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.
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.
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| Scenario Of Tourism in Nepal |
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| Future Possibilities in Tourism Field |
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| 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/
