Nepal’s tourism industry is strengthening its engagement with the Indian travel market as Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, hosted a three-night, four-day familiarisation (FAM) trip for travel and media professionals from India. The initiative provided the visiting delegation with first-hand exposure to Pokhara’s lakes, mountains, village culture, heritage, adventure and hospitality, while encouraging Indian travel companies to promote Nepal more confidently to travellers in their home market.
The delegates travelled from different parts of India, flying into New Delhi before connecting to Kathmandu and then Pokhara. Their programme was designed to present a broad range of experiences available in and around Pokhara, combining adventure, cultural exploration, relaxation and Nepali hospitality. The resort-led initiative also aimed to bring India’s travel trade closer to the destination through direct experience rather than relying only on promotional materials.
Indian Travel Leaders Explore Pokhara’s Diverse Attractions
The programme began with the delegates’ arrival in Pokhara and a welcome cocktail dinner at the resort. On the second day, the group undertook a scenic hike to Kaskikot, explored the hilltop village, and visited the historic Kaskikot Durbar, gaining an opportunity to experience local life and regional heritage. The day concluded with a gala dinner at the resort featuring live Nepali traditional music and dance performances.
On the final day, the delegation explored several of its prominent attractions, including Pumdikot, World Peace Pagoda, Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave. The itinerary also included a lunch stop at Pavilions The Farm before the group continued to its vibrant Lakeside area. The FAM concluded with a farewell barbecue cocktail dinner followed by a karaoke evening at the resort, giving the participants a broad first-hand impression of Pokhara as a destination combining nature, culture, spirituality, leisure and hospitality.
The delegation included representatives from leading Indian travel companies TBO, TripJack, MakeMyTrip (MMT), Travclan and Travelbullz. Their participation provided an opportunity for major players in India’s outbound travel industry to experience the place directly and gain a stronger understanding of tourism products that can be promoted to Indian travellers.
Resort-Led Initiative Strengthens Nepal–India Tourism Connection
The initiative was driven by Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara under the NepalCalling theme. According to the press release, India is Nepal’s single largest source market for international arrivals, making engagement with Indian travel companies particularly significant for Nepal’s tourism sector. By bringing travel agents and media professionals to Pokhara, the resort sought to provide an authentic on-the-ground experience that goes beyond brochures and social media promotion and enables participants to recommend the destination with greater confidence.
Prashrit Paudel, Operations Manager of Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, said the resort was pleased to show its Indian partners the beauty of Pokhara and expressed hope that the trip would inspire the Indian market to continue discovering the experiences Nepal has to offer. Moumita Paul, Director of Sales and Marketing – India Office, Centara Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the close bond between India and Nepal and explained that the initiative was intended to allow travel partners to personally experience Pokhara’s landscapes, culture and the warmth of its people.
Nisha Kapoor, Deputy General Manager of TripJack, who participated in the FAM trip, described the experience positively, highlighting the places explored and the memorable moments created during the programme. She also expressed enthusiasm about taking those experiences back to the Indian market and developing similar experiences for TripJack’s guests. By bringing travel agents and media representatives together on a single itinerary, the initiative created a direct connection between Pokhara’s tourism products and India’s outbound travel industry. The resort said the experience was intended to help participants confidently recommend Pokhara’s lakes, mountains and Himalayan hospitality to travellers back home.
Himalayan Hideaway Highlights Pokhara’s Nature, Culture and Wellness
Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, part of The Centara Collection, is located on the hills of Kaskikot, around 35 minutes from Pokhara. The resort offers views of the Annapurna Range and Machhapuchhre(Fishtail) Mountain and features 42 rooms, suites and villas combining modern comfort with Nepali design and Thai-inspired elements.
The property offers guests opportunities to experience local culture through guided village walks, scenic hikes and traditional experiences, while Cense by Cenvaree Spa provides yoga and holistic therapies. The resort also has four dining venues offering Nepalese flavours alongside international cuisine, bringing together nature, culture, wellness and hospitality in a Himalayan setting.
The FAM trip has further connected Pokhara with an important international tourism market by allowing Indian travel professionals and media representatives to experience the destination first-hand. Through its combination of Himalayan scenery, lakes, village experiences, cultural heritage, religious attractions, wellness and hospitality, Pokhara continues to present a diverse range of experiences for Indian and international visitors.
