Nepal attracts MICE with new infrastructure developments. Photo Credit: AdobeStcok/Daniel Prudek
Nepal is making a concerted push into the meetings and events market, backed by fresh convention wins, new hotel infrastructure and steady visitor growth.
Kathmandu hosted the 13th EMF ACE Global Convention & Awards from 30 July to 1 August, which is the first time the India-based event and wedding industry federation has brought its flagship gathering to Nepal. Organised by EMF Global, the three-day convention at The Soaltee Kathmandu drew around 550 delegates from seven countries, including event managers, wedding planners, hospitality leaders and investors, and was inaugurated by Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadga Raj Poudel. Delegates also toured Pokhara, Chitwan and Janakpur as part of the programme, according to organisers.
EMF Global founder president Dr Jaydeep Mehta said that Nepal has strong potential to become a leading destination for MICE tourism, pointing to its Himalayan landscapes, cultural diversity and proximity to India, which is the country's largest source market.
The convention lands as Nepal's tourism authorities step up efforts to court corporate business. The Nepal Tourism Board engaged MICE stakeholders directly in New Delhi in January 2025, positioning the country as a natural extension of India's own outbound events market, projected to grow 8% this year.
Infrastructure is catching up too. The 308-room Royal Tulip Kathmandu opened in 2025 with the capital's largest convention centre of over 2,790 sqm of event space, including two 1,022 sqm banquet halls. It was followed within the year by Accor's Mercure Kathmandu Sukedhara Heights, with further additions on the way: Marriott's 225-room Luxury Collection Kathmandu is due in October 2026, while The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu and The Westin Kathmandu, unveiled by Marriott and Nepal's CG Hospitality Global in June this year, are explicitly designed to serve the region's growing MICE market when they open in 2031.
Meanwhile in Lumbini, IHG's second Nepal property, Crowne Plaza Lumbini, is due to open this year with dedicated MICE facilities, comprising 137 rooms and 10 suites alongside a banquet hall and versatile meeting and event spaces.
The momentum is backed by steadier visitor numbers. Nepal recorded 1,158,459 international arrivals in 2025 – a 97% recovery on pre-pandemic 2019 levels – and July 2026 arrivals rose a further 2.3% year-on-year to 71,775, according to the latest tourism figures.
Nepal's Hotel Association has flagged MICE as one of its most profitable segments, spanning rooms, food and beverage, event space and ancillary services. Kathmandu hoteliers point to the country's climate, cultural diversity and growing base of conference-ready luxury properties as competitive strengths, with industry voices describing MICE as Nepal's fastest-growing tourism segment after adventure travel.
With new venues, deliberate government outreach and a widening events calendar, Nepal's pitch to planners is shifting from trekking add-on to serious contender.