Experts and stakeholders have emphasized the need to prioritize public-private partnerships, rural tourism promotion, and cross-border cooperation to make the tourism sector of Koshi Province sustainable, competitive, and employment-oriented.

In a panel discussion held under the 'Koshi Tourism Conclave' organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of the Koshi Province Government in Biratnagar on Friday, participants expressed the view that cooperation between policy, infrastructure, and the private sector should be made effective for tourism development.

In the first session titled 'Tourism Development Dialogue in Koshi', the opportunities, challenges, and public-private partnerships seen in the tourism sector were discussed. In the session chaired by Mukunda Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, speakers said that although the province has sufficient tourism potential, the expected achievements have not been achieved due to lack of infrastructure, policy complexity, and lack of an investment-friendly environment.

Rajendra Raut, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Koshi, emphasized the need to see the private sector as a partner in tourism development. Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Director Hikmat Singh Air said that Koshi Province can be developed as a 'gateway' for tourist destinations in eastern Nepal. Provincial Investment Authority Chief Executive Director Dr. Saroj Koirala opined that a clear policy and facilitation are needed to attract investment in the tourism sector. The session was facilitated by journalist Birat Anupam.

The second session titled 'Village Tourism, City Tourists' focused on the need to link rural tourism with the local economy. In the session chaired by Provincial Planning Commission member Taranath Niraula, speakers said that local employment can be created by linking the original culture, natural heritage and lifestyle of rural areas with tourism.

Tourism expert Virendra Tamling from Sikkim, India shared his experience that the practice of community-based tourism can strengthen the rural economy. Pokhara Tourism Council representative Tikaram Sapkota, tourism expert Dr. Alok Parajuli and tourism expert and author Roshan Sherchan emphasized the need to pay special attention to infrastructure, branding and market management for the promotion of rural tourism. The session was facilitated by journalist Suman Suskera.

Similarly, in the discussion on 'Cross-Border Tourism', the issue of developing the border area as a tourism hub by facilitating movement between Nepal and India was raised. In the session chaired by former Deputy Inspector General of Police Uttam Kumar Karki, speakers said that immigration, customs and transport management should be made more effective to promote cross-border tourism.

Mechi Customs Office Chief Shivlal Neupane, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Central President Kumarmani Thapaliya, Kakadbhitta Immigration Office Chief Tulsi Bhattarai, and West Bengal, India Tourism Engineer Raj Basu expressed the view that bilateral cooperation should be expanded to facilitate tourist movement between Nepal and India. The session was facilitated by researcher Sagar Shiwakoti.

Earlier, Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki said that Koshi Province has abundant tourism potential and the government will provide as much support and cooperation as possible in promoting tourism. 

Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment Bhim Parajuli discussed the leading position of Koshi in religious tourism. Koshi Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Poudel, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mukunda Niraula, Chairman of the Industry, Tourism and Environment Committee Ramdev Yadav and others said that cooperation between the federal, provincial and local levels is indispensable for tourism development.