Tourism is considered an important industry in Nepal since it improves employment and income rates in the area, affecting people in the country. As one of the Nepalese economy's main sectors, tourism is considered the main source of income and exchange with other countries. Undoubtedly, Nepal is an attractive destination as it hosts eight of the ten highest peaks in the world and thus attracts mountaineers, rock climbers, and any adventurous spirit. Besides, tourists interested in Hindu and Buddhist culture have plenty of places of interest to visit, accompanied by the year-round pleasant weather that attracts recreational tourists.
Sustainable tourism covers all the tourists' activities during their travel process as it focuses not only on economic profitability but also on the social and environmental impact of the tourists on the host communities. At the core of sustainable tourism, reporting conserves the environment and natural and wildlife resources. This entails informing people on matters concerning nature and the environment, engaging them through cultural and conservation clauses, and stimulating travels whereby the impact felt is least, as well as the benefits accorded to the arenas and societies at most. To understand tourism as a system, it is crucial to consider three interrelated categories because the industry mainly comprises travelers, destinations, and intermediaries. Tourists move from point A to point B, usually their homes and places of interest or activities, respectively. Some examples are the airline companies, the online and offline travel agents, the tour operators, and the travel brokers that link on one side the source markets with the destinations.
For social sciences and, particularly, the context of Nepal's tourism, conscious, sustainable actions are key to protecting cultural and natural settings. Environmental conservation norms are observed in tourism systems, such as using solar power, proper disposal of wastes, and using local building materials in hotels. Models of community-based tourism call for the involvement of local communities in the tourism business by making them take over tourism duties, hence enshrining economic balance and rural development. Also, there are endeavors to support the preservation of UNESCO World Heritage and develop cultural tourism campaigns, including traditional festivals, music, and dances. Thus, the focus on sustainable tourism development allows the Nepali government to build an industry that will contribute to the country's economic development while nurturing the world's heritage to benefit future generations.
Why is Sustainable Tourism Important?
Sustainable tourism is important in managing tourism's economic, social-cultural, and physical effects on destinations for the benefit of communities. Implementing green practices allows for conserving resources, water sources, and wildlife, key aspects most tourists see. In the economic aspect, it promotes sustainable economic development that concerns the community, emphasizing job generation and patronizing local establishments so that the income generated through tourism is more evenly divided among the population. Environmentally, sustainable tourism respects the natural surroundings and eliminates littering and pollution of the environment; culturally, it respects the culture and traditions of the community and facilitates barter or exchange between the tourist and the host community. In general, sustainable tourism aims to satisfy the demand for tourism consumption while at the same time addressing the supply side pressure and the impact on the physical environment, meaning that any development in tourism seeks to promote the welfare of the present and future generations.
How Will Sustainable Tourism Benefit Nepal?
Sustainable tourism will indeed act as a blessing to Nepal in every aspect, ranging from the economic development aspect of the country to the environmentaldegradation aspect of the country in question. Economically, sustainable tourism encourages the development of new employment opportunities and stable revenue flows into the communities, especially the rural ones. Through the encouragement of the type of community-based tourism, the community members can engage in tourism and share the proceeds, solving the problem of the few earning from tourism, hence migration to the urban areas. The increase in foreign exchange accompanies this economic upliftment; thus, not only will the condition of the Nepali economy improve, but more investment can be made in infrastructure and social sectors after that. Also, what Nepal can gain more than any other country is better quality service to honeymooners willing to pay more for sustainable practices.
From an environmental perspective, sustainable tourism helps safeguard the spectacular physiography of Nepal and biodiverse resources. This implies that the impact of tourism on key environmental means is overcome through practices like waste disposal and management, energy from natural sources, and conservation measures in the use of facilities. This is especially important in preserving environments in Bolivia that are in high demand for trekking and mountain climbing, such as in the cases of the Everest and Annapurna circuits. Sustainable tourism also makes the region's people, tourists, and inhabitants more sensitive to environmental problems. It also ensures that Nepal's beautiful sceneries are maintained for the next generations, boosting its attractiveness to tourists concerned with environmental issues. In this way, sustainable tourism preserves the country's natural and cultural values and ensures benefits such as economic growth.
How to Improve Sustainable Tourism?
The following measures can be taken to improve sustainable tourism practices:
- Promote the utilization of renewable energy sources in the provision of accommodation.
- Promote the correct waste management and Economic recycling programs.
- Build structures involving the employment of green products.
- Engage the local people in the decision-making process, particularly in tourism development.
- Promote homestay programs and local guides.
- Promote fair receipt and distribution of tourism income to impact the population positively.
- Regulate the activities to preserve the current natural environment and species.
- Encourage "Leave No Trace" policies for hiking and other related activities.
- Give protection to many areas and support setting up more trees by funding such causes.
- Conservation and preservation of the history and cultural heritage.
- Encourage the culture of festivals, music, and traditional art that is traditional.
- As for others, engage them in discussions emphasizing proper conduct in the region.
- This policy should champion public transport and environmentally friendly means of transport.
- Provide a cycling and walking gaps map. To do so, you must build a Cycle/Walking Tour Infrastructure.
- Encourage carbon-neutral schemes for flights.
- The guides and brochures should contain information on safer and sustainable methods to be adopted in the business.
- Identify ways of running workshops and educational programs to conserve the environment.
- Design the observation campaigns on accountable tourism.
- Promote and implement sound and efficient policies plus standards as regards sustainable tourism.
- Promote the use of incentives for the business to stick to sustainable practices.
- Engage international organizations to match the company's performance with global sustainability standards.
- There should be regular environmental audits and the assessment of the effects of their operations on the environment.
- Scrub activity and impact of tourists in their operations on the host communities and environment.
- Introduce policies and enhance sustainability through the analysis of effective data systems.
- Build collaboration between the government, businesses, and other non-governmental organizations.
- Promote partnerships with other global sustainable tourism associations.
- Promote local products and artisans with the help of contracts in the field of tourism.
- Market sustainable tourism for Nepal.
- Promote environmental sustainability and the cultural heritage of a place.
Nepal Adventure Team's Effort on Sustainable Tourism
At Nepal Adventure Team, we fully support sustainable tourism as it will help retain the country's intrinsic features. Of course, we also realize that responsible tourism is not only about avoiding or even reducing negative impacts but also about actively contributing to positive environmental and community changes. Hence, we commit ourselves to the principles of sustainable tourism management and apply ecologically friendly policies in all areas of the company's activities so that the facilities and excursions are valuable for the visitors and the places they want to visit. This makes sustainable tourism a crucial practice because we promote the inclusion of local communities. Our team consists of locals who provide their service as guides and other personnel, thus ensuring that the revenues generated from tourists going to the area would benefit not only non-residents but also the people residing there. We also ensure that we buy many of the raw foods and other supplies locally, increasing their sales and making us contribute less to pollution. This means that environmental conservation is closely tied to our business model.
Regarding the services that can negatively impact the environment, we adhere to the "Leave No Trace" policies when taking guests for different tours and explaining ways and means of preserving habitats. For example, we encourage people hiking to avoid using plastic water bottles and ensure there are safe places where water is available for consumption. We also join and facilitate continual anti-litter crusades in destinations where treks are commonly conducted, such as the Everest and Annapurna base camps, to ensure these areas remain preserved for future use. By so doing, we hope to set a good precedent for adventure tourism as a viable business that will not harm the environment.
