The first-ever tri-nation tourism expo, Nepal India China Expo (NICE 2025), concluded on a high note in Nepal’s tourism capital, Pokhara, from February 24th to 26th. The event brought together over 600 delegates from 14 countries, including more than 100 international participants and key tourism stakeholders from Nepal, India, and China.
Organized by the PATA Nepal Chapter in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara Tourism Council, and various public and private sector partners, the three-day expo aimed to foster strategic alliances and unlock new opportunities in tourism. Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey, inaugurated the event, emphasizing Nepal’s strategic role as a tourism bridge between India and China. He highlighted Nepal’s commitment to improving tourism infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and streamlining visa processes to attract more international visitors.
The event also saw the participation of Honorable Mitra Lal Basyal, Minister for Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province, who praised Pokhara’s immense tourism potential. PATA Nepal Chapter Chairman, Mr. Khem Lakai, highlighted NICE 2025 as a landmark initiative marking PATA Nepal’s 50th anniversary. Additionally, Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, welcomed delegates, encouraging them to explore Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings.
The expo featured a Pre-Expo FAM Trip on February 23rd, providing international delegates with immersive experiences such as “Sunrise to Sunset in Pokhara” and “Nature & Adventure Escape in Pokhara.” The NICE 2025 Conference, powered by VISA, on February 24th focused on key tourism topics, including innovations in tourism and hospitality, China’s outbound tourism trends, MICE tourism, aviation growth, wellness tourism, and the potential of Indian weddings in Nepal.
The B2B Expo on February 25th and 26th facilitated over 2,100 business appointments between 80 buyer organizations from India and China and 75 seller organizations. Networking sessions, a Gala Dinner Reception at Hotel Barahi, and the Closing Ceremony at Club Catwalk, hosted by Nepal Tourism Board, celebrated the success of the event. Mr. Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai, NICE 2025 Convener, expressed gratitude to all partners for their contributions.
NICE 2025 received extensive support from government bodies, tourism organizations, airlines, and financial institutions, including Nepal Tourism Board, PATA, VISA, Ncell, Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Buddha Air, IATO, and GITF, among others. Official hospitality partners included top hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu, ensuring a world-class experience for delegates.
With its grand success, NICE 2025 has reinforced Nepal’s position as a key tourism hub in South Asia, strengthening regional cooperation between Nepal, India, and China for sustainable tourism growth.
