Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is set to make a significant impact at the 8th edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2024, held from December 17-19 in Siliguri, India. The event will prominently highlight Nepal’s incredible tourism offerings, with a particular focus on East Nepal.
Since its inception in 2016, Nepal has been a regular participant in BTM, and this year, the country’s tourism board is leading a strong 20-member delegation. The group includes NTB officials, representatives from Koshi Province, NATTA East members, and stakeholders from Pokhara. Their participation aligns with Nepal’s cross-border tourism promotion strategy, which places high importance on attracting visitors from West Bengal and North East India.
Surya Thapaliya, Senior Manager at NTB, emphasized the importance of BTM as a vital platform for promoting Nepal’s tourism, especially East Nepal, to the vast audiences of West Bengal and North East India. “BTM has been a great showcase for us to present our tourism attractions, particularly in East Nepal, through business and idea exchanges among travel and trade operators. We see this event as an ideal platform to connect with prospective travelers from India,” he stated.

Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings, from jungle safaris and cultural immersions to its majestic mountains, are attracting growing interest, especially from India’s vast population. With over 300 million potential visitors in neighboring Indian states, Nepal aims to drive more traffic by promoting its spiritual and adventure tourism. Key destinations like Pashupatinath, Pathivara, and the adventure-filled hills and mountains are integral to this strategy.
The Bengal Travel Mart also aims to foster a greater understanding and cooperation between Nepalese and Bengal tourism operators, contributing to the promotion of Eastern Himalayan tourism. The event provides a platform for operators, experts, and public sector representatives from participating countries to collaborate on sustainable tourism development.
As Nepal continues to strengthen its tourism sector, BTM serves as an important venue to highlight the shared heritage of the Eastern Himalayas and the role of tourism in promoting economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental conservation. The event’s outcome is expected to lead to more robust tourism ties between Nepal and India, especially in the growing Eastern Himalayan region.