Siliguri, India / Nepal has been honored with the prestigious “Tourism Abode of the Eastern Himalayas” Award at the 9th edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2026, held from 9 to 11 January 2026 at The Cinderella Hotel, Siliguri.
The award was conferred upon the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in recognition of its sustained efforts to position Nepal as a leading experiential tourism destination in the Eastern Himalayan region.
NTB participated in the event along with Nepali travel trade companies and tourism stakeholders from Koshi and Madhesh Provinces. Organized by the Eastern Himalayas Travel and Tour Operators' Association (EHTTOA), BTM is one of the most prominent tourism trade platforms in Eastern India, bringing together tourism stakeholders, buyers, sellers, and media from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and promoting cross-border tourism collaboration.
Throughout the three-day mart, Nepali exhibitors showcased a wide range of tourism products, services, and destination packages tailored for the West Bengal market. NTB officials provided first-hand information on emerging tourism offerings, particularly from Koshi and Madhesh Provinces, and distributed promotional materials including travel guides, maps, posters, and souvenirs. Media briefings and stakeholder interactions were also conducted at the Nepal Pavilion.
The NTB delegation was led by Senior Director Mani Raj Lamichhane, along with Senior Manager Khadga Bikram Shah and Surendra Singh Lama. Prior to the mart, on 7 January, Lamichhane addressed the local media at a press meet organized at the Siliguri Journalists’ Club.
The mart was formally inaugurated on 9 January by Mayor of Siliguri Gautam Dev at Savin Kingdom. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Lamichhane highlighted Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings and invited participants to visit Nepal, particularly as Koshi Province celebrates Visit Koshi Year 2082 and Madhesh Province prepares for Visit Madhesh 2083.
On 10 January, NTB organized a special “Nepal Night Cultural Program”, attended by tourism professionals and media representatives. Lamichhane welcomed the guests and encouraged them to choose Nepal for their upcoming holidays, while Shah delivered a presentation on Nepal’s tourism destinations, with special focus on border connectivity with West Bengal and key attractions in Koshi and Madhesh Provinces. The evening featured vibrant Nepali cultural dance performances.
As part of goodwill exchanges, NTB along with provincial teams presented tokens of appreciation to Dr. Prerna Chamling, Additional Secretary of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim; Karma Wangdi, Marketing Manager, Department of Tourism, Bhutan; Sandipa Ghosh, Chairman of BTM; and Suresh Thakuri, President of EHTTOA.