Tourism in Nepal

Tourism in Nepal, its current scenario and the future possibilities

INTRODUCTION:

Nepal is a landlocked country covering an area of 147,181 sq. kilometers. Its land periphery ranges from 70 meters to the highest point at 8,848 meters above sea level which located between China & India. This country is a blend of ancient history, vibrant cultures and scenic grandeur. Nepal’s main geographical include snow-capped peaks, lower mountains, mid hills and fertile Terai plains of tropical jungles. Nearly one-third of the total length of the Himalayas & of the world’s 14 highest peaks are in Nepal.

Nepal’s  popularity as a tourist destination has increased vastly over the years, along with the adventure options and becoming favorite among the adventure lovers. Its  natural beauty attracts several foreigner to make Nepal as their tourist destination. Nepalese people making themselves as internal tourist  which helps in increasing the number of tourist as well efforts for attracting the foreigner as tourist in visiting the Nepal.  Nepalese tourism industry as being developing in peak stage, there is no doubt that it will be foremost leading industry in the development & recognition of country.

Current scenario:

The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of February 2010, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 33% to 33,492.
To lure more tourists, the government announced Visit Nepal 2011 in January with the aim of attracting one million international visitors. The targeted number seems pretty ambitious because during a similar campaign in 1998, Nepal hosted only 464,000 tourists, earning US$ 24.8 million in revenue.

In last 2 decade Nepalese tourism industry were in static phase, rather easy to say in declining phase. But recent progression in the peace making process has fueled the tourism industry somewhat in raising phase. Nepal, though everyone knows a great destination of tourism but what the satisfaction data should be achieved is beyond the Nepalese tourism industries.  The main reason for this is may be undevelopment in infrastructure & lack of appropriate policy maker.  For example  the most important mode of transportation for tourists – is also not conducive to smooth mobility of visitors. Out of 44 domestic airports, less than two-thirds are operational and the quality of the operating airports is frustratingly low (114 out of 133). For more than three decades, the country has been relying on a single international airport.The plans to build additional ones in tourist hotspots such as Lumbini and Pokhara are limited to discussion and planning phases. Add to this the effect of 16 hours (and counting) of load-shedding daily and the present day Nepali tourism industry looks like the most unattractive destination in its history.

Every time a new tourism campaign is launched, the primary focus is on increasing the number of tourists. It seems that the policymakers forget the primary purpose of this sector—to increase revenue and stimulate local economy. Just increasing the number of tourists does not fulfill this aim; what matters is per capita visitor spending in the economy. That being said, I do not mean to trivialize the importance of policies aimed at increasing the number of tourists coming to Nepal. Yes, this is important but in terms of revenue generation and stimulation of local economy, per capita visitor spending matters more. This means policymakers need to focus on luring high value tourists rather than budget visitors. It would be fantastic if we were able to get both, i.e. more tourists with more per capita spending.

Future possibilities:

Nepal is very rich country in term of nature and bio-diversity. The Mother Nature has poured all of her fascinating beauties into this amazing Himalayan country. However we, Nepalese people, are not being able to use the wonder of nature that has gifted to us and get benefit from them. Though Nepal has great aspect of tourism, the country was open to the world only in 1950 and the possibilities of tourism in Nepal are not well advertised yet. However Nepal is one among the great destination for the tourist and tourism can be a one of the largest industry that can uplift economic and living standard of the people in Nepal. To be well benefited from tourism, some significant changes and promotion are not only essential but also vital. The growing tourism industry of Nepal needs attention and care as well as advertisement and reorganization.  We have to increase the sense and understanding of responsible tourism not only among the tourism entrepreneurs but also every person and sector that involves in this industry. At the current context of tourism industry in Nepal, environmental, cultural and socio-economic awareness is very much needed.

Scenario Of Tourism in Nepal

Future Possibilities in Tourism Field

Diagnosis of obstacle in tourism field and its Solution

  References:

1. Nepal Tourism Board, tourist information centre

2. www.welcomenepal.com

3.http://nepaltourismyear2011.com/index.php?option=com_conte &view=article&id=75&Itemid=53

4.http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu post/2010/02/18/Business/PM-Govt-ready-to-help-build handicraft-village/5307/

5.“Traveler’s Information” prospectus of Tourism year, Nepal tourism Board, page no. 4-5. http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/02/18/Business/PM-Govt-ready-to-help-build-handicraft-village/5307/