Kathmandu: Nepal India China Expo (NICE) 2025, a landmark tri-nation event, will take place from February 24 to 26, 2025, at the Pokhara Event Center in Nepal’s tourism capital, Pokhara. Organized by the PATA Nepal Chapter in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the Ministry of Industry and Tourism (Gandaki Province), Pokhara Metropolitan City, Pokhara Tourism Council, and other key public and private sector stakeholders, NICE is set to become one of the largest tourism expos ever held in Nepal.

The announcement came at a press conference on November 29, 2024, held at the NTB Gandaki Province Office in Lakeside, Pokhara. The event will bring together tourism professionals from Nepal, India, and China, offering a platform for networking, business deals, and showcasing the unique travel experiences these countries have to offer.

Pokhara’s Mayor, Dhan Raj Acharya, expressed his excitement at hosting the historic expo, emphasizing that it will significantly boost the city’s tourism sector. “This event is poised to be the biggest ever held in Pokhara, putting the city on the map as a major tourism hub,” he said.

NTB CEO, Deepak Raj Joshi, highlighted the importance of NICE 2025 for Nepal’s tourism industry. “This tri-nation expo will bring together the two largest outbound tourism markets—India and China—right here in Nepal. It is not just an event, but a moment of pride for our country,” he said. Joshi also stressed that the event would foster knowledge exchange, create business opportunities, and give international buyers and influencers a chance to experience Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings.

Sunil Bhattarai, Convener of NICE 2025 and Executive Committee Member of PATA Nepal Chapter, outlined the significance of the event, noting that it would serve as a unique platform for tourism stakeholders from the three countries. “NICE 2025 will provide an unparalleled opportunity for networking, collaboration, and business growth within the tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.

The expo is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates, including 100+ regional buyers, 80+ exhibitors, 15+ high-profile speakers, and hundreds of government officials, media representatives, and trade visitors. The event will feature a wide range of activities, from business-to-business networking sessions to discussions on emerging trends in the tourism industry.

The CEO of PATA Nepal Chapter, Suresh Singh Budal, said NICE 2025 would play a crucial role in driving tourism demand from India and China to Nepal. “We are confident that this event will create new opportunities for Nepal, increasing travel demand from these two important source markets,” he remarked.

With the theme “NICE for MICE and More,” the expo aims to position Pokhara not only as a premier trekking and adventure destination but also as a growing hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. This further strengthens Pokhara’s standing as “Nepal’s Tourism Capital.”

The event has already garnered significant support from various stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, media, and the entire travel trade community. Pokhara Tourism Council President, Taranath Pahari, expressed his commitment to making the event a success, ensuring that it leaves a lasting impact on the city’s tourism sector.

As Nepal prepares for this historic event, all eyes will be on Pokhara in February 2025 as it hosts the first-ever Nepal India China Expo, a pivotal moment for the country’s tourism industry.