CHITWAN: The Nepal–India Cross Border Tourism Connect 2026 is set to take place in Chitwan from October 26 to 28, with the aim of strengthening tourism cooperation and expanding business opportunities between the two countries.
The event is being jointly organised by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council (ICC) and the Samriddha Chitwan Campaign.
Somnath Sapkota, programme coordinator and spokesperson for the NRNA International Coordination Council, said the initiative aims to deepen Nepal–India tourism ties under the slogan “Promoting tourism while connecting borders and enhancing friendship.”
He said the programme would focus on promoting Nepal more effectively in the Indian tourism market, establishing direct business links between tourism entrepreneurs from both countries, and connecting Nepali destinations with international tourism networks.
Sapkota said Nepal had considerable potential to attract more Indian visitors through its religious, spiritual, cultural, natural, wildlife and adventure tourism offerings.
“Promoting tourism in Nepal cannot be achieved simply by distributing promotional materials. Indian tourists need to be brought directly to Nepal’s tourism destinations, introduced to hotel and resort operators, informed about available services and facilities, and provided with opportunities to establish business partnerships,” he said, explaining the rationale behind the initiative.
According to Sapkota, 21 tourism entrepreneurs and representatives from various Indian cities will participate in the event. They will hold direct meetings and business discussions with Nepali tourism entrepreneurs, hotel and resort operators, and other local tourism stakeholders.
The programme will feature business-to-business meetings, familiarisation visits, discussions on developing tourism packages and strategies to increase regular tourist arrivals from India.
A key objective is to develop an integrated tourism circuit linking Lumbini, Ramgram, Devghat, Nawalpur and Chitwan, creating opportunities for coordinated destination promotion and regional tourism development.
Sapkota added that the initiative would also seek to connect Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Kapilvastu Municipality, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, Tilottama Municipality, Devdaha Municipality and Ramgram Municipality through a broader tourism network to strengthen regional cooperation and attract more visitors.