Thamel: A Cultural Commerce Hub

Nestled at the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel has long been the epicentre of the city's tourist industry, drawing artists and travellers from all corners of the globe since the “hippie era."

Its labyrinthine alleys hum with a vibrant blend of shops and vendors offering an array of goods, such as food, vegetables, pastries, trekking gear, music, handicrafts, and clothing. Beyond its bustling marketplace, Thamel hosts travel agencies, budget hotels, restaurants, pubs, and clubs, catering to the diverse needs of visitors.

Importantly, it serves as a pre-base camp for mountaineers and has essential services such as mountaineering gear stores, which support their various adventure packages. Thamel's renowned nightlife brims with restaurants, cafés, and live music venues, frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Situated near Pratayan Marha, Bhagabati Marga, Chasksibari Marga, Kwabahal, JP Road, Paknajol, and Sanchaya Kosh Road, it is a bustling tourist district with its five main streets and numerous smaller ones spanning major Kathmandu metropolitan wards 16, 26, 17, and 27. This vibrant hub serves as a convenient base for travellers, often being their first stop after arriving at the airport and easily finding accommodation.

Thamel's roots delve deep into history. The Newars initially inhabited a modest settlement in the northern part of the Kathmandu city area. Cantered on a Newar Buddhist monastery called Bhagwan Bahal, also known as Than Bahil in the Newari language, Thamel's connection to the northern section of the city is evident.

The southern part of Thamel, densely populated by long-established Newar residents, acted as a dividing line between the inner core and the outskirts of the city. During the era of the hippie boom in Jhoche, Thamel was a single street, spanning approximately 20 to 30 metres.

However, the 1980s ushered in mass tourism, attracting budget-conscious tourists and backpackers. This transformation marked a shift from a residential area to a bustling tourism precinct, offering new business opportunities for local residents and entrepreneurs. This eventually transformed Thamel into a renowned business district within the tourism industry.

Despite its prominence, Thamel faces challenges. The decline in tourism in the wake of the COVID pandemic has left its mark, leading to the closure and bankruptcy of many hotels. Consequentially, local residents are now frequenting Thamel to experience and embrace different cultures.

Rich heritage

Thamel is steeped in history. The central pagoda pays tribute to the legendary merchant Singha Sarthabahu from “Dwapar Yug,” who embarked on a trade journey from Kathmandu to Tibet, a story well-known throughout East Asia.

The Pradhans, one of the Newar clans, consider him their ancestor and worship the main idol as Singha Sarthabahu. The Pradhan dynasty cares for this Bahal, unlike other Bahals in the Kathmandu Valley. Typically, Newar tribes maintain Bihars or temples, run or maintained by Bajracharya, Shakya, or Tuladhars.


Challenges

While Thamel remains a prominent tourism hub in Kathmandu, the recent decline in tourism due to the COVID outbreak has taken its toll, leading to the closure and bankruptcy of many hotels. Consequently, local residents have turned to Thamel to experience and embrace different cultures.

 Current Thamel is known for its lively nightlife, and this can result in excessive noise that persists well into the early hours of the morning. If you are a light sleeper or prefer a quiet environment, the noise can be a significant issue for all hotels and residents. Narrow streets often become congested with vehicles, making it challenging to navigate and leading to air pollution. Thamel is primarily a commercial area, and there is a shortage of open space or green spaces for relaxation and recreation. The air quality in Thamel is often poor due to traffic emissions and construction activities.

And Thamel can become quite crowded during the night with young teenagers, making it difficult to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely exploration of the area. Overcrowding also means they create noise and unhealthy environments in Nepal.

While street vendors and hawkers contribute to the area's charm, some tourists find the constant solicitation and haggling overwhelming and exhausting. Thamel also struggles with effective waste management, which can lead to littered streets and an unappealing environment. Like many tourist areas, Thamel has its share of touts and scammers who may try to overcharge or mislead tourists. It's essential to remain vigilant and informed to avoid falling victim to such practices.

Tourism scenario

Tourism plays a pivotal role in generating government revenue and has positive impacts on various sectors of the economy. But the pandemic severely affected international tourism.

Developed countries have long recognised tourism as a vital economic component, while developing countries are now also realising the benefits of tourism. The Nepalese government must now focus on promoting destinations such as Thamel to harness the full potential of tourism.
Tourism in Thamel brings several advantages, including a source of foreign currency, conservation of art and culture, increased trade, employment opportunities, and global publicity.

Current challenges

Despite an increase in foreign tourists visiting the area, local businesses have not seen the expected growth, with business at its lowest point. Trade levels have reached only 20 percent of pre-pandemic levels. This decline in business activity can be attributed to a lack of high-spending tourists.

On the other hand, hoteliers in Thamel have reported increased occupancy rates, although tourists tend to limit their stays to one or two days. The aviation and trekking sectors have also witnessed a rise in tourist numbers.

Master plan

To revive Thamel as a bustling tourism hub and safeguard the interests of its almost 9500 businesses and 2700 property owners, a comprehensive tourism master plan is essential. This master plan should encompass and formulate such issues. Research and assessment of the region, identifying strengths and weaknesses, sustainable tourism practices that minimise negative impacts, development of necessary infrastructure, marketing and promotion strategies, preservation of cultural heritage, and collaboration with local stakeholders.
Conclusion

Thamel deserves a sustainable future. A well-planned tourism master plan can rekindle its status as a thriving tourist destination, benefiting both businesses and the local community. By embracing sustainable practices, preserving cultural heritage, and investing in infrastructure and promotion, Thamel can reclaim its position as an iconic tourism hub, contributing to Nepal's economic growth and cultural diversity.

(The author is a vice president of the Thamel Tourism Development Council)