Kathmandu: At the 12th Asian Tourism Fair held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nepal urged visitors to visit Nepal, stating that it is ready to welcome tourists.
The Nepal Tourism Board conveyed the message that “Nepal is fully prepared to welcome tourists” at the fair held at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka from September 18 to September 20.
This marks the first major participation of Nepali tourism business companies in an international fair following the challenges Nepal faced during the recent Gen-Z movement. This participation conveyed a message to Bangladeshi tourism entrepreneurs and tourists that Nepal has returned to normality and is ready to welcome tourists safely.
Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, addressing the opening session of the fair, stated that Nepal’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly despite various challenges. He said that initiatives are being taken to further strengthen tourism cooperation and people-to-people relations between Nepal and Bangladesh.
The Nepal stall at the fair also saw a large number of visitors. Moreover, through the stall, participating Nepali companies were able to identify new opportunities, renew old relationships, and present their packages and services.
Several Bangladeshi visitors enquired about the situation in Nepal following the recent Gen-Z movement, expressing assurance at seeing Nepal quickly return to normal. Comparing it to political events in Bangladesh in the past year, they commented that it had no impact on their plans to visit Nepal.
Bangladesh has rapidly become a growing tourist market for Nepal. In 2024, Nepal welcomed about 49,000 Bangladeshi tourists, and tourism board figures show nearly a 32 per cent increase in arrivals of Bangladeshi tourists in the first eight months of 2025. Geographic proximity, similar lifestyles, and Bangladesh’s rising economic capacity have proven to be an “opportunity” for Nepal.
This year’s fair featured 150 organisations from eight different countries, presenting tourism services and packages through 180 stalls. Alongside NTB, 10 Nepali companies participated, including Himalayan Club Tours & Travel, Nepal Big Mountain Travel Company, The Trek Nepal, Go Nepal Travel Tours & Trekking, Snowy Horizon Treks & Expedition, Classical Adventure Nepal, Himalgiri Travel & Tours, Female Guide Kathmandu, Kathmandu Sweet Home, and Regulus Treks & Expedition.
According to NTB, Nepal’s participation in the fair sent out a strong message that Nepal is a safe and hospitable destination, further contributing to the strengthening of tourism ties between Nepal and Bangladesh.
