A Brief status of Tourism Industry in the context of Nepal
The
word "Tourism" is derived from French word "tourisme",
originated in 19th century, and cited for the first time in Oxford
English Dictionary in 1811, meaning "the business of providing
accommodation and services for people visiting a place". In general,
tourism involves movement or journey of human beings from one place to another
place for various purposes.
Many people have been defined tourism
in their own way but the definition given by Huniger and Krapf is conceptual
one and adopted by Association international d' experts' scientifique du
tourism (AIEST):
"Tourism
is the sum of the phenomena and interrelationships arising from the travel and
stay of non-residents, in so far as they do not lead to permanent residence and
not connected with earning activity”. The term "tourist" appeared
around 1800, meaning an individual who moves or travel for pleasure of
travelling out of curiosity.
Nepal is leading touristic destination in the
world. The tourism industry so called smokeless industry can be boon for
Nepalese for their socio-cultural, environmental and economical development.
Trend of tourism activities in
Nepal
}
Began significant growth since1950s-
development of modern tourism with the advent of democracy in Nepal.
}
Mass tourism effects since 1960s- plans and
policies created in these periods.
}
Alternative tourism concept last of 1970s.
}
Sustainable Tourism development last of
1980s.
}
Ecotourism, Quality tourism 1990s.
}
Responsible Tourism CoC (code of conduct)
& CSR with 2000 A.D.
Status:
According
to ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation; the expenditure made by a
tourist per day is halved in 2012 in last 5 years in Nepal. The trend of
incoming tourist rate is in increasing from 2009. This is good sign for
Nepalese people but basics strategies need at present for sustainable growth of
these one in upcoming days.
Year
|
Growth
rate (%)
|
Daily
expenditure of a tourist ($)
|
2008
|
-5
|
73
|
2009
|
1.9
|
65.3
|
2010
|
18.21
|
43.2
|
2011
|
22.10
|
38.2
|
2012
|
9.8
|
35.6
|
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in tourism sector increases
more than four fold in 2012-13, indicating rising interest of foreign investor
in this industry due to higher arrival of tourist as well as ending of
political instability and conflict.
FDI in tourism
Year
|
Amount
(Rs)
|
2005-06
|
164 million
|
2006-07
|
267 million
|
2007-08
|
744 million
|
2008-09
|
763 million
|
2009-10
|
717 million
|
2010-11
|
1.18 billion
|
2011-12
|
837 million
|
2012-13
|
3.89 billion
|
According to department of
industry (DOI), Tourism is 3rd higher recipient of FDI after
services and manufacturing sectors. The future scenario of tourism in Nepal is
encouraging and upgrading; and should be sustained for sustainable attraction
of foreign investment for sustainable and balanced development of the country.
The foreign investment is good source of employment opportunity, GNP and tax
revenue for developing countries. Besides leisure tourism the government should
promote business as well as corporate tourism in Nepal. Business tourism is the
provision of providing facilities and services for the people attending meeting,
conference, congresses, exhibition, business events, incentives travels and
corporate hospitality.
It is the most things that investors
are concerned with the Nepal's political climate. So, main concentration should
be motivated towards maintaining of stability of political situation for huge
tourism potential in Nepal.
According
to travel and tourism economy impact 2012 Nepal published by the world travel
and tourism council (WTTC), investment in the travel and tourism sector in 2012
amounted to Rs. 12.5 billion or 4.1% of the total investment. The report said
that investment would rise 8.2 percent in 2013. In 2011, the tourism industry attracted
capital investment of Rs. 12 billion. The report shows that the travel trade
provided 553500 jobs directly in 2012. And the contribution was 412500 in 2011.
In the global scenario, travel & Tourism directly supported
101,118,000 jobs (3.4% of total employment) in 2012. This is
expected to rise by 1.2% in 2013 and rise by 2.0% pa to 125,288,000 jobs (3.7%
of total employment) in 2023.
This
is what the fact in global context as well, in the country too; reflects the
economic significance of tourism industry in enhancing livelihood and as a
whole developing economy of the country. Realizing the impact and significances
of tourism in various aspects and fields, it is next to adopt mitigating
measures and develop the strategies for sustaining industry inside the country.
There are many missions to carry on at present, many to develop vision for
future and many tasks to implement for achieving objectives.
Sources:
Arthik aviyan- rastriya dainik patrika
Bhatta, Damodar Prasad., Ecotourism in Nepal.
The Kathmandu post- National daily newspaper.
World travel and tourism council-annual report 2013.
Various other texts:
