Free trip to Nepal: Country calls social media users, podcasters; how to apply

Are you an India-based content creator who has an active presence on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X or other digital platforms? Do you have a background in creating social media content on travel, culture, spirituality, lifestyle, adventure, wellness, food heritage or tourism? Do you have a strong, engaged audience? Nepal's embassy in New Delhi has the perfect opportunity in store. It has invited applications for a familiarisation trip to the Himalayan nation to promote its natural beauty, cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings.

On its X page, the embassy recently shared a two-page document detailing the application process and eligibility criteria. The embassy says it plans to 'select five Indian social media influencers/vloggers for a visit to Nepal to experience and promote Nepal's natural beauty, cultural heritage, spiritual sites, warm hospitality and diverse tourism offerings.' The visit is expected to generate engaging digital content and encourage Indian travellers to visit Nepal for leisure, pilgrimage, culture, adventure, wellness and family travel. It would also showcase Nepal's mountains, lakes, heritage sites, temples, stupas, festivals, cuisine and local culture, alongside highlighting Nepal's spiritual destinations and generating authentic digital content to promote Nepal's tourism in the Indian market.

Basis for selection
The embassy says the participants will be selected on the basis of content relevance, quality of previous work, audience reach and engagement, creativity, storytelling ability, professional reputation, and the ability to communicate effectively with Indian audiences in English, Hindi, or regional Indian languages. They have to submit a short statement explaining their interest in the Nepal familiarisation trip and proposing content ideas to promote Nepal among Indian audiences, among other details. The applications should be submitted by May 30. 

Selected participants will be expected to produce and publish content based on their Nepal experience, including travel vlogs, reels, shorts, stories, podcasts, or posts highlighting Nepal's natural, cultural, and spiritual attractions, it says.

First Bharat Gaurav train
Recently, Indi had launched a direct train to Nepal via the 'Bharat Gaurav' programme, which is the country's first international train trip. The train, on the Indore-Nepal route, will leave Indore on June 12. The scheme includes sightseeing, train travel, food packages, and hotel accommodation. The 9-night, 10-day tour package takes tourists to Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Manaslu, and more.