Despite the open border between Nepal and India, the tourism potential of Nepalgunj has not been fully utilized due to unorganized security checks, unnecessary restrictions, and practical problems. A three-day 'Cross-Border Tourism Conclave' has begun in Nepalgunj from Friday with the aim of addressing this problem and finding solutions.

The conclave, organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and coordinated by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Banke Chapter, is attended by tourism professionals, policymakers, security personnel and stakeholders from Nepal and India. Inaugurating the conclave, Prashant Bista, Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City, said that although Nepalgunj is an important destination in terms of religious tourism, the expected benefits have not been realized due to cross-border obstacles. He said that effective coordination between the local level, the private sector and the central government is essential to attract Indian tourists. The first panel session of the

program focused on the topic of ‘Strengthening Nepal-India Cross-Border Tourism Connectivity’. Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi, former Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City Dhaval Shamsher Rana, Banke Police Chief Angur GC and former President of NATTA Banke Shriram Sigdel participated in the discussion.

The panel discussion focused on the issue of unnecessary restrictions at the border, lengthy security checks, and the behavior of security personnel and lack of coordination that discourage tourists. The speakers emphasized the need to change the trend of viewing Nepalgunj as a mere transit city and remove obstacles to develop it as a gateway to Karnali and the Far West and a potential international tourism hub.

Indian tour operators and journalists participating in the conclave suggested the formation of a Nepal-India Joint Tourism Council to improve the behavior of security personnel with tourists and to institutionalize cross-border tourism.

Banke Police Chief Angur GC acknowledged the challenges of border security and said that he was committed to ensuring tourist-friendly police services. He said that these problems that have been arising for decades should no longer be avoided and informed that preparations are being made to convert the security checks at the border into a digital system.

Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said that despite the great potential for tourism in Banke and Nepalgunj, cross-border problems have become the main obstacle. He said that such international dialogues would help in taking concrete initiatives towards solving these problems. He also mentioned that Nepal is an attractive destination for wedding, wellness and wildlife tourism.

Former President and Program Coordinator of NATTA Banke, Shriram Sigdel, said that it would be difficult to make Nepalgunj an international tourism hub without direct Delhi-Nepalgunj flights and cross-border cooperation. Former Mayor of Nepalgunj, Dhawal Shamsher Rana, opined that the main need of the hour is to solve border problems and highlight the real tourism identity of the city.

32 stalls have been set up in the conclave, which is attended by about 40 Indian tour operators. The program includes B-2B meetings, policy discussions, experience exchange, cultural programs and a jungle safari in Banke National Park on Sunday.