Nepal showcased as premier wedding destination

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 30: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) showcased Nepal as a premier destination for weddings in New Delhi. 

Amid growing instability in global tourism and disruptions in international air routes due to escalating tensions in West Asia, the NTB has launched its targeted promotional efforts in India, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The promotion of Nepal as wedding destination was a part of this strategy. For this, the NTB, in collaboration with the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, organised the 'Nepal Destination Wedding and OTAs Connect' on April 28–29. 

The two-day event brought together key stakeholders from Nepal and India’s tourism and wedding industries, aiming to position Nepal as a dream wedding destination that blends cultural richness, natural beauty, and traditional heritage.

According to NTB Senior Officer Robin Regmi, the event was participated by 21 leading Nepali companies and 45 Indian wedding planners. Nepali delegates showcased high-end hotels, resorts, and specialised services tailored for destination weddings. 

“Through B2B meetings, presentations, networking sessions, and discussions, the event has laid a strong foundation for expanding Nepal-India collaboration in wedding tourism,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of NTB, Deepak Raj Joshi, highlighted wedding tourism as a high-potential segment for Nepal. “Nepal offers immense opportunities in wedding tourism, with a diverse range of venues from luxury resorts to unique natural and cultural sites,” he said. 

Joshi expressed confidence that such initiatives would not only increase tourist arrivals but also promote high-value tourism, contributing significantly to the national economy and supporting allied sectors, NTB said in the statement.

President of the HAN Vinayak Shah, emphasised that strengthened collaboration between Nepal and India would play a crucial role in advancing wedding tourism. 

Similarly, Niraj Dhawan, President of the Indian Wedding Planner Association, noted that the rising popularity of destination weddings among Indian couples presents a significant opportunity for Nepal. 

Dr. Surendra Thapa, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, expressed confidence that such initiatives would elevate bilateral tourism cooperation to new heights.

In 2025, Nepal recorded a total of 1,158,451 international tourist arrivals, of which 292,438 (25.2 per cent) were from India.

Regmi said that promoting wedding tourism in the Indian market is expected to attract high-spending visitors and help ensure year-round tourism activity. 

The initiative is also anticipated to strengthen Nepal’s positioning not only as a travel destination but as a hub for culturally immersive, luxurious, and unforgettable wedding experiences.