First International Tourism Conference to Be Held in Karnali Province, Nepal

Karnali Province, Nepal, is set to host its first-ever international tourism conference in Birendranagar, Surkhet, from Jestha 8–10 (May 21–23, 2026). The conference is being jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and Birendranagar Municipality, in coordination with the Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation Karnali Province.

According to the organizers, the conference aims to promote Karnali Province’s tourism potential, strengthen tourism development, encourage investment opportunities, and enhance national and international cooperation in the tourism sector.

President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation Karnali Province, Tarka Bahadur Shahi, stated that Karnali is rich in natural beauty, cultural diversity, religious heritage, and adventure tourism destinations, but its global promotion remains limited.

“Karnali Province possesses immense tourism potential. It is essential to introduce our natural beauty, cultural identity, and tourism destinations to the international market,” Shahi said. “This conference has been organized to promote sustainable tourism development, strengthen tourism promotion, and build long-term cooperation.”

The host organization has confirmed that preparations for the event have been successfully completed, and the organizing team is fully prepared. The conference warmly welcomes national and international tourism stakeholders to participate and contribute to meaningful discussions and collaboration in the tourism sector.

The conference is expected to witness the participation of prominent tourism entrepreneurs, investors, travel agencies, tour operators, buyers, media representatives, travel vloggers, tourism experts, hospitality professionals, and Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) representatives from various parts of the world.

A significant highlight of the conference will be the active engagement of the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) community through the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), the global umbrella organization representing Nepalis living abroad. The NRNA plays a key role in connecting the global Nepali diaspora with Nepal’s economic, social, and tourism development initiatives. Through its International Coordination Council (ICC) and various national chapters, the organization has been continuously contributing to investment promotion, knowledge exchange, tourism advocacy, and international networking for Nepal.

In this conference, Mr. Som Nath Sapkota, Spokesperson of the NRNA ICC and Chair of the Tourism Promotion Committee, will also participate. His involvement is expected to strengthen dialogue on global tourism branding, diaspora engagement, and the role of NRNs in promoting Nepal as an attractive international tourism and investment destination.

The conference is also expected to serve as an important milestone in strengthening tourism development efforts in Nepal’s Far-Western region, helping to attract investors and enhance visibility of the region’s tourism potential. Mr. Hikmat Singh Ayer, Acting Executive Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), stated that the event will be a milestone in promoting the Far-West region and attracting investment to both the Far-West and Nepal as a whole. His remarks highlight the strategic importance of the conference in expanding tourism investment and development opportunities beyond traditional destinations.

The conference also aims to further deepen engagement with NRNs worldwide, encouraging them to contribute not only as investors but also as tourism ambassadors who can promote Nepal’s destinations, culture, and heritage in their respective countries of residence. Organizers believe that stronger collaboration with NRNs will help enhance Nepal’s global visibility and open new pathways for tourism growth, entrepreneurship, and international partnerships.

The conference is expected to witness participation from various parts of Nepal and India. Special participation is anticipated from the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi, which are considered important tourism and business markets for Nepal.

Representatives from these regions are expected to explore opportunities for cross-border tourism collaboration, destination promotion, cultural exchange, tourism partnerships, and sustainable tourism development in Karnali Province. Their participation is also expected to strengthen tourism connectivity between Nepal and India while creating new opportunities for regional cooperation, business networking, and international tourism promotion.

Travel Agent Delegation from India

A strong delegation of travel agents and tourism professionals from India is also expected to participate in the conference. The confirmed list includes a wide range of experienced tourism professionals and industry stakeholders who will contribute to B2B networking and collaboration opportunities.

The event will feature B2B meetings, networking sessions, tourism destination presentations, local heritage and site visits, technical discussions, and expert speaker sessions aimed at strengthening tourism promotion and development strategies.

Karnali Province is widely recognized for iconic destinations such as Rara Lake, Shey-Phoksundo National Park, and the historic Sinja Valley. Stakeholders believe these destinations hold strong potential to attract international tourists and establish Karnali as an emerging tourism destination in Nepal.

The conference has also emphasized the importance of tourism infrastructure development, policy support, and collaboration between government and private sectors to promote sustainable tourism growth in the region.

Organizers view this conference not merely as a single event, but as the foundation for positioning Karnali Province as an international tourism destination. There are also plans to develop the event into an annual international tourism conference in the future.

Overall, this historic conference is expected to play a vital role in promoting Karnali Province globally, strengthening tourism cooperation, encouraging economic growth, and enhancing Nepal’s international tourism presence.