Kathmandu: PATA Nepal Chapter actively participated in the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) and the NICE 2025 Roadshow in China, engaging with over 250 outbound tour operators and media representatives. The events, held in Guangzhou on December 2 and Shenzhen on December 4, provided an ideal platform to promote Destination Nepal and the upcoming Nepal India China Expo (NICE) 2025, set to take place in Pokhara, Nepal, from February 24 to 26, 2025.
Representatives from PATA Nepal, including Chairman Khem Lakai, CEO Suresh Singh Budal, and NICE 2025 Goodwill Ambassador Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, highlighted Nepal’s vast tourism potential and the exciting prospects for collaboration between Nepal, China, and India in the tourism sector.
The roadshow also coincided with the official announcement of Nepal Tourism Year 2025 by the Chinese government, aligning with the visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister to China. This momentous occasion marked the beginning of intensified efforts to boost tourism in Nepal.
In his opening remarks, PATA Nepal Chairman Khem Lakai extended a heartfelt invitation to Chinese tour operators to participate in the inaugural NICE 2025. “Nepal, with its breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unparalleled hospitality, invites you to discover our land and people at the first-ever NICE Expo,” he said.
CEO Suresh Singh Budal shared valuable insights on “Asian Outbound Tourism” and presented key details of the NICE 2025 event, highlighting its significance in fostering tourism exchange between Nepal, India, and China. He emphasized that the expo would serve as a major platform for tourism promotion, focusing on the two largest source markets for Nepal.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, a leading expert on the China market and NICE 2025’s Goodwill Ambassador, offered updates on China’s growing outbound tourism market and shared his personal experiences in Nepal. He emphasized that Nepal’s unique tourism offerings, including its renowned hospitality, continue to inspire travelers worldwide.
Cathy Sui, Head of GITF, expressed her excitement about the collaboration with PATA Nepal Chapter, noting that GITF’s partnership in promoting NICE 2025 would play a pivotal role in enhancing tourism growth for Nepal.
As of now, more than 200 buyers from China and India have already registered for NICE 2025, with further registrations expected in the coming weeks. The GITF is serving as a “Preferred Partner” for the event, helping expand its reach among Chinese outbound tour operators. The NICE 2025 Buyers Qualifying Committee will carefully select participants from these registrations.
Looking ahead to NICE 2025, PATA Nepal Chapter remains committed to strengthening regional tourism ties and further establishing Nepal as a premier global travel destination.