Travelling and Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Shyam Shankar Joshi

Ten years ago in 2001, Nepal was selected second best tourism destination amongst one hundred and 80 countries of the world. It was described in a travel magazine published by London. This selection was done on the basis of a survey in which one thousand and six people had participated. After completing their tour of one hundred and 80 countries, Nepal had secured 96.1 percent marks on the basis of tour report while Newzaland was placed in first position with 97.1 percent marks. This indicates the feasibility of tourism industry in Nepal.

Tourism is one of the major activities which stimulates the process of socio-economic upliftment of the country. Nepal has also felt that tourism can substantially contribute to national economic development due to its comparative advantage. It represents an important sector of the Nepalese economy which earns foreign exchange for the nation, provides employment opportunities and contributes to the growth of various ancillary industries. Besides this, tourism is not only the backbone of our national economy, it also plays vital role in promotion and preservation of our culture and heritage.

As a multi-racial and multi-cultural country, Nepal showcases a kaleidoscope of colorful customs and religions. Newah, Gurung, Tamang, Limbu, Tharu, Madhesi and other indigenous groups retain their individual customs, traditions and lifestyles, yet existing in harmony. This is unity in diversity of this country.Nepal is endowed with lofty mountains, rich bio-diversity, diverse culture and pleasant climate. Moving around the Kathmandu valley, tourists will not only come across commercial establishments, health care, historical monuments and agricultural farms but also the temples and the educational institutes all over the place. They can enjoy the service industry like hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, discotheques and many more. Nepal is seeing a steady flow of visitors not only seeking leisure but also looking out for the pleasures of adventure sports, with a curiosity about heritage and spirituality of the country.

Tour does not mean the visit of a few towns and villages but it implies visit of foreign countries with the idea of acquiring knowledge about the people of different parts on the earth and at the same time to have a practical knowledge which is read in books and noticed in televisions. If, actually it is said, practical knowledge is the knowledge. Our education remains incomplete without travelling. So travelling is a key to knowledge. It has a high educative value. That is why, Mr. Russell has written, 'Visiting is a way of increasing the knowledge.' Knowledge obtained from the tour is stronger than the knowledge obtained by books. It is human nature that things which we read. We forget after sometime, but things which are seen by eyes is never forgotten.

The current age is the age of Science. In this age man is becoming more and more practical or having faith in practical. He does not believe in the things, which has not been seen by his own eyes. By visiting the different places different ideas come in mind and by this way improvement of memory as well as knowledge are done. When we visit the historical places we can gain the knowledge of living and arts of ancient time. These are the main causes that tourists from different parts of the world visit Nepal.

Therefore, that time has come and the time is now to improve our infrastructure suck as airlines, transportation, hotels, aggressive marketing of Nepal as a destination with the target of bringing more and more tourists. For the last few years tourism has been playing a vital role in the economic development of Nepal and now it is regarded as a back bone of overall development of the country. According to World Tourism Organization (WTO) one incoming tourist in a particular country provides direct and indirect employment to nine person. With this calculation we imagine the potentialities of tourism sector.

Though the total contribution of tourism industry to Nepal's GDP is only 2.5% at present, it accounts for 18 to 20 percent foreign currency earnings of the country and on the top of this tourism sector pays more than 33%of the total revenue the government collects from all sectors. So government of Nepal should give top priority to this industry if the government is really serious to bring prosperity to all Nepalese people. Only to declare the year 2011 as the Nepal Tourism Year to bring at least one million tourists with high ambition is not sufficient. It is very challenging to conduct tourism proactive activities during the present transitional period of the nation.

The government should show its commitment to provide facilities and privileges to boost tourism industry. The image of Nepal has been badly tarnished over the last 2 to 3 years due to various factors beyond our control. Now, it is time to work together towards rebuilding the image of our country in the international scenario. There must be political stability in the country and the peace process should be finalized according to the agreement, the political parties have done. The insistence of weak regulatory regime, frequent Bands and labor strikes must be stopped. The disincentive increasing factors like air-water pollution, haphazard garbage disposal in public places, uncontrolled unwilling service related activities within travels from hawkers to various other vendors, and taxi drivers are making the path harder.

Nepalese people are the main receiver and service provider to the tourists enters in the country. First impression we must imply to the travelers is our positive behavior in Tribhuvan International Airport. Public transport staff needs to behave very friendly to the tourists. As the tourist industry directly linked with generosity hospitality, magnificent liberality and tender service since its beginning, our country is best known amongst the others. So the concerned entrepreneurs should extend cordial felicitations and hearty welcome to the guests facilitating them with the extent of possibility that their temporary stay in Nepal could be more congenial, more secured and the happiest.

Despite the various constraints, the incoming number of tourists has been increased by 12% in the last two months of January and February. This is due to the initiatives to promote NTY 2011 and constant efforts on the part of the private sector. But we may not be able to fulfill the target of bringing in one million tourists even if the existing growth rate continues. Therefore we have to generate public awareness about the significance of the tourism industry. For lengthening the stay of tourists, it is needed to promote home-stay tourism in both rural and urban areas, and to develop new products and destinations.

The country doesn't have any direct air access to major tourists generating markets like Europe and the Far-east region. The condition of Nepal Airlines is getting deteriorated because of unwanted political interferences. The new government should help the Airlines management to add more fleets to the national carrier. For the publicity of the national tourism campaign, some international performances should be carried on, as the international rock star Bryan Adams reverberated his voice of international music for the first time in Nepal. All the Ambassadors to foreign countries should request their respective people to visit Nepal to experience the hidden treasure of natural and cultural attractions of Nepal by focusing on Nepal Tourism Year 2011. They can assure international visitors that Nepal is a safe destination to travel. At the same time, let's put hand together to make NTY 2011 very successful event by welcoming all kinds of travelers in our location with smiling face.