Balen Shah: Questions Arise Following the Commitment to Brand Nepal as a Wedding Destination
The private sector has indicated that several policy challenges need to be addressed to attract Indian tourists to Nepal as a ‘wedding destination,’ while the government has pledged to facilitate this process. Earlier this week, representatives from the Hotel Association sought the simplification of procedures for Indian couples to bring ceremonial items during a meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as ‘Balen.’
During his election campaign, Prime Minister Shah promised to brand Janakpur as a wedding destination, a commitment also reflected in a dedicated provision in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
Local entrepreneurs have criticized the government for insufficient efforts to promote wedding-related tourism in Janakpur, although officials have shared that promotional programs are underway across various locations in Nepal and India, with intentions to continue these initiatives throughout the year. In previous years, stories circulated about foreigners exchanging rings at multiple tourist centers as part of wedding ceremonies. Officials further noted that in recent years, such celebrations have been taking place in tourist hotspots like Kathmandu, Sauraha, and Pokhara, as well as in Nepali towns bordering India’s West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking in Janakpur, Prime Minister Balendra Shah observed that Nepalese typically travel to Jaipur in India or Bali in Indonesia for destination weddings. This week’s budget speech by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle also outlined plans to brand Janakpur as a wedding destination. However, representatives from the private sector argue that policy ambiguities remain, and the government needs to take further steps to develop Nepal as a wedding tourism hub.
Hotel Association Nepal Vice President Dinesh Tuladhar stated, “Indian visitors show significant interest in Nepalese wedding venues. We have already informed the Prime Minister about legal complexities.” Meanwhile, Surendra Kumar Bhandari, Chair of the Janakpur Industry and Commerce Association, noted, “The Prime Minister has made the commitment, but practically, less than one percent of work has been completed.” He emphasized that progress toward establishing Janakpur as a center for wedding tourism remains minimal.