With ongoing conflicts in West Asia causing uncertainty in global travel, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has shifted its focus toward its closest neighbor, India. As part of this strategy, Nepal was recently showcased as a premier "Wedding Destination" during a special event in New Delhi.

The two-day program, titled "Nepal Destination Wedding and OTAs Connect," was organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) in collaboration with the Nepali Embassy in India on April 27 and 28.

Connecting Wedding Experts

The event aimed to establish Nepal as a "dream wedding destination" by highlighting its mix of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and traditional marriage customs.

• Participation: 21 Nepali companies and 45 Indian wedding planners took part in the event.
• Networking: Representative Robin Regmi from the Board noted that Nepali delegates presented high-quality hotels and resorts suitable for grand wedding ceremonies.
• Collaboration: Through business meetings and discussions, the event created a foundation for future cooperation between the wedding industries of both countries.

Nepal’s Potential for Luxury Weddings

Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, emphasized that wedding tourism is a high-potential area for Nepal. He noted that the country offers everything from luxury resorts to unique cultural sites that appeal to high-value tourists. He believes these efforts will not only increase the number of visitors but also provide a boost to the overall economy.

Vinayak Shah, President of HAN, added that the partnership between Nepal and India is vital for this growth. Meanwhile, Neeraj Dhawan, President of the Indian Wedding Planner Association, shared that Indian families are increasingly looking for destination weddings, which represents a huge opportunity for Nepal.

Strengthening Cultural Ties

Dr. Surendra Thapa from the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi mentioned that such programs help strengthen the historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.

Laxman Gautam, Director of the Tourism Board, also spoke about the cultural importance of marriage in Eastern civilization and how Nepal is ready to offer a wonderful experience to Indian clients with its warm hospitality.

India Remains the Top Market

India continues to be the largest source of tourists for Nepal. According to official data from 2025:

• Total Visitors: Nepal welcomed a total of 1,158,451 tourists in 2025.
• Indian Share: Out of the total, 292,438 visitors (25.2%) were from India.