Bhairahawa Airport spurs tourism boom, Terai recognized as global destination

KATHMANDU: Nepal is renowned for its Himalayan landscapes, with the Everest region, Annapurna, and Langtang being the primary attractions for international tourists.

Besides these, cultural heritage sites, religious destinations, and popular spots like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Lumbini remain top choices for both domestic and international travelers.

However, despite its vast potential, the Terai region’s tourism sector has lagged in development, according to experts.

The recent launch of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa has sparked optimism among tourism entrepreneurs in the region.

With international airlines such as Thai Air Asia, Qatar Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Fly Dubai initiating flights, the airport is experiencing increased activity, and there is hope for a surge in foreign tourist arrivals. Entrepreneurs believe these developments will boost regional tourism and unlock the Terai’s untapped potential.

Boosting Regional Tourism

Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of Nepal Tourism Board, stated that direct international flights to Bhairahawa, especially from Middle Eastern countries, are expected to decentralize Nepal’s tourism from the Kathmandu Valley and promote regional destinations. “This shift will gradually help spread tourism benefits across the nation,” he added.

Initiatives for Terai Tourism

Former Tourism Minister Sharatsingh Bhandari had established various committees to promote Terai tourism. These include the Birat Area Tourism Promotion Development Committee for Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari; the Simraungadh Tourism Promotion Development Committee for Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat; and the Vijay Mithila Area Tourism Promotion Development Committee for Dhanusha and Mahottari. Other committees, such as the Lumbini Area Tourism Promotion Development Committee and the Karnali Area Tourism Development Committee for Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur, were also set up to enhance the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Terai Recognized Among Top Destinations

International travel guide Lonely Planet has listed Nepal’s Terai region among the top 10 must-visit destinations globally for 2025. Highlighting areas such as Lumbini, Chitwan, and Bardiya, the guide underscores the region’s historical and natural significance. “Though not as famous as the Himalayas or Kathmandu, the southern Terai offers immense tourism potential,” Lonely Planet stated. The region features attractions like the one-horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park and the sacred Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, where Lord Buddha was born in 563 BCE.

Lonely Planet also mentioned Bardiya National Park as a hidden gem for wildlife enthusiasts, dubbing the area “the Wild Wild West” of Nepal. It emphasized the need to expand activities in Lumbini, Bardiya, Janakpur, and other destinations to capitalize on this newfound recognition.

Rapid Growth in International Flights

Currently, Nepal Airlines operates four flights a week from Bhairahawa (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), while Thai Air Asia offers flights to Bangkok twice a week. Qatar Airways operates daily flights, and Fly Dubai connects Bhairahawa to Dubai and Kathmandu daily. Jazeera Airways has resumed its operations with three weekly flights to Kuwait, having previously paused services due to technical reasons.

These developments align with the government’s plan to operate both international airports in Nepal—Tribhuvan International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport—at full capacity. Pratap Babu Tiwari, General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport, confirmed that immigration, customs, and security arrangements at Bhairahawa have been streamlined for efficient operations.

Record Tourist Arrivals

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal welcomed 941,032 international tourists in the first 10 months of 2024. This upward trend, combined with Lonely Planet’s endorsement and increasing international connectivity, is expected to significantly enhance regional and national tourism development.

Director Lamichhane expressed optimism about the growing international flights and Lonely Planet’s recognition. “These factors will play a pivotal role in promoting new tourist destinations and fostering overall tourism growth in Nepal,” he stated.