The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has actively promoted Nepal’s diverse tourism products at the prestigious Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) Mumbai 2026, Asia’s leading international travel trade exhibition. Held from February 5 to 7, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, the event highlighted India’s importance as Nepal’s primary source tourism market and underscored NTB’s renewed focus on strengthened destination marketing.
Through the Nepal Pavilion, NTB showcased a wide spectrum of tourism offerings with the participation of 34 prominent Nepali tourism companies. These companies represented sectors ranging from luxury resorts, adventure tourism, and spiritual destinations to wellness tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and destination management services. The pavilion served as a comprehensive platform to present Nepal’s evolving tourism landscape to Indian and international travel trade professionals.
OTM Mumbai: Gateway to India’s Largest Outbound Travel Market
OTM Mumbai is recognized as the gateway to India’s rapidly expanding outbound travel market. Organized continuously for more than three decades, the trade show has played a pivotal role in shaping Asian travel trends and facilitating business partnerships worth millions of dollars annually. Nepal has maintained a consistent presence at OTM for over 25 years, during which the country has successfully repositioned itself from being viewed primarily as a pilgrimage and trekking destination to a multifaceted tourism hub offering luxury, adventure, wellness, and business travel experiences.
Nepal Pavilion Draws Strong Attention
Renowned for its cultural authenticity and engaging presentations, the Nepal Pavilion once again emerged as a major attraction among Indian tourism professionals. Over the years, Nepal’s pavilion has won several awards for best destination showcase and cultural presentation, reinforcing Nepal’s reputation as one of the most anticipated exhibitors at OTM Mumbai.
Tourism Sector Shows Resilience After Gen-Z Movement
NTB stated that Nepal’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience following the recently concluded “Gen-Z Movement.” All major tourism destinations, trekking routes, adventure activities, and cultural heritage sites are currently operating at full capacity.
Notably, Indian tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly, with January 2026 recording nearly a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Speaking on the occasion, NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said, “Although the Gen-Z Movement caused temporary disruptions, Nepal has recovered in a very short time.
The country is fully prepared to welcome global visitors with the warmth and hospitality it is known for. Our participation at OTM Mumbai 2026 with 34 leading companies reaffirms our commitment to the Indian market and positions Nepal as a safe, stable, and distinctive destination.”
Strengthening Connectivity and Travel Ease for Indian Tourists
Nepal’s tourism promotion at OTM also emphasized the ease of travel for Indian visitors, supported by the open Nepal–India border, extensive road and air connectivity, stable currency exchange mechanisms, and digital payment systems such as UPI and PhonePe. Indian tourists account for approximately 25–30 percent of Nepal’s total international arrivals, making India Nepal’s most significant tourism partner. In 2025 alone, Nepal welcomed over 293,000 Indian visitors.
Strategic Focus on High-Potential Tourism Segments
At OTM Mumbai 2026, Nepal strategically highlighted key tourism segments tailored to Indian travelers. These included religious and pilgrimage tourism centered on destinations such as Pashupatinath, Janakpur, Muktinath, and Lumbini; weekend getaways to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan; luxury and wellness tourism; adventure activities; MICE tourism; and destination weddings and honeymoon travel. Nepal’s diverse experiences were effectively branded to appeal to both leisure and business travelers.
Invitation to the World
Through its participation at OTM Mumbai 2026, Nepal extended a global invitation to travelers, using India as a strategic platform to reach international markets. NTB reaffirmed that Nepal will continue to prioritize quality-driven, sustainable, and experience-centric tourism development, with India remaining at the heart of its international tourism promotion strategy.
