Exact date and history of tourist coming in Nepal is still unknown and area of study. Tourism in Nepal, despite having a long history has really started to appear since 1950’s after the end of autocratic Rana Regime in 1950. Rana’s were noble family who rose in power over the contemporary Shah dynasty. Before 1950’s only handful of tourism visited Nepal under strict permission of Rana regime. George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted to summit Everest in 1924 and went missing. And some other mountaineers were given permission to climb +8000mtrs Mountain under strict supervision. In other word, Nepal tourism flourished in1950’s through mountaineering activities and contribution of Swiss Geologist Tony Hagen. French national Maurice Herzog became first person to summit Annapurna I. Likewise, on 29th of May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealander) and Tenzing Norgay (Nepali) became first person to stand on the summit of Mt. Everest (8848m). On the other hand, Tony Hagen a Swiss geologist first came to Nepal in 1950 with Swiss development mission. Later in 1952, he was employed by Nepal government for exploring and mapping geography of Nepal that took him 20 years travelling over 14,000 kilometer inside Nepal. These activities lime lighted virgin and pristine Nepal into international arena.1950 with Swiss development mission. Later in 1952, he was employed by Nepal government for exploring and mapping geography of Nepal that took him 20 years travelling over 14,000 kilometer inside Nepal. These activities lime lighted virgin and pristine Nepal into international arena.
Nepal issued its first tourist visa to Boris Lisanevich, Russian legendary hotelier invited by King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah to allow Thomas Cook Company to send tourist in Nepal. Boris established first hotel “Royal Hotel” and began catering tourist. In the time of coronation of
Late king in 1956, he managed to oredmud hillary and tenzingganize assembly of large numbers of foreign dignitaries that exposed Nepal as potential tourist destination in international community. The same year, National tourism council set up first five year tourism development plan under Ministry of industry and commerce. Royal Nepal Airlines Cooperation (RNAC) now Nepal Airlines Cooperation (NAC) was established in 1958 and became member of International Union of Official Travel Organization. During 1960’s Nepal began direct links to Indian cities and this land locked country became more accessible to outside world. First travel agency “Mountain Travel Nepal” now “Tiger Mountain” was established by Colonel Jimmy Robert (British).He also brought “Tiger Tops” operation in Chitwan National Park to accommodate tourist who enjoy jungle activities. He is regarded as “father of trekking in Nepal” and role model in teaching and implementing management in tourism of Nepal.
Nepal became popular tourist destination as Hippie trail started to take off during 1960’s and 70’s. Hippies who followed radical and liberal anti-war philosophy with “mind exploring” activities such as sex, drug and religion began travelling in Nepal. Hashish and marijuana was legal in Nepal until 1979 when Drug Enforcement Administration was established by Nepal government to discourage use of drug. Hippie played the role of ambassador and keep on telling cultural and natural beauties of Nepal to outer world. In1972, Tourism mfirst nepal hotelaster plan was formulated with German assistance that led to concept of spreading economic activity in Nepal. HMTTC, now Nepal Academy of Tourism & Hotel Management (NATHM) was established by Government of Nepal in 1972 aiming to produce skilled workforce required by hospitality and tourism industry. Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973.
During 1975-1991, Nepal became hot spot for holiday makers, adventure seekers and cultural tourist. The flow of tourist was in increasing trend. Nepal tourism board, a governmental supreme body of tourism development and promotion was established. Different trekking and travel agencies, association, hotels began to appear in this time to facilitate increasing number of tourism demand. The following year of 1998, Nepal celebrated “Visit Nepal 98” which brought overwhelming numbers of tourist to Nepal.
Downfall of tourism in Nepal started with hijacking of Indian airlines fleet from Tribhuwan International Airport in 1999. Nepalese history caught black day in year 2001, when loved Royal king and his family was massacred in royal party. On the other hand, moist revolution was taking place in remote corner of the Nepal until 2006 when comprehensive Peace Accord was signed between government of Nepal and Moist. These activities gave message in international arena that Nepal is not safe for tourism activities. Tourist was concentrated in visiting city areas only. Tourism slowly started booming after 2006. Nepal marked 2011 as “Nepal tourism year” with slogan “Naturally Nepal once is not enough” where 736,215 (MOCTCA, 2012) international visitors arrival was noticed. Similarly, Lumbini visit year was celebrated in 2012 giving message that Nepal is now safe for tourism.
CHALLENGES IN TOURISM SECTOR OF NEPAL
Tourism industry plays sihippie kathmandugnificant role in economic and overall development of the country. As per data of WTTC-World Travel & Tourism Council 2014, it depicts that travel and tourism generated US$ 7.6 trillion (10% of global GDP) and 277 million jobs (1:11 jobs) globally. In Nepal, it was NPR 171.6 billion (8.9 % of total GDP) and 1,059,000 jobs (7.5% of total job).
In context of Nepal, political instability has always been the major challenge and constraint in development of tourism. Decade long moist insurgency, changing of government time to time, dispute among political parties and leaders has hindered the potential of tourism growth of Nepal. Moreover, Nepal ranks at top in context of foreign labor migration. Fact and figure of government and other says that there are more than one million Nepal migrant workers including 100 thousand female who are working outside Nepal. These have resulted in lack of youth and energetic work force needed in tourism field.
Effective marketing and management are lacking in order to promote and advertise Nepal. Even with presence of different tourism organizations, government bodies and others, the potentials of tourism have been left behind. One of the main causes is the absence of sound co-operation between these organizations which is very essential. Politics and interference can be found from lower level to upper level in most of the organizations.
Government also seems to lack long run strategic tourism plan and policies for betterment of tourism. Timely review of policies is needed in order to assure plans are executing as expected and to eliminate the constraints that may arouse during execution. Moreover, government and private sector should work together to allure and create favorable environment for investors in infrastructure development such as attractions (natural and man-made) accommodation (hotel & homestays), accessibility (land, air, and sea) lastly amenities and facilities needed to facilitate tourist in visit like atm’s, restaurant, parks, information centers.
Nepal, nestling between two Asian giants China to north and India to south, east and west has not initiated to get maximum benefit from neighboring countries. Nepal can be cultural and pilgrimage tourism hub for Hinduism from India and Buddhism for China. But it should increase the carrying capacity of demanding arrival from both countries in future.
To sum up, tourism in Nepal has faced lots of up’s and downs. Proper marketing and promotion is very needed to established good image of Nepal in international arena. Domestic tourism is also needed to be focused which was much practiced and was successful in China when world was facing Global economic crisis in 2009. Likewise, rural and village tourism has to be taken in consideration as much part of Nepal is countryside. Crucial role of government, tourism organizations, stakeholders in management, control of illegal activities, development of new destination, and vision for sustainable tourism development is required.