Nepal to Be Developed as International Wellness Tourism Destination: Minister Poudel
Kathmandu, June 14: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadga Raj Poudel has announced plans to position Nepal as a leading international destination for wellness tourism.
The initiative comes alongside the launch of the ‘Arogya Dashak’ (Wellness Decade), a ten-year campaign aimed at promoting health and wellness tourism. The programme is being led by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Spa Association Nepal.
Speaking at a programme organized to mark the occasion, Minister Poudel highlighted Nepal’s unique natural assets, including its mountains, rivers, and serene environment, which contribute to spiritual well-being and positive energy. He said these qualities make Nepal an ideal destination for wellness activities such as yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and naturopathy.
President of Spa Association Nepal, Suresh Puri, underscored the growing importance of wellness tourism worldwide, noting that around 700 million people are engaged in the sector globally. He stressed the need to establish clear operating procedures and international standards for spa services, along with professional training programmes to strengthen the industry’s credibility and competitiveness.
Likewise, international wellness expert Donald Cha said Nepal possesses a natural identity associated with health and healing. He emphasized the need to transform the country’s wellness traditions and practices into economic assets capable of contributing significantly to the tourism industry.
Speakers at the programme stressed the importance of prioritizing wellness tourism at the national level. The initiative seeks to integrate wellness services such as yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, spa therapies, and holistic health practices to establish Nepal as a world-class wellness destination.
The Wellness Decade campaign also aims to promote healthy lifestyles, raise public awareness about disease prevention, and enhance Nepal’s profile in the rapidly growing global wellness tourism market.
