Mountaineering and adventure tourism have long defined Nepal’s tourism industry, but the government is now emphasizing wellness tourism. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has introduced the ‘National Wellness Tourism Strategy (2026–2035) and Action Plan (2026–2030)’ to position Nepal as a hub for wellness, spiritual, and adventure tourism. The goal is to attract over 10,000 wellness tourists post-2030 and generate annual revenue of 20-30 million US dollars.
To promote wellness tourism, Nepal has designated 2027 as the Wellness Tourism Year and celebrated the first ‘World Wellness Day’ on April 15. The strategy focuses on spa services, ayurveda clinics, yoga, meditation, and natural healing. Nepal plans to establish integrated wellness centers in five key areas to enhance tourist satisfaction levels and attract more wellness tourists.
Efforts will be made to enhance infrastructure and facilities to draw a higher number of wellness tourists. The strategy involves testing facilities by attracting 500-1,000 foreign tourists during 2026–27 and expanding to target 3,000-5,000 tourists in the subsequent phase (2028–29). Beyond 2030, Nepal aims to mature its market, attracting over 10,000 foreign wellness tourists.
The strategy also includes plans to boost market share and visibility in wellness tourism by 2027 through the ‘Arogya Nepal’ (Wellness Nepal) marketing campaign. A code of conduct, including the National Wellness Standards and Code of Conduct, will be implemented by the end of 2027. Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and natural environment provide a strong foundation for wellness tourism, offering sustainable tourism opportunities and reducing reliance on seasonal adventure and cultural tourism.
