Nepal promoted as premier destination for Wedding Tourism in New Delhi

Kathmandu: Nepal has been actively promoted as a premier destination for wedding tourism in the Indian market amid ongoing disruptions in global tourism and international air routes due to rising tensions in West Asia.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) and the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, organized a two-day promotional event titled “Nepal Destination Wedding & OTAs Connect” on April 28 and 29 in New Delhi.

The event aimed to position Nepal as an attractive destination for luxury and culturally rich weddings, highlighting its natural beauty, heritage sites, and high-end hospitality services. It brought together tourism and wedding industry stakeholders from both Nepal and India.

According to NTB Senior Officer Robin Regmi, the program saw participation from 21 Nepali companies and 45 Indian wedding planners. Various Nepali hotels, resorts, and wedding service providers showcased their offerings through business-to-business meetings, presentations, and networking sessions.

NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said wedding tourism is a high-potential segment for Nepal. He emphasized that Nepal offers diverse venues ranging from luxury resorts to culturally significant and scenic locations, making it ideal for destination weddings. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would help increase tourist arrivals and contribute to high-value tourism growth.

Hotel Association of Nepal President Vinayak Shah highlighted that stronger Nepal–India collaboration could significantly boost wedding tourism. Similarly, Indian Wedding Planner Association President Niraj Dhawan noted that the growing demand for destination weddings among Indian couples presents a major opportunity for Nepal.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, Dr. Surendra Thapa, stressed the deep cultural and historical ties between Nepal and India, expressing optimism that such initiatives would further strengthen tourism cooperation.

NTB Director Laxman Gautam also underlined Nepal’s potential in the wedding tourism market, stating that the country’s hospitality, scenic venues, and cultural richness make it highly suitable for Indian destination weddings.

Recent NTB data shows India remains Nepal’s largest source market. In 2025, Nepal welcomed 1,158,451 international tourists, of which 292,438 about 25.2 percent were from India.

Officials believe that promoting wedding tourism in India will attract high-spending visitors and help boost year-round tourism, further establishing Nepal as a hub for luxury and culturally immersive wedding experiences.