Kathmandu, January 21:

Nepal enjoyed a healthy 27.1 per cent growth in tourist arrivals by air in 2007 with the arrival number reaching 3,60,350. As per Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the total number of tourists visiting Nepal crossed the half million mark after adding the number of tourists who arrived by road and broke all previous records in total tourist arrivals so far.

International airlines also showed great confidence in Nepal as a potential destination helping the Himalayan country to bounce back. Nine new international airlines including — China Southern, Hong Kong Express, Dragon Air, Silk Air, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, and Orient Thai — commenced their operations to Nepal in 2007. Similarly, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, Air China and Indian Airlines increased the frequency of their flights to Kathmandu, thus creating more seats.

Buoyed by the increased arrivals and relative peace prevailing in the country, Nepal is now eyeing to attract one million tourists annually. Although the same target was set for year 2000, it couldn’t be realised because of the Maoist conflict.

After the signing of the peace treaty last year, revival of the tourism industry began and tourists started flocking back to experience Nepal’s unique natural and cultural heritages. Keeping in view the current growth trend, it is estimated that Nepal will receive over 700,000 tourists in 2008 and if the same trend continues, tourist arrivals will cross the one million mark by 2009.

“We feel there is tremendous potential to increase tourism and Nepal already has the capacity to cater to one million tourists annually,” said Prithvi Subba Gurung, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Contemplating the improved situation in the country and increased interests of international travellers towards Nepal, the government is planning to launch a new campaign similar to Visit Nepal Year 1998 to boost the industry, he added.

“The formulation of a new Tourism Policy and a master plan are in the final stage, while the construction of a second airport at Nijgarh in Bara district has already been announced to begin this year,” Gurung said, adding bilateral air service agreements are being reviewed keeping in mind that there wouldn’t be air connectivity problems.

“As Nepal’s tourism is in revival stage, we must develop a plan to expand the tourism sector, build up new infrastructure, improve the existing ones and make effective promotional plans,” says Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director at Hotel Association-Nepal.

According to HAN, there are over 850 hotels with more than 40,000 beds across the country, which can cater to diverse needs of the tourists — ranging from backpackers to luxurious travellers, holidaymakers to convention participants. There are over 1,000 registered travel and tour operators, while the number of trekking agencies stands at around 600 and about 200 rafting agencies.

“The existing infrastructure and resources, including skilled manpower, are capable of handling a million tourists annually,” concedes Shrestha, adding Nepal now only requires assurance of peace and stability and an integrated approach for the promotion of its tourism potentials.

“Tourism is a causative factor or catalyst for overall development, which requires a facelift or a dress up time to time,” says Karna Shakya, a noted tourism expert and entrepreneur, adding Nepal needs to constantly focus on innovation, product and destination diversification.

“Tourism is not simply a trade. It is also a science of understanding human psychology,” says Shakya. He further urges the stakeholders concerned, including entrepreneurs and the government, to work as a team to ensure that the tourism industry is a hassle-free sector.

Shakya urges the development of new and innovative products like endemic tourism, eco-tourism, village tourism and destination specific products and services, among others.

“Nepal has potential in all types of tourism products, except what sea beaches and deserts can offer.”

Mountaineers and trekkers come to experience the majestic Himalayas, while other tourists enjoy the thrill of spotting rhinos and tigers in southern wildlife reserves like the Chitwan National Park. To be precise, Nepal has the best tourism products in the world in terms of its diversity, variation of landscape, culture and tradition within a short distance.

The tourism industry contributes about 2.4 per cent to the gross domestic products (GDP) and directly employs about 2,50,000 people, and one million others have jobs closely tied to the tourism infrastructure and activities.

As agreed by all, a million tourists coming into Nepal is not a big deal, but enhancing the quality of services provided to the tourists to make their stay hassle-free and improving infrastructure including services at the international airport and road traffic, among others, would matter a lot in the coming days.

Nepal can emerge as a prominent tourist destination with the help of the right strategy and a winning attitude.