KATHMANDU: The Nepal Sales Mission was successfully organized in Kolkata on Friday with the objective of strengthening tourism trade cooperation and business partnerships between Nepal and India.

The business-to-business (B2B) networking event was jointly organized by the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the Society of Travel Tour Operators Nepal (SOTTO) and Buddha Air.

Held at the Topaz Hall of Hotel Hindustan International, the program brought together around 200 participants, including leading travel and tour operators from West Bengal, tourism professionals, media representatives, and members of the diplomatic community. The event provided a platform for direct interaction, networking, and business discussions between tourism stakeholders from Nepal and eastern India.

A total of 19 Nepali companies, including travel and tour operators and one hotel, participated in the sales mission, with 25 delegates representing Nepal. NTB was represented by Senior Manager Surya Thapaliya and Senior Officer Jayshakti Sarraf, who engaged with Indian counterparts to promote Nepal as a diverse, year-round tourism destination.

The sales mission highlighted Nepal’s broad range of tourism offerings, including leisure travel, adventure tourism, pilgrimage routes, cultural experiences, and emerging niche segments. Discussions also focused on improving travel connectivity, strengthening trade relations, and encouraging increased tourist flows from West Bengal to Nepal.

Organizers emphasized the strategic importance of the Indian market, particularly eastern India, which shares strong cultural, historical, and people-to-people ties with Nepal. The involvement of Buddha Air underscored the role of air connectivity in tourism growth, with the airline currently operating four weekly flights between Kathmandu and Kolkata.

According to organizers, the event generated positive feedback from participants, with productive B2B meetings and renewed interest in developing joint tour packages, promotional initiatives, and long-term collaborations. Media participation further enhanced the visibility of Nepal’s tourism products in the Indian market.

The successful completion of the Nepal Sales Mission in Kolkata marks a significant step in NTB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional tourism promotion, deepen engagement with key source markets, and support sustainable tourism growth between Nepal and India.