Back to news
22 May 2019 | Livelihoods

Regional cooperation for tourism development: High-level dialogue on promoting India–Nepal cross-border tourism, trade, and industry

Tourism and trade play a significant role in socioeconomic development and cultural preservation in Nepal and India. Age-old cultural and trade connections between the two friendly nations bolster bilateral business, trade, and investment while also helping preserve shared natural and cultural heritage and social harmony. To further promote tourism and trade between the two countries with a special focus on eastern Nepal, West Bengal and Sikkim, a one-day event on cross-border tourism, trade, and industry was organized in Siliguri, India, by the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata and the Confederation of Indian Industry on 7 April 2019. Anu K Lama, Tourism Specialist, represented the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI) at the event.

3 mins Read

70% Complete
Inauguration of the newly established FABKA secretariat in Kathmandu. ICIMOD, 2019.

Cross-border tourism and regional cooperation are priority areas of the KLCDI – part of its overarching goal to further landscape-level conservation and sustainable development in the Kangchenjunga Landscape. Tourism development can create significant livelihood and economic opportunities, but it is crucial to balance it with the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of cultural heritage. Considering the shared cultures and landscapes between India and Nepal, cooperation is critical for sustainable transboundary tourism development in the Kangchenjunga Landscape. The Siliguri event’s focus intersected with the KLCDI’s thematic area of interest – sustainable cross-border tourism through regional cooperation – and laid the foundation for greater bilateral cooperation, networking and partnership.

The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries and key stakeholders from both countries representing government agencies, diplomatic missions, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society. His Excellency Ek Narayan Aryal, Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, was the Chief Guest. During the inaugural session, he spoke about prioritizing three broad areas for regional cooperation around the theme of the event: 1) increase investments to improve connectivity to key destinations in the region through air, land, and water; 2) support the flagship programme Visit Nepal 2020, prioritizing tourism in eastern Nepal; and 3) strengthen and capitalize on the regional tourism market through common branding and marketing strategies to attract visitors to both countries.

“Eastern Nepal boasts many attractions: from the country’s lowest point in Kechana Kawal, Jhapa, to Mount Everest, the highest mountain of the world,” said Honourable Secretary Badri Raj Dhungana, Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Government of Nepal. He identified the close cultural and commercial ties between India and Nepal as an important foundation for collaborative cross-border tourism development.

Air connectivity is essential for a thriving tourism industry, and P Subramani, Director of Bagdogra Airport in India, pointed to the possibility of flights between Bagdogra and eastern Nepal in the future as airport expansion activities are currently underway – expected to be completed by September 2019. This interconnectivity would certainly boost regional tourism given the incoming traffic of tourists at Bagdogra Airport: there was a 48.2% increase in tourist flow (totaling around 2.25 million) at Bagdogra Airport in 2017/2018 in comparison to the previous year. An approximately 30% increase is expected in 2018/2019.

2
1. The cross-border event on tourism development – held in Siliguri in April 2019 – brought together experts from different sectors (Photo: Anu K Lama) 2. The panel dialogue on cross-border tourism development covered issues ranging from infrastructure and connectivity to the promotion and conservation of heritages and regional collaboration (Photo: Anu K Lama)

A panel discussion comprising experts on tourism, trade, and industry was moderated by Raj Basu, Chair of Tourism, Confederation of Indian Industry. Representatives from Nepal – both from the government and local bodies – drew attention to the distinct appeal of eastern Nepal’s landscapes and heritage, such as the Pathibhara Temple, which is a site of great religious significance for devotees from Nepal and India.

Ganesh Prasad Timsina, Chief Administrative Officer of Damak Municipality, stressed on the importance of improved infrastructure, connectivity, and marketing for tourism development across borders. He recommended the continuation of such high-level cross-border dialogues among diverse tourism stakeholders.

Anu K Lama, Tourism Specialist, ICIMOD, explained the KLCDI’s interests and initiatives and spoke about the significance of tourism and trade. She proposed five key areas for tourism development in the concerned areas of Nepal and India: 1) building competitive tourism products and market position, 2) strengthening connectivity, 3) ensuring effective public–private partnership, 4) building the capacity of tourism service providers, and 5) promoting research and development collaboration.

Biswa Prasad Paneru, Consul, Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata, delivered a vote of thanks, emphasizing the need and value of multi-level, multi-stakeholder partnerships in strengthening cross-border tourism between India and Nepal.

The cross-border event was successful in achieving two important goals. First, it helped initiate dialogue on an important sector that could benefit from a common strategy and utilization of shared resources. Second, the event helped strengthen bilateral institutional ties crucial for scaling sustainable tourism development beyond borders. Transboundary collaboration for tourism development can ensure sustainability and preservation of nature, culture and heritage and improve the livelihoods of millions in both India and Nepal.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

RELATED CONTENTS

Continue exploring this topic

22 Feb 2022 KSL
Embedding GESI in natural resource management planning at the local government level in Nepal

Rural livelihoods depend largely on the use of natural resources. Women being the primary users of natural resources should have ...

1 Jun 2016 News
ICIMOD’s REDD+ Himalaya Initiative Kicks off in Myanmar

The REDD+ Himalaya Initiative of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) was formally launched during a kick-off and ...

3 Sep 2020 CBFEWS
At the ready for floods in the Koshi: CBFEWS orientation trainings during the pandemic

Even as communities reel from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the threat of floods is omnipresent. Koshi River drains ...

22 May 2019 Atmosphere Initiative
Knowledge brokering and policy engagement through the CCAC to address atmospheric pollution

The CCAC is the first global effort to treat pollutants as a collective challenge. Formed in 2012, it is a ...

11 Dec 2014 News
Winners of ICT for Mountain Development Award 2014

ICIMOD is pleased to announce the four winners of the ICT for Mountain Development Award 2014. They are Avinash Jha ...

30 Sep 2019 Livelihoods
Himalayan large black cardamom: Geographical indication key to developing value chain in the Kangchenjunga Landscape

During the workshop, Kinlay Tshering, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Bhutan, emphasized the need to capitalize on the unmet ...

21 Nov 2022 Press releases
ICIMOD signs MoUs with AKF, UCA, and other partners to foster climate resilience in Bam-e-Dunya

Kathmandu, Nepal – 18 November 2022: Fostering cooperation on evidence-based policy making and promoting science and sharing of best practices ...

6 Apr 2022 News
ICIMOD and Nepal Mountaineering Association embark on a partnership for mountains

Kathmandu, 5 April: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and Nepal Mountaineering ...