Beyond the Himalayas: Nepal Invites Global Travelers to Experience Wellness, Adventure, Culture and Sustainable Tourism at WTM London 2026Friday, November 6th, 2026

LONDON, UK / KATHMANDU, NEPAL – 5 November 2026

Showcasing Nepal’s diverse tourism experiences, strengthening international partnerships and building momentum for Nepal Wellness Year 2027.

Nepal delivered an impactful presence at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, held from 3 to 5 November at ExCeL London, highlighting its diverse tourism offerings and strengthening its engagement with the global travel trade.

Led by the Hon. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganess), Nepal’s delegation included Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and 32 tourism companies representing airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. The delegation actively engaged with international travel buyers, tourism professionals, media representatives and other industry stakeholders, generating interest in Nepal as a distinctive and sustainable travel destination.

The delegation also included Mr. Shankar Bahadur K.C., Executive Committee Member of NTB and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal. The Nepal Pavilion was inaugurated by Hon. Minister Paudel in the presence of Member of Parliament Mr. Manish Jha.

Located at Stall No. N8-530, the Nepal Pavilion emerged as an engaging destination showcase at the exhibition. With its authentic Nepali ambience, traditional hospitality and cultural presentations, the pavilion drew steady interest of visitors from across the international travel and tourism industry.

Nepal’s participation focused on connecting international travel buyers and tourism professionals with authentic, responsible and sustainable travel experiences. With the upcoming national campaign, Nepal Wellness Year 2027, the country placed particular emphasis on holistic wellness, yoga, meditation and spiritual rejuvenation, alongside its iconic Himalayan trekking routes, cultural heritage, wildlife safaris and community-based tourism experiences.

From the majestic Himalayas to sacred pilgrimage destinations, Nepal offers meaningful journeys for travelers seeking deeper connections with nature, culture, spirituality and local communities.

Key Highlights of Nepal’s Participation

High-Level Bilateral Meetings and International Engagements

During WTM London 2026, Hon. Minister Paudel convened high-level meetings and interactions with India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; Indian Rajya Sabha Member, renowned author, social worker, educator and philanthropist Sudha Murty; UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri; and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranatunga.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral tourism cooperation, expanding air connectivity, promoting cultural exchanges, exploring investment opportunities and enhancing international partnerships in the tourism sector.

These engagements provided an important platform to reinforce Nepal’s international tourism relationships and explore opportunities for greater collaboration with key destination markets.

Nepal at the 20th WTM Ministers’ Summit

The Hon. Minister participated in the 20th WTM Ministers’ Summit, held under the theme “Strengthening Tourism for a Resilient and Regenerative Future” jointly organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and UN Tourism.

The summit brought together global tourism leaders to discuss strengthening tourism resilience, promoting sustainable investment and enhancing collaboration between governments and the private sector to address emerging global challenges. Moderated by Ben Thompson, the discussion featured perspectives from tourism ministers on strengthening the industry’s ability to respond to emerging challenges.

Addressing the assembly, the Hon. Minister drew attention to the growing risk climate change poses to mountain destinations, citing the recent Bhotekoshi flash floods, which caused tragic loss of life and significant damage to tourism infrastructure and assets.

He emphasized the urgent need for effective crisis management systems involving local communities, governments and strong institutions.

He further underscored that community empowerment, supported by effective government policies and institutional coordination, is essential to building a sustainable and resilient tourism sector.

Community-Led Wildlife Conservation

Nepal highlighted its achievements in wildlife conservation, demonstrating how collaboration between local communities, conservation partners and national parks can contribute to protecting biodiversity.

The country’s conservation efforts include successful zero-poaching initiatives for rhinoceroses and significant growth in its wild tiger population. These achievements reflect Nepal’s continued commitment to safeguarding its unique ecosystems and promoting responsible wildlife tourism.

Diverse Himalayan Adventure Experiences

Beyond Mount Everest and the country’s established trekking routes, Nepal offers a wide spectrum of adventure experiences for travelers seeking new and distinctive journeys.

These include high-altitude marathons, mountain biking, white-water rafting and explorations of lesser-known landscapes, remote communities and cultural circuits.

By diversifying experiences beyond conventional itineraries, Nepal is inviting travelers to explore its geographical contrast, rich heritage and emerging adventure hubs.

Wellness, Mindfulness and Living Cultural Heritage

With Nepal Wellness Year 2027 approaching, Nepal is strengthening its position as a destination for holistic wellness, yoga, meditation and spiritual rejuvenation.

The country’s longstanding spiritual traditions, peaceful natural surroundings and rich cultural heritage provide an ideal setting for meaningful wellness experiences.

Travelers can combine wellness journeys with visits to sacred and historic destinations, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the ancient temples, monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley.

Through this integrated approach, Nepal aims to connect wellness tourism with cultural discovery, spirituality and authentic local experiences.

Nepal Evening in London

A major highlight of Nepal’s participation was the special Nepal Evening jointly organised by the Embassy of Nepal in London and Nepal Tourism Board on 4 November 2026.

The event brought together approximately 70 guests, including tourism professionals and representatives of various associations, providing an important platform to promote Nepal’s tourism potential, art and culture.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Minister Paudel highlighted Nepal’s potential as a global wellness destination, particularly its offerings in yoga and meditation, and extended an invitation to international travelers to experience Nepal.

Member of Parliament Mr. Manish Jha described Nepali tourism entrepreneurs as the true ambassadors of Nepal, recognising their vital role in promoting the country internationally. He acknowledged their continued efforts in driving tourism recovery and enhancing Nepal’s global tourism image.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Mr. Bipin Duwadi from Embassy of Nepal, highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom and the opportunities for further cooperation and investment.

NTB Senior Director Mr. Santosh Panta presented an overview of Nepal’s unique experiences, emerging opportunities and future promotional initiatives.

The programme featured presentations of Nepal’s tourism video, a networking dinner offering authentic Nepali cuisine and the distribution of promotional materials showcasing the country’s diverse tourism experiences.

The Nepal Evening provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with international tourism stakeholders while creating greater awareness of Nepal as a destination for culture, adventure, wellness and sustainable travel.

Strengthening Nepal’s Global Tourism Position

Through its participation at WTM London 2026, Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to positioning itself as a destination that offers much more than Himalayan adventure.

By bringing together wellness, spirituality, living cultural heritage, wildlife conservation, community-based tourism and sustainable travel experiences, Nepal seeks to respond to the evolving interests of international travelers.

With Nepal Wellness Year 2027 on the horizon, the country is looking to expand its international tourism partnerships, attract new investment, strengthen air connectivity and encourage responsible tourism development.

From the world’s highest mountains to its sacred spiritual destinations and vibrant living cultures, Nepal invites travelers to discover experiences that inspire, rejuvenate and create lasting connections.

Beyond the Himalayas, Nepal offers a journey of discovery, wellness and meaningful experiences.

The NTB’s delegation to WTM London 2026 was led by Sr. Director Mr. Santosh Panta, alongside NTB officials Ms. Sushila Kumari Baral, Ms. Srijana Nepali, Mr. Siddhartha Vishwakarma and Mr. Jayshakti Sarraf. The participating companies were:

Event & Contact Details

Event Dates: 3 – 5 November 2026

Exhibition Location: ExCeL London, United Kingdom

Nepal Stall Number: Stand N8-530

Organization: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)

Head Office: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal

Email: info@ntb.org.np, snepali@ntb.org.np

Phone: +977 1 5356909

Website: www.ntb.gov.np