Tourism and Resilience in Nepal

GDP structure of Nepal and its dynamics suggests that one of the pertinent sectors to focus is tourism. In order to mitigate trade deficit from internal measures, tourism is only area which can support without big investment.... [ view full abstract ]

GDP structure of Nepal and its dynamics suggests that one of the pertinent sectors to focus is tourism. In order to mitigate trade deficit from internal measures, tourism is only area which can support without big investment. However, the size and quality aspects of tourists visiting Nepal is still in sub-optimum level. Apart from internal tourism, attracting tourists from two giants India and China is another potential area to target in coming days.

Nepal lies on the lines of vulnerability thus demanding national resilience capacity to develop and apply. Major natural and human induced hazards having adverse effect in the tourism are earthquake, floods, avalanche, landslides and problems related with bad weather and pollution.

Couple of incidents took place in 2015 like: avalanche (snow slide) near the Everest's base camp which claimed the life of 19 foreign mountaineers and powerful earthquake devastating the human and physical life at the central-eastern part of the country. As a result, one of the badly influenced sectors is tourism waiting the efforts to resume its momentum.

Unless we develop capacity of a system to mitigate or absorb disturbances, tourism sector will be under some kind of negative consequences every year. Such measures should be tied to locally available materials and skill sets. There is urgent need of early warning systems linked with tourism information center automatically and in online/real time basis.

Smooth operation of road and air networks throughout the year is a fundamental need. Besides, assurance of good health in the use of local food items and safe drinking water is the most. Resilience should cover from uninterrupted supply of basic things to risk minimization and rescue from the difficult situation in case of disaster.

This research paper is based on the case studies and consultations. Recent relevant literature on the issue are reviewed and analyzed. Besides, qualitative methods like grounded theory is used to come to the workable options of tourism sector strengthening. Finally, it is believed that Nepal can move its economy forward with the help of its incredible tourism potential with strategic initiations in the days to come.