In a bid to deepen tourism collaboration and foster greater people-to-people exchanges, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) jointly organized a tourism promotion event titled “Nepal-Bangladesh Tourism Meet” under the theme “Neighbourly Nepal: Land of Lifetime Experiences” at a prominent venue in the Dhaka on Friday (20 June, 2025) evening.
The event served as a dynamic platform to showcase Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings to Bangladeshi travel and tourism stakeholders, while also facilitating direct engagement between tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers, and airline representatives from both countries.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Mr. Ghanshyam Bhandari, underscored the growing appeal of Nepal among Bangladeshi travelers. Highlighting Nepal’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure experiences, he emphasized that tourism is not just an economic activity but a celebration of the longstanding friendship and shared heritage between the two nations.
Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari encouraged tour and travel entrepreneurs from both countries to build stronger B2B partnerships and actively contribute to strengthening bilateral relations through tourism. “Tourism and people-to-people exchanges are vital channels to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation,” he noted.
Mr. Rohini Prasad Khanal, Officiating Director at the NTB, delivered a detailed multimedia presentation spotlighting Nepal’s wide-ranging tourism experiences—from adrenaline-pumping activities like trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, and bungee jumping to serene options such as spiritual retreats, wellness escapes, and the emerging domain of medical tourism.
He invited Bangladeshi travelers to explore Nepal not just as tourists, but as friends of the country who take back lasting memories and emotional connections. “Nepal is a destination where stories are not just told but lived,” he said.
Representing the Government of Bangladesh, Mr. AKM Moniruzzaman, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, reiterated the importance of enhancing tourism cooperation. He proposed the development of joint tourism packages positioning Nepal and Bangladesh as complementary destinations for regional and international visitors. “Together, we can offer a more diverse and attractive tourism circuit to the global traveler,” he suggested.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal, Ms. Lalita Silwal, in her welcome remarks, affirmed Nepal’s strong commitment to unlocking the full potential of tourism ties with Bangladesh. She highlighted the importance of such collaborative events in building goodwill and expanding economic opportunities.
A special highlight of the evening was an inspiring speech by Bangladeshi mountaineer Mr. Ikramul Hassan Shakil, who recounted his remarkable 1372-kilometre ‘Sea to Summit’ journey, culminating in the successful ascent of Mt. Everest on 19 May 2025. His story resonated deeply with the audience, symbolizing the spirit of adventure that Nepal has to offer.
Remarks were also delivered by Mr. Abdus Salam Aref, President of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), and Mr. Mohiuddin Helal, Chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair, both of whom pledged continued collaboration to enhance tourism flows between the two countries.
The programme featured lively Nepali folk cultural performances, giving attendees a taste of Nepal’s rich artistic traditions. A raffle draw was also held, with attractive prizes including round-trip air tickets for the Dhaka–Kathmandu sector, sponsored by Himalaya Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and exclusive Nepal holiday packages provided by participating Nepali tour operators.
Earlier in the day, B2B and networking sessions were conducted, allowing Bangladeshi and Nepali tourism stakeholders to explore partnership opportunities, share insights, and discuss future collaborative ventures.
The Nepali delegation included NTB officials and representatives from 13 leading travel and tour companies. Over 150 participants attended the event, including government officials, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airline representatives, and other key stakeholders from Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Nepal-Bangladesh Tourism Meet reaffirmed the strong tourism potential between the two neighboring countries and marked a significant step toward building more structured and sustained cooperation in the sector.
