As Nepal gears up for its federal and provincial elections on March 5, tourism has emerged as a pivotal battleground issue. Major political parties are placing unprecedented emphasis on revitalizing the sector, which has been battered by aviation mishaps, poor infrastructure, and lingering pandemic effects.
Four leading parties—the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Maoist Centre, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)—have made bold tourism pledges in their manifestos. Common promises include overhauling aviation safety to remove Nepal from the European Commission’s blacklist, expanding international flights from new airports in Pokhara and Lumbini, and diplomatic pushes for more air routes with India.
RSP, led by media personality Rabi Lamichhane, stands out with its ambitious target: doubling tourist arrivals and spending within five years, while extending average stays. ‘Tourism is Nepal’s economic lifeline,’ Lamichhane declared during a recent rally in Kathmandu.
The sector’s struggles are stark. Visitor numbers hover around 1 million annually—the same dismal figure for three years—still below 2019 peaks. Industry experts blame frequent plane crashes, crumbling highways, and lackluster global marketing.
Yet, tourism’s heft is undeniable. In 2023, it generated NPR 327.9 billion ($2.5 billion) in revenue and supported 1.19 million jobs, accounting for 15.2% of employment. Its GDP contribution stood at 6.6%, edging close to pre-COVID levels.
With elections looming, these manifesto commitments signal a rare consensus. Voters in tourism-dependent regions like Pokhara and Chitwan will decide if parties deliver on aviation reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Success could propel Nepal’s visitor economy to new heights, but failure risks further stagnation in a post-pandemic world.