Nepal Showcases Diverse Tourism Offerings at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) Mumbai 2026

Kathmandu. Nepal has showcased its presence at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) Mumbai 2026, Asia's leading travel trade fair. Thirty-four prominent tourism companies, led by the Nepal Tourism Board, are participating in the fair taking place from February 5 to 7 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. 

Nepal, which has been participating in OTM for over 25 years, has this time presented itself not only as a destination for trekking and religious tourism but also as a hub for luxury, adventure, and corporate tourism. This fair conveyed the message that the tourism sector has recovered quickly and is operating at full capacity, even after the recent Gen Z movement in Nepal. 

Statistics showing a 30 percent increase in the number of Indian tourists in January 2026 compared to 2025 have reconfirmed India as Nepal's largest and most strategic market. In 2025 alone, more than 293,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal, accounting for about 30 percent of the total international tourist arrivals.

Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that Nepal is a safe, stable, and exceptional destination for Indian tourists. He mentioned that the Indian market is a key partner in Nepal's tourism development and highlighted that religious sites such as Pashupatinath, Muktinath, and Lumbini have further strengthened the cultural ties between the two countries. 

This time, Nepal has promoted packages such as luxury resorts, casinos, and Everest Heli-tours, targeting wealthy tourists from metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, as well as emerging second-tier cities.

Improvements in connectivity and digital payments have made travel to Nepal easier for Indian tourists. Following the agreement between NPCI and PhonePe in 2024, Indian tourists can now easily make payments via UPI at over one million merchants in Nepal. This eliminates the hassle for Indian tourists of carrying cash or exchanging currency. The 1850 km long open border and daily direct flights from Kathmandu to major Indian cities have made Nepal a 'hassle-free' international destination for Indians.