Nepal-India teaming up for promoting cross-border religious tourism

AGRA (INDIA), JANUARY 16: Nepal and India's tourism entrepreneurs have shared a commitment to promoting cross-border religious tourism. In a collaborative interaction hosted with the support of the Embassy of India in Nepal, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Board of India, participants pledged to work in unison to unlock tourism potential and mutual benefits in religious tourism along the border regions.

As part of these efforts, Nepali entrepreneurs recently embarked on a six-day exposure visit to renowned Indian religious sites, including Mathura, Agra, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Banaras, and Ayodhya. This initiative allowed entrepreneurs to discuss tourism opportunities, challenges, and prospects in both countries.

Akash Deep, Additional Strategic Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department,

highlighted that such interactions significantly enhance bilateral tourism development. Similarly, Kaushlendra Singh, General Secretary of the Agra Travel Agents Association, noted the potential for increased Indian tourist visits to Nepal following briefings by Nepali tourism representatives about key religious sites.

Shraddha Shrestha, Senior Manager at the Nepal Tourism Board, emphasized the event’s role in fostering cooperation and exploring inter-country tourism opportunities. Meanwhile, Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Manoj Kumar Sah announced collaborative plans to develop Ayodhya and Janakpur as part of a Ramayana Circuit.

Nepalese tourism entrepreneur Maya Prasad Bhatta called for greater collaboration to introduce tourists to destinations in Nepal's far-western region, including Badhimalika and Khaptad, while Santosh Kumar Singh, President of Varanasi Tourism Gilt, stressed leveraging the deep cultural and religious ties between the two countries. Singh also urged Hindu Nepali tourists to participate in India's upcoming Kumbh Mela.

The discussions acknowledged challenges, such as the need for improved road infrastructure in Nepal to attract more Indian tourists. R.K. Rawat, Deputy Director of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, lauded the collective initiative and called for ongoing exchanges and collaborations.

Earlier, a formal program in Lucknow, organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, focused on tourism strategies and business experiences. Twenty-three Nepali representatives, including tourism entrepreneurs, government officials, and media, participated.

Both countries plan to continue such initiatives, with Nepal extending invitations to Indian entrepreneurs to explore Nepali tourism sectors and committing to establish an annual schedule for collaborative programs.