Unlock Tourism Potential

Endowed with enchanting natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, and precious cultural sites, Nepal holds a huge potential for tourism development. In recent years, the country has witnessed an influx of foreign tourists particularly attracted to the snow-capped mountains, thrilling trekking routes, and historic, cultural and spiritual destinations. The world’s tallest peak Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) always fascinates the people from around world. Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and Pashupatinath, a pious temple of Hindus, beckon a large number of religious tourists from different countries. While the tourism has been an important medium of interactions with the foreigners, it has also been a reliable source of foreign currency for the country that largely relies on the international assistance and partnership for development projects.

Tourism contribute around 6 per cent to the country's gross domestic product, becoming the second largest source of foreign currency earning after the remittance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism sector took a hard knock but it has now recovered significantly. The income from tourism grew to Rs. 82.33 billion in the fiscal year 2023/24 from Rs. 62.3 billion in the fiscal year 2022/23. In 2023, the sector created 1.19 million jobs, which is 15.2 per cent of the total employment opportunities. The country has taken many measures to boost the tourism activities. As part of its effort to give impetus to the lucrative sector, the government announced Nepal Visit Year 2025 amidst a function in Bhaktapur. On the occasion, the Chinese New Year 2025 was also declared with a view to attract more Chinese tourists to Nepal and promote Nepal as an attractive destination for visitors.

Speaking at the function, Minister for Energy Dipak Khadka said that commencement of the Nepal Visit Year could be expanded for collaboration in tourism, energy and agriculture sectors between Nepal and China.  Similarly, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said that the visit year would encourage Chinese visitors to come to Nepal. During Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's recent visit to China, it was agreed that China would support Nepal to hold promotional activities of the Nepal Visit Year 2025 in China, and encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Nepal. Similarly, Nepal will assist China to organise various cultural events such as China Festival and Happy Spring Festival in Nepal. As millions of Chinese tourists visit many countries, Nepal needs to roll out appropriate plans and packages to bring them in the country.

According to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, the government was preparing the 10-year action plan for tourism development to achieve economic prosperity. The would-be action plan should focus on infrastructure development in the areas like road and aviation. Besides, there is the need for addressing issues related to environment, security, health and impacts of natural disasters. What is more important is the coordination among the inter-government agencies such as the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministries of Finance and Law to make the Nepal Visit Year 2025 a grand success. 

Similarly, the role of private sector is also crucial for the promotion of tourism that is directly related to the hospitality business run by the private business companies. The aviation sector needs to be revamped with special focus on air travel safety. The government should take steps for the full-fledged operation of the Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport for smoothly ferrying of tourists in the destinations of their choice.