Nepal is a landlocked country sandwiched between two Asian giants — China and India — with a population of 26.4 million. The Himalayan nation is home to eight of world’s ten tallest peaks including Everest.
The country is culturally diverse as much as it is ecologically. There are three topographical belts — northern mountains, mid-hills and southern plains. Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring.
The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia in the winter and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. In a land once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem in all regions, resulting in erosion and degradation of ecosystems.
Still, the country is popular for low-budget tourism. It suffered a lot in last year’s earthquake. The tourism sector in the country has since been slowly getting back to normal.
Community recently caught up with Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, to discuss the on-ground situation.

How is tourism industry these days? Are all destinations open for tourists?
Tourism is such a resilient industry, it bounces back as easily as it falls. Arrivals to Nepal jumped 12.77% in the first six months of 2016 indicating the arrival of normalcy after a phase of disaster.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of Nepal’s travel and tourism to its Gross Domestic Product stood at Rs85.3 billion, or 4 percent more than that of 2014 and is forecasted to rise by 7 percent to Rs91.3 billion this year. A few international chain hotels are getting ready to operate within one year.
Nepal is slowly gaining confidence of the travellers as a safe destination. Airlines are operating as before. The destination still holds a great attraction, provided we are able to communicate effectively to the potential travellers that Nepal is able to meet all their expectations.
Some historical cultural monuments and trekking trails were damaged in the earthquake. Some of the monuments in the heritage sites were reopened for tourists from June 15, 2015. Roads and air transport links remained intact across the country; the majority of hotels and restaurants came into operation within few months of the earthquake. Most trekking areas, except Manaslu and Langtang, have not been damaged by the earthquake. But now these areas are open for trekking as well. Chitwan National Park, Pokhara, Annapurna region and Bardia National Park also escaped widespread damage.
The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, did not suffer damage. Out of 75 districts of Nepal, only 14 districts were damaged. Apart from Langtang, Manaslu and Gaurishankar, the 14 other national parks and conservation areas including Everest, Annapurna, Kanchanjunga areas withstood the earthquake with strength and power.

The Earthquake of April 2015 demolished many of the significant architectures in Kathmandu Valley and other places. Those were the keys sites for tourists to visit, and restructuring is still going on. Is that slowing the influx of tourists?
There are so many things to see in Nepal apart from those heritage sites. Except Kathmandu Durbar Square, other heritage sites were not badly damaged. Many tourists come to Nepal to enjoy hospitality and to experience natural beauty. Trekking to Everest and Annapurna is still safe as before. So there is no worry for tourists coming to Nepal, because there are more things to see besides temples.
Restructuring is going slow but it has not deterred tourists coming to Nepal. Nepal received 313,512 tourists in the first half this year, against 277,992 in the same period a year ago. It clearly shows that tourists are coming to Nepal as usual.

What are the initiatives Nepal Tourism Board is taking abroad to tell potential tourists that Nepal is still as safe as before?
Nepal Tourism Board has accelerated its promotional and marketing activities abroad. More focus is now being given to short haul destinations like India and China. Apart from participating in regular tourism and travel fairs in these countries, the board is organising sales missions in different cities to interact with tour operators who are interested in promoting Nepal.
It also organises press meets in these cities for media to let them understand the ground reality of post-earthquake Nepal. People believe the image of Nepal that was shown in media just after the earthquake. So, Nepal Tourism Board interacts with them and tells them that all that they saw is not correct and that it is absolutely safe to travel to Nepal.
The board also regularly participates in international travel fairs around the world and makes people know that Nepal is safe destination to travel. It also invites international media to visit Nepal and shows them the ground reality. We are also advertising in international media.

How can Nepal bring more tourists from countries through bilateral agreements?
In a free economy, nobody can compel its citizens to travel to another country. However, there is huge scope to bring more tourists to Nepal if relations between the two countries are good. Travel advisory plays a big role for the tourists coming from Europe, US, Canada, and Australia. So it is imperative for a country to have good relation with such countries to tone down the travel advisory. Tourism is always discussed in bilateral talks with China. Last year, the negative travel advisory against Nepal by China has been lifted with the visit of the deputy prime minister. And, a gratis visa to Chinese nationals has been given to promote bilateral relationship.
 
What do you want to say to Gulf residents who may be interested in visiting Nepal?
Nepal is not all about temples and mountains, it has many things for them to see and experience. They can enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains from their hotel rooms. Young and energetic youngsters can experience adventure like rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, zip flyers. Halal food is not an issue. We have two mosques in the centre of the city. Nepal is a secular state that respects all religions.

How is the restructuring of centuries-old architectures going on? Do you see larger influx with restructuring completion?
Nepal has begun reconstruction of ancient key temples and monuments, including UNESCO heritage sites that were damaged in the massive earthquake quake one year ago. Nepal’s prime minister announced on April 25, 2016 the start of reconstruction of key heritage sites in and around Kathmandu that were damaged. As I have already stated, tourists come to Nepal not only to see the heritage sites but to experience the larger part of Nepal and its intangible heritage. Reconstruction will definitely add value for the flow of tourists but it would not be the sole factor to attract tourists in Nepal.

What are the problems the tourism sector in Nepal faces?
There is no destination in the world that is without a problem. Nepal is not a manmade destination with world class luxury. People who come here have to adjust with some problems to experience world class natural beauty.
Limited handling capacity of the present airport, power shortage, and narrow roads is few limitations that create problem in bringing larger numbers of tourists to the country. However, for intrepid travellers, Nepal has been a destination that they want to visit in their lifetime.

What are the plans and programmes initiated by Nepal Tourism Board to bring tourists from Gulf to Nepal?
Nepal Tourism Board regularly participates in ATM Dubai to attract tourists from the region. Apart from it, Nepal Tourism Board is participating in Halal Tourism Fair to be held in Doha. We are also working with Non-Nepalese Resident Association to reach out the tourists interested in visiting Nepal, and Gulf is one of the regions that we have targeted.

What is the most important message Nepal should share with tourism professionals all over the world?
We would like to convey the message to the world that Nepal is back to business. The best way to help us is by visiting Nepal. Nepalese hospitality is its asset and people are always welcoming even during the most difficult period.
I request international travellers to visit the magnificent and bustling country of Nepal, and support her by visiting as she attempts to stand proudly on her feet once again. Walk the beautiful trails in the shadows of the most magnificent mountains on earth as you help the Nepalese people reset their course on the path to prosperity.
Nepal is now embarking upon the most fascinating period in all of its ancient history, and you could be right there to see it happen and your contribution will be a part of building new Nepal.
Nepal might be a challenging destination, but it is highly rewarding, emotionally and spiritually. We are grateful to all our partners for their continued support, love, and much-needed energy to bounce back.
Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Nepalese economy, and Nepal will certainly need the income that tourists bring in as it attempts to recover from 2015’s disaster.


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