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The Evolution of Tourism in Nepal - A Look at the History and Development of the Industry and its Attractions and Destinations

Explore the evolution of tourism in nepal and discover the history, development and current state of the industry, including its most popular attractions and destinations. get a deeper understanding of how nepal became a tourist hotspot..

About Nepal

- Nepal is a land of eternal beauty and splendor, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Himalayan mountains.

- It is a land of colorful cultures, ancient history and people, a fascinating scenery, and some of the world's most fascinating landscapes.

- Best known for the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, which rises to an altitude of 8848.86 meters.

- A visit to Nepal informs you about the many places you can visit in Nepal, famous for the birthplace of Gautam Buddha who laid the inspiration and foundation of Buddhism in the country.

- Nepal with rich traditions of arts, culture, and heritage.

- Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city, is a treasure house of historic artwork and culture.

EVOLUTION OF THE WORD "TOURISM:

In Sanskrit books, there are 3 travel words, derived from the root "atan", which means to go / leave home and go elsewhere.

The 3 words are:

- Going out for pleasure and knowledge.

- Going overseas prominently for financial gain.

- Going out to places of religious merits.

ANCIENT NEPAL TOURISM.

- Ancient history is largely based on cultural significance.

- Manjushree (Tibet) is considered to be the first to arrive in Nepal who cut off Chobar hill and released all the water except for the life of Kathmandu village.

- Ashoka (India) visited Lumbini, erected a pillar of Ashoka (Proof that Buddha was born in Nepal)

- The famous Chinese explorer, Huien Tsang, visited Lumbini in 643 AD.

- Regular visits to Buddhism followere such as Santarakshit (742AD), Padma Sambhav (474AD), Kamalsheel (760AD), Atisha Dipankar (1000AD), Milarepa (1010AD)

Lichchhavi Empire (400-750AD)

• The marital relationship between Amshuverma's daughter, Brikuti and Tibetan king Srong Sten Gampo.
• Established bilateral relations established between Tibet and  Nepal.
• Araniko visited Tibet and flourished Nepali art there.

Malla Dynasty (750-1480AD)

• Under the rule of the Malala king, westerners began coming to Nepal for the purpose of spreading and promoting Christianity.
• Establish good trade relations between Tibet and India.

- During the time of Lichhavi and Malla, great strides in arts and culture were made. The buildings, paintings and sculptures were greatly improved.

- Many temples, monuments, statues and inscriptions, existing festivals which are a tourist attraction.

- Chinese, Tibetans, and Indians used to visit Nepal mainly for religious and commercial reasons.

TOURISM AFTER NEPAL ASSOCIATION  (1767 - 1950 AD)

- 1767 AD:  Prithivi Narayan Shah unified scattered principalities into bigger Nepal.

- 1792 AD: Captain Kirk Patric, a military officer, came to collect facts about Nepal. He wrote the book “An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal” which helped to introduce Nepal to the outside country.

- 1816 AD: Sugauli agreement was signed between Nepal and the British East India Company. The beginning of the regular visit of British citizens to Kathmandu.

- 1850-51 AD:  Rana prime minister Junga Bdr. Rana visited Britain which brought Kingdom of Nepal into limelight in Europe.

- 1911/21 King George V and the Prince of Wales visit Nepal to hunt the Tiber.

- Regular visits by the Prime Minister of Rana to Britain and British officials in Nepal.

- The first record published by foreign tourists to Nepal is found in Percival London's 'Nepal' book, in which 153 Europeans, mostly Englishmen, are reported to have visited Kathmandu in the period between 1881 and 1925 AD.

TOURISM AFTER 1950

- 104 years the Rana Regime autocracy was ended in 1950.

- Slow development in Nepal began to take place.

- A road network was established connecting parts of Nepal with the Indian Border.

- Only finger count foreigners were given permission to enter Nepal. Mainly for the purpose of trading, climbing and pilgrimage purpose before 1950.

- In 1950 Maurice Herzog became the first person to summit Annapurna I.

- 1952 AD: Swiss geographer Tony Hagen was hired by the Nepali Government to map Nepal. She traveled 14000 km in Nepal's Himalayas and retired in 1972 AD.

- A group of wealthy tourists, sponsored students began traveling from England to Nepal through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Kasmir, Manali and Nepal to do research and  climbing purpose.

- 1953 AD: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa climbed Mt. Everest and they were the first to do so.

- The 1950s is considered one of the most important periods in the development of Tourism in Nepal. 14 world-famous over 8000m 7 out of 8 peaks in Nepal were conquered.

- Annapurna I, Everest, Chooyu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, Lhotse, Dhaulagiri.

- The role of tourism in the mountains is very important in the tourism sector as a whole. In fact, Nepal's tourism industry began with a tour of the mountains.

- 1955 AD: The first tourist visa was issued to Russian citizen Boris Lisanevich, Boris Lisanevich, a legendary hotelier and a pioneer in Nepalese tourism.

- He was invited by King Mahendra to allow Thomas Cook's company to send a visitor to Nepal.

- Boris founded the first hotel "Royal Hotel".

- 1955 AD: The first private airline company "Himalayan Airways" came into operation.

- 1956 AD: The National Tourism Council established a five-year tourism development plan under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

- 1958 AD: Royal Nepal Airlines Cooperation (RNAC) now NAC came into operation.

- Nepal began direct contact with Indian Cities and this land locked country became easily accessible to other countries.

- Nepal became a member of the International Union Of Official Travel Organization (IUOTO) and now the World Tourism Organization (WTO)

- 1964 AD: Jimmy Robert founded the first travel agency "Mountain Travel Nepal" to organize trekking and climbing.

- Founded "Tiger Tops" in Chitwan National Park began to promote and conserve wildlife.

- Directed attention to the Government of Nepalese on the power of Tourism in Nepal. Became a role model in teaching and applying tourism management in Nepal.

- Jimmy Robert is also regarded as ’The Father of Trekking’ in Nepal.

- His vision, then, was to make mountaineering experience easier and more understandable than it was at first.

1960 & 1970'S HIPPIE CULTURES

- Hippies are a group of young people who followed liberal anti-war philosophy.

- Hippie's main site such as buying and selling Hassish was legal until 1979.

- Jimmy Robert has played a key role in promoting and promoting Nepal as a tourist attraction.

- A good Nepali ambassador as he continues to tell about Nepal's cultural and natural beauty when they return home.

- By 1965, all 8000+ mountains were conquered. It has established Nepal as a major hiking and mountain climbing destination.

- The 1972 NATHM was established by the Government of Nepal through the UNDP / ILO to produce the skilled workers needed by the hospitality and tourism industry.

- More than 20,000 professionals are trained from NATHM in various fields such as hotel management, tour guide and hiking etc.

- 1973: Chitwan National Park (CNP) was established to protect and conserve wildlife.

- 1979: Taan was established to regulate, develop, and promote the Nepali pedestrian sector.

- 1998: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) was established to develop the tourism industry.

- 1992: Necon Air (Nepal's first private airline) and Asian Airlines Helicopter (Nepal's first helicopter) came into existence.

Nepal celebrates "Visit Nepal 98" to strengthen Nepalese tourism.

DURING 1950-1998, NEPAL BECAME A HOT PLACE FOR LARGE HOLIDAYS, JOURNALISTS AND CULTIVAL VISITORS.

TOURISM IN NEPAL (1999 TO 2011)

THE DARK PERIOD (1999-2005)

- 1999 Hijacking of Indian Airlines ships from TIA.

- 2001: "Royal Massacre" A Black Day in Nepalise History

- 2005: King Gyanendra Coup and suspended constitution.

- Moisture rebels were active in different parts of Nepal. Travelers could not move about freely and felt insecure.

- MESSAGE TO THE FOREIGN WORLD, NEPAL IS NOT SAFE FROM BEING.

- 50% of travel agencies closed

- Tourism focuses on the urban area only.

- Reduce the length of stay.

- 2006 A peace agreement was signed between the  Government and  Moist Government.

- The message to foreign countries in Nepal, is now safe to travel

-  Tourism slowly starts picking up.

- 2011: Nepal Tourism Year celebrated

- The global economic crisis has brought a collapse to American and European tourists and has been turned into a hot tourist destination for Chinese travelers.

NEPAL AFTER THE 2015 EARTHQUAKE

- On April 25, 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook Nepal.

- Nearly 9,000 people died and more than 22,000 were injured.

-  The Mt. Everest climbing season was canceled.

- The historic site of the city, Bimsen Tower (Dharahara) with 61 meters high was collapsed.

- Also on May 12, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake aftershock occurs, resulting in the destruction of schools, health facilities, water and electricity, roads and bridges, and homes.

- All businesses including the tourism industry and markets was collapsed.

- The 10 billion rupees tourism industry was affected.

- The most important Hindu temple in the land of Pashupatinath was also partially damaged.

- The Everest base camp was destroyed, and 18 climbers were killed.

- Many trekking sites got affected.

- According to officials from the Nepalese archeology department, a total of 57 monuments in Kathmandu village were destroyed as a result of the massive earthquake.

Visit Nepal 2020 tourism cancellation and Covid 19 impact on Nepal Tourism

- Tourism revenue in 2018 accounted for 7.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported more than 1.05 million jobs.

- Nepal hosted 1.19 million foreign tourists by 2019.

- The ‘ Visit to Nepal 2020 ’ campaign, which was officially launched on January 1, 2020.

- It aims to attract 2 million tourists, generate $2 billion and create thousands of new jobs.

- On January 23, the first case of COVID-19 was found in Nepal.

- It has begun to grow worldwide and amid growing public concern.

- Government Suspended the ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ initiative on March 3, 2020.

- After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 an epidemic on March 13, the government suspended permissions for mountaineering expeditions and suspended all visas.

- Following the confirmation of the second international prosecution on March 23, the government shut down the country and suspended all national and international flights.

- This was followed by a major cancellation of hotel and guest bookings, which led to an increase in unemployment, loss of income and thousands of lives at risk.

- 2% reduction in international and domestic tourists by January 2020 compared to 2019

- More than 10,000 tourists who entered Nepal before the closure were also left homeless, though many of them eventually returned home.

Places to Visit in Nepal

Kathmandu city.

- Nepal's capital, Kathmandu Valley, is a unique place in Nepal, the center of Nepal's political, commercial and cultural activities.

- The capital is designed for many travelers, and even the name Kathmandu conveys images of spirituality, mystery, and entertainment.

Boudhanath Stupa

- Bodnath is Nepal's largest mosque and is the religious center of Nepal's largest Tibetan community.

- It is a very important monument to Tibetan Buddhists outside of Tibet.

- Listed as a World Heritage Site.

Pashupatinath Temple

- The Pashupatinath Temple, with its magnificent architecture, stands as a symbol of faith, religion, tradition and tradition.

- The existence of the Temple dates back to 400 A.D.

- It is considered the most holy temple of the Hindu Lord Shiva in the world

Swayambhunath

- It is an ancient and mysterious place in all the holy places of Kathmandu Valley.

- Here a round white mound with an umbrella at the top, representing the steps leading to nirvana. The Stupa is hung with prayer flags of many colors.

- Historical records found in stone tablets give evidence that the stupa was already a major attraction for Buddhists by the 5th century A.D. i.e. before the advent of Buddhism in the village.

Pokhara Valley

- Pokhara Valley, a land of breathtaking natural beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas, offers a breathtaking view of the calm, green hills.

- Pokhara is also known as a major tourist destination.

- Three of the ten highest mountains in the world - Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Mananaslu are within 30 miles of the city.

- The city also serves as a base for pedestrian crossings in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas.

- Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is the center of millions of Buddhist religions worldwide.

- A solid stone pillar built by the great Indian emperor Ashoka is also here. The account of the Buddha's birth is recorded in it.

- One of the most important historical sites in the world is the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mount Everest

- The tallest mountain in the world, measuring 8848.86 meters (29031.69 ft).

- Located in the Solukhumbu district.

- Also known as "Sagarmatha".

- World Heritage Site.  

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Nepal Tourism Board NTB : A National Organization to Promote Tourism Activities in Nepal

A person who leaves one’s place of residence for a short period of time and travels in a new land for varieties of purposes; adventure, entertainment, recreation, holiday, business etc is called a tourist. The word ‘Tourist’ is derived from the word ‘Tour’, which means ‘a journey at which one returns to the starting point’. There are basically two types of tourists: Domestic or Internal Tourists, and International or Foreign Tourists.

Domestic or Internal tourist: Those who travel from one place to another within their own country for various purposes are called domestic tourists. A number of such internal tourists is increasing day by day. The new generation likes to travel to different places.

International or foreign Tourist: Those who travel to another country are called international tourists. Such tourists need a visa. Many foreign tourists visit Nepal every year.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)

This post is about Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in relates to its location, Kathmandu, Pokhara, contact address, office, logo, number etc. NTB is a national organization to promote the image of Nepal in the world. NTB is a national organization, which is established in 1998 A.D. It is established a Nepal government under the Nepal Tourism Board act 2053 (1997). It is established by Parliament in the form of partnership between the Government of Nepal and private sector related to tourism industry. The main goal of NTB is to develop and market Nepal as an attractive tourist destination. Short form of Nepal Tourism Board is NTB. NTB is generally used in Nepal more than Nepal Tourism Board.

For your kind information, NTB Kathmandu means Nepal Tourism Board. NTB does not mean here Nepal tourist board Kathmandu.

As we, all know that Nepal is a south Asian country located between the two powerhouses of the world, China, and India. Nepal is such country where the highest mountain peak Mount Everest is located. There is 8 highest peak among 14 are located in this beautiful naturally country Nepal. Nepal is such country where the Lord Buddha was born in 543 B.C. For more about the country profile, click the referred page.

NTB is promoting country Nepal in the domestic and international market. Tourism activities play an important role not only in the economy in Nepal but also in the overall development of the country. The benefit of tourism reaches into the different aspects of Nepalese life in different forms directly and indirectly. Tourism activities in Nepal are affecting the Nepali life style directly and indirectly. Tourism activities in Nepal are generating not only the employment opportunities but also helping promotion and conservation of Nepalese arts and cultures.

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The tourism industry in Nepal is one of the highest foreign currency earners industries in the country.  The tourism industry in Nepal is making a significant contribution to the economy condition of the country. Nepalese population and government of Nepal have realized its importance of tourism in Nepal.

Although there are lots of problem in promoting, marketing and conservation of image of Nepal in the world, the government of Nepal is doing a good job in the tourism sector. However, it was very slowly and unmanaged.

Therefore, in view of all these constraints and challenges to promoting the image of Nepal in the world, the Government and the private sector took an initiative to enhance the image of the tourism industry and improve the yield from tourism by attracting quality visitors. It was felt that a single long-term institutional mechanism could effectively guide Nepal’s tourism industry to meet the challenges of tourism.

Finally, it was felt that the single-most important long-term institutional mechanism would be a successful tool to develop the tourism industries in Nepal. The setting up and implementation of the NTB would solve the problems faced by tourism in Nepal. It was expected that the Board would effectively guide Nepal’s tourism industry to meet the challenges of tourism development. This autonomous board would work towards establishing quality based tourism and project Nepal on the international map as an attractive quality tourism destination. The NTB being an autonomous institution it is considered that it will provide a vision drawn leadership, continuity of efforts and good management. NTB should serve as a model institution and must not reflect the weakness of other prevailing institutions.

Offices and website of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)

There are so many contact offices of NTB. The head office of NTB is in Kathmandu. Nepal Tourism Board Kathmandu is the main head office of NTB. NTB is in Pokhara as well. The official tourism website in Nepal is   welcomenepal.com.  You can visit this website related to tourism. This is official toursim website in Nepal which is operated by Nepal government.

Tourist Service Center P.O. Box: 11018 Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel :  977.1.4256909 Fax :  977.1.4256910 E-mail :  [email protected] website: welcomenepal.com

Some other places where NTB contact offices are

Nepal tourism board in India or Nepal tourism office in India or Nepal tourism board office in India is working well done. Nepal tourism board office in India is in Delhi. Nepal tourism board in America is in doing well-done marketing.

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History of Tourism In Nepal

In this article, we will try to cover the amazing tourism history of Nepal. History of Tourism In Nepal runs back when there was no habitable Kathmandu valley. It is believed that a Chinese tourist Manjhu Shree came to Nepal and chopped the Chovar hill and drained out all the water from the Valley.

History of Tourism in Nepal is as interesting as that of Europe. It’s like a thrilling movie you won’t be able to leave in the midway.

This History of Tourism in Nepal article might be boring and long for some users. In that case, you can navigate to the button below and surf the desired heading.

The history of tourism in Nepal dates back to the 1950s when the country first opened its borders to foreign visitors. Initially, tourism in Nepal was focused on trekking and climbing in the Himalayas, as the country is home to eight of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. The first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 brought international attention to Nepal and helped to establish it as a destination for adventure tourism.

In the 1960s and 1970s, tourism in Nepal began to diversify, as visitors started to come to the country for other reasons such as cultural tourism, eco-tourism, and spiritual tourism. The country’s rich cultural heritage, including its temples, stupas, and traditional villages, as well as its diverse natural beauty, began to attract more and more visitors.

In the 1980s and 1990s, tourism in Nepal faced several challenges, including political instability and civil war. This resulted in a decline in the number of visitors to the country. However, in the early 2000s, the government of Nepal implemented several measures to promote tourism and improve the country’s infrastructure, which helped to boost visitor numbers.

In recent years, tourism in Nepal has been growing rapidly, with the number of visitors to the country increasing each year. The country has become a popular destination for adventure tourism, trekking, and mountaineering, as well as for cultural and spiritual tourism. The government has been putting a lot of effort to promote sustainable tourism in the country.

Overall, the history of tourism in Nepal has been marked by both challenges and opportunities, and the country has been working to develop its tourism industry in a sustainable way that benefits both the country and its visitors.

• 1 Tourism History Overview
• 2 Ancient History of Tourism In Nepal
• 3 History of Tourism In Nepal After Unification
• 4 History of Tourism In Nepal After 1950
• 5 Modern Tourism In Nepal
• 6 Refrences

Tourism History Overview

The tourism industry is one of the rapidly growing industries in the world, and the same is the case with Nepal. After agriculture , tourism is the next important industry in Nepal.

Hotel businesses, travels and tours, and other services related to tourist enjoyment and facilitation are called tourism industries.

Many nations in the world have earned a lot of money from the tourism industry. From the perspective of the tourism industry, Nepal also has a great potentiality to develop as a trending tourism spot. Nepal is significant for natural beauty, religious, and cultural heritage to attract the tourist of the world.

The European tourist had been started to come to Nepal since the period of Malla. The flow of foreign tourists into Nepal increased after the establishment of the tourism department in the 2016 BS. Nearly 6,000 tourists arrived in Nepal in 1960 AD. This figure increased year by year, and it reached 4,90,000 in 1999 AD. A period of one decade after this time, because of the internal conflicts in the country, the rate of tourists arrival decreased.

However, again after 2009 AD, Nepali tourism caught the league again, and there was a significant increase in tourists flow in Nepal.

In the past, to attract the tourists and to increase the flow of tourists, a program like visit Nepal 1998 and destination Nepal was launched. Now, after the establishment of the provisional government, they are trying to develop their own strategies to attract the tourist in their respective provinces. In the tenth five-year plan, it is mentioned that Nepal would be established as the central tourist spot, extend its air services to attract tourists from SAARC countries as well as from China. However, because of the political instability in the country, those objects could not be carried out well.

By these data, we can conclude that in the period of internal conflicts earthquake and blockade by India the flow of tourists was decreased, nonetheless, in the normal time, it was in the increasing trends.

The increase of the tourists coming helps to increase income, employment and the revenues of the country. It also helps to develop the rural areas of the country and the development of the industries as well. Usually, the tourist from India, Europe, America, Japan, Korea, and China come to Nepal. To increase the number of tourists in Nepal first it should develop its physical infrastructures like hotels, transportation, rectification in the civil aviation scenario, the advertisement of Nepal in the foreign countries, the care and the revamp of the cultural sites are necessary. The ministry of culture tourism and civil aviation (MoCTCA) tourism department, tourism development board, tourism infrastructure development plan, Nepal airline corporation are some organizations related to developing the tourism industry in Nepal.

Also Read: Folk Songs of Nepal

In the fiscal year, 2063/2064 1.2% of the total GDP was contributed by the tourism industry in Nepal. Likewise, in the year 2014, 1.97% of the total GDP was contributed by the Tourism industry in Nepal.

Tourism is a Goose for Nepal which will lay golden eggs if implemented and planned well.

Ancient History of Tourism In Nepal

The tourism history of Nepal began from the date when Manjushree, a Buddhist monk from Tibet, visited Kathmandu, Nepal. Manjushree is believed to be the first tourist in Nepal. It is believed that he came to Nepal and chopped the Chovar hill, drained all the water out of the valley and made the valley suitable for Living.

Ancient King Ashoka from India came to Lumbini and raised Ashoka Pillar. He later visited Nepal frequently and constructed many monuments of similar types. Such monuments of him hold great historical importance.

During the Malla and Lichhivi period, Nepal got to see golden progress in the tourism industry. The Lichchhavi period started in 400 A.D. Many monuments and buildings of great value were constructed then, which helped and is still helping Nepal to gain enormous popularity. Kailashkut Bhawan, Managriha and Bhadradhiwas Bhawan of great popularity and historical importance were built back in that period.

Also Read: Over Tourism In Nepal

The Malla period is also very important in Nepali tourism history. The Mallas ruled over Nepal from around 750-1480 A.D. Plenty of magnificent and eminent pagodas, royal residences and houses reflect the richness of art and architecture during the Malla period.

The marital relations between Princess Bhrikuti, daughter of King Amshuvarma, of Nepal and Srong-sten Gampo, the king of the northern state Lhasa in 592 A.D. gave rise to a strong relationship between Nepal and China. Also, it heightened the China-Nepal tourism relation to the next level. After that, Nepal was established as the only route to visit China via Lhasa and travel from China to India via Lhasa for a certain period. This marital relationship ended up favoring Nepal to increase visitors from both countries.

Later, with the reign of the Malla kingdom, people from the western countries began coming to Nepal with an aim to spread Christianity. In1737 A.D, King Jaya Prakash Malla gave written permission to Christians for spreading Christianity which increased a lot number of Christian tourists.

The Lichchhavis and the Malla kings brought about total conversion in the customs, tradition, and lifestyle of the Nepali people. The present cultures and customs of the Nepali communities and the various festivals celebrated around the year have their origins in the Lichchhavi and the Malla periods.

During those early days of Nepal, Chinese, Tibetan, and Indians tourists used to visit Nepal with religious and commercial purposes. Indian tourists were Hindus and were likely to visit similar destinations. They used to visit religious destinations like Pashupatinath, Baraha Kshetra, Muktinath, Gosainkunda, etc.

Likewise, Chinese tourists visited Lumbini.

History of Tourism In Nepal After Unification

King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the disseminated states of Nepal into unified Nepal in 1767 A.D. which gave a new dimension and way of tourism in Nepal.

In 1792 Captain Kirk Patric visited Nepal which also helped much to promote Tourism of Nepal. He was a soldier from the British East India Company and was on a mission for collecting data and facts about Nepal. But after leaving Nepal, he wrote a book about Nepal named, “ An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal ” which helped Nepal a lot to promote its tourism in foreign countries.

Later, the Sugauli treaty was signed in 1816 A.D. between the Nepal Government and the British East India Company which favored Nepal in the promotion and furtherance of tourism in Nepal.

Also Read: Negative Impacts of Tourism In Nepal

Dr Wallich , A British Resident, was elected in Kathmandu for developing Nepal’srelationship with British India. This resulted in the regular visit of British personalities to Nepal. Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur’s visited Britain in 1850-51 A.D. which again worked amazingly to promote Nepali tourism internationally.

During this time interval, many botanists and naturalists like Sir Brian Hodgson FRS , and Sir JosephHooker FRS visited Nepal, which helped to promote the natural tourism of Nepal worldwide.

During the era of Prime Minister, Bir Shumsher different famous peoples from Europe like Silva Levy and Percival London visited Nepal.

Furthermore, King George V and the Prince of Wales came to Nepal for hunting tigers in the terai forests in 1911 and 1921 respectively which again helped in boosting the popularity of tourism in Nepal.

Later the Rana autocracy affected tourism in Nepal for 104 years. During that period, Nepal was a ‘forbidden land’. Only a few small traders and Indian pilgrims were allowed to enter in Nepal at Rana autocracy.

History of Tourism In Nepal After 1950

After the arrival of popular democracy in 1950, Nepal began to build up the unique parts of social, financial and political life. Since that time, the entryway of Nepal has stayed open to outsiders who were longing to visit Nepal.

After, democracy foreigners were embraced by the Nepal Government by providing them a tourist visa. Before, the permits were provided by East India Company under the guidance of the British Government.

Tourism in Nepal after 1950 was popular due to the mountains of Nepal. In fact, all the major mountains of Nepal were scaled during that period.

Mt. Annapurna I, Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Dhaulagiri were scaled in 1960 only. So we can say 1950’s as one of the golden periods of tourism in Nepal.

In 1955 Nepal became a member of the United Nations Organization (UNO) which helped Nepal to promote tourism at an international level. In the same year, 1955 world-renowned Thomas Cook and Sons brought a group of 60 tourists for a Nepal travel.

After the triumphant climbing of the highest peak in the world, Nepal started to be a new destination for immigrants. In 1956, under the supervision of French George Lebrec, National Planning Council on Tourism was established and started to boost tourism.

The same year i.e. 1956 National Tourist Development Board was also established. In 1958 Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (Currently known as Nepal Airlines Corporation ) first started its operation as Nepal’s first aviation service provider. This particular event changed the aviation scenario in Nepal .

In the late 1960s and 1970s, hippies started to move to Nepal. During those days, Nepal was famous for two things, Hippies and Marijuana. The hippies were attracted due to the free availability of hashish and marijuana in Nepal. But in 1973 the government banned the selling of marijuana and hashish which in turn affected the inflow of hippies in Nepal.

In the year 1962, for the first time, the Tourism Department started keeping the statistics of the foreign tourists getting into Nepal.

In the year 1972, Including the joint partnership of UNDP and ILO, Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre was established to generate trained human resources in the tourism and hospitality area. This institution was renamed as Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) in 1999.

Also Read: Sustainable Tourism In Nepal

In 1998, Nepal Tourism Board was instituted to promote Nepal as an attractive tourist destination. The same year, Nepal celebrated “Visit Nepal 98” to encourage Nepal tourism.

From the year 1999 tourist inflow started to fall because of a decade long Maoist insurgency. Other more trends like hijack of Indian Airlines fleet from Tribhuvan International Airport in 1999, the Royal Massacre in 2001 affected the Tourism industry of Nepal negatively.

The historical Peace treaty agreement between Maoist and Government in 2006 brought again revolutionary changes in the tourism industry of Nepal.

In 2011, Tourism Year was celebrated for the second time in Nepal.

Also Read: Risks In Tourism Industry

Modern Tourism In Nepal

Currently, plans and policies are started getting designed for creating a better environment for the growth of the tourism sector in Nepal. Things are changing in Nepal currently. The tourism scenario in Nepal is also changing its pace. Nepal is getting better in terms of infrastructure. The government is giving more importance and emphasis to it than before. The tourism industry is becoming grande with new touristic places, grande hotels, and resorts, good roads and new international airports (ongoing). The number of people involved in this industry is increasing. Institutions for teaching and learning tourism business is also rising. After Nepal adopted federalism, the Tourism industry is now being managed at the locale level. Every province and state can execute their ideas and plans to make the tourism industry even better from the locale level.

Shrestha, H. P., & Shrestha, P. (2012a). Tourism in Nepal: A Historical Perspective and Present Trend of Development. Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 5, 54–75. https://doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v5i0.7039

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tourism | history

The beginning of Nepal's tourism era

The first glimpses of an industry that is now central to the country’s economy.

Nepal's sovereign timeframe surpasses all other countries in the region. But, when it comes to the commercial inception of tourism, the nation is just 67-years-old. This sexagenarian tourism age started after the downfall of the familial Rana regime in 1951.

During the 104-year-old authoritarian family regime, Nepal was a hermit state, off-limits to the outside world. Average citizens were politically barred from connecting outside its borders.

Only the ruling elites enjoyed the privilege to tour the world and invite a few foreign folks of their choice to visit Nepal. Commercial tourism was not an idea of their liking until everything changed in 1951.

Death of Rana regime and the birth of tourism On 18 February 1951, the Rana regime formally collapsed, paving the way for the beginning of the commercial tourism era in the previously forbidden kingdom. In just about four years, in March of 1955, the first batch of international tourists arrived in Nepal. The group of all female tourists including Brazilians and Americans touched down at Gaucharan Airport (the erstwhile name of Tribhuvan International Airport) at 11 in the morning. They arrived on a two-engine Indian Airliner from India, cruising from their respective countries.

The tour, operated by Thomas Cook and Sons (founded in Britain, one of the oldest travel companies in the world), guided this batch around Kathmandu’s novelties; its sights and scenes, local dances and cuisine for a total of two days.

The historic arrival of the first tourists in Nepal was reported by the New York Times on 9 March 1955. The headline read, ''Tourism age comes to Nepal'' with the subline reading ''First organized group finds all the usual conveniences except souvenir cards.''

Writer A.M. Rosenthal wrote, ''At 11 am today, the tourist came to Nepal. It arrived, a bit wearily, in the form of ten United States and two Brazilian visitors to this centuries-hidden Hindu kingdom of the Himalayas.'' The news added, ''Only a handful of persons in Nepal were aware of this historic moment in the country's history but that handful was having pleasant thoughts when a two-engined Indian airliner touched down at the airstrip a few rocky miles from town.''

With a distinct Western perspective of Nepal's touristic impression and activities, the news further read, ''Kathmandu is as untouristy as any tourist would want. There are a few scores cars in town and even a half dozen traffic cops. But Kathmandu is still fifteenth-century. Using beasts for carrying burdens is considered irreligious. Loads are still carried in the approved manner, slung from a strap around a human head. Every valley has its temple and every temple has its offering outside. For the tourist - they will stay two days and another group will arrive Thursday - a Nepalese version of a nightclub show has been arranged, at 9 PM tomorrow the devil dancers will perform.''

This first arrival was not an easy task. The first hotelier in Nepal, Boris Lissanevtich, had to persuade the newly crowned King Mahendra for his royal nod of approval to move forward with his plans to fill his hotel. But Lissanevitch was not an average businessman. An exiled Russian ballet dancer turned restaurant pioneer, Lissanevitch shared a close friendship with King Tribhuvan after meeting him at Club 300, Boris’s exclusive club for Indian, British and foreign elites based in Calcutta. 

Leveraging this connection, Boris had established Nepal's first tourist-standard hotel named 'Royal Hotel' in 1955 at Kathmandu in collaboration with prince Bashundhara. The iconic 40-bed hotel was located in what stands today as the Election Commission Office in Kathmandu. 

It is considered that it was Boris’s constant efforts that led Nepal to issue tourist visas from 1955. Boris’s life is detailed in the biographical book of Boris titled 'Tiger for Breakfast' written by Michel Peissel in 1966. 

Annapurna and Everest: The giant catalysts of Nepal's tourism The towering peaks that border Nepal in the north are also the turbochargers of Nepal's tourism boom. Among which, Annapurna and Everest deserve special recognition.

During the premiership of Mohan Shumsher, the last Rana PM (1948-51), Nepal permitted a French expedition team to climb either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna. After an unsuccessful attempt at Dhaulagiri, the French team ascended the top of the Annapurna on 3 June 1950. In recorded human history, this was the first time for anyone to have scaled a mountain over 8,000 metres. 

The 8,091-metre Annapurna ascent put Nepal as the premier destination on the world adventure map. Even those who had never heard about Nepal got to know about the little-known nation.

The accounts of the Annapurna ascent authored by team leader Maurice Horzog titled 'Annapurna' sold 11 million copies by 2000, a report of New York Times show. France 24, a French news channel reported the iconic 'Annapurna' book was translated into 40 different languages across the world.

Within three years of the Annapurna success, Nepal-born Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary summited Everest on 29 May 1953. 

Besides Annapurna and Everest, Nepal hosts six other world’s 10 tallest peaks (Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, Dhauraligi) of world's top ten mountains. Nepal is, in fact, home to the largest number of mountains above 8,000m in the world — 14 mountains. 

These towering giants are the stewards of Nepal's brand in the world of tourism adventures while mountaineering became the greatest catalyst of Nepal's international tourism boom. Nepal’s status as a destination for tourism continues to rest upon the shoulders of the Himalayas. 

According to an analytical report on tourism , the tourism industry contribution to the national economy (GDP) was 6.7% in 2019 and 6.9% in the country’s employment. The Nepal Tourism Statistics 2019 shows that tourism generated foreign earnings of $724 million while earning Rs 568 million in royalty from mountaineering expedition alone. 

Nepal's lethargic march towards institutionalisation and data Nepal’s tourism sector shows poor track record in the institutionalisation and date maintenance. For example, Nepal only started counting its tourist arrival in 1964 (when 9,526 tourists arrived in Nepal). Nepal started to issue tourist visas from 1955 but began counting the number of tourist arrivals nearly a decade later. Interestingly, recording of the length of stay started in 1973.

In 1975, Nepal became a member of the World Tourism Organization whereas the tourism ministry was established in 1978. The Nepal Tourism Board was constituted two decades later in 1998 (which now produces annual tourism statistics).

As of now, Nepal has celebrated three ‘tourism year' campaigns in 1998, 2011 and 2020. However, the campaigns were hardly successful.

The Visit Year 1998 campaign with the slogan 'A World of Its Own' sought to enhance Nepal’s image as a special destination for international visitors but Nepal was marred in an armed conflict at the time.

The 2011 campaign had the slogan 'Together for Tourism' and aimed at attracting one million tourists to Nepal. Only 736,215 tourists arrived that year.

Nepal's latest visit year 2020 was scheduled with the tagline 'Nepal: Lifetime Experiences' and targeted two million tourists but was ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic with only 230,085 arriving during the year. 

Birat Anupam is a reporter at National News Agency of Nepal (RSS) and Nepal Press.

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World Tourism Day: Five tourism facts of Nepal

Today, the entire world is celebrating World Tourism Day 2021. The slogan for this years' celebration is 'Tourism for Inclusive Growth'. World Tourism Day celebration began in 1980. September 27 is chosen to commemorate the day of the statutes of the World Tourism Organisation of 1970, the United Nations Organisations responsible for the tourism sector.

UNWTO was established on 1 November 1975. In the same year, Nepal got its membership making it one of the founding states of UNWTO. Headquartered in Madrid of Spain, UNWTO is Nepal's UN partner for tourism activities.

Before talking about, Nepal's tourism world, it is required to know some important facts and figures. Here are some of them.

1. Nepal's tourism history is associated with Himalayan adventures

In the early days of the 1950s, Nepal started to issue climbing permits to foreign adventurers to scale Nepal's unclimbed tallest peaks of the planet. During the Premiership of last Rana Prime Minister Mohan Shumsher, Nepal permitted the French team to scale either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna. The French team led by Maurice Herzog scaled Mt Annapurna, the tenth tallest peak on the planet and the first one among the eight thousand plus meters of height, on 3 June 1950. Two historic climbing partners were Herzog and his friend Louis Lachenal.

 Sherpa Sirdar Ang Tharkay helped them make this historic human record on the Himalayas. That dawned the development of Nepal's tourism. According to a report by New York Times, the Annapurna ascent book authored by Herzog titled 'Annapurna' was sold 11 million copies until 2000. According to a report by France24, a French Government-run media outlet, Annapurna was translated into 40 languages. The book was also listed among 100 adventure books of all time by National Geographic Magazine. This worked as a catalyst to brand and expand Nepal's international glamour.

After the historic summit on Everest on 29 May 1953 by Nepal's Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary, it got further global attention paving the way for Nepal's rapid tourism promotion all around the world.

2. Arrival of passport-carrying tourism began from 1955

Despite the early entry of adventure tourists in Nepal in the name of Himalayan expeditions, the first batch of passport-carrying tourists came only in 1955. The trip was managed by Kolkata-based Thomas Cook and Sons, the very famous travel agency. The visit was managed by Boris Lisanevich, the first tourism entrepreneur in Nepal who had established Nepal's first tourist class hotel named 'Royal Hotel' which was located at today's Election Commission office of Kathmandu. Boris, a Ukrainian living in Kolkata of India, had befriended King Tribhuwan during his occasional visits to Kolkata, had established the 40-room iconic hotel in partnership with Basundhara, the son of Tribhuwan. A book on Boris titled 'Tiger for Breakfast' details this connection. Boris had persuaded newly crowned King Mahendra whose coronation ceremony was held on 2 May 1955. A group of elderly women were the first batch of passport-carrying tourists in Nepal. Boris had managed their stays, accommodations, and traveling inside Nepal.

3. Delay in maintaining tourism statistics and the arrival curve

Nepal only started to make strong record-keeping of tourist arrival from 1964. No strong tourism statistics are available before 1964. In addition, about the length of stay, this was only recorded properly since 1973.

The growth of tourists in Nepal is at a snail's pace. In 1964, the arrival digit was 9526. Nepal only reached the one million mark in 2018. That year, Nepal welcomed 1,173,072 tourists.

The Year 2019 received the highest number of tourists in the tourism history of Nepal. 1,197,191 tourists made their footfalls in Nepal that year. The year 2020 is a very troubling year in the tourism history of Nepal as was the case all over the world owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, just 230,085 tourists arrived in Nepal, said Nepal Tourism Board. It was 80 percent lesser than the previous year.

4. Tourism authority was a latecomer in Nepal's tourism world

Nepal welcomed foreign tourists from the 1950s. It got UNWTO membership in 1975. The Ministry of Tourism was constituted after three years of UNWTO entry in 1978. Nepal Tourism Board was established in 1998. These dates speak volumes about Nepal's slow pace towards institutional development in Nepal's tourism world which hampered a lot in terms of legislation and strong regulation, research as well as record-keeping.

5. The mixed stories of the Visit Nepal Year campaigns

In the almost seven-decade-long tourism history of Nepal, there are three major global tourism promotions of Nepal. They were promoted in the name of Visit Nepal Year.

The historic Visit Nepal Year was held in 1998. There were six major objectives of this pioneering tourism celebration which aimed to brand Nepal as the new tourism destination in the world and to increase stays in Nepal. The Visit Nepal 1998 slogan was: A World of Its Own. The year did not make a drastic difference in terms of arrival. Just 9.9 percent growth was recorded compared to the previous year of 1997. In 1997 also, the growth rate was 7.2 percent. In 1998, a total of 463,684 tourists came to Nepal. According to The Government-unveiled Nepal Tourism Statistics, in terms of stays, the average length of stay was increased from 10.49 days to 10.76 days.

Nepal celebrated its second major Visit Nepal Year 2011 targeting one million tourist arrival. Tragically, only 736, 215 tourists came to Nepal. However, the average length of stay from the previous year was increased from 12.67 days to 13.12 days. The tourism growth was 22.1 percent which was a little more compared to its previous year's growth rate of 18.2 percent. The slogan of Visit Nepal Year 2011 was 'Together for Tourism'.

The scheduled Visit Nepal 2020, with an aim to lure 2 million tourists, was ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic . Despite early optimism and the grand inauguration of Visit Nepal Year of 2020 with the tagline of 'Lifetime Experience', the overall arrival that year was just 230,085.

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Tourism in Nepal

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Nepal with rich ancient cultures set against the most dramatic scenery in the world is a land of discovery and unique experience. For broad minded individuals who value an experience that is authentic and mesmerizing, Nepal is the ideal destination. Come and revel in the untouched and the undiscovered and uncover yourself.

It is unsurpassed that the sheer diversity Nepal boasts, from steamy jungle and Terai to the icy peaks of the world’s highest mountains means that the range of activities on offer. Trekking, mountaineering, rafting in spectacular scenery are just three things Nepal is famous for. Activities as diverse as Elephant Polo and a micro-light flight through the Himalayas show that in Nepal, the only boundary is your imagination. With 15 National & Wildlife Parks (two are UNESCO Heritage sites) Nepal is one of the last places on earth you can spot the Asiatic rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger.

For many, Nepal’s greatest attraction is its people. The traditions and famous hospitality of its many different groups are indeed a major part of what makes Nepal so special. From remote mountain villages to medieval hill-towns and the ancient cities of the Kathmandu Valley, the people of Nepal are always welcoming. Come and experience the strong and unique flavors of Nepalese cuisine, prepared with love and a depth of flavor or join in and celebrate at one of the many festivals year round. In fact, with more festivals than days of the year, there is nowhere else in the world that can offer as many festivities as Nepal.

Tourism is one of the mainstay of Nepalese economy. It is also a major source of foreign exchange and revenue. Possessing 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and people seeking adventures. The Hindu, Buddhist and other cultural heritage sites of Nepal, and around the year fair weather are also strong attractions.

Nepal is the country of the Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, and the Birthplace of Gautama Buddha- Lumbini. Mountaineering and other types of adventure tourism and ecotourism are important attractions for visitors. There are other important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country for the followers of various sects and religions.

According to statistics from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 598,204 foreign tourists entered the country via aerial route in 2012. The government of Nepal declared 2011 to be Nepal Tourism Year, and hoped to attract one million foreign tourists to the country during that year. The tourist industry is seen as a way to alleviate poverty and achieve greater social equity in the country.

 Wilderness tourism

Nepal’s major tourist activities include wilderness and adventure activities such as mountain biking, bungee jumping, rock climbing and mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, bird watching, mountain flights, ultralight aircraft flights, paragliding and hot air ballooning over the mountains of the Himalaya, hiking and mountain biking, exploring the waterways by raft, kayak or canoe and jungle safaris especially in the Terai region.

Religious sites

Nepal is a multi-religious society. The major religion in Nepal is Hinduism, and the Pashupatinath Temple, which is the world’s one of the main Hindu religious sites is located in Kathmandu, attracts many pilgrims and tourists. Other Hindu pilgrimage sites include the temple complex in Swargadwari located in the Pyuthan district, Lake Gosainkunda near Dhunche, the temples at Devghat, Manakamana temple in the Gorkha District, and Pathibhara near Phungling, Mahamrityunjaya Shivasan Nepal in Palpa District where biggest metallic idol of Lord Shiva is located.

Buddhism is another main religion. The World Heritage site Lumbini, which is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, is an important pilgrimage site. Another prominent Buddhist site is Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, in Kathmandu. Dang valley is also a sacred place for Hindus as well as other religions. Kalika and Malika Devi in Chhillikot hill, Ambekeshawori temple, Krishna temple, Dharapani temple etc. are sacred place in Dang district. Chillikot hill is also a good place for sightseeing and also an ancient palace of a king. Muktinath is a sacred place for Hindus as well as Buddhists. The site is located in Muktinath Valley, Mustang district.

 Culture and Heritage Sites

Kathmandu the capital city of Nepal is the city of temple and very rich in cultural heritage. Within 7 km radius there are 7 world heritage sites (Pashupatinath Temple, Baudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square) which cannot be found anywhere. Museums in Kathmandu have rich collections of archaeological, historical and artistic importance and galleries display art work of the past and present. Full of art, architecture and culture, the Kathmandu Valley is the prime destination for the tourists. As Nepal is a land of festivities and celebrations, visitors can experience how a culturally diverse and rich society of Nepal grooms in harmony.

Major Tourism Activities in Nepal

Mountain Climbing

The 800 km stretch of the Nepal Himalayan is the greatest in the world with eight peaks that rise above 8,000m including the highest in the world, Mt. Everest. Ever since the country opened its peaks to climbers in 1994, the Nepal Himalayan has become a great theatre of mountaineering activity and the drama of success and failure have provided impetus to thousands of men and women to meet the ultimate challenge. The Nepal Himalayan has been an attraction to many people, be they saints, philosophers, researchers or adventures.

The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture riches is to walk through them. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temple, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life.

Bird Watching

Nepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 646 species (almost 8% of the world total) of birds, and among them almost 500 hundred species are found in Kathmandu Valley alone. The most popular bird watching spots in Kathmandu are Phulchoki, Godavari, Nagarjun, Bagmatiriver, Taudaha and so on. Get your binoculars and look forward to a rewarding experience.

Rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning

Rafting  is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross section of natural as well as ethno-cultural heritage of the country. There are numerous rivers in Nepal which offer excellent rafting or canoeing experience. You can glide on calm jade waters with munificent scenery all about or rush through roaring white rapids, in the care of expert river-men employed by government authorized agencies. One can opt for day of river running or more. So far, the government has opened sections of 10 rivers for commercial rafting. The Trisuliriver  is one of the most popular of Nepal’s raftable rivers. The Kali Gandaki winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapids. The BhoteKoshi is 26km of continuous white water and the raging Marshyanghi is four days of uninterrupted white water. The Karnaliriver provides some of the most challenging rapids in the world. The Sun Koshi , 27km, requiring 8-10 days to complete, is a big and challenging river. Adventurers are provided with world-class services by rafting agents. Agencies here provide life jackets, camping and the standard rafting paraphernalia needed by world-class rafting. An extremely popular sport in Europe, cannoning is now available in Nepal. Cannoning gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.

Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning is very popular with tourists for it affords the most spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges towering in the background. On a clear day it’s a superb way to view the Himalayan (from over 6000m up), and the view of the valley is equally breathtaking.

Bungee Jumping

The ultimate thrill of a bungee jump can now be experienced in Nepal at one of the best sites that this sport can boast of anywhere in the world. Nepal’s first bungee jumping site is situated 160m. Over the BhoteKoshiriver, inviting you to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in the surroundings of this amazing place. The jump, at 160m., is staffed and operated by some of the most experienced jumpmasters in the business.

Paragliding

Paragliding in Nepal can be a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeking. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffins vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas.

Ultralight Aircraft

Ultralight aircraft take off from Pokhara and offer spectacular views of the lakes, mountains and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective. The choice of Pokhara Valley for ultra-light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes. For those who wished they could fly birds when growing up, this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worth it. Flights are from the Pokhara airport beginning September through June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day during these months.

Mountain Biking

The best way to explore the Kathmandu Valley is on a mountain bike. Nepal’s diverse terrain is a mountain biker’s dream adventure comes true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. There are plenty of dirty roads and trails in Nepal to meet every mountain biker’s wildest fantasy. Mountain biking is specially recommended if you wish to explore urban centers of Nepal such as Pokhara and Kathmandu as well as the countryside. Adventurous souls may plan extended trips to such exotic locals as Namche Bazaar, and western Nepal. You could even do the entire length of Nepal across the plains. Mountain bikes are available for rent by the day or longer in many of the bicycle rental outlets in Nepal and around the city.

Jungle Safari

National Parks located specially in the Terai region in Nepal attract visitors from all over the world. A visit to these parks involves game- stalking by a variety of means-foot, dugout canoe, jeep, and elephant back. One is bound to sight a one – horned rhino or two at every elephant safari. Besides the rhinos, wild boars, samburs, spotted deer, sloth bear, four-horned antelope are also usually seen. A Royal Bengal tiger may surprise you by his majestic appearance.

Mountain Flight

Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains on earth. Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Tibetan Plateau. Mountain flights appeal to all category of travelers and have become a popular tourist attraction of Nepal. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going for a trek, these flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalayan in just one hour.

Rock Climbing

For all those cliffhangers out there, Kathmandu offers a roster of stone walls that make for an experience of a lifetime. Now of late, Rock climbing has become a popular sport in Kathmandu, which offers some really terrific places for rock climbing. Nagarjun, Balaju, Shivapuri and Budhanilkantha are some of the places where you can try this sport.

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Tourism board crisis could deal a blow to lofty tourist goal

Sangam Prasain

At the Nepal Tourism Board, the country’s tourism promotional body, crises appear to be hovering all around again.

Politicking at the board, which operates under a public-private partnership model, has been a long-standing problem, affecting its national and international tourism promotional plans for decades.

Political manoeuvring becomes rampant when the time for appointing a chief executive officer (CEO) begins every four years. And the key tourism promotional body is already headless.

Apart from the politics over the chief’s appointment, the board has yet to introduce its annual budget, a serious matter for the agency promoting Nepal abroad.

“The board is in severe crisis,” said a top board official. The crisis arrived after most countries launched free-visa policies to attract tourists.

Nepal plans to draw 1.6 million tourists this year, but that will not be possible without promotions. Amid all this, the country’s poor air safety has further hindered tourism growth, the official said.

There is now tough global competition to attract tourists.

Laos is extending its visa exemption policy and increasing visa validity for tourists from certain countries.

The Thai cabinet has rolled out a series of new visa promotions, including visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes, extended student stays, and reduced compulsory health insurance for retirees. Under the new scheme, visitors can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, compared to the earlier limit of 30 days.

Indonesia plans to introduce visa-free entry for tourists from 20 nations, including India, by October this year.

In December last year, Malaysia granted visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for up to 30 days.

Zimbabwe is giving a leg up to its tourism industry with a new visa-free entry policy for 35 countries.

However, poor planning, unstable politics, and plane crashes have marred Nepal’s tourism, the country’s economic growth engine, at a time when most economic indicators are dim.

The tourism board has been headless since January 30 when the term of its former CEO Dhananjay Regmi ended.

On top of that, the board is yet to present its annual budget.

“We are on a budget holiday,” said Mani Raj Lamichhane, spokesman for the Nepal Tourism Board.

“From Sunday, there will be not a penny to spend on day-to-day activities.”

As per the board’s financial bylaws, it has to bring the full budget by July 9. If the budget is not passed by then, it can manage expenses for day-to-day activities through a partial budget up to August 9.

And there is a mandatory provision of passing the budget by August 19.

If the budget is not passed by August 19, the tourism board may face a legal crisis. “We don’t know what will happen in that case,” said another senior board official.

Officials say that given the ongoing crisis, the full budget seems impossible.

Last fiscal year, the board earned Rs1.04 billion in tourism promotional fees charged to foreigners who departed from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, the main source of its budget.

However, only 30 percent of it has been spent. The board estimates that it will introduce a Rs1.25 billion budget this fiscal year.

Lamichhane said they met Tourism Minister Badri Pandey on Wednesday, and the minister assured them that the budget would be passed.

Officials say frequent government changes have affected the functioning of the board, creating a leadership vacuum. Power tussles have become common among the board of directors, appointed by different ministers belonging to different parties at different times.

“In the board of directors, the members face four different directions. No agendas can be approved.”

The 11-member Nepal Tourism Board comprises five representatives, each from the government and the private sector, and the CEO. The tourism secretary chairs the board.

As per the law, even a six-member board can pass the budget. “We don’t know what’s stopping the tourism secretary, the board chair, from doing that,” said the official.

The CEO appointment, too, seems uncertain.

As per the process, a three-member CEO selection committee should be formed to appoint the chief.

The sub-committee shortlists three candidates based on their presentations and interviews and submits their names to the board, ultimately selecting the CEO within 90 days of the committee’s formation.

After Regmi’s term ended, the board of directors initiated the process of appointing a new CEO. However, the applications were invited only on April 6.

Twenty individuals, including Regmi, had applied for the executive position. The sub-committee had shortlisted 16 candidates.

However, this was challenged when a writ petition was filed at the Patan High Court questioning the legality of the sub-committee members.

On April 29, the joint bench of High Court Judges Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Kailash Prasad Subedi continued the short-term interim order issued on April 22, ordering the halt of the CEO selection process.

The next hearing was scheduled for Sunday. However, the government has declared Sunday a public holiday, on the occasion of Bhoto Jatra. On this day, the Machhindranath chariot festival concludes with the showing of the legendary vest at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur.

Kundan Sharma Mishra, an official at the tourism board, filed the writ petition, contesting the legality of the two board members Milan Devkota and Madan Kumar Acharya, who were nominated to the CEO selection subcommittee. The director general of the Department of Tourism is another subcommittee member.

“As per the law, the Cabinet should appoint board members. But it was former tourism minister Prem Ale who appointed the two board members. This minister-level decision is illegal. If the appointment is illegal, the CEO they select will also be illegal,” said Mishra.

Devkota and Acharya were appointed in March 2022.

The CEO appointment process had run into controversy even in the past.

In 2011, the board had shortlisted 12 applicants in the first week of November.

However, it was four years later, in December 2015, that the CEO was appointed. In that period, more than two dozen writs were filed in courts to halt or postpone the appointment process.

The tourism board, established in 1998 under the public-private partnership model, is mandated to promote Nepal in domestic and international markets.

But the board soon became a political playground.

Sangam Prasain Sangam Prasain is Business Editor at The Kathmandu Post, covering tourism, agriculture, mountaineering, aviation, infrastructure and other economic affairs. He joined The Kathmandu Post in October 2009.

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E-paper | august 30, 2024.

• Read ePaper Online

• Friday, 30 August 2024
• Gorkhapatra
• E-paper Archive

Neupane new President of TBAN

Kathmandu, Aug 30 : Bhishma Prasad Neupane has been elected the President of Tourist Bus Association of Nepal (TBAN), an umbrella organization of tourist bus operators in the country.     A seven-member executive committee was elected unopposed by the 13th Annual General Meeting of TBAN held on Thursday.    

Similarly, Deepak Bhattarai has been elected the first Vice President and Ashok Aryal the Second Vice President while Prakash Chandra Adhikari was elected General Secretary. Chiranjeevi Giri is the treasurer, Ramesh Paudel, Sujan Dahal and Chabilal Ghimire are members of the new executive committee, said Coordinator of the election committee, Shrikant Acharya. 

    The TBAN provides tourist bus services from the federal capital Kathmandu to Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Janakpur and other places.   

  Newly elected President Neupane said that major agenda during his tenure will be to initiate the construction of a tourist bus park in Kathmandu, while also addressing other problems facing during the smooth operation of tourist bus service in the country.  (RSS)          

• Fri, 30 August 2024

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Attractions

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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Latest Travel Updates

Updates about latest rules and standard protocol for traveling and trekking in Nepal.

New Provision for Trekking in Nepal

FAQs about the new provision

The new rule will come into effect from April 1st, 2023. The trekkers who get the permits and start the trek before April 1st will not require a guide. But they'll need to have entered the trekking area before April 1st.

All the treks need to comply with the new rule. You can contact a trekking agency in Nepal for the guide to accompany you in mountain bikes.

Trekking Agencies in Nepal

What if I an experienced trekker and associated to a trekking/mountaineering association in home country?

The rule is applicable for all the foreign national trekkers.

Is this rule also applicable when I hike around Kathmandu? Or to Sarangkot? Where all are these rules applicable?

The Revised Provision for Trekking in Nepal must be followed only while trekking to areas where TIMS is applicable. It is applicable in all national park areas in the mountains. It is not applicable in Kathmandu Valley outskirts, Pokhara outskirts, and hiking areas in and around major cities.

Do I have to go via a trekking agency? Or is it OK so long as I have a guide?

It is mandatory to hire a licensed trekking guide through a government-registered trekking agency.

How can I find that out if the trekking agency is legit?

Trekking guide must be hired through government-registered trekking agency. You can verify information on the trekking agency from Department of Tourism and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal .

What are the consequences if I do not follow this rule?

Not following the rule is a punishable offense.

I am a trail runner and fast packer, no agency specifically provided guides that can keep up with me. What should I do?

It is applicable to all. You must ascertain that the trekking agency can provide guide who matches your specific requirement.

I am an expat living in Nepal. Does this rule also apply to me?

Yes, the rule is applicable to Diplomats as well as Expats.

I am Nepali. Does this rule apply to me?

The rule is not applicable to Nepali citizens.

What if I go on a motorcycle ride to Muktinath?

The rule does not apply to motorcycle ride or the bus ride to Muktinath. TIMS and Annapurna area permit are required.

What are the areas requiring TIMS and permits?

Covid 19 Related Information

Useful links.

• Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN)
• Nepal Mountaineering Association
• COVID-19 Crisis Management Center
• Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
• Ministry of Home Affairs
• Department of Immigration
• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
• Nepal Airline Corporation
• Diplomatic Missions in Kathmandu

Just in Case

NTB Crisis Cell: [email protected]

COVID Hotline: 9851255839,9851255837,9851255834

Tourist Police: 1144/014247041

Sukraraj Hospital, Ktm: 014253396

Gandaki Hospital, Pkr: 061520067

Nepal Tourism Board is a national tourism organization of Nepal established in 1998 by an Act of Parliament in the form of partnership between the Government of Nepal and private sector tourism industry to develop and market Nepal as an attractive tourist destination. The Board provides platform for vision-drawn leadership for Nepal’s tourism sector by integrating Government commitment with the dynamism of private sector.

Nepal Tourism Board

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