On Friday, the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and Hotel Association Nepal, successfully organized the Nepal Tourism Promotion Programme under the theme ‘Next Door Nepal: Your Ultimate Travel Destination’. The event aimed to foster business connections and promote tourism between Nepal and Bangladesh.
The programme featured a series of business-to-business and networking sessions involving hotel, travel, and tour entrepreneurs from both countries. Nepali Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, emphasized the significance of tourism in strengthening the already excellent neighbourly relations between Nepal and Bangladesh. He highlighted tourism as a priority sector for the Government of Nepal and expressed optimism that these business contacts would enhance the bond between the two peoples and nations.
Laxman Gautam, Head of Marketing and Promotion at the Nepal Tourism Board, delivered a presentation showcasing Nepal’s major tourist attractions. He pointed out that Bangladesh is a key source market for Nepali tourism and encouraged travel agents and tour operators to promote Nepal as a preferred travel destination for their Bangladeshi clients.
Binayak Shah, President of Hotel Association Nepal, praised the vibrant and welcoming spirit of Nepal, acknowledging the vital role of business engagements in boosting tourism exchanges between the two countries. Tek Bahadur Mahat, Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Association Nepal, provided an overview of the hotels participating in the event.
Deputy Director of Bangladesh Tourism Board, Mohammed Saiful Hassan, underscored the importance of enhanced connectivity to foster closer people-to-people contacts. The event also celebrated Bangladeshi Mount Everest summiteers Nishat Mazumder and Babar Ali, who shared their inspiring expedition experiences.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding between the Hotel Association Nepal and various Bangladeshi tourism and hospitality organizations, including the Bangladesh International Hotel Association, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Skills Council, and Asian Tourism Fair.
The event concluded with a showcase of Nepali folk cultural performances, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the promotion programme. Over 150 participants, including government officials, representatives of travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, and other hospitality, travel, and tourism-related organizations from Bangladesh, attended the event.
According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka, the programme successfully highlighted the strong tourism potential between Nepal and Bangladesh and laid the foundation for future collaborations in the tourism sector.
