Kathmandu, November 21:

Of late, experts here have begun thinking it’s time for the tourism industry to go eco-friendly as tourism in Nepal is mainly nature-based.

They also feel that the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the tourism industry might help a lot.

“The tourism sector itself is in search of quality and an innovative approach is required now. EVs have good scope in the tourism sector, and this issue needs the right forum and priority. If investment in promotion of EVs increases, the electric vehicle manufacturers’ confidence can grow. The tourism sector needs a new facelift and it should go eco-friendly,” said Ngamindra Dahal, coordinator of Energy and Climate Change of National Trust for Nature Conservation (ECCNTNC).

Giving an example of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Dahal said roadways have been constructed there but due to fear of pollution it is difficult to drive vehicles there. “We think that if EVs are allowed good incentives, it can promote the area better. The area is mainly for trekking purposes, but the use of Evs can minimise the impact of pollution.”

Tourist Nadine Schmidt said, “In the US, there are stores that sell eco friendly clothes with beautiful designs for the promotion of eco-tourism. Nepal’s tourism industry is in immediate need of eco tourism. I think Evs can help a lot and also contribute to increase the number of tourist arrivals too.”

Umesh Raj Shrestha, executive board member of Electric Vehicles’ Association of Nepal, said,

“Clean transport definitely creates a positive impact on tourists. Most of these tourists face problems due to pollution and we are trying to introduce electric three-wheelers with better designs. We can also introduce electric four-wheelers but we need support for these in the same aspect as provided to three-wheelers in terms of tax, VAT and excise duty.” He added that there were 675 EVs operating in Kathmandu Valley.

According to a survey done by Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP), tourists list air pollution as a major problem here and 59 per cent of those surveyed reckoned vehicular emission a major source of air pollution. Sixty-nine percent rated the air quality of Kathmandu as poor while tourists who have been to Nepal more than once (29 per cent) said that the air quality had declined as compared to their last visit.

The majority of tourism entrepreneurs - 70 per cent - rated air quality in Kathmandu as poor. They also said that 45 per cent of tourists who come to Nepal for the first time consider the air quality to be good.

However, this assessment changed drastically after a city tour or a longer period of stay in the valley. They also mentioned that in some instances tourists shortened their stay in Kathmandu because of pollution.

When tourists were asked if they would use EVs if these were available, 93.7 per cent of tourists said yes while 79 per cent said they would pay higher fares for EV service. Many respondents also pointed out that electric vehicle routes from the airport to the city and to cultural sites would be very welcome.