Trekking Tourism Holds Huge Potential

Nepal is a tourists’ paradise. However, the country has not been able to take advantage of what nature has endowed it with: the potential to attract more and more tourists from all over the world. The government has set the target of attracting just 1.6 million tourists during this fiscal year. And the number of tourists visiting the country in this fiscal year could be even less than this target. The 1.1 or 1.2 million figure is what the country has achieved so far. The Visit Nepal Year 1998 aimed at attracting one million tourists. Twenty-six years have elapsed since the campaign was launched, but nothing substantial has been achieved so far. 

Tourists come to Nepal for various purposes. The number of tourists visiting the country for trekking is quite substantial. Trekking tourism started in the country in the 1950s. The conquest of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in May 1953 made Nepal known to the world community. During the 1950s and 1960s, mountaineers from all over the world visited the country to climb Mt Everest. To facilitate mountain climbing, trekking routes were made to provide access to mountains and remote villages. This also promoted trekking among tourists.

Popular tourism

As trekking was catching on, organised tours emerged during the 1970s. The first trekking agencies were set up in Kathmandu. The agencies carried on conducted tours with experienced local guides. Now, trekking has established itself as the most popular tourism activity in Nepal. This is because the country is rich in mountains, hills, rivers, waterfalls, natural beauty, fascinating landscapes and biodiversity. Eight of the top highest mountains are situated in the country. The country is blessed with the lowest point at 59 metres above sea level in the Terai to the highest mountain towering at 8,848.86 metres. Trekkers can gain the unique experiences of Asia. They can have the experience of a life time. 

The majority of trekkers come to Nepal via the Tribhuvan International Airport. With the Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Pokhara Regional Airport in operation, tourists are expected to visit the country through these airports as well. Nepal has established trekking routes for the convenience of trekkers. In all major trekking areas, there are national parks, conservation areas and sanctuaries. There are boarding and lodging facilities along these trekking routes. Such facilities are called teahouses. 

There are many trekking areas in Nepal. The most popular are Everest and Annapurna areas. Many different trails can be used to reach these places. The others are Rara, Upper Mustang, Taplejung, Namche Bazaar, Khaptad, Jomsom and Muktinath, Tengboche, Khunde and Khumjung, Langtang, Kanchenjung, Manaslu, Ghandruk, Gokyo Valley, Tamang Heritage Trail and Great Himalayan Trail. 

There are two types of trekking: teahouse-style and camping-style. In the former, teahouses are available at an interval along trekking routes. Trekkers can have food and put up there for a night or two, while in the latter, trekkers have to carry food and accommodation kit such as mats, sleeping bags and tents. On such trekking routes, there are hardly any human settlements. Those on such treks are forced to brave adverse weather. Those with no stamina to bear adversity should not go on such treks. Camping-style trekking can be conducted in less frequented areas in Kanchenjunga, Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu as well as in other areas west of Annapurna. 

Trekking has generated job opportunities for local people. People in hills and elsewhere work as porters and guides. They are strong and can carry heavy loads. On the other hand, local people have indigenous knowledge. They have a good knowledge of local traditions, cultures, festivals and trekking routes. So they can work as good guides. In recent times, even Nepalis go on treks in large numbers. The national economy has got a shot-in-the-arm from trekking and other tourism activities. 

It is a no-brainer that tourists prefer rough or rugged to smooth trails. However, the condition of most roads leading to trekking routes is not in good shape. Trekkers are forced to experience a bumpy ride before reaching trekking routes. The government should priortitse the development of road infrastructure to further promote trekking and other tourism activities. The road expansion of major roads and highways is taking place. But inordinate delays in completing the construction of these roads and highways have proved to be a pain in the neck for locals, travellers and tourists. 

Trekkers have to suffer hardships when they go on camping-style treks. Some may argue that such treks provide an experience of adventure. Yes, but enduring hardship after hardship is not a good thing. As there are hardly human settlements along such trekking routes, the question of setting up teahouses is well-nigh out of the question. However, the government can at least set up shelters. Such shelters protect trekkers from at least rain or storms.

Cleaning crews 

The other thing that needs pondering is how to eliminate or minimise littering. Both Nepali and foreign trekkers go on camping-style treks. They carry food and other things with them for lack of teahouses on trekking routes. They tend to litter up trekking areas and there is no one to clean up after them. It is not possible to deploy cleaning crews to such areas. To keep such trekking areas clean, trekkers themselves should realise that they should not litter up the areas. So they should carry back home the litter or trash they have produced.

Finally, the government should take the initiative in further promoting trekking. The government should improve road infrastructure and start erecting shelters along the routes for the convenience of trekkers. After all, trekking has good prospects in Nepal and the local economy can get a boost from this aspect of tourism.        

(Maharjan has been regularly writing on contemporary issues for this daily since 2000.)