tourist in nepal 2023

Peak tourism in 2023

In 1950, French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climbed Annapurna I, the first ever eight-thousander peak to be climbed.

The French team walked down to the Indian border, took a train to Raxaul, re-entered Nepal and trekked up to Kathmandu to be felicitated by Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Rana.

After being closed to foreigners for centuries, Nepal opened up to the world for the first time. Three years later in 1953, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary catapulted Nepal and the Himalaya into the global limelight.

But more than 70 years later, Nepal’s tourism sector has yet to take full advantage of the economic opportunities that the industry can provide for domestic job creation, production of local products and foreign exchange income.

That Nepal’s tourism has not lived up to its potential to become the backbone of the country’s economy while it grows exponentially in the rest of the world — including in other mountain countries — proves that there are a lot of missed opportunities.

Summing up summits

Visitors flock to Nepal for culture, wildlife and pilgrimage, but our unique selling points are the world’s highest mountains. Some 16% of tourists who visit Nepal come for trekking and climbing, and yet mountaineering opportunities have been woefully under-advertised.

In fact, when Mt Everest does get into the international media, it is either for the ‘traffic jams’ on the summit or as the mountain of garbage. Lately, it is for how global climate breakdown is melting its glaciers. Apart from eight out of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world which are in Nepal, there are 326 mountains above 5,500m that are open for climbing in the country.

Records show that in 1964, only 9,526 tourists entered Nepal, rising to 500,000 two decades later. But it took another 34 years for it to double and exceed 1 million in 2018.

In comparison, 40 million tourists visited the relatively more isolated Tibetan region of China in 2018. Even Bhutan, which is four times smaller than Nepal in area, and has only 700,000 population, has priced itself on the higher side and got 315,000 tourists. Cambodia welcomes more than 6 million tourists annually, promoting its main attraction: the Angkor Wat temple complex.

“2022 did not go as expected,” says Deepak Raj Joshi, former CEO of Nepal Tourism Board. “But 2023 can be much better because Nepal is a nature-based destination, has isolation-based activities – exactly what most people are looking for post-Covid.”

Read also:  Visit Nepal Again , Ashish Dakal

Nepal launched its Visit Nepal 2020 campaign just as Covid-19 struck. Nepal Airlines jets still have its logo on their fuselage, and it is a reminder of a failed drive. Tourism is beginning to pick up again after a two-year slump, but the prospects for 2023 are not so sure.

Even if the numbers pick up again, Nepal will not benefit as much as it should since it is selling itself too cheap. The tourist to Nepal spends an average of only $48 a day. Bhutan with its ‘high cost, low impact’ model, requires its tourists to spend $200-$250 per day in fees.

Despite the unique ‘product’ that Nepal has in its mountains, wildlife and heritage, the country is just not benefiting as it should from the tourism industry which now contributes less than 2% to the national economy.

In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, income from the tourism sector was Rs60.8 billion, which made up only 4.6% of the country's total foreign exchange earnings.

Tourism’s contribution to Nepal’s hard currency income reached its peak way back in 1981, when it made up 36.8%, up from 30.2% in 1965.

At the time, Nepalis seeking to go abroad for work or studies benefited greatly from being able to exchange dollars for rupees before they left. Ironically, by the 1990s as more and more Nepalis pursued foreign employment their remittance replaced tourism as the major contributor to Nepal’s economy.

Now, money that Nepalis abroad send home makes up two-thirds of the country's total foreign exchange income, while tourism, exports, foreign investment and development assistance, combined, contribute only one-third. Taking the annual average from 2010-2020, the tourism sector on its own made up only 5.2% of Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves.

This is not to say that tourism has not contributed to the economies of localities within Nepal. The Khumbu region, for example has an annual per capita income more than five times higher than the national average. Trekking has transformed the economies of Langtang, Manang and Mustang, where locals previously depended almost entirely on agriculture or pastoralism.

Indeed, the trekking and mountaineering sectors employ more than 18,000 guides, 50,000 porters and other service providers. In 2018, more than 8,000 mountaineers paid over Rs680 million in climbing fees and created jobs for more than 1,700 Nepali high altitude guides, who are now also hired by expeditions on mountains abroad.

Before Covid, tourism was estimated to provide direct jobs for about 1 million Nepalis and indirectly benefit many more. But industry experts say that the potential for economic benefits should have been much higher.

Read also:  Peak climbing season in Nepal , Nepali Times

Climbing numbers

Tourism in Nepal has been impacted by major historical events in recent times: the decade-long insurgency from 1996-2006 and subsequent political instability hit arrivals hard. Mountaineers had just returned to Mt Everest after a deadly avalanche in 2014 at Base Camp killed 16, when the earthquake struck one year later.

It was only in 2018 that Nepal was finally able to exceed its target of bringing 1 million tourists, and planners aimed higher to double it with the 2020 campaign.

Nepal spent $2 million dollars in the run-up to the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign. Much of that money was wasted, most Nepalis who lost their jobs migrated overseas for work, many hospitality sector businesses closed down, and hotel projects were abandoned.

Nepal did reap benefits from free promotion by films about mountaineering, including Nims Purja’s 14 Peaks , on streaming services like Netflix, when people were locked down worldwide during Covid.

In 2021, as Nepal confronted a deadly second wave of the virus, foreign visitors dropped to 150,962. The biggest drop was in Chinese arrivals, who were starting to top the list of tourists.

But in 2022, pent-up demand and post-Covid rebound has meant that the numbers were beginning to climb again — when Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

The war has hit the incomes of source countries in Europe and Asia hard, and Nepal’s own economy has gone into a slump. At a time when tourism income could supplant depleted foreign exchange reserves and falling exports, the industry was again adversely affected.

But there was an uptick of arrivals in 2022. Numbers for January-November 2022 reached nearly 550,000, filling up hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with most running at near-full occupancy during Dasain. Still, experts argue that Nepal has not been able to build enough of a portfolio in the world market as a tourist destination. Besides, the Kathmandu gateway is getting bad publicity from bloggers and influencers because of its chaos and air pollution.

“We have struggled to build a brand as a tourist country globally because of the lack of necessary tourism infrastructure inside the country,” says tourism entrepreneur Basanta Mishra. “This means our adventure tourism destinations are overshadowed by other global tourist attractions.”

Nepal has been diversifying its adventure tourism brand from just trekking and mountaineering to white water rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, ziplines, canyoning and other sports. But sustaining adventure tourism will be a tall order in the absence of proper infrastructure or promotion in the global market.

“Nepal has never looked into its full potential as a tourism destination beyond the mountains,” says Suraj Vaidya who led the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign. “Even with mountain tourism, we have failed to look beyond EBC and ABC, when the far-western mountains have so much to offer."

"We have to also look beyond Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. We need to look at Nepal as more than a two-season destination,” adds Vaidya. "But at the same time, we need to be careful about how we choose to develop destinations with historic significance so that we preserve and maintain the heritage that is so inherently ours.”

The good news is that Nepal is seeing improvements in tourism infrastructure over the years, especially in the hospitality sector. In recent years, more than a dozen ‘star’ hotels as well as multinational hotel chains have opened up in Nepal, with more under construction. And although new international airports have opened in Pokhara and Bhairahawa, poor planning has meant that there is almost no prospect of international flights from there. Meanwhile, it can take up to 9 hours to drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara because of congestion and poor roads.

But above all, Nepal’s tourism sector has not been a priority for planners even though they have never tired of giving speeches about its potential for decades.

“Being the only European airline flying to Kathmandu, we hope to surpass 2022 figures,” says Serkan Basar, General Manager of Turkish Airlines Kathmandu. “Tourism Ministry and private sector should be in full cooperation for the betterment of the country as a tourist destination.”

Joshi agrees: “Tourism cannot develop in isolation. There needs to be multi-level coordination between tourism institutions, concerned ministries, as well as diplomatic missions across the world to effectively maximise our tourism potential.”

Should Nepal promote high-end tourism rather than just chase numbers of arrivals? There has been no discussion on carrying capacity for various trekking areas and mountaineering peaks.

Given its topography, location and culture, Nepal should be able to sell itself. Still, promotion has been sloppy, ad hoc and inadequate — especially to China and India which are already replacing arrivals from Europe and the Americas.

Says tourism analyst Rajiv Dahal: “Nepal’s policymakers do not yet understand that reviving the tourism sector is in the country’s best interest, and that tourism will not gain momentum unless its potential is fully explored.”

Read also:  Nepal’s airlines fly high despite turbulence , Nepali Times

With additional reporting by Shristi Karki

Shristi Karki

Shristi Karki is a correspondent with Nepali Times. She joined Nepali Times as an intern in 2020, becoming a part of the newsroom full-time after graduating from Kathmandu University School of Arts. Karki has reported on politics, current affairs, art and culture.

The return of the natives

The rise of high-rises, kathmandu’s gravity-defying chariot festival, nepal looks at alternative investments.

Inside Nepal’s tourism industry and the risks travellers are willing to take

Nepal's national tourism body started the new year with a resolution.

They wanted at least a million travellers to pass through the country before the end of 2023.

After three years of pandemic-induced disruption — visitor numbers dwindled to about 151,000 in 2021, down from more than a million a year pre-COVID — it was a big goal, and they had a strategy to match.

WARNING: This story contains content that some readers may find distressing.

One of the first steps was opening a new international airport in Pokhara, a tourist hotspot and the country's second-largest city, nestled in the shadows of the towering Annapurna mountain range.

On the first day of the year, officials, industry leaders and Nepal's newly-elected prime minister gathered at the airstrip alongside the public for a grand inauguration, the date symbolising optimism for the future of a country heavily reliant on foreign tourism.

Such was the excitement that the city declared a public holiday for the occasion and strongly encouraged all residents to join in the celebration.

As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressed the ceremony, no one could have predicted what would happen only two weeks later, just a few kilometres from where the lively crowd stood.

Nepal's worst aviation disaster in 30 years

On January 15, just before 11am local time, a Yeti Airlines ATR 72-500 approached the Pokhara airport from Kathmandu — a speedy trip that usually takes less than half an hour. 

A witness noticed the plane approaching at a low altitude and pulled out his phone to start filming. The footage shows the twin-engine aircraft suddenly tilt to the side, its left wing pointed vertically towards the ground, before moving out of frame.

Moments later the plane crashed into a hillside, killing all 68 passengers and four crew members on board. One Australian, 29-year-old Myron Love , was among the victims.

Investigations are underway , but it's so far unclear why the plane appeared to suddenly roll to its left as it approached the airport in clear conditions.

The small Himalayan nation — home to eight of the world's 14 tallest mountains — has a long history of aviation disasters, with nearly 350 people killed in plane or helicopter crashes since 2000. 

In May last year, 22 people were killed when a plane crashed 15 minutes after taking off from Pokhara. In 2018, another 51 passengers died when a Bangladeshi airliner came down in cloudy weather while approaching Kathmandu.

Years earlier, a History Channel documentary named Lukla Airport, near the base of Mount Everest, the world's most dangerous. 

But this tragedy marks Nepal's deadliest single aviation disaster in 30 years, and another blow to a tourism industry trying desperately to get back on its feet. 

A place like nowhere else on Earth

Most regular travellers to Nepal are familiar with the risk that comes with internal transit. Asked why they continue to travel there knowing this, the answer is often some variation of "it's worth it". 

"It's the only place my head stops thinking," says Australian academic Suzanne McLaren, who has been to Nepal three times and is planning a fourth trip next year.

"Being in the Himalayas, it's these magnificent mountains, and you are just this small dot. [The feeling] is quite hard to explain, but it's the most majestic place I've ever been."

The Himalayan nation's unique topography meant it was always going to attract trekkers, climbers and mountaineers eager to summit the planet's highest peaks. It's this landscape that also necessitates the frequent use of air travel, which provides a crucial lifeline between remote villages and base camps. 

Not only is Nepal a gateway to Mount Everest, the most famous mountain in the world at a height of 8,849 metres above sea level, it's also home to other show-stopping formations, like Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres), Lhotse (8,516 metres), and Annapurna (8,091 metres).

But travellers also remark on the friendliness of the people, the warmth of the culture, and the natural beauty closer to sea level. "I've travelled to many countries, and this is just so special, the scenery and the people," Suzanne says.

The number of international tourists travelling to Nepal has grown steadily since the country opened up midway through the last century, peaking in 2019 with 1.17 million visitors — 39,000 of them Australian.

"If you're a hiker, trekker or mountaineer, the Himalayas is a mecca," says Steve Kelly, a keen trekker who is planning his third trip to Nepal later this year.

"There is nowhere else in the world that can provide the same sense of adventure or the same awe-inspiring experience that the Himalayas provides for trekkers and mountaineers. That's why I keep going back."

Som Tamang, who runs a Nepal tour company from Australia, says bookings have just started to pick back up after years of pandemic-induced border closures and, before that, the 2015 earthquakes, which killed around 9,000 people.

"Right now, in the last few weeks and last couple of months, we've been getting a lot of interest," he says.

Nepali-born Som says he seeks to provide "a real Nepal experience" for travellers, mixing trekking and hiking with volunteering opportunities. Part of this, he says, means carefully communicating the risks associated with domestic travel in the country and providing a range of transport options to his customers.

"Even though I fly quite regularly up and down the Everest base camp … I do fear each time I go on a plane, but that's the way it is," he says.

"It's about knowing the risk, not knowing the risk is another thing."

Flying isn't the only danger

There are a number of reasons posited for Nepal's poor air safety record, some of them laid out in a  2019 report  by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

"Nepal's majestic mountains and capricious weather patterns have created a huge challenge to flight operations," the report reads, noting that "civil aviation in Nepal has been expanding rapidly".

Since last week's crash, Som says he's received more inquiries from incoming travellers about alternative transport options.

While his company doesn't use flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, instead relying on road travel, he says short flights are necessary to reach the Everest base camp unless travellers have an extra 10 days to spare. For that route, the company offers a private helicopter option at an additional cost.

"It's definitely having an impact on people's thoughts," he says, "I truly don't think it will stop people travelling, but it will definitely impact people looking for alternative routes and alternative ways to get there rather than using domestic flights."

Flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes just over 20 minutes, compared to about six-hours on a tourist bus — which comes with its own danger. 

Due to the mountainous terrain, narrow and poorly maintained roads, and unpredictable weather, deadly traffic accidents are also common in Nepal. 

Less than a week into the year, six people were killed when a bus veered off a cliff in the country's west. In December, a bus accident about 90 kilometres from Kathmandu left 18 dead .

Then there are the dangers on the mountains; with more tourists crowding the trails comes increased risks of medical emergencies, altitude sickness and falls. Bad weather and avalanches are also difficult to predict and are often deadly. 

In 2015, an earthquake triggered an avalanche that wiped out a remote village 60 kilometres north of Kathmandu, on a route popular with foreign trekkers. A year earlier, an unseasonal snowstorm buried part of the popular Annapurna Circuit , killing at least 43 people.

"This kind of thing happens with monotonous regularity in the Himalayas," Steven says. 

“The answer to why do people keep going back, it’s a fairly simple one, really: because it’s the Himalayas."

Will this crash impact tourism?

The people ABC News spoke to for this story had no plans to cancel their upcoming trips to Nepal, and history suggests the incident won't be enough to deter those determined to see the country for themselves.

"At the end of the day, these are still very small risks, the rates of crashes compared to how many flights there are," Suzanne says. "But there's a greater risk there than there is elsewhere, but you weigh that up."

Melbourne resident Greg Nowotna is currently considering his options before a three-month trip later this year. In the late '80s and early '90s, he spent a cumulative nine months exploring Nepal, which he calls his "favourite place on earth".

He's now retired and the Tara crash last year and the Yeti incident have led him to rethink his plans to fly between cities.

"Now I'm obviously older, I'm not looking forward to spending eight hours on those buses because it's a very bone-jarring ride," he says. Instead, he's now planning to hire a private jeep to get him around.

But like others, the crash is not enough to make him reconsider travelling all together.

"The mountains are the biggest, most impressive thing I've ever seen in my life," he says. "Even on my third trip to Nepal, I thought I'd seen the mountains … and it wasn't going to impress me that much, but when I got there for a third time, my jaw still hit the floor."

For Suzanne, there's another motivation for going back. "The last thing Nepali people need is for tourists to stay away," she says.

When she was there in October, she says sometimes her group were the only guests staying in a lodge. "The people were so grateful to have us, they were hoping so much that tourists were coming back."

Som is confident tourists won't abandon Nepal because, "it's a bucket list [item] for people, to climb the highest mountains on Earth".

"As time goes by, unless there is another crash within the next month, then it will shake the country and tourism, but if not, it will go away from people's mind," he says.

"Anyone who's been there never regrets it."

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In the first six months of 2023, nepal registered a significant increase in number of indian tourists as 1,68,000 tourists from across the border visited the country by air..

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Tourists Arrival in Nepal: A Remarkable Revival in 2023

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Nepal, known for its breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks, and rich cultural heritage, has long been a favoured destination for global tourists. September 2023 witnessed a commendable rise in tourist arrivals by air, revealing a promising picture of the tourism sector’s resilience and revival.

A Glimpse into the Figures

According to the NTB , in September 2023, the number of tourists that arrived in Nepal by air was a staggering 91,012. This shows a significant growth compared to the previous years:

• 2023 : 91,012
• 2022 : 58,314
• 2021 : 9,907
• 2019 : 92,604

The numbers from 2020 and 2021 underscore the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global travel industry, particularly on Nepal’s tourism sector. However, the data from 2023 indicates a remarkable recovery, bringing the sector almost at par with the 2019 levels.

Moreover, the departure figures for September 2023 were reported at 69,422, whereas the cumulative number of tourists from January to September stood at an impressive 6,92,372.

When comparing the tourist arrival figures of 2023 to those of 2019, one of Nepal’s pre-pandemic peak years for tourism, the revival rate is a notable 98.28%.

Leading Tourist Generating Countries

The top 10 nations from where tourists arrived in Nepal in September 2023 are:

• India : 28,694
• China : 8,174
• USA : 7,364
• Bangladesh : 3,716
• Australia : 3,685
• United Kingdom : 3,640
• Sri Lanka : 3,011
• Germany : 2,852
• South Korea : 2,018
• Israel : 1,734

With its proximity and cultural ties, India continued to lead the chart, followed by China and the USA. The diversity in the list of top 10 countries is a testament to Nepal’s universal appeal, drawing visitors from different parts of the world.

Rekindling the Tourism Flame

Several factors contributed to this resurgence in tourist arrivals:

• Health and Safety Protocols : With the successful rollout of vaccines and robust health protocols, tourists feel more confident about travelling.
• Promotional Campaigns : Nepal’s government, in collaboration with various tourism bodies, launched numerous promotional campaigns to attract visitors.
• Pent-up Demand : After prolonged lockdowns and travel restrictions, there is a significant demand for travel and experiences, with Nepal being a top choice for nature and adventure seekers.
• Diversified Tourism Offerings : Beyond trekking and mountaineering, Nepal has been promoting its cultural, religious, and wellness tourism offerings.

Looking Forward

The swift rebound of tourist arrivals in Nepal is a beacon of hope for the country’s tourism sector. With continued efforts, collaboration between governmental bodies and tourism stakeholders, and ongoing promotional campaigns, Nepal is well on its path to not just recovery but possibly even exceeding its past tourism records.

Nepal’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its tourists, coupled with its unparalleled natural and cultural offerings, will undeniably see the nation shine as a leading global tourist destination.

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NEPAL TARGETS 1 MILLION INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS IN 2023

Nepal is confident it can reach one million international travellers in 2023 after welcoming close to 615,000 travellers in 2022. india, the usa and the uk were the top inbound markets for the country last year..

Nepal is on the path to welcoming one million foreign travellers in 2023 according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) CEO, Dhananjay Regmi. In 2019, the country recorded a total of 1.2 million international visitors.

The Nepal Tourism Board said that hitting at least one million travellers in 2023 will be largely achieved by attracting visitors from Asia.

“After two years of stagnation because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry is in a revival phase,” said Dhananjay Regmi, during a celebration programme to mark the 24th anniversary of the board. “We will focus on attracting more visitors from Southeast Asia and the Middle East this year by launching more promotional campaigns in these regions.”

Nepal could also expect a surge of travellers from China and Japan now that Covid restrictions have been lifted for outbound travel in both countries.

According to first available data, Nepal welcomed 614,148 travellers in 2022; a total of 230,085 tourists in 2020 and 150,962 in 2020.

India emerged as Nepal’s top inbound tourist market in 2022 with a total of 209,105 visitors, representing a market share of 34% of all arrivals. India was followed by the US with 77,009 visitors (12.5% market share) and the UK with 44,781 travellers (7.3%). Australia was in fourth position with 26,874 inbound visitors, followed by Bangladesh with 25,384 tourists. In total, countries from South Asia generated over 40% of all arrivals to the country.

New airports to stimulate tourism?

Tourism remains a major economic sector for the Himalayan nation. The tourism and travel industry contributed approximately 6.7% to Nepal’s GDP. It is also the fourth largest employer in the country.

On January 1st, 2023, Nepal inaugurated its third international airport in the city of Pokhara after Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in the southern city of Bhairahawa. The latter was only opened in May 2022 and is the air gateway to Lumbini, the pilgrimage site of the Buddha. Pokhara is a popular destination for trekkers and hikers as it is closed to mountain ranges including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Chinese companies were involved in the construction of both airports.

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More than one million tourists arrive in 2023

Kathmandu, December 31

More than one million tourists came to Nepal via air in 2023.

According to the statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board, 1,008,614 tourists came to Nepal as of 5 am on December 30.

With this achievement, the government has successfully met its target of drawing one million foreign tourists in 2023. The goal was outlined in the budget for the current fiscal year, highlighting the intent to boost the number of international visitors to Nepal.

The country’s tourism, severely impacted by the Covid pandemic, has nearly returned to its pre-pandemic state. According to the National Tourism Board (NTB), there has been an 85 per cent recovery in tourism this year.

In 2019, around 1.2 million foreign tourists visited the country. NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane expressed optimism about the current scenario, stating, “The arrival of tourists this year is encouraging.” With more than 1 million tourists entering through the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the tourism sector is showing signs of recovery.

Similarly, Binayak Shah, the President of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), anticipates a further uptick in tourist arrivals in the days ahead. He suggests that by expanding collaboration with the private sector, the government can contribute to a future increase in the number of tourists.

It is worth noting that the government has designated 2025 as Visit Nepal Year. Additionally, the period from 2023 to 2032 is being celebrated as the tourism decade , with the ambitious goal of attracting 3.5 million tourists.

Meanwhile, there has been a notable increase in the number of Indian tourists this year. In 2019, 254,150 Indian tourists visited Nepal, whereas this year the figure has risen to 317,481. Similarly, the count of American tourists has also seen an uptick, reaching 99,985 in the current year compared to 93,241 in 2019.

Similarly, there is a gradual increase in the number of Chinese tourists, with 60,160 Chinese nationals visiting Nepal this year. In comparison, the figure was higher in 2019, with 169,543 Chinese tourists arriving in the country.

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Nepal Tourism Decade 2023-2032 : Tourism Sector Hopes to Set New Milestones in the Next Decade

The new tourism promotion campaign aims to bring 3.5 million tourists in the next 10 years

The Nepali tourism sector went through a tumultuous three years in the wake of the global outbreak of the coronavirus that devastated international travel. But with the subsiding of the pandemic, the sector is now buzzing with new plans, expansion, and growth strategies. The surge in tourist arrivals in 2022 along with the start of the commercial operation of Pokhara Regional International Airport and the Gautam Buddha International Airport have signaled that Nepal is ready to welcome international guests more than ever.

Developed by a four-member expert panel led by the former Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) CEO Prachanda Man Shrestha, the framework has set ambitious targets such as increasing tourist spending to USD 125 daily from the current USD 48, creating 1 million direct jobs in the tourism and increasing the sector’s contribution to national GDP to 10 percent.

The government has planned to bring the tourist numbers to pre-pandemic levels by 2024 and increase arrivals in each subsequent year by 15 percent.

The decade will have tourism campaigns organized across the country province-wise. While 2023 will be the year for preparations, 2024 will be the tourism campaign year in Bagmati Province, 2025 in Gandaki Province, and 2027 in Lumbini Province. In 2028, the focus will be on Madesh Province, while campaigns will be organized in 2029, 2030, and 2031 in Sudur Paschhim, Province 1, and Karnali Province, respectively. The year 2026 and 2032 will be marked by national-level programs.

Despite the government’s grand tourism plan, there are still some stumbling blocks that could derail the recovery prospect. For Nepal to get a good number of international tourists in the coming years, the operation of two recently built international airports is critical in this context. Tourism entrepreneurs agree there is a dire need to improve connectivity if Nepal wants to gain from the post-pandemic period in which tourist inflow is expected to surge.

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Nepal Welcomes Over 100,000 Tourists in November; On Track to Achieve 2023 Tourism Goal

In November 2023, Nepal saw a remarkable influx of over 100,000 foreign tourists entering the country through air travel, as reported by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). This surge contributes to a total of 918,308 foreign visitors arriving in Nepal throughout the year, marking a significant stride towards the government’s target of one million tourists by the end of 2023.

The Nepal government’s ambitious goal for 2023 is on the verge of realization, with just over 80,000 additional tourists needed to meet the set target. With December’s tourist arrivals anticipated to bridge this gap, Nepal is poised to accomplish its tourism objective for the year.

Maniraj Lamichhane, Director and Spokesperson for the NTB, expressed confidence in surpassing the government’s target, asserting, “We anticipate approximately 100,000 tourists in December, reinforcing our certainty in reaching the one million mark for 2023.”

Furthermore, Nepal witnessed a tourism peak in October 2023, with a record-breaking influx of 117,306 tourists entering the country, setting a new benchmark for tourist arrivals.

The steady increase in tourist footfall showcases Nepal’s appeal as a coveted destination, promising cultural richness, scenic beauty, and diverse experiences, making it an attractive prospect for travelers worldwide.

Also Read: Growing Concerns as Respiratory Disease Spreads in China; Nepal Faces Potential Risk

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Number of Tourist Visiting Nepal Reached 470,000 In First Half Of 2023

New spotlight online.

Nepal has welcomed 476,481 international tourists in the first six months of 2023. This is an average of 79,413 tourists every month.

Mani Raj Lamichhane, head of the Research, Planning and Monitoring Department at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said this is an almost 97 per cent recovery to the pre-pandemic levels. In June 2019, a total of 74,883 tourists arrived in the country.

The year immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, was one of the best years for tourism in Nepal. A total of 1,197,191 foreign tourists entered the country by land and air that year.

This is the highest number the country had ever recorded. This means that, on average, 99,765 tourists came to Nepal every month that year.

But in 2020, the year the coronavirus outbreak began in Nepal, the number of foreign tourists plummeted to 230,085.

In 2021, it fell still further to 150,962. The year 2022 saw a slight uptick to 614,869.

To revitalise the tourism sector of the country, the government announced in its budget for the Fiscal Year 2023/24 that it would celebrate the 10 years from 2023 to 2033 as the tourism decade and shared its intention to bring 1 million tourists into the country in 2023.

The latter is in line with the target unveiled by the NTB last year and one that it has since maintained is possible by attracting visitors from Asia.

So far this year, the highest number of tourists came from India, as per the NTB. From January to June, 167,605 came from our southern neighbour.

The second highest number, 49,433, came from the United States.

The United Kingdom, China and Australia were the third, fourth and fifth largest source markets for Nepali tourism respectively.

Since the start of this Gregorian year, 24, 264, 20, 117 and 17,696 tourists have come from these three countries.

In June alone, 72,250 foreigners came to Nepal by air, according to the Department of Immigration.

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October 2023 tourist arrivals to Nepal set new records

Published On: November 1, 2023 03:15 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Nov 1: Nepal has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals, with October 2023 marking a historic milestone. According to data from the Immigration Department, Nepal welcomed a total of 117,306 tourists during the month, as confirmed by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). This figure represents an unprecedented record for the highest number of tourists entering Nepal in a single month.

NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane noted that the previous record, set in October 2019 with 113,000 tourists, was surpassed this year. The surge in arrivals can be attributed in part to the gathering of non-resident Nepalis in Nepal during this period, who are counted as tourists upon visiting the country.

Tourism entrepreneurs have reported that the majority of tourists arrive from neighboring countries such as India, Bangladesh, China, and Sri Lanka. However, a substantial number of non-resident Nepalis also contribute to the growing numbers, particularly those coming from the United States and Europe.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 52,121 tourists came to Nepal in October 2022, 15,715 in 2021 and 1,831 in 2020. In this month, the maximum number of 18,480 tourists from India came to Nepal. Americans are in second place. According to the data, 14,879 tourists came to Nepal from America. The British are in third place. As many as 8,217 tourists have come to Nepal from this country. Similarly, 6,880 tourists came from China, 6,0 75 from Australia, 5,916 from Germany, 5,271 from France, 4,292 from Bangladesh, 2,507 from Sri Lanka and 2,67 from Italy.

In the first 10 months of 2023, Nepal has welcomed over 800,000 tourists, as reported by the Nepal Tourism Board, with a total of 809,678 tourists arriving between January and October. 

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Nepal welcomes over 120,000 tourists in 2023, Indians top the list in Feb

The us is the second highest tourist-generating market for nepal as 7,887 tourists visited the country in february 2023, the ntb said.

Photo: Unsplash

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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First Published: Mar 01 2023 | 8:23 PM IST

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• Total Number of Tourists arrival in each months of 2023

Total number of  International tourists visited Nepal in 2023 is  10,14,876 . The Total number of international Tourists visited Nepal in each months of 2023 are listed as below:

 January: 55,074

February: 73,255

 March: 99,426

April:  98,773

 May:  77,703

June: 72,250

July: 57,726

August: 67,153

September: 91,012

October : 1,17,306

November: 1,08,630

Decembet: 96,568

News in Details are as below:

Updated on : 1 January, 2023

96,568 tourists visited Nepal in the month of December of 2023. The Top Ten Countries from where most tourists came are India, China, United States, Bangladesh, Thailand, United Kingdom, Australia, Myanmar, South Korea and Japan.  The Total number of Tourists arrivals in December month of 2023 from top ten countries on the basis of most tourists came; are as below 

1. India: 32,692 

2. China: 7,370 

3. USA: 7,027 

4. Bangladesh: 5,206 

5. Thailand: 4,534 

6. UK: 4,267 

7. Australia: 3,834 

8. Myanmar: 2,533 

9. South Korea: 2,363 

10. Japan: 2,339 

More than one million tourists came to Nepal via air in the year of 2023.  According to the statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board, 10,14,876 international tourists came to Nepal as on 31 December, 2023.

With this achievement, the government has successfully met its target of drawing one million foreign tourists in 2023. The goal was outlined in the budget for the current fiscal year, highlighting the intent to boost the number of international visitors to Nepal. 

Updated on : 1 December, 2023

Tourists Arrival in Nepal for the month of November 2023 is 1,08,630

According to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 1,08,630 International Tourists visited Nepal in November month of year 2023 ,   This is the number of tourists arriving by air;  among them Top Ten Country from where most Tourist came from are:

1. India :24,443

2. United State of America :11,461

3. China: 7,601

4. United Kingdom: 6,138

5. Australia: 5,060

6. Thailand: 3,962

7. Bangladesh: 3,761

8. Germany: 3,512

9. Sri Lanka: 3,228

10. France: 3,205

Updated on : 1 November, 2023

1,17,306 International Tourist arrived in Nepal in the month of October, 2023

According to data from the Immigration Department, Nepal welcomed a total of 117,306 tourists during October month, as confirmed by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

In October month of year 2023, the maximum number of 18,480 tourists from India came to Nepal. Americans are in second place. According to the data, 14,879 tourists came to Nepal from America. The British are in third place. As many as 8,217 tourists have come to Nepal from this country. Similarly, 6,880 tourists came from China, 6,0 75 from Australia, 5,916 from Germany, 5,271 from France, 4,292 from Bangladesh, 2,507 from Sri Lanka and 2,67 from Italy.

In the first 10 months of 2023, Nepal has welcomed over 800,000 tourists, as reported by the Nepal Tourism Board, with a total of 809,678 tourists arriving between January and October. 

Top Ten Country Name from where The most international Tourists came to Nepal by air in the month of October, 2023 are as below:

1. India - 18,480

2. USA - 14,879

3. United Kingdom - 8,217

4. China - 6,880

5. Australia - 6,075

6. Germany - 5,916

7. France - 5,271

8. Bangladesh - 4,292

9. Sri Lanka - 2,507

10. Italy - 2,467

Updated on : 1 October, 2023

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, there has been a 98 percent recovery in tourist arrivals this September compared to September 2019, the year when the highest number of tourists entered. In September 2019, a total of 92,604 foreign tourists entered Nepal.

Most of the visitors to Nepal are Indians. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 28,694 Indians entered in September. Then the size of Chinese is bigger and It reached 8,174 in September. This is the largest number of Chinese people who have entered after the Covid infection. The number of Americans who have entered Nepal has reached 7,364. The size of Bangladesh, which is number four, is 3,716.

The government of Nepal has set a target of attracting one million foreign tourists this year (2023). However, the number of foreign guests who entered Nepal by air during the period of nine months has reached about 7 lakh. The government target will be fulfilled only if three lakh tourists arrive in the next three months.

Updated Date: 1 September, 2023

67,153 International Tourists Visited Nepal in August, 2023. Among them, 26,665 from India, 5,027 from China, 4,629 from United States, 3,858 from Sri Lanka ,  3,190 from Bangladesh, 2,711 from the UK, 1,588 from Spain, 1520 from Japan, 1,496 from Italy,  1,347 from Australia and so on.

6,01,360 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first eight months of 2023. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 601,360 tourists from various countries including India and the United States of America arrived in Nepal from January to August this year. More Details are available on given Data Table.

57,726  Tourists Visited Nepal in the month of  July in 2023 ; among them, from India 21357, from China 5,593, from United States 5,561 &  likewise from more countries Tourist came in Nepal in the month of July 2023.

According to data released by  the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 57,726 tourists came to Nepal in July 2023. Out of that only 21 thousand 357 Indians have come. In second place are Chinese citizens. Their number is 5 thousand 593 people. According to the board, the number of American tourists is 5,561. 

In July 2023, it has been seen that around 50 percent of the total number of tourists came from SAARC countries. 21 thousand 357 tourists from India, 2696 tourists from Bangladesh, 807 tourists from Bhutan, 484 tourists from Sri Lanka and 372 tourists from Pakistan visited Nepal this month.

Among other Asian countries, 1,375 tourists came from South Korea after China. Most of the European countries, 3,630 British tourists have come to Nepal. According to the data, 1 thousand 102 Tourists came to Nepal from Australia and 653 people came from Canada.

Updated Date: 2 July, 2023

72,250  International Tourist Visited Nepal in June month of the year 2023. Top 10  country from where the most tourists came in Nepal in June, 2023 are  India ,  United States ,  China ,  Bangladesh ,  United Kingdom ,  Australia ,  Malaysia ,  South Korea ,  Japan  and  Bhutan.

The total    4 ,76,481  foreign tourists visited Nepal in the six months (January to June) of the current fiscal year, 2022/23, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.

In the month of June 2023, a total of 72,250 foreign tourists entered Nepal. This data was provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, indicating a slight decrease in tourist arrivals compared to the previous months, possibly due to the onset of the monsoon season. However, it is noteworthy that this year has shown a significant recovery in tourism compared to 2021 and 2022, with a 96.48 percent increase in arrivals compared to pre-Covid times.

Source:   https://merolagani.com/NewsDetail.aspx?newsID=92241

Posted Date: May 2, 2023

Nearly 100,000 foreign tourists entered Nepal in the previous month, indicating a strong recovery in the country's tourism sector compared to the past years.

According to the data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) today, a total of 98,773 international tourists visited Nepal in April, which is a substantial increase from the 61,589 tourists who arrived in the corresponding month of 2022, 22,732 in April of 2021, and just 14 in April of 2020.

However, the arrivals are yet to recover to the pre-pandemic level, when 109,399 tourists had visited Nepal in April of 2019.

Maniraj Lamichhane, director of NTB, stated that the recent surge in tourist arrivals is a positive sign for Nepal's tourism industry and that the arrivals saw 90.28 per cent recovery last month compared to the corresponding month before the pandemic.

In April, India emerged as the top source country for tourists visiting Nepal, with a total of 31,437 Indian nationals visiting the country. This number constituted 31.83 per cent of the total international tourists who arrived in Nepal during the review period.

In comparison, the number of Indian tourists who visited Nepal during the same month in the previous year was 22,476.

The United States was the second-largest source country of tourists visiting Nepal in April, with a total of 8,413 American nationals arriving in the country. It was an increase from 7,344 American tourists who visited Nepal during the same month in the previous year.

The United Kingdom secured third position with 5,409 British tourists visiting Nepal in April.

Following the relaxation of COVID restrictions, China - Nepal's northern neighbour - came in the fourth position with 4,770. This figure is a massive surge by 1255.1 per cent from only 352 Chinese tourists who made Nepal their destination during the same month of 2022.

In terms of the geographic region, 35.88 per cent were from the SAARC countries, as per the NTB.

Likewise, 24.70 per cent of the total visitors were from European countries in April, while 10.21 per cent were from the Americas. The arrivals from Asia, Oceania and others stood at 14.84 per cent, 4.27 per cent, and 10.10 per cent, respectively.

Source:  https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/a-close-to-99000-tourists-visited-nepal-in-april-41932

Posted Date:  April 2, 2023

Nepal’s tourism industry will soon revive its strength following the long duration hit by the Covid pandemic if the number of foreign tourists recorded in recent months is anything to go by.

Nepal Tourism Board  says 99,426 foreigners came to Nepal on tourist visas via air route in March, which is the highest of monthly arrival records since the Covid impact in early 2020.

The number makes up 78 per cent of the tourist arrival recorded in March 2019.

In the first three months of 2023, the country recorded 227,755 foreign tourists, informs the board’s director Mani Raj Lamichhane.

While there are hopes that the number will further rise in April thanks to the beginning of the mountaineering and trekking season, there are concerns that the new  rule banning solo trekking  might have  some adverse impact .

Source: h ttps://english.onlinekhabar.com/foreign-tourists-march-2023.html

Posted Date: March 02, 2021

According to  Nepal Tourism Board , 125,329 tourists arrived in Nepal with 55,074 arriving in January and 73,255 arriving in February.

With China allowing its citizens to travel abroad, its effect has been seen in Nepali tourism with the country seeing a rise in tourist arrival in February since the coronavirus pandemic, informs NRB director Maniraj Lamichhane. However, the highest number of tourists coming into the country is from India and the USA.

According to NTB data, 18,401 Indian tourists came to Nepal followed by 7,887 tourists from the USA. Thai tourists, interestingly, are third with 4,802 visiting Nepal.

Source:   https://english.onlinekhabar.com/tourism-tourist-growth-nepal.htm l

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Nepal leads inaugural Rainbow Tourism Conference, pledges safe destination for all

Nepal takes a pioneering step in tourism inclusivity with its first rainbow tourism conference, affirming itself as a safe destination for the lgbtq+ community..

The first International Rainbow Tourism Conference opened here on Saturday, with Nepal offering itself as a safe and respectful destination in South Asia for the sexual minority community. The single-day international conference was organised by Mayako Pahichan Nepal, a non-governmental organisation. “This pioneer event organised by Mayako Pahichan Nepal in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board marks a significant milestone in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tourism industry,” reads a press release issued ahead of the event.

“We are thrilled to host the first rainbow tourism conference in Nepal," said the executive director of Mayako Pahichan Nepal, Sunil Babu Pant, also the first Parliament Member from the LGBT community . “This conference represents a critical step forward in creating a tourism industry that marks diversity and embraces inclusivity,” he said “Nepal can be a perfect destination for pink tourism as the country’s constitution recognises the rights of the LGBT community,” he added.

The conference's main objective is to position Nepal as an LGBT-friendly tourism destination. The international conference was inaugurated by Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhary, who underlined the need to forge collaboration among different stakeholders to promote LGBT tourism in Nepal.

She said that so far, 3,100 people belonging to the LGBT community have been formally registered in Nepal, though the exact number of people belonging to the community is much higher than that. Asserting that Nepal has formulated many laws guaranteeing equal treatment and a violence-free atmosphere for the sexual minority community, Cahudhay said that there is a need to pay attention to their effective implementation.

Assuring that the government is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of the LGBT community, she said, “Nepal not only offers a safe and ensuring environment for LGBT travellers, it also offers same-sex marriage and honeymoon destination for the sexual minority community.” Issuing a declaration, the conference expressed its unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tourism industry.

"This groundbreaking initiative reflects Nepal's steadfast dedication to becoming a beacon of inclusivity in global tourism. As we move forward, we pledge to uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and respect, striving to create a world where every traveller feels embraced and empowered," reads the declaration. Nepal’s Supreme Court in 2007 issued a landmark decision asking the government to formulate laws recognising the identity of the third gender and scrap all discriminatory laws.

In June 2023, through an interim order, it allowed same-sex marriage to be registered legally. The international conference will see the participation of as many as 120 people, including those belonging to sexual minorities, various non-governmental organisations, activists, writers and media persons from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Germany, Spain and the US.

Nepal’s Supreme Court remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding "justice and equality for all citizens”, said Hari Phuyal, Justice at the Supreme Court of Nepal. “Rainbow tourism not only promises economic growth but represents an opportunity to foster inclusivity and empowerment with the LGBTI community,” he said.

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Nepal Promotes LGBT-Friendly Tourism With First International Rainbow Conference

Nepal hosts its inaugural international rainbow tourism conference, advocating for lgbt rights, inclusivity, and economic growth in the tourism sector..

The main objective is to position Nepal as an LGBT-friendly tourism destination.

The first International Rainbow Tourism Conference opened here on Saturday, with Nepal offering itself as a safe and respectful destination in South Asia for the sexual minority community.

The single-day international conference was organised by Mayako Pahichan Nepal, a non-governmental organisation.

"This pioneer event organised by Mayako Pahichan Nepal in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board marks a significant milestone in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tourism industry," reads a press release issued ahead of the event.

"We are thrilled to host the first rainbow tourism conference in Nepal," said the executive director of Mayako Pahichan Nepal, Sunil Babu Pant, also the first Parliament Member from the LGBT community.

"This conference represents a critical step forward in creating a tourism industry that marks diversity and embraces inclusivity," he said "Nepal can be a perfect destination for pink tourism as the country's constitution recognises the rights of the LGBT community," he added.

The conference's main objective is to position Nepal as an LGBT-friendly tourism destination.

The international conference was inaugurated by Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhary, who underlined the need to forge collaboration among different stakeholders to promote LGBT tourism in Nepal.

She said that so far, 3,100 people belonging to the LGBT community have been formally registered in Nepal, though the exact number of people belonging to the community is much higher than that.

Asserting that Nepal has formulated many laws guaranteeing equal treatment and a violence-free atmosphere for the sexual minority community, Cahudhay said that there is a need to pay attention to their effective implementation.

Assuring that the government is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of the LGBT community, she said, "Nepal not only offers a safe and ensuring environment for LGBT travellers, it also offers same-sex marriage and honeymoon destination for the sexual minority community." Issuing a declaration, the conference expressed its unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tourism industry.

"This groundbreaking initiative reflects Nepal's steadfast dedication to becoming a beacon of inclusivity in global tourism. As we move forward, we pledge to uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and respect, striving to create a world where every traveller feels embraced and empowered," reads the declaration.

Nepal's Supreme Court in 2007 issued a landmark decision asking the government to formulate laws recognising the identity of the third gender and scrap all discriminatory laws.

In June 2023, through an interim order, it allowed same-sex marriage to be registered legally.

The international conference will see the participation of as many as 120 people, including those belonging to sexual minorities, various non-governmental organisations, activists, writers and media persons from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Germany, Spain and the US.

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Nepal's Supreme Court remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding "justice and equality for all citizens", said Hari Phuyal, Justice at the Supreme Court of Nepal.

"Rainbow tourism not only promises economic growth but represents an opportunity to foster inclusivity and empowerment with the LGBTI community," he said.

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Nepal’s president asks visiting Qatari emir to help free student held hostage by Hamas

The Associated Press

April 24, 2024, 6:14 AM

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s president asked the emir of Qatar, who is on a two-day visit to the South Asian country, to help release a Nepali student held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas, officials said on Wednesday.

President Ram Chandra Poudel met with Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the president’s house in the capital, Kathmandu.

Al Thani said he would do everything possible to help release Bipin Joshi, the Nepali president’s press advisor, Kiran Pokharel, told The Associated Press.

Joshi was among 17 Nepali students studying agriculture in Alumim kibbutz, near the Gaza Strip, when Hamas attacked Southern Israel on Oct.7. Ten of the students were killed, six injured while Joshi was abducted and taken to Gaza.

Though there has been no information on his condition or whereabouts, Nepali officials said they believed he was still alive.

Hamas’ sudden attack on Israel in October killed 1,200 people and some 250 others hostage were taken hostage. This has sparked a war that has so far killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, at least two-thirds of them women and children, according to the local health ministry.

Qatar has played a key intermediary role throughout the war in Gaza. Along with the U.S. and Egypt, the Gulf State was instrumental in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages.

Pokharel also said the emir discussed the conditions of an estimated 400,000 Nepali migrant workers residing in Qatar, who mostly work in construction and manual labor. Concerns about working in extreme heat — that could reach over 40 C (104 F) — inadequate living facilities and abuse have risen in recent years.

Human Rights Watch released a statement on Sunday, asking that labor protection for migrant workers be prioritized during the emir’s visit.

The emir said there were programs planned to help Nepali workers find employment in other sectors, Pokharel said.

Al Thani also said his country planned to cooperate with Nepal on building hydropower plants, food production, and in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

The emir’s stop in Katamdnu is his last after visiting Bangladesh and the Philippines. He flies home later on Wednesday.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Nepal sets sight on multi-billion dollar LGBTIQ tourism market

Sangam Prasain

Nepal on Saturday hosted the first international LGBTIQ tourism conference. It wants a chunk of the multi-billion dollar pink market after the stunning success of a legally recognised same-sex marriage last November.

“Forget Nepal’s biassed history. Now, we aim at building more just and equitable societies. Let the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ) get equal economic opportunity,” said Sunil Babu Pant, the first openly gay former parliamentarian in Asia, addressing the conference in Kathmandu.

Just a few years back, police beating gay and transgender individuals in the streets used to be a common sight.

“After fighting legal battles for nearly two decades, the law and the society have accepted the LGBTIQ community. Now we are in the second phase—we need equal economic opportunities. For this we need to bring LGBTIQ tourists from the global market.”

The conference was announced following the successful marriage registration of Surendra Pandey and Maya Gurung, the first same-sex couple to get legally recognised in Nepal, on November 29, 2023, after a years-long legal wrangling.

This interim arrangement remains valid until the legal provisions are made.

Their legally recognised same-sex marriage is the first of its kind in South Asia and marks a milestone for LGBTIQ rights.

“It is a privilege to stand before you and reflect on a pivotal moment in my career, one that underscores the importance of justice, equality, and the pursuit of human rights,” said Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal, who in 2007 as a lawyer argued in favour of laws guaranteeing full rights of LGBTIQ people and in defining gender minorities as “natural persons” under the law. They had the right to marry, he argued.

Eventually, in December 2007 , the court issued a historic verdict ensuring the rights of the community.

The verdict reads: “No one has the right to question how two adults perform sexual intercourse and whether this intercourse is natural or unnatural and that … the way the right to privacy is secured to two heterosexual individuals in sexual intercourse, it is equally secured to the people of third gender who have a different gender identity and sexual orientation.”

“In 2007, I found myself entrusted with a case… by Sunil Babu Pant that would leave an indelible mark on my journey. At the helm of Blue Diamond Society, Sunil brought forth a case that demanded not just representation, but a profound understanding of the struggle faced by the LGBTIQ community,” said Phuyal.

“Admittedly, my initial knowledge was limited on the issue, but through dedicated learning and unwavering commitment, I found the confidence to evoke it, and here we have it. The outcome, a resounding decision of the Supreme Court, stands as a backbone of hope and progress not only for Nepal but the world at large.

“We recognise that the civil and political rights are fundamental, but so are economic, social and cultural rights.”

He said that “rainbow tourism” not only promises economic growth but presents an opportunity to foster inclusion and empowerment in the LGBTIQ community. “By integrating them into the national economy, we not only create employment opportunities but also contribute to the overall prosperity of our nation.”

He stressed that the decision made by Nepal’s Supreme Court is a precedent for other countries, including the neighbours.

Diane Anderson-Minshall, CEO and chief storyteller of GO Magazine, in her presentation titled ‘LGBTI Tourism Global Overview and its Contribution to the Economy’, said that LGBTIQ or pink tourism are the segments of travellers that have a lot of wealth and purchasing power.

According to her, based on the Wealth and Travel Data Report of LGBT Capital 2023, the global annual spending power of LGBTIQ consumers is $4.7 trillion. Among them, the Americans have a spending capacity of $1.4 trillion, followed by the Chinese at $872 billion, Germans at $224 billion, Indians at $168 billion and the British at $164 billion.

China is an untapped market and that’s going to grow over the next several years. “And one of the things that we know from Chinese gay travellers is they are looking for places they feel safe, where they can hold hands and where they can have new experiences.”

And those are things they'll find in Nepal, said Anderson-Minshall. Germany and the UK are the LGBTIQ capitals.

Nandini Lahe-Thapa, director of the Nepal Tourism Board, said, “For Nepal’s tourism industry, the LGBTIQ conference is a triumph as this is one of the most important market segments that we have yet to tap.”

To attract more tourists to spend more and stay longer, Nepal is following the principle of ‘tourism for all and the power for all seasons and all reasons’, said Lahe-Thapa. “And so we are very proud to partner with the first-ever Rainbow Tourism International Conferences.”

People choose to travel to places where they feel safe, respected and can be themselves.

“People might feel uncomfortable sharing their identity and choices if the place and the people are judgmental and unfriendly. Here we have an advantage as a destination,” said Lahe-Thapa.

Nepal Tourism Board and the travel trade fraternity plan to capitalise on the potential of the pink community worldwide and have started investing in creating a more friendly and enabled environment to foster such tourism. Last year, the board organised a trekking guide training for 25 individuals from the LGBTIQ community.

According to Pant, now there are several businesses owned by members of the LGBTIQ communities—with at least two dozen bars, restaurants, travel and tour operators and hotels in Kathmandu. “Businesses are opening up for the queer and that’s a good sign. We can promote Nepal as a same-sex marriage and honeymoon destination.”

Nepal’s diverse culture includes rich LGBTIQ-related traditions. Exploring the country’s festivals, temples, symbols, rituals and stories, such as the concept of Ajima and the recognition of six genders, offers a unique cultural experience.

Pant said that they have launched a ‘tantra heritage tour’ that provides an in-depth exploration of Nepal's culture and spiritual aspects, including those related to matriarchy and LGBTIQ communities.

The pink community worldwide opens up a new segment of valuable visitors for Nepal.

Veronique Lorenzo, the EU ambassador to Nepal, said, “For Nepal, this is the first of many happy journeys. I think this conference can play an important role in supporting Nepal’s economy and helping the LGBTIQ community with jobs and recognition. There's an array of benefits from this tourism segment.”

“Nepal is a success story. It's the second country in Asia to have have registered same-sex marriage. Of course, there's still a lot of progress to be made. The fight has to go on every day to bring the legislative and legal frameworks in line with the evolution of society.”

“It's not just about the pink money, it's also about promoting inclusiveness and being fair to travellers.” 

Sangam Prasain Sangam Prasain is Business Editor at The Kathmandu Post, covering tourism, agriculture, mountaineering, aviation, infrastructure and other economic affairs. He joined The Kathmandu Post in October 2009.

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