KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) successfully concluded the second edition of the Health Tourism Mart 2025 in Birtamod, Jhapa, with a clear message: Koshi Province is ready to lead Nepal’s health tourism frontier. 

Held at City Center from June 21–22, the event underscored the growing synergy between the health and tourism sectors and showcased the province’s potential as a regional hub for quality medical and wellness care, according to the NTB.

Inaugurating the mart, Koshi Province Minister for Tourism, Forest, and Environment, Sadananda Mandal, emphasized the province's commitment to leveraging tourism for prosperity. “We are moving ahead on a clear path toward prosperity through tourism promotion,” he stated, adding that the provincial government is focused on building a safe, welcoming environment for patients, particularly from neighboring India.

Koshi Province, already known for its skilled human resources and modern hospitals, also benefits from a favorable climate and tranquil natural surroundings, making it an ideal destination for both Ayurvedic and allopathic care, the NTB said.

The two-day event featured 48 stalls from hospitals, Ayurvedic centers, hotels, pharmacies, and travel service providers. A photo exhibition of Koshi’s scenic and cultural highlights added a compelling visual narrative to the event.

Two expert-led panel discussions explored key themes: integrating healthcare with tourism and boosting cross-border patient mobility. Speakers included eye specialist Dr. Ajit Kumar Thakur, cancer specialist Dr. Birendra Kumar Sharma, NTB Acting Director Rohini Khanal, and Indian tourism entrepreneur Debashish Chakravarty. They all agreed on the need for supportive policies, better promotion, and improved infrastructure.

A special B2B session brought together over 25 Indian tourism professionals and Nepali health service providers to explore treatment packages, investment opportunities, and long-term partnerships.

Dr. Thakur highlighted Nepal’s strong service delivery, noting that even high-profile patients from India prefer Nepal for eye treatment. Dr. Sharma stressed the need for aggressive international promotion, stating, “We offer high-quality, cost-effective healthcare, but we’ve yet to market it effectively.”

NTB’s Rohini Khanal reiterated the importance of branding Nepal as a healing destination, while Senior Manager Surya Thapaliya called health tourism a strategic path for economic development and urging stronger public-private collaboration.

Under the slogan “Let’s Promote Health and Tourism Together,” the Health Tourism Mart 2025 laid a strong foundation to position Koshi, and Nepal, as a promising destination where wellness meets hospitality, culture, and care, NTB added.