Dr. Surya Bahadur Ghimire (PhD) Mountain Tourism Researcher

Nepal's tourism industry experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2024, marking a strong rebound from the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  "Nepal’s tourism resurgence in 2024 is not just a return to normalcy—it’s a bold step forward, driven by adventure, spirituality, and cultural discovery. " The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation highlight a thriving sector driven by renewed traveller confidence, strategic promotional efforts, and the timeless allure of Nepal’s natural and cultural landscapes. Tourist Arrivals: A Promising Uptick In 2024, Nepal recorded 1,147,548 international tourist arrivals, marking a 13.07% increase from 2023. Of these, 89.23% (1,023,937) entered the country by air, while 10.77% (123,611) arrived over land. This surge reflects improved air connectivity, the gradual easing of travel restrictions, and effective tourism promotion campaigns. "With over 1.1 million tourist arrivals an...

"The shift from a rule-based to a deal-based order marks a significant transformation in global governance." The international order that emerged after the Second World War was underpinned by a “rule-based” system governed by multilateral institutions, legal norms, and collective decision-making mechanisms. Institutions such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) , and the I nternational Monetary Fund (IMF) played crucial roles in mediating global interactions. However, in recent years, this system has increasingly given way to a “deal-based” order, wherein bilateralism, transactional diplomacy, and power politics have superseded universal norms (Acharya, 2017; Allison, 2018). Erosion of Multilateralism Multilateral institutions are facing a crisis of legitimacy and functionality. For instance, the WTO's appellate body has been rendered inoperative since 2019 due to the United States blocking judicial appointments (Bown, 2020). As a result, trad...