The country witnessed the arrival of around 100,000 foreign tourists throughout the month of March, the largest number since the global COVID-19 pandemic hit the country towards the end of 2019.
The encouraging inflow of foreign tourists has revived the hopes of bringing back the tourism industry marred by the deadly infection, said the stakeholders. According to data from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 99 thousand 426 foreign tourists visited Nepal throughout March 2023.
The influx of foreign tourists has increased since the beginning of the year 2023, they said. A total of 55,074 tourists visited Nepal throughout January 2023, and 73,255 in February. A total of 1,197,091 foreign visitors arrived in 2019, just before the virus struck.
In the following years, the number sharply dropped 81 per cent in 2020 to 230,085, and to 150,962 in 2021. The Nepali year, 2079, has overall been the year of the revival of tourism, and the increasing inflow of tourists has encouraged, said the NTB director Maniraj Lamichhane.
“Overall, 2079 BS has been satisfactory in terms of tourism. The influx of tourists has been on an upward spiral in each preceding month. The arrival of tourists increased since mid-July, 2022. Each preceding month saw over 70 per cent increments in the arrival of tourists. Around 80 per cent revival from the affected tourist arrival has taken place towards the end of 2079 BS,” he said.
The mobility of domestic tourists has also increased, according to him. In 2078 BS and 2079, the mobility of tourists increased around 120 and 130 per cent respectively, he said.
In the year 2079 BS, tourism infrastructures were added. Investment in hotels and restaurants soared and the entry of international chain hotels began.
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) first vice-president Binayak Shah said the year 2079 BS was in overall encouraging for the tourism industry. As he said, his community assessed the period as the “Year of Tourism Improvement”. Lately, the arrivals of tourists and the trend of hotel booking are positive and it should be further increased. He was of the opinion of promoting air connectivity and strengthening rural roads.
The year brought hope for the mountaineering sector as well. Director General of the Department of Tourism, Hom Prasad Luitel said 512 people have taken permissions for the climbing of 21 peaks in the spring season, 2079 BS and the revenue collection stood at Rs 310.03 million and of them, the highest number of climbers are for Mt Everest, 60 for the Lhotse and 56 are for the Annapurna expedition.
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( NATTA) President Ramesh Thapa evaluates that the year 2079 BS remained as the ‘improvement year for the tourism industry’, sending encouragement to the tourism sector.
Foreign tourist arrivals are increasing gradually. International flights suspended with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have been resumed. The number of Chinese tourists in Nepal has soared with China easing travel restrictions for the citizens and these all have raised hope in the business, according to Luitel.
In view of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) President Nilhari Bastola, the 2079 BS was overall encouraging for the tourism business. “The latest improvement in the tourism indices suggests the business is booming.”
A significant number of Chinese tourists have started visiting Nepal, which was almost stopped for around three years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Chinese government has listed Nepal in the list where its citizens could visit Nepal freely as well as travel agencies have started selling packages to Chinese tourists for Nepal visits from March 15.
One hundred eight Chinese tourists have arrived in Nepal on a chartered flight of Himalaya Airlines today, the last day of this year.
As per the details of the Nepal Tourism Board, 2,635 tourists visited Nepal in May, 2,266 in February and 1,436 in January 2023.
A total of 169,543 Chinese tourists entered Nepal in 2019. It is expected that number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal would increase as Nepal-China flights are now in operation. Three different airlines in China have been making flights to Nepal and Himalaya Airline has been operating its flights at different destinations in China from Nepal.
According to the Department of Industry, the commitment of around Rs 24 billion investment has been received for the establishment of 56 different hotels and restaurants from April 14, 2022, till the date where 4,221 people would get employment.
Similarly, the commitment of investment of Rs 9.41 billion has been received from different countries in the hotel and restaurant sector.
Chairperson of Hotel Association Nepal Binayak Shah said there are a total of 10,000 hotels from five-star to tourist-level in Nepal. More than one dozen five-star hotels are going to be added within the next one and a half years. Around 4,000 hotels are associated with HAN.
Source : The Rising Nepal
Real Journey Nepal offers following programs
Real Journey Nepal not only offers the most popular and wide range of hiking in Nepal, trekking in Nepal, peak climbing in Nepal, mountaineering in Nepal, kayaking in Nepal, rafting in Nepal, and various tour programs but also volunteering programs in Nepal such as working in teaching, health volunteering programs, volunteering with women volunteering at monastery etc. The natural beauty and attraction of the geographical and cultural landscape enhance any activity you wish to pursue. Whether you climb to the top of the world, ride an elephant in the jungle, raft on the wild rivers, or simply volunteer at a school or child care center, the warmth and generosity of the Nepali people makes every experience rich, fulfilling and delightful.
| Teaching at Schools/ Monastery |
| Women Empowerment |
| Volunteer for Special Needs |
| Health Volunteering In Nepal |
| Manual Work/ Construction volunteer |
| Film and Photography Volunteering |
VRIJWILLIGERSWERK NEPAL
Extra hulp is altijd nodig in Nepal. Met vrijwilligerswerk draag je een steentje bij aan de ontwikkeling en opbouw van het land. Daarnaast is het ook een verrijking voor jezelf! Via onze taal en cultuur cursus leer je veel over de mensen, het land, de taal en de cultuur. Via ons kan je vrijwilligerswerk doen door heel Nepal. In onderwijs, constructie, zorg, etc. Samen kijken we naar jouw skills en zoeken we naar passend vrijwilligerswerk!
SCHOOL
Deel jouw kennis in de klas door les te geven of te assisteren. Geef Engels of een ander vak zoals Wiskunde, Aardrijkskunde of Informatica.
KLEUTERSCHOOL
Spelen, verzorgen, lesgeven, het kan allemaal op onze kleuterschool. De kinderen zijn gewend om naast hun vaste ‘juf’ ook les te krijgen van vrijwilligers.
KINDEROPVANG
Na schooltijd ga je samen huiswerk maken, op excursie, koekjes bakken, sportactiviteiten doen of maak je simpelweg een wandeling in de buurt.
GEHANDICAPTEN CENTRUM
Bijzondere kinderen die bijzondere aandacht nodig hebben. Voor ervaren en onervaren mensen. Ga de uitdaging aan en krijg enorm veel liefde terug!
VROUWEN CENTRUM
Een groep enthousiaste vrouwen die meer willen weten van de wereld en daarom super leergierig zijn. Help ze uit hun isolement en kom lesgeven.
KLOOSTER
Ook in kloosters is educatieve hulp hard nodig. Wil jij in een spirituele omgeving bijdragen aan een nieuwe generatie innovatieve, slimme en bevlogen monniken?
MEDISCHE CENTRA
Help in een gezondheidspost, ziekenhuis, gehandicaptencentrum of andere gezondheidsinstelling op jouw niveau.
BOUWPROJECTEN
Help bij het bouwen aan een sterker en toegankelijker infrastructuur en gebouwen in Nepal.
MARKETING & IT
Onze organisatie is altijd op zoek naar experts, naar business ideeën, groei, marketing. Kom ons team versterken.
