KATHMANDU: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has concluded its participation at MATKA 2026, the Nordic region’s largest travel fair, held from January 15 to 18 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre in Finland.

According to NTB, Nepal’s presence at the four-day event helped strengthen its positioning as a leading destination for adventure, nature-based, cultural and sustainable tourism among Nordic travelers. Nepal was showcased through a national pavilion that attracted strong interest from visitors, tour operators and travel professionals seeking authentic and responsible travel experiences.

The pavilion featured nine Nepali tourism companies, including Asian Adventure Treks & Expedition, Himalayan Windows, Snowy Horizon Treks & Expedition, Goreto Treks and Expedition, Earthbound Expedition, Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks & Expedition, The Everest Holiday, Queen Bee Travel Assistance and Wonderland Travels Nepal. The companies promoted a wide range of tourism products, from trekking and mountaineering to cultural tours and tailor-made experiences, highlighting Nepal’s year-round tourism potential.

NTB officials and participating companies held extensive interactions with Nordic travel trade representatives and consumers, addressing queries related to air connectivity, travel seasons, sustainability and experiential tourism. NTB noted that Nepal continued to draw strong interest from Finnish and other Nordic travelers, particularly for trekking, mountaineering, outdoor adventures and culturally immersive journeys.

Adding a cultural dimension to Nepal’s participation, a Nepali cultural performance was staged at the fair’s central venue in collaboration with the Nepal Finland Society. The performance attracted large audiences and showcased Nepal’s cultural heritage, contributing to enhanced visibility and people-to-people ties between Nepal and Finland.

During special sessions at the fair, NTB Senior Manager Nabin Pokharel delivered a presentation on sustainable tourism practices in Nepal, highlighting community-based tourism, environmental conservation and responsible travel models. NTB said the presentation resonated strongly with Nordic audiences, where sustainability is a key factor in travel decisions.

NTB stated that participation in MATKA 2026 is expected to strengthen tourism cooperation with Finland and the wider Nordic region, open new business opportunities, and further enhance Nepal’s image as a destination combining adventure, culture and sustainability.