Kathmandu. Nepal successfully promoted its diverse tourism offerings at the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) 2026, held from June 4 to 7 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul, South Korea.
Led by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a delegation comprising seven Nepali tourism companies participated in the four-day international travel fair, presenting Nepal’s premier travel destinations and tourism experiences to Korean travelers and industry stakeholders.
The Nepal Pavilion attracted significant attention from the outset. A high-level delegation led by Shin Joong Mok, Chairman and CEO of the Korea Outbound Tourism Association (KOFTA), visited the pavilion shortly after the fair’s inauguration. Nirmal Prasad Bhattarai, Charge d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul, also visited the pavilion along with embassy officials and interacted with visitors and participating tourism entrepreneurs.
Adding a cultural highlight to the event, renowned Korean artist Hwang Mansok presented the Nepal Tourism Board with a photograph of one of his famous Gangnam Style sculptures. Special guests visiting the pavilion were welcomed with Nepali souvenirs.
The fair attracted nearly 45,000 visitors, with the Nepal Pavilion drawing strong interest from both Korean travel professionals and the general public. Visitors primarily sought information about trekking opportunities, visa procedures, air connectivity, and travel experiences in Nepal. NTB representatives also engaged with Korean media outlets, sharing updated tourism information and promotional materials to strengthen Nepal’s visibility in the Korean market.
According to NTB, participation in SITF 2026 provided an important platform for Nepali tourism businesses to reconnect with existing partners and establish new business relationships. Participating companies included Journey DMC, Alpine Club of Himalaya, Himalaya Safety Treks & Expedition, Pearl Holidays, Taleju Adventure, The Trek Nepal, and Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks & Expedition.
Coinciding with the travel fair, NTB also participated in the World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) 2026, held in Seoul and Suwon from June 4 to 6. The conference brought together tourism leaders and destination representatives from around the world. During the event, NTB Acting Director Sunil Sharma delivered a presentation on emerging global tourism trends and their implications for Nepal’s tourism sector.
South Korea remains one of Asia’s most important outbound tourism markets, with approximately 30 million Koreans traveling abroad annually. It is considered a high-potential source market for Nepal. More than 23,000 Korean tourists visited Nepal in 2025, with trekking, mountaineering, and Nepal’s Buddhist heritage among the key attractions.
NTB Senior Manager Archana KC Rana and Senior Officer Sushila Kumari Baral coordinated Nepal’s participation in SITF 2026. The Board expressed confidence that the successful participation would further strengthen Nepal’s tourism promotion efforts and enhance its presence in the Korean market.
