Far West Travel Mart Begins in KanchanpurFriday, May 9th, 2025

With the objective of unlocking the vast tourism potential of Nepal’s Far West, the Far West Travel Mart has officially commenced on May 9, 2025 in Kanchanpur. The three-day event is jointly organized by Bhimdatta Municipality in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and aims to promote the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure offerings through business networking and destination showcasing.

The program began with a welcome address by NTB Senior Manager Udaya Bhattarai, who highlighted the importance of harmonizing conservation with sustainable tourism development. He emphasized the Far West as an emerging destination rich in unique experiences for both domestic and international travelers.

The Mart was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, who symbolically watered plants to launch the event. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of developing infrastructure and fostering collaboration to elevate the Far West to international tourism prominence.

“The Far West is no longer a hidden gem—it is a rising destination. Through initiatives like the Travel Mart, we are telling the world that this region is ready to welcome explorers, pilgrims, and adventurers,” said Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board. “This event represents our commitment to equitable tourism growth across Nepal. The Board will continue to support platforms that unlock new tourism frontiers.”

Over 40 prominent tour operators from India are participating, along with representatives from NATTA, PATA, and local tourism entrepreneurs from multiple districts. The Mart also featured cultural performances from the Rana Tharu and Tharu communities and showcased key destinations such as Badimalika, Khaptad National Park, Ramaroshan, Api Himal, Saipal, and Ugratara.

A new QR Code Service was also launched to enable digital access to destination information, making it easier for tourists to plan their visits.

The Mart continues with an introductory session and field visits, and concludes on May 11. NTB believes this event will significantly boost inbound tourism from neighboring India and help integrate the Far West into Nepal’s broader tourism narrative.

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