To promote tourism in western Nepal, the third edition of the Western Travel Mart is set to take place in Nepalgunj on Jestha 24, 25, and 26. The event is being organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, in collaboration with the Lumbini Province Tourism Development Council, Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hotel Association, and hotel entrepreneurs of Banke. The mart is being hosted by NATTA Banke (Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents).
Western Travel Mart to Be Held
According to the main coordinator of the Western Travel Mart, Shreeram Sigdel, more than 40 tour operators from prominent Indian tourist cities including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur are expected to participate in the event. He informed that a dedicated technical session will also be conducted during the mart, and visiting tour operators will be taken on guided tours to the national parks in Banke and Bardiya districts.
Coordinator Sigdel emphasized that the event will highlight the region’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity, including opportunities to share experiences of rafting in the Karnali River, thereby helping promote adventure tourism in western Nepal. The visiting guests will also be introduced to Nepalgunj’s growing hospitality scene, including local casinos and top hotels.
“We believe this event will make a meaningful contribution to the tourism development of both Nepalgunj and the entire Lumbini Province,” said Sigdel. He added that the event aims to position Nepalgunj as the gateway to tourism in Karnali Province and establish Banke as a key tourist destination.
One of the special attractions of this year’s mart is the introduction of a “Street Food Lane” at Tribhuvan Chowk, Nepalgunj, for the first time. This feature will showcase traditional Nepali foods, with 20 commercial stalls expected to operate, offering a variety of authentic local flavors. NATTA Banke has previously organized similar editions of the Western Travel Mart. The total estimated cost of the upcoming three-day event is around NPR 3.5 million (Rs 35 lakhs).
