The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday presented a comprehensive set of recommendations to transform Nepal’s Sudurpaschim Province into a sustainable and inclusive tourism destination. The proposal was unveiled during the Tourism Symposium and Pre-Investment and Development Summit held in Dhangadhi.
The recommendations stem from the Sudurpaschim Integrated Economic and Tourism Development Study, which was conducted at the request of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. The study aligns with the province’s 2022 Tourism Master Plan and was developed in collaboration with federal and provincial government officials, foreign envoys, development agency heads, and private sector stakeholders.
The ADB study emphasizes the need for targeted investments in infrastructure to improve accessibility, develop integrated tourism circuits, and establish eco-friendly destination hubs. It also stresses the importance of cross-sectoral coordination to boost governance, cultivate a skilled tourism workforce, and create an attractive environment for private investment.
“The province’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are exceptional, yet its tourism potential remains largely untapped,” said Arnaud Cauchois, ADB Country Director for Nepal. “The ADB study shows that targeted investments in connectivity, destination hubs, and workforce capacity can transform Sudurpaschim into a thriving tourism economy. We are proud to support this vision.”
Cauchois also stressed the importance of environmental sustainability, highlighting the need to preserve Sudurpaschim’s natural landscapes while developing tourism. “We must carefully consider how to do so in a way that preserves its natural beauty and protects the environment for future generations,” he said.
He praised the Government of Sudurpaschim Province for hosting the summit and reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to Nepal’s development. The event, he noted, offered a platform to align strategies, foster public-private partnerships, and encourage regional and international collaboration in tourism development.
