KATHMANDU: The registration for the First Rainbow Tourism International Conference, scheduled to be hosted by Nepal on April 20-21, has officially opened. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Kathmandu today.

Interested participants can register at https://www.yatra2happiness.com/about-us.

This conference is deemed a milestone in the LGBTIQ+ communities and Nepal’s entire tourism industry.

Recognizing Nepal as more liberal towards sexual and gender minorities on a global scale, experts believe the conference will enhance its image.

Furthermore, it is expected to create job opportunities for these communities, overcoming employment challenges based on their identities, ultimately contributing to the country’s economy through pink tourism.

Sunil Babu Pant, Asia’s first (ex) parliamentarian from the LGBTIQ community, urged Nepal not to miss the opportunity of tapping into the multi-billion-dollar pink tourism sector.

He emphasized that the country’s economy could be boosted while providing job opportunities for the communities.

Pant stated, “Nepal’s slowly recovering tourism industry will be further supported through pink tourism,” highlighting the lucrative and growing global pink tourism business.

According to research by LGBT Capital, the global annual spending power of the LGBTIQ+ community is estimated at $4.7 trillion in 2022, with their household wealth estimated at $30 trillion globally.

Ipsos research in 2021 indicated that 80 percent of people worldwide identified as heterosexual, and 3 percent identified as gay, lesbian, or homosexual.

Nandini Lahe Thapa, senior director at Public Relation & Publicity, Nepal Tourism Board, underscored the importance of pink tourism as a new market segment for Nepal. She emphasized its potential to create a more equitable society and economic benefits.

The announcement of the event has garnered positive global attention, signifying Nepal’s openness and warm welcome to international LGBTIQ+ tourists, according to Thapa.

Lex Limbu, a renowned UK-based blogger and member of the LGBTIQ+ community, expressed his pleasure in supporting the event.

He believes it will contribute to the acceptance of these communities in society and provide them with employment opportunities.

Limbu sees Nepal as a potential hub for LGBTIQ+ visitors worldwide, offering a destination where they can visit with pride, security, and self-esteem.