Dr. Surya Bahadur Ghimire (PhD) Mountain Tourism Researcher

"समृद्धिको शिखरमा पुग्न, हामीले हिमाल चढ्नु पर्दैन— वस् हामीले आफ्नै हिमाललाई विश्ववजार सामु चिनाए काफी हुन्छ।" नेपाल—सगरमाथा, अन्नपूर्ण, माछापुच्छ्रे जस्ता हिमशृंखलाले सुशोभित देश। जहाँ हिमाल केवल दृश्य होइन, जीवनशैली, संस्कृति र सम्भावना हो। आज जब हामी “नयाँ नेपाल” को परिकल्पना गर्छौं, त्यसको केन्द्रबिन्दु बन्न सक्छ—पर्वतीय पर्यटन। तर के साँच्चै नेपालले आफ्नो हिमाली सम्पदालाई समृद्धिको आधार बनाउन सक्छ? सँगसँगै, विश्वका अन्य पर्वतीय मुलुकहरूले कसरी पर्यटनमार्फत देश उकासिरहेका छन्? यस लेखमा यही विषयलाई सरल, तुलनात्मक र प्रेरणादायी रूपमा विश्लेषण गर्न खोजेको छु। नेपालः हिमालको देश, सम्भावनाको खानी होः हाम्रो देशमा ८००० मिटरभन्दा अग्ला ८ वटा हिमशिखर छन्, जुन विश्वमै दुर्लभ विशेषता हो। यसका साथै, हजारौं ट्रेकिङ र पदमार्ग, दर्जनौं संस्कृतिहरू, बौद्ध र हिन्दू तीर्थस्थलहरू र साहसिक गतिविधिहरूको अपार सम्भावना। तर अझै पनि यस्ता अनेकन गन्तव्यहरू प्रचारबिहिन छन्, पूर्वाधारहरु अत्यन्त कमजोर छन्, र स्थानीयहरू पर्यटक हेर्ने मात्र होइन, आर्थिक लाभ लिने पात्र बन्न अझै संघर्षरत छन्। अब हेरौं...

1. Overview of Koshi Province Tourism Products & Growth Potential In the eastern region of Nepal, Koshi Province (Province No. 1) boasts a captivating tapestry of landscapes that transition from the lush Terai plains to the majestic heights of the Himalayas. This remarkable diversity presents a wealth of tourism opportunities, inviting travellers to explore its natural beauty and cultural richness. Below is a detailed district-wise analysis of the key tourism products available, along with their potential for attracting visitors. प्रदेश १, नेपाल, प्राकृतिक र सांस्कृतिक सम्पदाले भरिपूर्ण क्षेत्र हो, जसमा विश्वको पहिलो अग्लो हिमाल सगरमाथा र तेस्रो अग्लो हिमाल, कञ्चनजङ्घा, हरियाली वन, विविध वनस्पति तथा जीवजन्तु, स्वच्छ नदीहरू, र विभिन्न जातजातिको सांस्कृतिक विविधता रहेका छन्। यसलाई विश्वस्तरीय पर्यटन गन्तव्यका रूपमा विकास गर्न दिगो र रणनीतिक दृष्टिकोण आवश्यक छ, जुन सफल अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पर्यटन मोडलहरूमा आधारित हुनुपर्छ। 🌿 Explore the Hidden Gems of Koshi Province, Nepal! 🏔️✨ 1.1 Ke...

Shivapuri National Park , situated on the northern outskirts of Kathmandu, possesses immense potential to develop as a premier ecotourism destination. Inspired by the stunning Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, this study examines how Shivapuri can create a sustainable and carefully regulated tourism model that seamlessly integrates conservation efforts, thrilling adventure activities, and the vibrant local culture. By cultivating an environment where nature and human experiences coexist harmoniously, Shivapuri has the chance to showcase its rich biodiversity while promoting both environmental stewardship and economic development in the region.  A Comparative Study: Blue Mountains vs. Shivapuri National Park 1. Understanding the Blue Mountains Model of New South Wales, Australia. The Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifies a successful ecotourism model by offering diverse experiences while maintaining ecological balance. The main components of this mod...

  Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ranks among Nepal’s top wildlife destinations. Situated in the subtropical lowlands of southern Nepal, this park boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna. Among the various ways to explore this rich wilderness, a jeep safari emerges as an exhilarating and comfortable method to witness the region’s astonishing biodiversity up close. Overview of Chitwan National Park Established in  1973 , Chitwan National Park spans  952.63 sq. km  and is Nepal’s first national park. It is renowned for its successful conservation efforts, particularly in protecting the  one-horned rhinoceros  and  Bengal tiger . The park consists of lush grasslands, dense forests, and numerous rivers and lakes, creating the perfect habitat for diverse wildlife. Why Choose a Jeep Safari in Chitwan? Jeep safaris provide a convenient and thrilling way to explore the vast expanse of the park. Unlike elephant rides, which can be li...

Nepal's tourism industry experienced a remarkable rebound in 2024, with international visitor arrivals reaching 1,147,567—a significant 13.1% increase compared to 2023. This figure represents 96% of pre-pandemic levels, marking a strong recovery for the sector. Growth by Regions: South Asia : Visitor arrivals from SAARC countries totalled 417,845, reflecting a 5.9% growth. Notably, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka recorded substantial increases of 33.9%, 42%, and 38.3%, respectively. However, arrivals from India, Nepal’s largest source market, saw a slight dip of 0.7%, totalling 317,772 visitors. China and East Asia : Chinese arrivals surged by an impressive 67.3% to 101,879. Other East Asian countries also contributed to the growth, with visitors from Thailand, Japan, and South Korea increasing by 19.7%, 38%, and 14%, respectively. Europe : European markets showed consistent growth, with total arrivals reaching 206,841—a 10.4% increase. The UK led with 57,554 visitors (up 8.9%)...