India-Nepal Tourism Meet Promotes Cross-Border Tourism and Mahakumbh 2025

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, hosted the first-ever India-Nepal Tourism Meet on December 10, 2024. The event focused on promoting the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and enhancing business-to-business (B2B) collaborations to strengthen circuit tourism between the two nations.

The plenary session was inaugurated by Arun Kumar Chaudhary, Nepal’s Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, who attended as the Chief Guest. Joining him were Prasanna Shrivastava, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of India, and Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board.

In his opening remarks, Deepak Raj Joshi emphasized India’s role as the largest source of foreign tourists visiting Nepal. He highlighted Nepal Tourism Board’s initiatives to strengthen bilateral tourism ties.

Minister Arun Kumar Chaudhary acknowledged the significant contribution of cross-border tourism, particularly via land routes, to Nepal’s tourism sector. He called for enhanced connectivity in remote areas like Sudurpaschim Province to unlock greater tourism potential.

Prasanna Shrivastava stressed the importance of improved physical and digital connectivity in boosting tourist flows. He encouraged joint efforts to promote religious and cultural circuits, such as the Ramayana and Buddhist trails, connecting Nepal with neighboring Indian states.

Kirti, Tourism Officer from Uttar Pradesh, delivered an insightful presentation on Mahakumbh 2025, underscoring its significance for Nepalese devotees and the opportunities it presents for religious tourism.

The event concluded with a vibrant Kathak dance performance by an eight-member troupe supported by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The B2B discussions brought together 13 Indian delegates and 60 Nepalese tour operators, fostering collaborations to promote cross-border tourism, especially via land routes. Key discussions revolved around travel plans incorporating the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits.

As part of the program, the Nepal Tourism Board organized a familiarization trip for visiting delegates and tour operators from Uttar Pradesh to Janakpur and Kathmandu from December 8-9, 2024, showcasing Nepal’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

This event marks a significant step in strengthening India-Nepal tourism partnerships, paving the way for deeper cultural and economic ties.

Some highlights of this trip:

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Ahead of the meet, tour operators from Uttar Pradesh explored Janakpur & Kathmandu on a familiarization trip. 🏔️🌸
Highlights from this inspiring journey 👉
Cross-border tourism just got a major boost! ✈️🚌 pic.twitter.com/jjqSdgH0Bo

— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) December 10, 2024