Greater Lumbini Area Development Project

About this project

The proposed project will support the Government of Nepal in transforming the Greater Lumbini Buddhist Circuit (GLBC) into a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive cultural tourism destination that encourages longer stays, higher spending, and stronger economic benefits for local communities. Despite Lumbini's global recognition as the birthplace of the Buddha and its UNESCO World Heritage status, the region has yet to realize its full tourism potential. Most visitors currently spend only a few hours at key sites due to limited tourism offerings, weak promotion and branding, and inadequate tourism infrastructure and facilities—resulting in “hit-and-run” tourism with low economic impact.Anchored in Lumbini's spiritual and cultural significance, the project will shift from fragmented, site-specific interventions to a holistic, integrated destination model that improves services, strengthens connectivity, diversifies tourism products, and actively engages communities and the private sector. It will target three main visitor segments: (i) pilgrimage and heritage tourists, by enhancing the visitor experience and developing sites across the GLBC; (ii) cultural travelers visiting the region for whom Lumbini is currently a secondary stop, by improving connectivity, marketing, and product offerings; and (iii) new markets, especially in East and Southeast Asia, through stronger branding and targeted promotion.The proposed project will focus on four priority sites: the Lumbini Master…

Published by

World Bank · Multilateral

Countries

Nepal

Sectors

Tourism policy and administrative managementMulti-hazard response preparednessUrban development

Places

Kathmandu

Funded by

International Development Association

Implemented by

Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD)

Accountable

Nepal

Passes funds through

International Development Association

Published by World Bank to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 3 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: 44000-P512377.

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