"Sangrilla" is still alive.

The negative impact of the

article created an 'obstacle' in the way of tourists who were mesmerized by the divine fragrance of Nepal's nature and culture at that time. Foreigners liken Nepal to Shangri-la. In other words, Chekwarrehit Nepal is called heaven-like open natural museum by foreigners. It means, Nepal is a far-flung imaginary beautiful place full of divine fragrance, giving life joy like a garden of dhupi. Which in one word is called 'Sangrilla'.

Nepali tourism market faced crisis period, Iraq war, swine flu, bird flu, earthquake, embargo, Corona, Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine war, after the campaign by 'Newsweek', depicting the lost happiness on the faces of Nepalese victims of activities like bombings, murders, kidnappings. Did it.

After the change of 2046, industries such as carpets and garments emerged in Nepal. However, these overall did not last more than a decade. Despite many hurdles such as government policies and strikes, the tourism sector has not recovered. It may not have grown in size over time, but it has survived to this day. "If this sector with 20 trillion investment had been saved, where would Nepal's economy have reached?" Recently, the economic recession has created a situation of damadol in all sectors. It has also hit the tourism market.

The history of Nepal and world tourism is face to face. Looking at world tourism, people started traveling from one place to another in Europe for different purposes after the arrival of Marco Polo, an Italian merchant who traveled to Asia via the Silk Road in the late 12th century, and Christopher Columbus, an explorer in the 14th century.

After the end of the era of Polo and Christopher, in the 17th century, tourism was spreading in the countries of Europe including Italy, France, and Germany for the purpose of education, pilgrimage, trade, and art. In the mid-18th century, British citizen Thomas Cook became synonymous with the tourism industry. The travel agency he founded is considered the development of the modern tourism era. Credit goes to him for making tour packages, buying tickets and organizing travel. Cook started 'Leisure Tourism'. At that time, rail, road and air infrastructure had already been developed in Europe. Gradually, tourism emerged as a job-creating business in the world.

It seems that the first foreigner entered Nepal in 1792. This episode is mentioned in "An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal" written by Hamilton Francis in the 18th century about Nepal at that time. In 1816, the Sugauli Treaty was signed. Then the British started to visit Nepal. In 1850/051 Jung Bahadur Rana went to Britain. At that time, because of Jung Bahadur, European newspapers wrote about Nepal. At that time, Nepal was on the map of foreigners. In 1911, British King George V came to Nepal on the invitation of Jung Bahadur Rana to take part in hunting. Then the British prince Prince of Wales came to Nepal via India in 1921 at the invitation of Chandrashamsher. This state visit had an effect on the western countries of ``What would a country called Nepal be like?''.

In the middle of the 17th century, mountain climbing was classified as a sport. At that time, climbing the highest mountains outside of Asia was open. Climbing was prohibited in Nepal. Most mountaineers have climbed the Andes mountain range in South Africa, the Alps mountain range in Europe. After that, instead of going anywhere, the mountaineer's eyes began to fall on the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

George Mallory, who fought in the First World War, came from Britain to Sikkim, India in 1921 to climb Mount Everest from North Mohoda towards Tibet. It was the world's first climbing expedition to Mount Everest. However, it was not successful. In Nepal, the Ranas banned mountain climbing until 1949. On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climbed Annapurna I (8091 m). Because of that, Nepal was discussed all over the world. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal managed to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak for the first time.

These two climbs, Pokhara in the west and Everest in the east, have started to become the choice of tourists. At that time, the climbing team could not go directly to the base camp by helicopter as it is now. Like the French climbing team to climb the Annapurna snow range from Lucknow, India via Nautanwa, Butwal and from there with two hundred porters climbed the Tansen road and reached Mustang.

Likewise, Hilary and Tenzing's team of hundreds reached Everest base camp from Kathmandu by carrying porters along the way of Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Ramechhap, Dolakha. At that time, the food, lifestyle, economic and educational conditions of the Nepalese in the settlements found on the road were critical. However, even without expressing their sorrows, the way they welcomed foreigners with open hearts, since that time, after returning from Nepal, tourists have described Nepali people as 'sincere, helpful, humorous'. Which the Nepalese have not lost till today. In that armed people's war, a tourist's gun was stolen while he was hunting in Dhorpatan. A tourist was detained for a few hours in the east. Apart from these two, there were no other casualties in the armed conflict with foreign tourists.

After India's independence from British imperialism in 1947, the way was opened for air connectivity between Nepal and India. In 1950, a Russian citizen, Boris Lisanevich, established the 'Royal Hotel' in Bahadur Bhawan, which is now the Election Commission in Kantipath. It was Nepal's first luxury hotel for tourists and westerners. At that time, he had brought the tourists who came to Mumbai, India from the ship on the ship and brought them to Nepal. At that time he founded Himalayan Aviation. This company made its first international flight from Kathmandu Gauchar to Kolkata, India in February 1950.

Boris used to bring tourists to Nepal by chartered flights from this company. It was at that time that Nepal issued the first 'on-arrival' visa. Before that, the East India Company used to issue visas to tourists coming to Nepal from India. Looking at it this way, Nepal had experienced visa system, chartered flights, tour packages, luxury hotels, mountain climbing without establishing many countries in the world. There is an interesting passage about Boris in the book 'Tiger for Breakfast' written by Michel Paysel. As written in it, tourists who came to visit Nepal in 1955 saw only 8 policemen.

In 1958, Shahi Nepal Vayuseva Nigam (now Nepal Vayuseva Nigam) was established. In 1960, Nepal became a member of the International Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 1967, Lufthansa flew its first jet. Thai International started flying in the second year. In 1998, Nepal established the Air Department as an autonomous authority. Its purpose was to develop aviation and air safety according to international standards using modern technology. Similarly, with the aim of promoting Nepal in the world market, the Tourism Department was closed and the Nepal Tourism Board was established in partnership with the private sector.

When Lufthansa, Thai started flying in Nepal, 24,000 tourists visited Nepal annually. Currently, Nepal has air agreements with 41 countries. In 30 international flights, the airline is flying to 33 destinations in 20 countries. Before Covid, the highest number of tourists came to Nepal, 11 lakh 73 thousand. In 2023, Tribhuvan International Airport handled about 8.7 million passengers. Of which 45 lakhs are international and 41 lakhs domestically.

According to the investments made by the private sector in Nepal, there should be at least 2.5 million tourists annually. Now Nepal has a monopoly on mountain climbing and adventure tourism. The natural resources we have are unmatched anywhere else in the world. A Nepali tour operator sells a package of Everest climbing to a foreigner for Rs 35 to 40 lakhs. However, this same package is sold by foreigners in their country for at least two and a half crore rupees. Foreigners criticize us saying 'your mountains are dirty'. And they sell the most expensive climbing package. Now our government should increase the salami fee of Rs. Some tourism professionals may feel worse than this. However, mountain climbing is not a basic livelihood activity/art of people. This is a game played by lovers, it is a desire. Most of them come looking for sponsors. Foreigners work as brokers and sell these packages for millions of rupees, and why should we be satisfied with a few lakhs? Well, in the current package, the 'profit-margin' is fine for us. However, the state should increase salami duty rather than hearing that mountains are dumping sites. We must go for quality, not quantity. It should be taken up in the debate.

Government should remove value added tax from domestic flights. After climbing Everest, in 1956, George Lebrack made a tourism plan for Nepal. His study report is still protected by the government and the private sector. Based on his study report, Nepal has established Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourism, Tourism Board. The report is still relevant to increase tourism in Nepal. Policy makers should study it.

Nepal was introduced by Gorkhali in World War I and II. Sherpa introduced in mountain climbing. Nepalis are helpful. The weather here is suitable for twelve months. As the birthplace of Buddha, Nepal is called the light of Asia. Being the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Lumbini is a heritage that attracts more Buddhist pilgrims than Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar in India. However, it could not spread. Lumbini should be developed and expanded by Nepal as 'Mecha-Buddhism'. It is not difficult for us to promote Nepal as it is a country that has been in the eyes of foreigners in the 17-18 centuries.

Now, in terms of investment, 20 billion has been invested in homestays, rafting, cable cars, bungees, airlines and five-star hotels. Now 24 five star hotels are in operation. 12 five stars are under construction with an investment of 35 billion. By 2025, there will be 35 to 40 five-star hotels in Nepal. 75 billion is being invested in these alone. The bank's loan investment in the tourism industry alone is 12 trillion 83 billion. If this area becomes Dharmarayo, what will be the economic condition of the country?

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in developed countries where there are modern tools and equipment, one tourist creates employment for 12 people, while in a country like Nepal that has to rely on people who do not have many modern tools and equipment, one tourist gives employment to 27 people. If we bring in 10 quality tourists per year, the rate of 12 people adds 1 crore to direct/indirect employment. The tourism industry is a 'smart-job' to make people safer. Travel and tour jobs were considered very attractive in Nepal in 2046. Now many hotel and management colleges have opened all over the country. The young manpower coming out of these colleges has good knowledge of technology and skills. But they are leaving Nepal and flying to the land of dreams. They don't want to get entangled in Nepal's system.

In Nepal's tourism, air transport, heritage, tourism board, tourism department, private sector are connected with one ministry. It is affirmative in one-door retention. The international airports built at Bhairahawa and Pokhara are assets for future generations. They should be branded and marketed. But why is the Ministry of Tourism enjoying 1 million tourists annually? The government should immediately analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of Nepal's tourism sector.

is no longer delayed. If the government gives priority to the tourism sector, the youth exodus that is currently happening at the rate of 10,000 per day can be stopped in this country and tourists can be brought in those ships. It is necessary for the government to take such steps immediately to protect the 12 billion investment made by our banks and financial sector. Our abundant sangrila is alive and well because our natural beauty is unmatched by any other country.

– Mishra is a tourism businessman.