KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadgaraj Poudel has announced plans to position Nepal as a premier international destination for wellness tourism.
This initiative coincides with the celebration of the ‘Arogya Dashak or Wellness Decade,’ a ten-year commitment to health tourism, spearheaded by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Spa Association of Nepal.
Minister Poudel emphasized the country’s natural attributes, such as its mountains and rivers, which contribute to spiritual peace and positive energy, making it an ideal location for wellness practices like yoga, meditation, and naturopathy.
President of the Spa Association Nepal, Suresh Puri, highlighted the global significance of wellness tourism, noting that approximately 700 million people are involved in this sector.
He advocated for the establishment of clear procedures and international standards in spa services, alongside professional training programmes to enhance the industry’s credibility.
The importance of prioritizing wellness tourism at the national level was also underscored. International wellness expert Donald Cha remarked on Nepal’s inherent health symbolism, suggesting that its wellness practices should be transformed into economic assets to bolster the tourism sector.
The programme aims to integrate various wellness services, including yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, to establish Nepal as a world-class wellness destination.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and raising public awareness about wellness and disease prevention.
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