कर्णालीलाई अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पर्यटन बजारसँग जोड्ने प्रयास, ‘कर्णाली टुरिजम् मिट–२०२६’ बाट नयाँ आशाKarnali Tourism Meet 2026 Sparks Hope for Global Tourism Promotion

The “Karnali Tourism Meet–2026,” organized under the slogan “In the Lap of Nature and Culture,” has begun in Surkhet with the objective of connecting Karnali Province to the international tourism market. The event, jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and Birendranagar Municipality, brought together tourism entrepreneurs, government officials, and representatives from Nepal and India to discuss the region’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism development.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Karnali Province Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Suresh Adhikari said Karnali is no longer viewed only as a remote region but as a destination with world-class tourism potential. He stressed the need to internationally brand destinations such as Rara Lake, Shey-Phoksundo, Gurans, Humla, and Dolpa to attract global visitors.

Tourism Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula described Karnali as a “living museum” of Nepali civilization, Himalayan culture, biodiversity, and traditional lifestyles. He noted that global tourism trends are shifting toward authentic cultural experiences rather than artificial attractions, adding that Karnali possesses exactly the kind of originality modern travelers seek.

Nepal Tourism Board CEO Hikmat Singh Air said Karnali could become an attractive destination for Indian tourists due to its relatively easy accessibility from the Nepal–India border. He emphasized the importance of improving tourism services, infrastructure, and hospitality standards to effectively attract visitors from neighboring India.

Indian tourism entrepreneurs participating in the event also expressed interest in promoting Karnali as a new tourism destination. They said Karnali’s cool climate, natural beauty, and cultural diversity could appeal strongly to Indian travelers, especially during the summer season.

As part of the tourism meet, Indian tourism entrepreneurs and journalists will be taken on familiarization trips to Dailekh, Gurans, and several tourist destinations in Surkhet. Organizers believe stronger coordination between government bodies, local communities, and the private sector could help establish Karnali as Nepal’s next major “high-value tourism destination.”