Dr. Surya Bahadur Ghimire (PhD) Mountain Tourism Researcher

Tourism-Led Youth Retention National Framework (TL-YR-NF) “From Migration Economy to Mountain Opportunity Economy” Nepal's tourism sector in 2025 shows  strong recovery  (96.8% of pre-pandemic levels) but faces  structural challenges : over-reliance on traditional markets, declining forex earnings, and under-leveraged adventure tourism potential. This report provides a  data-driven analysis ,  global benchmarks , and a  youth-focused roadmap  to transform tourism into a pillar of sustainable economic growth and talent retention. Great Nepal Treks Rationale: Why Tourism Must Anchor Youth Retention in Nepal Nepal Tourism Performance 2025: Evidence-Based Analysis Overall Recovery & Growth Trajectory Total International Visitor Arrivals (IVAs) 2025: 1,158,459 Growth vs 2024: +0.95% Recovery vs 2019: 96.8–97% (near full recovery) The Structural Problem Nepal is experiencing youth out-migration not because of unemployment , but because...

Integrated Mountain Development Model (IMDM):  An In-Depth Conceptual Explanation An Integrated Mountain Development Model (IMDM) represents a holistic and systems-based development framework designed specifically for fragile and complex mountain regions. Unlike sectoral or isolated development approaches, IMDM recognizes mountains as interlinked socio-ecological systems where tourism, livelihoods, environment, culture, infrastructure, and governance are deeply interconnected. The model seeks to balance economic growth, social equity, and ecological sustainability , thereby ensuring long-term resilience and inclusivity in mountain development. 1. Tourism as a Catalyst, Not a Standalone Industry Within the IMDM framework, tourism functions as a catalytic sector rather than an isolated economic activity . Mountain tourism—such as trekking, mountaineering, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, and adventure tourism—creates forward and backward linkages with local econo...

हिमालको गौरव र समृद्धिको अभावको विरोधाभास नेपालको भौगोलिक अवस्थिति र प्राकृतिक सम्पदा विश्वभर अद्वितीय मानिन्छ। पृथ्वीका १४ अग्ला चुचुराहरूमध्ये ८ वटा नेपालको भूमिमा अवस्थित छन्, जसमा सर्वोच्च शिखर सगरमाथा पनि पर्छ। यी हिमालहरूले नेपाललाई विश्व सामु 'उज्यालो' र साहसिक गन्तव्यको रूपमा चिनाएका छन्। यस प्राकृतिक गौरवका बाबजुद, नेपालले दिगो आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल गर्न संघर्ष गरिरहेको छ। यो विरोधाभासपूर्ण अवस्थाले ‘उज्यालो हिमालको काखमा अँध्यारो नेपाल’ भन्ने यथार्थलाई पुष्टि गर्छ, जहाँ प्रकृतिको अमूल्य देनलाई राष्ट्रिय सम्पत्तिमा रूपान्तरण गर्न सकिएको छैन। सगरमाथा जस्ता विश्वकै अग्ला हिमालहरूको गौरवले भरिएको देश नेपाल, तर यसले आफ्नो यसैको सम्पदाबाट उचित आर्थिक लाभांश लिन असमर्थ रहेको छ। “Is it our compulsion or our misfortune?” हाल, पर्यटन उद्योगले नेपालको कुल गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादन (GDP) मा करिब ६.७ प्रतिशतको योगदान दिन्छ र यसको कुल आर्थिक प्रभाव २.२ अर्ब अमेरिकी डलर रहेको छ । ४५ प्रतिशतभन्दा बढी पर्यटकहरू नेपालको प्राकृतिक सम्पदा (हिमाल, नदी, वन) को अवलोकन गर्न आउँछन् । पर्वतारोहणबाट प्...

Concept Paper Sustainable Yarsagumba-linked Trekking & Community Development Programme Core Principles: Working title: Himalayan Yarsagumba Trails, community livelihoods, conservation, and high-value experiential tourism (Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, others) (The Himalayan Gold Eco-Trek) Prepared by: (Surya Bahadur Ghimire, draft) Date: Oct, 202 5 Sustainability: Focus on protecting Yarsagumba habitats and the alpine environment. Community Empowerment: Make sure local collecting communities receive the full economic and social benefits. Authenticity: Provide genuine, respectful, and non-disruptive cultural experiences. Transparency: Clearly explain the ethical and legal framework to trekkers and all stakeholders. 'Himalayan Yarsagumba Trails' as a model for Sustainable Prosperity in Nepal. 'हिमालयन यार्सागुम्बा पदमार्ग', नेपालको दिगो समृद्धिको नमूना। Great Nepal Treks 1. Executive summary Yarsagumba ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis ) is a high-value medicinal fungus collected...