KATHMANDU, July 1: At a time when the tourism-related business is experiencing a gradual decline due to the recent economic recession, tourism entrepreneurs have been significantly impacted by the ‘off season’.

In Nepal, foreign tourists generally do not arrive in large numbers during the summer (June, July and August) and winter seasons (December, January and  February). The peak season is the spring season (March, April and May) followed by the autumn season (September, October and November). As tourists do not arrive in the country during the off-season, entrepreneurs related to the tourism sector are compelled to remain inactive in the spring and autumn.

According to the tourism entrepreneurs, although Nepal is a small country with a lot of potential in terms of tourism, the tourism sector has suffered more due to the policy makers not paying attention to this. 

The arrival of tourists is less in the monsoon season, says Sajan Shakya, Secretary of Hotel Association of Nepal, insisting that there are enough places in Nepal with beautiful scenery that can be visited even in this season.

He says that the government needs to identify the tourist spots of the summer season and publicize them but the government is not paying attention to this matter.

Shakya said that although the long trekking route and Himalayan areas are less frequented in the rainy season, there is a need to introduce a plan with new alternatives including short-distance foot trails, heritage sites within the valley, seasonal programs in summer and promotional activities to attract tourists throughout the year.

He claimed that the contribution of the tourism sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is only 3 percent. However it actually contributes up to 10 percent indirectly. 

“The government’s attention is only towards booking tickets and tourists staying in a hotel.  While it contributes to direct revenue, there is no record of expenses incurred by tourists in activities such as eating, visiting, and purchasing goods,” he said, adding, “In comparison to staying in a hotel, tourists spend ten times more when they go out for a visit." 

Stating that although Nepal is a small country in terms of area, it is very rich in terms of geography, religion, culture and natural diversity, says Bhabishwar Sharma, president of the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC). He added that the government should use all these means to promote tourism. 

"We have not been able to take advantage of the beauty and diversity of the country,” Sharma said. 

"There is immense potential in the country but the entrepreneurs are in trouble due to not utilizing this potential. We have to make an action plan to bring tourists to  the country in all seasons, whether summer or monsoon.”

He added that all stakeholders need to jointly prepare action plans for tourists who want to visit the mountains during summer. 

“The tourist spots of the Terai should be promoted in winter. The government should work accordingly by making an action plan to make Nepal's tourism active in ‘all seasons’. The country's tourism should be made 'all season' so that tourists get to enjoy the geographical diversity,” added Sharma.

Pom Narayan Shrestha, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council said that the government has not been able to ensure international air connectivity. He stressed the need to enhance air connectivity in all the seven provinces.

Shrestha said “It is futile to imagine the growth of the tourism sector without air transport”

According to Shrestha, air travel has a significant impact on the tourism industry. The tourism sector has contributed to the growth of GDP, and international trade. Its role in economic development is also  non-debatable. 

It is estimated that tourists visiting Nepal support employment of around 1.9 million people. This covers businesses like hotels, restaurants, home stays, local transport, car rental and others.

“The country's tourism sector has not been thriving year-round due to the discontinuity in action plans; each new government fails to continue the tourism-related plans of its predecessor. Instead of boosting tourism collaboratively, the government is trying to promote tourism alone while the private sector lags behind. Additionally, the government's efforts have been slow, and the policies and regulations related to tourism are outdated,” he added.