Nepal Targets Global Wellness Boom with 10-Year Plan to Attract 10,000 Tourists Annually

Kathmandu — Nepal has introduced its first 10-year national wellness tourism strategy, aiming to attract more than 10,000 international wellness travelers every year after 2030. The government expects the sector to generate around $20 million to $30 million in annual income.

The strategy, prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, covers 2026 to 2035, while its action plan focuses on work to be carried out between 2026 and 2030. It aims to develop wellness infrastructure, improve service quality, train skilled human resources, and promote Nepal as a global destination for healing, meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, and spiritual tourism.

With the vision of making Nepal a wellness tourism destination and a foundation for economic growth, the government has also declared 2027 as “Nepal Wellness Year.” A “Wellness Nepal” marketing campaign is planned to increase Nepal’s visibility in the international market.

At present, wellness tourists are estimated to make up only around 2 percent of total foreign arrivals. To increase this share, the strategy has identified five priority locations and seven major target groups, including international yoga practitioners, spiritual seekers, health-focused travelers, adventure and wellness tourists, spa visitors, corporate wellness groups, and family wellness travelers.

By 2030, Nepal plans to establish integrated wellness centers in at least five major areas, train 2,000 certified wellness professionals, and create new employment opportunities, especially for women, youth, and local communities. The plan also aims to improve tourist satisfaction and build long-term trust in Nepal’s wellness services.

To maintain quality, wellness centers and institutions will be recognized under a three-level certification system: bronze, silver, and gold. The ranking will be based on service quality, safety, staff training, sustainability, and overall standards.

The government also plans to launch pilot projects with private sector participation. These include international-standard wellness retreats in Kathmandu or Pokhara, a Himalayan wellness retreat hub, and a wellness village in Lumbini.

Through wellness trekking, Himalayan Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and monk-led spiritual practices, Nepal hopes to position itself as one of the world’s leading wellness tourism destinations in the coming decade.