Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) - Chanxin International Buddhist Magazine

Golden Era of Buddhist Tourism - Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) 2024, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) 2024, held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu on June 14 & 15, marked a significant event in the promotion of Buddhist tourism. Organized by the Summit Events & Markets in Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Nepal Tourism Board, this expo provided a valuable platform for the global Buddhist community.

The event was inaugurated by Nepal’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Hit Bahadur Tamang, who served as the Chief Guest. The expo brought together representatives from Nepal, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Maldives, United States, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bhutan. In total, 16 countries participated, with 150 sellers, 250 buyers, and over 1,000 visitors attending.

Mr. Bishnu Pandey, the Founder & Chairman of Summit Events & Markets in Nepal, expressed his enthusiasm during his speech. He stated, “The Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) is the first and largest tourism exhibition in Nepal dedicated to the travel industry. It aims to bring together the entire spectrum of the travel and tourism sector, offering a unique opportunity for networking, fostering new collaborations, and establishing sustainable partnerships. This event serves as a major platform for increasing business contacts and promoting Nepal’s tourism industry.”

“Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) aims to bring together tourism-related businesses (hotels, resorts, homestays, travel tour, mountaineering agencies, airlines, interested persons and agencies) in the country and abroad to promote tourism in Nepal. At the expo, various national and international tourism stakeholders are getting a two-day networking opportunity to foster new collaborations and establish sustainable partnerships. This event is expected to serve as a platform for increasing business contacts and promoting Nepal’s tourism industry” Mr. Bishnu Pandey said.

Hon. Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang emphasized the government’s commitment to attracting at least 1.6 million tourists this year by addressing issues in the tourism sector, including the reduction of VAT and other taxes on air tickets. He expressed confidence that the expo would significantly contribute to promoting Nepal’s tourism worldwide.

Bihar Tourism and Tourism Malaysia were among the notable participants, showcasing their activities. The event also saw the participation of many countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Bhutan, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, each promoting trade, tourism, and international relations.

Dr. Kaulesh Kumar, the Secretary General of the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) and Managing Director at Hans Holidays Private Limited, delivered a special speech highlighting the importance of promoting Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. He noted that ABTO, established in 2015 in Nalanda, Bihar, now has about 1,500 members and 5,000 non-member supporters worldwide, including specialists in Buddhist circuits and culture.

The Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) is an essential event for introducing the Buddhist sector to the world. Dr. Kaulesh Kumar extended special thanks to the Nepal government and the organizing committee for hosting this mega event.

Looking ahead, the next Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE) is scheduled for May 30 & 31, 2025, in Kathmandu. This national-level event aims to continue promoting Nepal’s tourism industry through mega events, summit events, and market activities. It will play a crucial role in strengthening Nepal’s economic, cultural, social, and international relations. The expo will feature panel discussions on various tourism-related topics, serving as a significant platform for enhancing business contacts and promoting Nepal’s tourism industry.

Buddhika Sanjeewa

Founder/Chairman/Chief Editor

Mettavalokana Buddhist Publications Centre

After visit to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Official Photographs By – NITE