Nepal's tourism sector has contributed a lot in generating revenue for the government and providing job opportunities to over a million people engaged in the hospitality business, airlines, travel, trekking and mountaineering. However, the COV- ID-19 pandemic, which has gripped the entire world for the last two years since late 2019, affected the country's tourism sector the most, forcing millions of people out of their jobs. Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, Nepal had generated Rs 240.7 billion in revenue and supported more than 1.05 million jobs directly or indirectly in 2019, contributing 7.9 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The tourism industry, particularly mountaineering, is one of a major source of foreign currency earnings after remittances, both of which help sustain the imports of goods and services round the year. In 2018, foreign tourist arrivals had witnessed a whopping 1.17 million, especially from China, India, the UK, the USA and Sri Lanka, when Nepal marked the Visit Nepal Year. With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually fading away, the arrival of foreign tourists has jumped this year, earning more than Rs 470 million by October 2022. This year's autumn season witnessed the largest number of climbers attempting to scale the eight thousanders, including Everest, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri.

Considering the immense contribution the mountaineers have made to the national economy, the government has now decided to honour them by providing a national identity card along with a badge to the Everest summiteers.

It was a long overdue request from the Everest Summiteers Association (ESA) to recognise them with a national identity card. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has approved a procedure for honouring all climbers who have scaled Everest with a national identity card and a badge. According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), there are more than 6,000 people from all over the world who have scaled the world's tallest peak from the Nepal side till date. This is the first time that the government has decided to honour them with an ID and badge, a move which will make them proud.

As per the procedure, the Everest climbers shall apply to the DoT with substantial proof of their Everest summit along with certificates provided by the DoT and a recommendation letter from the expedition agency to get the government badge and ID card.

However, the ID card and the badge cannot be used for other purposes. All Everest summiteers, including Kami Rita Sherpa, who has scaled Everest for a record 26th time, have lauded the government's decision.

This decision will not only make them proud of being an Everest summiteer, but will also encourage other Everest enthusiasts, helping to boost Nepal's tourism and mountaineering sector. Nepali Everest climbers have also demanded that they be provided with social security allowance so that they can lead a decent life after their retirement from expeditions. To support Everest and other 8,000m peak climbers is to directly promote adventure tourism in the country.

The importance of adventure tourism was felt the most when millions of people were rendered jobless due to the nationwide lockdown for almost two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costly festivals

Every year, Nepal sees three big festivals in quick succession in October-November, whose celebration puts a heavy strain on the pocket. There used to be a saying in the past that Dashain, the major festival that cuts across most ethnic groups, comes with the beating of drums and leaves with a heavy debt.

This was why the government during the Panchayat era decided to give a Dashain bonus, equal to a month's salary, to the employees. However, not all employees are employed in the formal sector to receive such a bonus, which makes meeting the festival expenses a harrowing experience.

While the celebration of these festivals in a row has always been beyond the means of the common people, this year was particularly harsh with the price of all essentials - from flowers and dry fruits to meat and sweets - going through the roof. It came as a shock to many that the price of many commodities had doubled over the past one year. The people will continue to pay a heavy price as long as we depend on imports to meet all our necessities. The government has no option other than to divert resources going into importing goods to growing and producing things in the country itself.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 31, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.