Kathmandu, 24 October (H.S.): Nepal and India are set to strengthen their tourism partnership through the ‘Nepal–India Cross Border Tourism Connect 2026’, scheduled to be held from October 26 to 28. The initiative is being jointly organised by the International Coordination Council (ICC) of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and the Samriddha Chitwan Campaign.

Somnath Sapkota, programme coordinator and spokesperson for the NRNA ICC, said the initiative aims to expand tourism cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. The programme will be held under the theme, “Connecting Borders, Strengthening Friendship, Promoting Tourism.”

Sapkota said the primary objectives are to promote Nepal more effectively in the Indian tourism market, establish direct business links between tourism entrepreneurs from both countries, and integrate Nepal’s tourist destinations into international tourism networks.

He emphasised that connecting Indian visitors with Nepal’s religious, spiritual, cultural, natural, wildlife and adventure tourism offerings could unlock significant opportunities for the country’s tourism sector.

According to Sapkota, promoting Nepal as a tourism destination requires more than distributing publicity materials. It is equally important to familiarise Indian tourism operators with destinations through firsthand visits, facilitate meetings with hotel and resort operators, provide detailed information about available services and facilities, and establish a foundation for long-term commercial partnerships.

Twenty-one tourism entrepreneurs and representatives from various Indian cities are expected to participate in the programme. They will engage directly with Nepali tourism businesses, hotel and resort operators, and other local stakeholders to explore opportunities for cooperation.

The programme will feature business-to-business meetings, familiarisation visits, discussions on developing tourism packages and deliberations on establishing regular tourist flows between the two countries. The initiative seeks to translate cross-border engagement into practical commercial partnerships that can benefit tourism businesses on both sides.

Sapkota said the organisers also aim to develop an integrated tourism circuit linking Lumbini, Ramgram, Devghat, Nawalpur and Chitwan. The plan envisages expanding regional tourism networks by connecting Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Kapilvastu Municipality, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, Tilottama Municipality, Devdaha Municipality and Ramgram Municipality, among other areas.

Through these efforts, the organisers hope to strengthen regional tourism cooperation, broaden Nepal’s reach in the Indian market and encourage more Indian visitors to explore the country’s diverse destinations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar