Inaugurating the event, Koshi Province’s Minister for Tourism, Forests and Environment, Bhim Parajuli, highlighted the region’s rich natural, cultural, and religious assets. He expressed confidence that Koshi Province has the potential to emerge as a major gateway to Nepal’s tourism sector. “We are moving forward with a structured approach to develop and position the province at the international level,” he said. He also emphasized the region’s biodiversity, wetlands, and wildlife tourism opportunities, noting that it spans from the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, to the lowland plains of Kachankawal. The provincial government, he added, is actively working on infrastructure development, investment promotion, and policy facilitation to strengthen the tourism sector.

Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, expressed confidence that the event would serve as a strong platform to promote eastern Nepal’s tourism. He underscored the government’s focus on tourism as a key pillar of the economy, with ongoing initiatives such as the 16th periodic plan and the “Tourism Decade” campaign aimed at boosting employment and income generation. According to him, eastern Nepal’s tourism sector has moved beyond potential and is now entering a phase of implementation. He also stressed the importance of improving service quality and visitor experience to enhance Nepal’s competitiveness in the global market.

Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, described tourism as a powerful connector of culture, economy, and people. He identified eastern Nepal as a major hub for adventure, cultural, and nature-based tourism. He pointed to attractions such as trekking routes in the Makalu and Kanchenjunga regions, the tea gardens of Ilam, religious sites, and various adventure activities as key assets that can elevate the region’s global appeal. “The Eastern Travel Mart is not just an event—it is a platform for collaboration and long-term partnerships,” he stated.

Punya Prasad Bhattarai, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Koshi Province and coordinator of the event, said the primary objective of the mart is to bring together tourism entrepreneurs from border regions to expand business networks. He added that the event includes B2B meetings, panel discussions, and destination familiarization tours.

During the ceremony, Hikmat Singh Air, Senior Director at the Nepal Tourism Board, was honored for his significant contribution to the tourism sector. The event has attracted notable participation from international tourism entrepreneurs, including representatives from India and Bhutan. According to organizers, more than 100 international participants from regions such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Sikkim in India, along with Bhutan, are attending, alongside over 50 participants from across Nepal. The Eastern Travel Mart will continue until March 30.