Banke – The recent Travel Mart organized by NATTA Banke has drawn both interest and criticism from local tourism experts and stakeholders. According to them, expecting a surge in Indian tourist arrivals solely through formal events like travel marts is far removed from ground reality.
The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Banke Chapter, has been claiming that the Western Travel Mart will attract a large number of Indian tourists. However, local tourism entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and observers have begun labeling these claims as mere “empty talk.”
NATTA Banke first launched the Western Travel Mart on Falgun 25, 2078 BS (March 9, 2022). However, there was no subsequent review of its outcomes. The initiative was repeated on Magh 15, 2079 BS (January 29, 2023), with no tangible success. As a result, government bodies reportedly lost confidence in the initiative. In 2082 BS (2025 AD), yet another travel mart was held in Nepalgunj, this time under the guise of promoting local cuisine, seemingly just to exhaust the allocated budget, according to a tourism journalist.
Although NATTA Banke stated that the travel mart was aimed at enhancing tourism cooperation with India, there has been no noticeable impact to date. There has been neither a significant rise in Indian tourist arrivals nor any meaningful growth in the local tourism industry.
A tourism journalist from Nepalgunj stated, “Every year, promotional events are organized, but no direct benefits are seen. If we truly want to attract Indian tourists, we need practical actions, not speeches.” The event had only a few travel agencies and hotel operators from Nepalgunj and a limited number of travel agents from India in attendance. Even years after its conclusion, there has been no notable increase in tourist activity at the border checkpoints, highlighting the ineffectiveness of such programs.
An Indian travel entrepreneur remarked that organizing fairs, festivals, or travel marts alone is not enough to attract Indian tourists to Banke. He emphasized the need for regular promotion in major Indian cities, improved transportation, competitive travel packages, and smoother immigration processes at the border.
Despite this, NATTA Banke officials continue to claim that the travel marts are successful. One entrepreneur stated, “We have started building direct communication with Indian agencies. It will take time to see results.” However, another entrepreneur countered, “Repeating fruitless events year after year under the pretext of delayed outcomes is like untimely rainfall—useless and disappointing.”
NATTA Banke has repeatedly announced plans to attract tourists from Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar through conferences and press briefings. Yet, these plans have failed to materialize. There is neither a noticeable increase in hotel bookings in Nepalgunj nor any clear communication about new tourism packages or collaborations.
A local hotelier noted, “Every year we hear big claims about bringing in tourists, but nothing ever happens. Tourism cannot thrive on talk alone—it requires strategic planning and deep cooperation.” According to him, attracting Indian tourists requires affordable packages, cheap transportation, clean services, and a safe environment—areas where NATTA has yet to show real initiative.
