Nepal has joined Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka in a collaborative tourism promotion campaign in Brussels, highlighting its Himalayan landscapes, cultural heritage, adventure opportunities and traditional cuisine to European audiences. Nepal has promoted its diverse tourism attractions at a joint international tourism promotion program organised in Brussels, Belgium, in collaboration with the embassies of Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The event, titled “From Himalayan Peaks to Ocean Shores,” was organised by the Nepali Embassy in Brussels and brought together around 100 participants, including representatives of the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), diplomats, members of the participating countries’ communities and media professionals.
The programme provided a shared platform for the four South Asian countries to introduce their tourism destinations, cultural identities and distinctive travel experiences to European audiences. Nepal highlighted its natural beauty, cultural diversity, adventure tourism, rich heritage and wellness tourism, while cultural performances, destination exhibitions and traditional food presentations helped introduce visitors to the participating countries.
Nepal Highlights Himalayan Beauty, Cultural Heritage and Wellness Tourism
Addressing the programme, Sewa Lamsal, Nepal’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, presented the country’s major tourism attractions, highlighting its natural landscapes, cultural diversity, adventure tourism opportunities, rich heritage and wellness experiences. She invited participants to explore Nepal and experience its spiritual and wellness tourism offerings, emphasising the country’s potential to attract visitors seeking distinctive travel experiences.
Ambassador Lamsal also informed participants about the country’s plan to observe 2027 as the International Year of Wellness and highlighted the country’s spiritual and wellness tourism potential. The presentation provided an opportunity to introduce Nepal’s tourism offerings to international representatives while drawing attention to experiences beyond conventional sightseeing, including cultural exploration and wellness focused travel.
EU Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation in Sustainable Tourism
Dominic Porter, Deputy Managing Director of the European External Action Service, attended the programme as the chief guest and discussed cooperation between the European Union and South Asian countries, including Nepal. He emphasised the importance of promoting sustainable tourism, highlighting the value of cooperation in strengthening tourism development and international engagement.
The ambassadors of the participating countries also presented their respective destinations and tourism attractions.Tshoki Choden of Bhutan, Chandana Weerasinghe of Sri Lanka and Uzma Fatimath Dhiyana of the Maldives introduced their countries’ tourism highlights, giving participants an overview of the diverse travel experiences available across the four destinations. The joint initiative brought the countries together to promote their tourism identities and strengthen their visibility among European audiences.
Lakhey Dance and Dhime Music Bring Nepali Culture to Brussels
Cultural performances added a distinctive attraction to the programme following the formal presentations, with each participating country showcasing elements of its traditional heritage. Nepal presented its iconic Lakhey dance and traditional Dhime musical performance, which attracted the attention of participants and introduced them to the country’s vibrant cultural traditions.
The performances provided an opportunity to present the country’s living heritage alongside its natural and adventure tourism attractions. By bringing traditional dance and music to an international audience, the programme highlighted culture as an important part of Nepal’s tourism identity and offered visitors a glimpse into the country’s artistic traditions.
Nepal Showcases Tourism Destinations, Handicrafts and Local Products
The four countries established separate exhibition stalls to promote their tourism destinations and introduce visitors to their respective travel products. The country’s exhibition featured tourism brochures, posters, maps, Mithila artwork, handicrafts, pashmina, tea and coffee, along with audiovisual materials showcasing the country’s major tourism attractions and travel experiences.
The Nepali tourism stall received considerable interest from participants, who interacted with embassy representatives to learn about travel opportunities and major destinations across the country. The display also provided a platform to promote the country’s locally produced goods and traditional crafts, connecting its tourism appeal with cultural creativity and local products.
Sel Roti and Choila Add a Taste of Nepal to the Tourism Campaign
Traditional cuisine was another highlight of the joint promotion programme, with each of the four participating countries presenting two local dishes to introduce their culinary heritage. Nepal showcased Sel Roti and Choila, two popular traditional Nepali dishes that were well received by participants.
The food presentation complemented the cultural performances and destination exhibitions by introducing visitors to the culinary traditions of the participating countries. Nepal’s participation through traditional dishes, cultural displays and tourism materials helped present a broader picture of the country’s identity, demonstrating how its food, heritage and travel experiences contribute to its appeal as an international tourism destination.
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