Nepal’s hospitality industry will be promoting Nepali cuisine globally through a live streaming platform on Monday in a bid to publicize gastronomy tourism in the country, Hotel Association Nepal (Han) said.

The launch of a cook book and videos of 30 Nepali food items being prepared by expert chefs will go live on social media platforms globally. 

This is the first ever effort by Nepal’s hospitality industry to attract tourists by promoting Nepali dishes under the campaign of globalizing Nepali cuisines initiated by Han, an umbrella organization of hotels and restaurants in Nepal.

These items have been selected from around 200 food categories collected from different Nepali communities.

“Among the items selected, we have incorporated the recipes and cooking techniques of 30 foods in a booklet and video,” said Binayak Shah, general secretary of Han and coordinator of the campaign. “The selected food items have been tested and certified by the government’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.”

The food items include Kwati, Sisne Jhol, Phando, Jwano ko Jhol, Pancha Kwa, Chukur Khanda, Karesabari, Chukauni, Timure Aalu, Fulaura, Sekuwa, Sandheko, Tareko, Usineko, Pakku, Chhoyla, Momo, Chatanmari, Wo, Jogi Bhat, Dal Bhat, Dhindo, Himali, Yomari, Sikarni and Dahiphal, among others, according to Han.

“In the context of gastronomy tourism gaining popularity globally, Nepal tourism can also reap benefits from it. The campaign is solely aimed at globalizing Nepali cuisines,” said senior tourism entrepreneur Karna Sakya.

Han is also organizing a food festival on Monday where it plans to invite dignitaries including ambassadors of various countries to taste these items and provide their feedback. The campaign is part of the Nepal Tourism Board’s ongoing initiative to promote gastronomy tourism under the theme ‘Experience Nepal: Cuisine & Culture’.

The International Culinary Tourism Association states that food travellers spend around $1,200 per trip on average, with over one-third ($425) of their travel budget going towards food-related activities.  Gastronomic tourism refers to trips made to destinations where the local food and beverages are the main motivating factors for travel. Gastronomic or culinary tourism tends to be largely a domestic tourism activity, with consumers travelling to places to eat and drink local products.