award on behalf of the country.
Showcasing Nepal’s Tourism Strength at Destination Presentation
A key highlight of the event was the ‘Destination Presentation’ session, where Senior Officer Robin Regmi from NTB delivered a compelling audio-visual presentation on Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings. His presentation showcased Nepal’s extraordinary adventure potential, spiritual heritage, and cultural richness. The session included detailed insights into major tourism products such as the Buddha Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, and various cross-border eco-trails specifically designed to enhance regional connectivity and promote thematic tourism experiences.
Regmi highlighted Nepal’s iconic attractions, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, revered pilgrimage routes, world-class trekking destinations like Everest and Annapurna, exceptional mountaineering opportunities, and adrenaline-filled adventure sports such as rafting, paragliding, and bungee jumping. According to Regmi, Nepal’s active presence at IITM Pune 2025 not only strengthened bilateral tourism engagement but also reinforced Nepal’s branding as an “All-Season Destination” offering “Lifetime Experiences” for visitors from India and beyond.
Strong Collaboration with Travel Trade Companies
Nepal Tourism Board enhanced its participation at IITM by collaborating with 15 leading travel trade companies, ensuring a strong and unified representation of Nepal’s tourism potential. Through joint efforts, NTB and its partners effectively presented a wide range of Nepal-focused travel packages to Indian travel operators, influencers, and promoters attending the event. These packages highlighted both traditional attractions and emerging travel products that appeal to diverse segments, pilgrims, adventure seekers, families, and luxury travellers.
The Nepal Pavilion at IITM emerged as one of the most visited sections of the expo. The pavilion featured captivating displays of Nepal’s cultural heritage, adventure landscapes, and signature hospitality, offering travel enthusiasts a vivid glimpse into what Nepal has to offer. According to NTB, the pavilion served as a dynamic platform to deepen professional networks, promote responsible tourism, and inspire Indian travellers to choose Nepal as their next holiday destination.
Global Participation Strengthens Nepal’s Outreach
IITM Pune 2025 attracted hundreds of travel trade representatives, tourism professionals, and visitors from multiple countries. The event provided NTB with an excellent opportunity to forge new partnerships, explore business-to-business (B2B) possibilities, and exchange insights on evolving tourism trends. The vibrant atmosphere of the three-day travel mart reflected the growing significance of India as a key source market for Nepal’s tourism industry.
NTB officials noted that the enthusiastic response from Indian travellers and tour operators demonstrated increased recognition of Nepal as a safe, exciting, and value-rich destination. The board emphasized that improved air connectivity, simplified travel procedures, and Nepal’s welcoming environment continue to draw Indian tourists in large numbers.
Increased Interest from Indian Market Expected
Chief Executive Officer of NTB, Deepak Raj Joshi, expressed confidence that Nepal’s recognition at IITM Pune will significantly boost its visibility and demand in the Indian market. He noted that such prestigious platforms play an instrumental role in strengthening Nepal’s position as a top adventure and spiritual tourism destination.
According to CEO Joshi, Nepal’s consistent and active participation in international forums like IITM contributes to shaping Nepal’s identity as a preferred travel choice for Indian tourists. The award, he added, is not only a matter of pride but also a motivating force encouraging the tourism industry to enhance service standards, innovate travel experiences, and promote sustainable tourism practices.
