Target of bringing in 63 lakh tourists can change Nepal’s economy: Suman Pandey

Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Tourism entrepreneur Suman Pandey has said tourism could be the base for Nepal’s rapid economic development and prosperity. In an exclusive interview with Nepal News Bank, Minister Bhattarai said that the tourism sector should be kept in national priority to transform political change into economic prosperity.

He said that despite the immense tourism potential in Nepal, this sector has not been developed according to it.

According to him, although Nepal has unique heritage of geographical, cultural, religious and natural diversity, tourism could not gain the expected momentum due to political instability, weak governance system, lack of infrastructure and lack of long-term vision.

According to Pandey, in the year 2025, 1.158 million foreign tourists visited Nepal.

He claimed that this number is very low compared to Nepal’s potential. Giving the example of Laos, a landlocked country similar to Nepal, that receives around 45 lakh tourists annually, he said Nepal too has the capacity to attract the same number of tourists.

He said that prolonged political instability and decade-long armed conflict have weakened Nepal’s image in the international market.

According to him, the tourism sector has been affected due to lack of development of basic infrastructures such as road, air service, health, security, promotion and services.

“Nepal is a country rich in natural resources. “Despite being a country full of Mt Everest, Lumbini, mountains, hills, Terai, diverse ethnicities, cultures and biodiversity, we have not been able to present these heritages in the world market in an effective manner,” he said.

Pandey said that a clear vision, mission and effective implementation were necessary for the development of the tourism sector.

Sharing his experience of working under more than 40 tourism ministers and secretaries in the tourism sector in the past four decades, he said that there was a lack of long-term vision and continuity in the leadership level.

According to him, according to a long-term plan prepared by the tourism entrepreneurs, if tourist arrivals are increased by 10 percent in 2026, 1.274 million tourists can be brought to Nepal.

After that, if the annual growth rate is maintained by 15 percent, the number of tourists will reach 2.947 million by 2032.

According to him, Nepal can attract 6.3 million foreign tourists by 2040 if it continues to grow by 10 percent annually.

According to Pandey, six foundations are important to meet the target of bringing in 63 million tourists. This goal can be easily achieved by infrastructure development, accessibility, tourism product development, international market promotion, policy reforms and skilled manpower. He said that a large part of Nepal’s current economic problems could be solved if such goals were achieved.

According to him, more than 80 lakh Nepali youths have gone abroad for employment and there is a shortage of consumers in the domestic market.

It is affecting trade, hotels, restaurants, construction, agriculture and service sectors. However, he argues that if millions of tourists can be brought to Nepal, they will enter the market as consumers themselves, so the economy will be revitalized.

Pandey said that the contribution of tourism sector to the GDP is currently around 6÷7 percent, adding that this contribution can reach 10 to 15 percent if tourist arrivals are increased significantly.

He estimates that foreign exchange earnings can also increase by up to 15 times compared to the current level.

He claimed that the tourism sector can create up to 50 lakh jobs directly and indirectly.

He said that with the expansion of tourism, the demand for handicraft, garment, agriculture, local products and cottage industries will increase and the rural economy will also be strengthened.

According to Pandey, Nepal can create new opportunities in the global tourism market through the development of new sectors such as medical tourism, wellness tourism, educational tourism, volunteer tourism.

He believes that expansion of tourism will have positive impact in international relations, cultural exchanges, technology transfer and skill development.

Tourism is not just a matter of tourism, it can be the foundation of Nepal’s economic transformation. Tourism can fulfill the dream of Nepal’s prosperity if we move ahead with clear planning, strong leadership and effective implementation,” Pandey said.

Pandey said that effective collaboration between the government and private sector is necessary for the development of the tourism sector.

He stressed that the State should mainly focus on road, airport and transport infrastructure as only the private sector can invest in tourism-related hotel, restaurant and other commercial infrastructures.

He proposed that the tourism circuit linking Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini-Chitwan-Kathmandu should be developed through a four-lane road of international standard.

He said that an environment should be created where tourists can travel smoothly without traffic jams, potholes and obstacles.

He also said that the Mahendra Highway should be upgraded as an expressway in the future to make it the main route for tourism and transportation between India and Nepal.

He believes that Nepal can become a hub of regional tourism if a quality road network is built targeting millions of people in India, Bangladesh and North East India.

He also suggested that the Kathmandu-Phaplu-Lukla road should be developed as Sagarmatha Highway as the Sagarmatha area is the main attraction of Nepal.

According to him, tourism and mobility between China and India should be facilitated by upgrading Kerung-Kathmandu, Tatopani-Kathmandu and Korala-Pokhara-Bhairahawa north-south corridors.

Pandey stressed the need to implement digital travel pass, QR code and customs and security system based on modern technology at border points.

He said that it would provide fast, safe and easy service to foreign tourists.

He also pointed out the need to develop new tourism ‘products’ to increase tourist arrival.

He said that setting up theme parks of international standard like Disneyland in eastern and western Terai and Korea’s ‘Lotte World’ could attract Indian and Bangladeshi tourists.

He also suggested that the construction of a thematic tourism center based on the life and philosophy of Buddha could be extended in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

Pandey said that Nepal could be established as an international transit and tourism hub if the Nijgadh International Airport could be developed as a long-haul hub in the long term. He expressed the belief that Nepal could transform its tourism potential on the basis of economic prosperity through clear planning, modern infrastructure and technology-friendly service system ।