Digital Convenience: Enhancing Indian Tourism in Nepal through QR Code Transactions

The majority of tourists in Nepal are Indian visitors, and despite the strategic advantage of Nepal's location between two major economic powers, there have been limited efforts to fully capitalize on this.

Tourism, a significant contributor to Nepal's economy, is becoming more convenient for Indian tourists due to improved international payment services. The use of QR codes by Fonepay merchants allows Indian tourists to engage in digital transactions using BHIM-UPI and PhonePe.

Presently, there are over 400,000 QR code merchants in Nepal offering these services. Although ongoing efforts aim to modernize the financial system, there's potential for further bridging the gap in the digital economy between the two nations. The service establishes a reliable relationship, making transactions seamless for both Nepalese businesses and Indian customers, despite a possible minimum service fee.

While Indian tourists can easily make digital payments in Nepal, the reverse is not yet possible for Nepali citizens in India. Further details and plans are accessible on the official social media pages of this service, which recently marked its 15th anniversary, emphasizing financial inclusion and international service expansion.