Nepal, a beautiful country nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, has been attracting tourists from all over the world for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventure activities. The country has a lot to offer to its visitors, from high mountain peaks to lush green forests, ancient temples to world-renowned trekking trails.
Tourism in Nepal
Tourism is one of the major contributors to Nepal’s economy. It is estimated that tourism contributes around 7.5% to Nepal’s GDP and provides employment opportunities to more than a million people. With an aim to promote tourism in the country, the government of Nepal has been taking various initiatives such as developing infrastructure, promoting new destinations, and organizing events.
The Rank of Nepal in Tourism
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Nepal ranked 145th in terms of international tourist arrivals in 2019. The country received around 1.2 million international tourists that year. Although this may seem like a low number when compared with some other popular tourist destinations, it is important to note that Nepal has been steadily increasing its tourism numbers over the years.
- In 2018, Nepal received around 1.17 million international tourists.
- In 2017, it was around 940 thousand.
This shows that there has been a positive growth trend in tourism in Nepal over recent years.
Factors Affecting Tourism Growth in Nepal
Nepal’s unique selling point lies in its natural beauty and cultural heritage. However, there are several factors that have affected tourism growth in Nepal:
Political instability:
Nepal has had a history of political instability, which has resulted in fluctuations in tourist arrivals.
Natural disasters:
The earthquake that hit Nepal in April 2015 had a major impact on the country’s tourism industry. However, the country has been able to recover from the disaster and has been promoting itself as a safe destination.
Infrastructure:
Lack of proper infrastructure such as roads, airports, and hotels in some parts of the country has also affected tourism growth.
Promoting Tourism in Nepal
The government of Nepal has been taking various initiatives to promote tourism in the country. Some of these initiatives include:
Developing infrastructure:
The government is investing in developing infrastructure such as airports, highways, and hotels to improve accessibility and accommodation for tourists.
Promoting new destinations:
Apart from popular destinations like Kathmandu and Pokhara, the government is promoting lesser-known destinations such as Lumbini (birthplace of Lord Buddha) and Muktinath (a sacred Hindu site).
Organizing events:
Nepal hosts several events throughout the year such as Everest Marathon, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival to attract adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Conclusion
Nepal has a lot to offer to its visitors in terms of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventure activities. Although it may not rank among the top tourist destinations globally, it is steadily growing its tourism numbers every year. With proper infrastructure development and promotion of new destinations, Nepal has the potential to become a popular tourist destination in the years to come.