More Peace, More Tourism

World Tourism Day (WTD) is celebrated worldwide every 27 September.

The theme of this year’s WTD is “Travel and Transport: From the Imagination of Jules Verne to 21st Century Reality.” The State of Qatar will host this year’s World Tourism Day. Village tourism, rural tourism, community tourism, mountain tourism, agro tourism, are jargonised today as a new dimension of tourism.

Tourism promoters always hold economy as the prime motivator of anti-poverty activity. Tourism promoters without ability will complain that they aren’t receiving enough tourists. The only agreement possible under these circumstances is to promote more eco, bio or rural tourism by those who have ability. It is an important measure because it indicates whether tourism promoters are expended a given output of services.

Promoters can change the quality of tourism business when they work with businesses and government. Agencies track and watch it regularly and carefully as an indicator of eco-tourism development. Promoters and industry must make everything right for the tourists, leading to the eventual goal of full economy on economic development.

“Increasing the tourism business, of course, business investors who are convinced that they can achieve similar profits will enter into competition. The point is that by increasing the number of tourists, increasing tourists destination and making more hotels available to more people, assuming sufficient profits. Environmental improvements and associated costs can be added to the tourism industry. As we know, much of the tourist industry is taken up by pride in the ability to contort into the wider economic position.” US tourist promoter Stanly said recently to nepalnews.com.

Tourism promoters must believe that promoting tourism means poverty and inequality in any form can be eliminated forever. So, they must establish a worldwide network. They can also project their effective work worldwide over Eco and bio tourism, planning and expansion. So, most of the businessmen, and tourism promoters are struggling to keep the doors open for the tourists. Eco and rural tourism are measured by region and by nation.

“The rise and fall of municipal and regional populations and their incomes over time is often caused by changes in tourism business and associated with those areas,” Stanly further argued.

Good tourism means good money. Therefore, tourist industry’s objective must be to eliminate terrorism and violence. Violence and terrorism always hurt the tourism business. Violence and terrorism have caused declines in tourism industry and can lead to destruction of the industry. Tourism helps protect the economy.

Governments also play a major part in tourism because lack of adequate infrastructure especially of airports and roads is a major obstacle to the growth of tourism.

Nepali Tourism

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) were holding various programs on September 27. But, many tourists who were set to fly into Nepal, it is reported, cancelled all their plans.

So how can the Nepali tourism industry and promoters develop Nepal’s tourist industry?

There are a number of other concrete real steps to take to get Nepal back on its feet and functioning as a viable and prosperous economic entity.

They should network with as many tourist industry people as possible and gather as many good ideas about where the industry is growing (who is actually traveling and spending money these days Japanese? Chinese? Indians? Britons? Americans? Germans?) and what type of destinations they prefer (beaches, lakes, mountains, cultural centers, etc.).

Nepal should also invite all the interested business groups in Nepal and seek their advice on how best to develop Nepal’s economy in a fair and just manner. The emphasis should be on developing two industries: agriculture and tourism, both of which can employ large numbers of people. Guarantee them safe passage to and from the Eco tourism organizations.

US Journalist John Scherb said “Economic power is much more important in this time so listen to all reasonable proposals and weigh them carefully. Nepal also must get together to discuss the results and how best to employ the currently large numbers of unemployed people now milling around Nepal. Nepal can also develop mutually reinforcing agricultural and tourist industries. Almost always, there is more money to be made in cooperative ventures. But, hostilities are usually bad for business, so everyone has a stake in seeing a good peace established.”

It is true, Nepal produces two things: Nepali citizens and tourism. How best to harness the energy and talents of citizenry to produce more and better (higher value and value-added) tourism business is the key to running a successful Nepal.

Nepal is beautiful. Nepal has certain geographic and natural attractions that can be used to build the New Nepal. She will not be without suitors. Tourists come to Nepal for trekking. Almost all the trekking areas are en route the rural villages, which are benefiting the locals. Nepal is a unique destination for tourists because of the warmth, affection and friendliness of Nepalese people. In Nepal, tourism can intervene to provide better opportunities and empowerment of the poor at the local level.

Right now the country’s tourism industry has suffered due to such the senseless violence. The hotels have very low occupancy and business is not what it used to be.

Nepal must plan to upgrade the country’s tourism master plan to make it more relevant and effective. We also must work together to develop common packages as well as pursue joint tourist marketing strategy.

The fall in tourist arrivals must be taken seriously. If the tourism sector suffers, Nepal and the people suffer. The marketing approach should be changed. Special packages should be developed taking into account changing tastes and preferences. Special attention should be paid to tourists personal security.

Nepal would continue to remain a popular adventure and nature-based tourist destination even in the days to come.

Nepali journalist and Story Writer Kamala Sarup is an editor for mediaforfreedom.com. She specialises in in-depth reporting and writing on Peace, Anti War, Women, Terrorism, Democracy, and Development.