Nepal All Set To Host First Rainbow Tourism Conference This April

Nepal is gearing up to host its inaugural rainbow tourism conference, aiming to position the Himalayan nation as a welcoming and secure destination for travellers from the LGBTQ+ community. Scheduled for April 20-21 in Kathmandu, the two-day event, titled 'Yatra 2 Happiness: First Rainbow Tourism International Conference,' is a collaboration between the Nepal Tourism Board and Maya ko Pahichan Nepal (MKPN).

This groundbreaking conference aims to draw international tourism stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, hoteliers, donor agencies, celebrities, and media personalities. Sunil Babu Panta, the executive director of MKPN and Nepal's first openly LGBT lawmaker, emphasizes the conference's potential to empower Nepal's LGBT community economically and elevate the country's tourism sector.

Nandini Lahe Thapa, acting CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, pledges full support for rainbow tourism promotion, recognizing its significance as a burgeoning industry segment. She highlights the opportunity for Nepal to attract rainbow tourists, especially from neighbouring countries like India and China, where progress on LGBTQ+ rights lags.

The conference promises a dynamic agenda featuring entertainment programs, fashion shows, food festivals, film screenings, and enticing travel packages. With the participation of around 150 travel trade operators and hoteliers, the event anticipates fostering dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy for LGBTQ+-friendly tourism in Nepal.

With inputs from PTI.