Strengthening climate resilient tourism sector in Nepal

Ram Kumar Phuyal; Thakur Prasad Devkota; Niranjan Devkota

doi:10.59552/nppr.v4i2.78

Authors

Ram Kumar Phuyal National Planning Commission
Thakur Prasad Devkota Asian Development Bank
Niranjan Devkota Department of Economics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v4i2.78

Keywords:

Climate resilient, Tourism, Private sector involvement, Policy intervention

Abstract

Tourism plays a crucial role in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) and employment generation. However, Nepal’s tourism industry is highly dependent on seasonality and environmental conditions, which means deviations in these factors can significantly disrupt tourism activities and services. These disruptions have both direct and indirect effects on economic activities and the livelihoods of communities reliant on tourism. Additionally, the increasing frequency and intensity of climate variables and extreme events adversely impact the health and safety of tourists and those involved in tourism, threatening the sector's sustainability. Current tourism models are also linked to carbon-intensive and polluting activities contributing to ecosystem degradation and exacerbating the climate crisis.
This study employs a mixed-methods approach to gather and analyse field-based data and stakeholder opinions, providing recommendations for policy interventions aimed at enhancing climate resilience in Nepal’s tourism sector. Field visits revealed significant climate trends and the impact of disasters on livelihoods, economies, and tourism. National stakeholder consultations and interactions highlighted the multi-level effects of climate vulnerability on local tourism, including infrastructural damage, economic setbacks, and safety concerns. This underscores the urgent need for robust adaptation measures.
Engaging intensively the businesses, private, academia, non-government, and government bodies is essential to fostering a climate-resilient tourism sector. Such collaboration can promote local participation and drive sustainable tourism growth in Nepal.

Author Biographies

Ram Kumar Phuyal, National Planning Commission

He is a former member of the National Planning Commission, Nepal. He received his PhD in economics in 2011, and completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in 2012, both from Chonnam National University, South Korea. He has two decades of experience as a faculty member, researcher, and planner in economics, development planning, and policy formulation within academia and government bodies in Nepal and abroad.

Thakur Prasad Devkota, Asian Development Bank

He is serving as a consultant at the Asian Development Bank. He received his Master’s degree in sociology/anthropology in 2010 and MPhil in anthropology in 2016 from Tribhuvan University. He has 15 years of professional experience in development planning, policy formulation, research, and study of climate change resilience.

Niranjan Devkota, Department of Economics

He is a faculty of research methodology in the Department of Economics at Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Lalitpur, Nepal. He earned his PhD degree in Economics in 2018 from Tribhuvan University. He has 15 years of professional experience in teaching, research and publishing on various sectors, including climate change, agriculture, tourism, and social issues.

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