Chapter 1

Download as doc, pdf, or txt
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 23

Birendra Sainik Campus , Prepared by Rajendra K.C.

Sallaghari ,Bhaktapur 2005-2006

Chapter-1
Introduction of Tourism:

The word Tourism comprises of ‘Tour’ and ‘ism’. Tour is derived from the Latin term
“Tornare” and Greek term ‘Ternos’ meaning 'a lathe or circle; the movement around a
central point or axis'. This meaning changed in modern, English to represent 'one's turn'.
The suffix “ism” is defined as 'an action or process; typical behavior or quality; while
the suffix 'ist' denotes 'one that performs a given action'. When the word “Tour” and the
suffix “ism” are combined, they suggest the action of movement around a circle. One
can argue that circle represents a starting point, which ultimately returns to its beginning.
A tour represents a journey that it is a round trip, i.e.; the act of leaving and then
returning to the original starting point, and therefore, one who takes such a journey can
be called a “Tourist” (Theobald, 1997). While tourism represents a packaged form of
experience in which passivity prevails and contact with the unfamiliar and the real is
avoided or prevented.

The word 'tourism' was for the first time described in the Oxford English Dictionary in
1811. This reveals that the word tourism did not appear in the English language until the
early nineteenth century, and the word 'tour' was more closely associated with the idea
of a voyage or peregrination or a circuit. Then, with the idea of an individual being
temporarily away from home for pleasure purposes a significant feature of the use of the
word 'tourist' came into being.

Tourism is not new phenomenon for Hindus. In Sanskrit literature there is found
different terms for tourism derived from the root atan, which means leaving home for
some time to other places. They had different types of tourism known as paryatan (going
out for pleasure and knowledge); deshatan (going out to other countries primarily for
economic gain); and tirthatan (going to the places of religious importance).

The economist and other social scientists that make forecasts concerning the nature of
human society in the future seem to indicate that all modern countries are progressing
quite rapidly towards life styles which favor the growth and development of tourism. For
example, factors such as increased real personal income, technological improvements and
manufacturing has resulted in more productivity per worker, also increase in leisure time
with a decrease in the work week, predictions for longer vacations in most industries,
higher levels of education, the development of vacation leaves for persons outside the
field of education, growth of interest in cultural matters that include appreciation of the
cultures of other peoples and other places, technological development such as the
spacious, large and capacitors subsonic aircraft deriving more comfort and at least stable,
of not decreasing fares, improvements in communications, and awareness of other
countries sand place etc. favor the growth of travel and tourism. The derived tourism
comprises institutions of traveling, lodging, boarding and shopping. If we talk about
leisure time only, in the western world and especially in the U.S, the amount of leisure
time available to an individual has, in general, increased since World War II. The
workweek has decreased from sixty hours to forty-eight hours, then to forty hours per
week, and for some occupations, the work week in 1988 already stands at only thirty to
twenty hours. Tourism is often considered as "the (golden) goose that lays the golden
egg"- a source of income, and stimulus for more employment.

Definition of Tourism:

Technical Definition:
Tourism can be defined in terms of one's reason for traveling whether it is for leisure,
family reasons, or business. For example, American Express claims that; Travel and
tourism is a vast complex network of business engaged in the lodging, transportation,
feeding and entertainment of travelers.

According to British Tourist Authority, a tourist trip is defined as; "a stay of one or more
nights away from home for holidays, visits to friends or relatives, business conferences
or any other purpose, except boarding education or semi-permanent employment"
(Ryan).

Experiential Definition:
"Benefits that arise from experiencing new places, and new situations that are of a
temporary duration, whilst free from the constraints of work, or normal patterns of daily
life at home" (Ryan, 1991). Recognizing that every individual is different, tourism can be
defined to accommodate the impact of each person's experience. The desire for sensual
gratification is a major component in the 'holiday' travel industry, in which the primary
motivation is rest, pleasure, adventure and discovery.

Psychological Definition:
Equally, the psychological impacts of tourism may be recognized, for a major component
of tourism is holiday travel, and the prime motivations for such travel are the ones of rest,
discovery and pleasure. From this view point, holiday tourism may be defined as: the
means by which people seek psychological benefits that arise from experiencing new
places, and new situations that are of a temporary duration, whilst free from the
constraints of work, or normal patterns of daily life at home.

According to United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO):


“Tourism is an activity of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual
environment for not more than one year for leisure, business or any other purpose”.
Leisure is a time available to the individual when the discipline of a work, sleep and other
basic needs have been made.

“Tourism is a result of temporary movement of peoples to destination outside their


normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those
destinations, and facilities created to cater to their needs”.

According to the Herman Van Scheullard (1910):


“The total of operations mainly of economic nature, which direct related to the entry,
stay and movement of foreigners inside and outside a certain country, city or region”.

2
3
According to Swiss professors Walter Hunzikar and Kurt Krapf (1942):
“Tourism is the sum of the phenomena and relationship arising from the travel and stay
of non resident in so far as they do not lead to permanent resident and are not connected
with any earning activity”.

The international conference on leisure, recreation and tourism held by AIEST


(Association of International Scientific Experts in Tourism 1981) define tourism as:
“Tourism may be defined in terms of particular activities selected by choice and
undertaken outside the home environment. Tourism may or may not involve overnight
stay away from home”.

In 1976 Tourism Society of England defined tourism as:


“Tourism is the temporary short-term movement of people to destinations, outside the
places where they normally live and work and their activities during their stay at these
destinations including movement for all purpose, as well as day visits or excursions”.

According to Goeldner (2000), "Tourism is a composite activities, services, and


industries that delivers a travel experience: transportation, accommodations, eating and
drinking establishments, shops; entertainment activity, facilities, and other hospitality
services available for individuals or groups that are traveling away from home".

The study of tourism is the study of people away from their usual habitat, of the
establishments which respond to the requirements of travelers, and of the impacts that
they have on the economic, physical and social well-being of their hosts. It involves the
motivations and experiences of the tourists, the expectations of and adjustments made by
residents of reception areas, and the roles played by the numerous agencies and
institutions which act as mediator between them.

Characteristics of Tourism:
Tourism is a service industry having certain peculiar character because tangible goods are
produced but service is performed. Some of them are as follows:
 Tourism arises from movement of people to other stay at the various destinations.
 There are two elements of tourism journey to the destination and stay including
activities at the destination.
 The movement of people takes place outside the normal place of walk and
residence.
 The visit to the destination is temporary with an intention to return in few weeks
or months.
 It is an experience rather than good.
 It is a service industry.

Role of Tourism:
 It creates employment opportunities.
 It helps in foreign currency earning.
 It maintains balance of payment position.

4
 It develops mutual understanding and brotherhood between local people and
tourist.
 It has multiplier effects.
 It enhances living standard of people.
 Cultural and historical monuments of the destination are preserving and improved
to present to the tourist such as offering cultural dance, renovating temples etc.
 It is a vehicle for regional development.
 It provides revenue for government through taxes.
 It creates an image of the destination on the part of the tourist.
 It provides facilities and services to the local people that are developed for
tourism.
 It can serve to promote better image abroad, which can attract foreign investment.

Nature of Tourism:

 Tourism is an intangible product (image, friendliness, perception, helpfulness,


courtesy, security, trust, etc). On the basis of which imagination, hopes,
expectations, wants, and needs are aroused.
 Tourism is made of several industries. Each of the components of tourism is
highly specialized and together only can make the solid tourism product.
 Tourism product does not move to the customer needs to move to the product.
 Every citizen of a country is directly or indirectly related with tourism. Their
response and behavior towards tourist reflects the image of the country.
 Tourism is highly influenced by government rules and regulations, political
instability, seasonality and several other factors. It has a special character of
'dependability' to others.
 The demand of tourism product is very unstable.

Tourism is a service industry and is directly related to satisfaction and human behavior,
and it is the most complicated subject to deal with.

Travel Motivation:
It may be stated that the prime motivation to engage in tourism is to be elsewhere and to
escape, however, temporarily from the routine and stress and strains of everyday life.
From this basic motivation, two principal and distinct motivations may be stipulated as
dominant. These have been described Grey (1973) as:

Wanderlust: desire to exchange the knowledge for the unknown or familiar with the
unfamiliar, to go and see different places, people and cultures or architecture of the past
in places famous for their historical monuments and also past associations. This also
involves seeing current fashions. Wanderlust calls for facilities geared to short stay
visitors and for means of movement at the destinations.

Sunlust: a type of travel which depends on the existence elsewhere of better amenities
and facilities for a specific purpose other than are available in the home country or the

5
traveler. It is prominent with particular activities such as sports and with the search for
the sunshine. Sunlust requires facilities for a longer stay and for recreation.

Tourist-destination areas for tourists to stay temporarily will have features which may not
be found in the generating areas. The tourist industry located in the area will comprise the
accommodation, retailing and service functions, entertainment and recreation etc. Transit
routes efficiency and characteristic shape, size and direction of tourist flows. The tourist
flow patterns follow certain rules and are influenced by a variety of Push and Pull
factors.

"Push factors" are mainly concerned with the stage of economic development in the
generating area and will include such factors as levels of wealth, mobility and holiday
entitlement. Very often, an advanced stage of economic development will not only give
the population the means to engage in tourism but the pressures of life will provide the
'push' to do so.

"Pull factors" include accessibility, attractions and amenities of the destination area.
The relative cost of the visit is also important, as is the marketing and promoting of the
receiving area. Some of the factors which affect the tourist flows are distance between
countries the greater the distance, the smaller the volume of flow, international
connectivity (shared business or cultural ties between countries), and the general
attractiveness of one country for another.

Escape –Reward Models:


Iso-Ahola (1980), applied the Push-and-Pull factors to motivation for travel. Push factors
are, simply put, the wish to get away (escape), whereas Pull factors are the desire to see
some other area.

Basic travel motivators can be divided into four categories:

1. Physical motivators:
Include those related to physical rest, participation in sports, need for recreation at
the beach, relaxation in night clubs, and those motivations directly connected with
a person's bodily health. Additional reasons might be doctor's orders or
recommendations and the utilization of health spas, curative baths, medical
examinations and similar health treatment activities. These motivations all have
one feature in common which is the reduction of tension through activities related
to physical factors.

2. Cultural motivators:
They are identified by the desire of the traveler to know about other countries,
their music, art, folklore, dances, painting, religion and similar cultural activities.

6
3. Interpersonal motivators:
It include a desire to meet new people, visit friends or relatives, get away from
routine conventions of life, and escape from family and neighbors or to make new
friendships.

4. Status and prestige motivators:


They are related to esteem needs and personal development. Within this category
are those trips related to business, attendance at conventions, study, pursuit of
hobbies and education, and often occupational or professional interests. Such
motivations as desire for recognition, attention, appreciation and good reputations
can be enhanced through travel.
 Some other:
Sexual opportunity:
For sexual satisfaction or the opportunity to meet attractive partners for e.g.
Thailand and other European Countries.

Tourism Typology:
Valene L. Smith (1989) has identified five forms of tourism on the basis of different
kinds of leisure mobility undertaken by the tourist as:

1. Ethnic Tourism:
Interest to visit the independent ethnic groups of different parts of world. Purpose
is to learn the particular way of life to the primitive people. Nature of visiting is
learning, they love to stay in native house and take their food, frequent
interactions between tourists and local community. Total behavior, their way of
living, their values, traditions are observed by the guests, for e.g.: Tour to Sherpa
community or Tharu village of Nepal etc.

2. Cultural Tourism:
Tourists see day to day behavior or instant activities of the community; an
interpreter or guide (who knows the culture) is assigned along with the tourists.
Tourists are not encouraged to interact with locals because the host/locals and
their behavior might change. Accommodation units (hotels, resorts) are built
outside the village or cultural group.

3. Historical Tourism:
Purpose of visit is to know the glories of the past. Tourists generally visit
Museums, Archaeological sites and some other monuments (Durbar Squares of
Kathmandu, Pyramids of Egypt).

4. Environmental Tourism:
Tourists are motivated to visit/travel exotic places, where they see appreciate and
enjoy the man-land relationship; there are maximum chances of getting negative
impacts. Proper due consideration and proper management needs to be carried
out.

7
5. Recreational Tourism:
Purpose of visit to get relaxation or recreation, places like Casinos, Sea beaches,
Golf course etc and some other activities related to sports are the main activities
of tourists and they do not mind to spend their currencies in order to complete
their journey. Specially, wealthy people, aristocrats expensive as compare to other
types of tourism. For example- Casinos of Las Vegas, Disney Land in Florida,
Easel World in Maumbai etc are visited.

Besides above five types, some scholars of management, economics, geography and other
have given other type like:

 Mass Tourism: focuses on the more number of tourists.

 Village Tourism: all the activities are concerned with villages.

 Adventure Tourism: is organized in the remote areas, guests take part in


different activities, like Trekking, Mountaineering, Rafting, Bunjee Jump etc.

 Eco-Tourism: to study environment and to observe man-land relationship,


activities are organized in such a way that it leaves minimum or no impacts to the
local community, their culture and on the nature.

 Sustainable Tourism: "Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of the


present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity
for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a
way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining
cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life
support systems".(WTO)

 Meeting, Incentive, Conference, and Exhibition (MICE) Tourism: focus on


meetings, conferences, exhibition etc.

Tourists:

The word “Tourist” is derived from Latin Word “Tornus” means a tool for describing a
circle or turners wheel.

The most widely accepted, but technical, definition of the tourist was proposed by the
International Union of Official Travel Organizations, IUOTO and approved in 1968 by
the World Tourist Organization, WTO (Leiper, 1979). It states that International tourists
are "Temporary visitors staying at lest 24 hours in the country visited and the purpose of
whose journey can be classified under; leisure (recreation, holiday, health, study,
religion and sport), business (family mission, meeting)". It is clear that he who visits
abroad at least for twenty-four hours is called the tourist.

8
Tourists Typology:
As per Erik Cohen, "The tourist is a voluntary temporary traveler traveling in the
expectation of pleasure from the novelty and change experienced on a relatively long and
non-recurrent round trip".
Cohen (1972) developed four types of tourists namely:

 Drifters: These are the backpackers who are budget tourists. They mostly interact
with lower socio-economic native groups, and are not much concerned about their
comfort and safety. Though they spend less and they are the ones who will
discover new destinations.
 Explorers: These are the independent travelers who will plan their own
itineraries and make their own arrangements. They tend to be social and they
enjoy interacting with the local people. They seek adventure and thrills; as such
they venture into those destinations yet to be fully developed. They possess
moderate or adequate resources.
 Individual Mass Tourists: These are the travelers who plan their itineraries with
the help of tour operators or travel agents. They seek comfort, security and safety,
thus they will not visit off-the-track destinations. They will interact very little
with the local populace. They have high resources and their travels are usually
well planned.
 Organized Mass Tourists: These are the travelers, which are also referred to as
GIT (Group Inclusive Tour) visitors, because they normally travel in groups, stay
at pre-selected hotels, and view the destinations through the windows of a tour
bus. They have little or no control over their itineraries, as they will purchase one
tour package or another. Highly resourceful, these people seek comfort, safety and
security, and they hardly interact with the natives.
According to Valene L. Smith, "…..a tourist is a temporarily leisured person who
voluntarily visits a place away from home for the purpose of experiencing a change".
Smith (1989) has also identified seven types of tourists.

 Explorer: limited in number, looking for discovery of new places and


involvement with the local people. They easily accommodate to local norms in
housing, food and life-style of the local people.

 Elite: interest to see life style or way of life of the people, learn and enjoy with
natives food and native culture.

 Off-beat: like to go away from the crowds, they want more excitement and spend
their vacation by doing something beyond the norm.

 Unusual: do not want to follow the renowned destinations, objective of making


tour is to take more risks, they are adventure lovers.

9
 Incipient Mass: individuals from small organized group and make tour using
some shared services.

 Mass: economically categorized as middle class tourists, individuals from big


group, they buy package tour and enjoy.

 Chartered Mass: economically rich, objective may be rest, relaxation and other
luxurious activities, seek more facility, comfort, safety and security.

Stanley Plog’s (1972) Categorization of Destination Tourists:


A well known classification system utilized for categorizing the destination tourists is the
categorization model developed by Stanley C. Plog. As per his theory, the Destination
Tourists can be classified into five major segments, which are as follows:
 Allocentrics: These are the drifters and early explorers who are naturally the first
ones to discover a new destination. They prefer to visit off-the-track places, seek
and experience new things in life. Such travelers will hardly visit fully developed
destinations. They are visitors having moderate resources.
 Near Allocentrics: These are the explorers who want excitement and thrills. They
are very similar to the allocentrics. They prefer off-the-track places, and seek
adventure. These are people with adequate resources.
 Mid Centrics: These are the travelers who prefer some comfort, safety and
security in their travels. They will visit destinations which are not yet fully
developed. These are people with high resources.
 Near Psychocentrics: These are travelers with high resources, and who will seek
comfort, safety and security. They will visit destinations, which are fully
developed, and having the entire required infrastructure. These are the Individual
Mass Tourists.
 Psychocentrics: These are visitors with very high resources, and who will always
buy tour packages, travel in groups and seek comfort, safety and security. They
will travel only to those destinations, which are fully developed and comfortable.
Each touristic type has its own special scale of values and its hierarchy of prestigious
places. However, two or more kinds are frequently combined in one trip. For instance,
one might visit the museums and Cathedrals in Europe (Historical) and then go to
Northern Scandinavia to see the mid night sun (Environmental) and the Sherpa (Ethnic)
community of Nepal or one might combine the Historical, Cultural and Ethnic trips by
touring in Nepal (Graburn, 1989).

Smith's (1977) typology is based on a combination of the number of tourists and their
adaptation to local norms, while Cohen's (1972), typology of tourist's roles is based on
the extent of the tourist's exposure to the strangeness of the host environment as against
his seclusion within the 'environmental bubble' of his home environment that is supplied
by the touristic establishment.

10
Evolution of Tourism:
Three Phases of Evolution:

1) The First Phase: the early days of the Railway age up to 1840
 Before industrial revolution travel was related to trade, commerce and pilgrimage.
Mostly travelers are traders and merchants.
 Travelers of 17th century were mostly wealthy people who used to be equipped
with all the lodging and fooding equipment.
 Concept of modern hotels was started in London in 1744 AD.

2) The Second Phase: covers the years after 1840 to the end of World War II.
 There was a significant development of the private motor cars, buses and coach.
 Industrial development increased the material wealth and increased number of
workers who could offer to travel.
 Concept of travel at speed and with comfort, so development of comfortable
coaches, hotels and resorts.
 1st railway link between Liverpool and Manchester was established in the year
1830 A.D.
 And the birth of an organized rail travel and the concept of tourism came in the
year 1841 A.D.
 Thomas Cook (father of modern tourism) was the man behind the idea of
organized rail travel.
 1872 A.D. 1,65000 travelers visit London Great Exhibition with the help of
Thomas Cook and he led the 1st party on a world tour .
 By the year 1855 A.D. he extended his field of operation to other countries.
 Banking and foreign currency was added to the business 1879 A.D.
 American Express introduces its own money order and Travelers Cheque in 1897
A.D.

3) The Third Phase: after the 2nd World War


 Civil Aviation came to share with the private car, which plays principal role in
tourism.
 20th century can be called as the century of mass tourism.
 Sophisticated Technological changes in the world.

11
Development of Tourism in Nepal:
Tourism development and its importance are recent phenomena in Nepal. Its importance
as a social and economic force had not then receives the momentum as it is receiving
today. First Five Year Plan (1956-1961) was formed which enclosed provision for
tourism for the first time in the history of Nepal. This can be taken into account as the
dawn of tourism development in Nepal. As the consequence of swift accomplishment in
this sector, the tourism development board set up by His Majesty's Government (Nepal
Government) in November, 1957 in accordance with the relevant provision of the
Development Act of 1956. But the Board alone did not seem to fulfill the requirements
needed to manage the tourism industry to its fullest. This contributed to the creation pf
Department of Tourism in 1961 within the ministry of Public Works, Transport and
Communication. It was in 1967 that the department of tourism was transferred to wing of
Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Tourism was regarded only as a peripheral activity.
The allotment (portion) made for sector in the first plan was poor in the terms of total
outlay. Tourism was left behind as an unseemly segment whose importance was not to be
rightly valued.

The establishment of Hotel Soaltee in 1965 and Hotel Annapurna in 1966 provided a total
number of 390 rooms for tourists. Due to these infrastructure developments, the annual
growth of rate of tourists visiting Nepal during 1966 and 1967 increased by 33.9 percent
and 44 percent respectively over the previous years. Tourist's accommodation facilities at
Nagarkot, Kakani, Daman, Lumbini and Pokhara were established. Pokhara, tourist
building had been leased to private party for operations as Sun & Snow Hotel.

To deal with the high volume of increasing tourist traffic, Department of Tourism, being
full-fledged department in 1962, and implementing agency for tourism activities, has
taken up many new projects- construction of tourist bungalows, View Tower and rest
houses at different places of interest. The Department of Tourism had also increased
many promotional activities in terms of tourist information booklets, road maps, posters
etc. and had made contacts with many travel agents of the world and press media for
advertising and publicity. The most worthy in the history of tourism in Nepal was during
this plan period. Nepal manages to operate her National Flag Carrier in the international
sphere. After having introduced Boeing 727 Jet Aircraft in 1972, Nepal furnished
required degree of service as a public carrier for international tourists.

The first five year plan was launched in 1956. Its implementation was not so much
successful due to political instability in the country. Since, the great urge and the historic
change in 1960, political stability, the necessary and most important prerequisite for
economic development, gained strength. The main purpose was to exploit the country's
scarce resources in the best possible way in order to get maximum benefit. With the start
of plan- a strategy for economic development started to evolve gradually. Establishment
of Nepal Rastra Bank was one of the major achievements of this plan period. The Three
Year Plan launched in July 1962 laid great stress on the necessary information about
economy, institutional reforms in different sectors and the development of infrastructures.
Some progress was made in the field of transport, communication and power during the
plan period.

12
The Second Plan (1962-1965) was constituted essentially to prepare the country for
comprehensive economic development. The plan had achieved remarkable goals.
Anyway, these national plans in one or other way provided a sound foundation for
industrial development. Though of these achievements, a sound base for industrial
development will still take a long time to be attained. Having realizing the default in
gearing tourism in tourism in the country in planned and systematic ways, the Second
Plan envisioned many measures in fostering tourism in the country. The promotion of
tourism in Nepal in the true sense started more or less only from the beginning of the
1960's.

The Third Five Year Plan period with the objective if increasing the number of incoming
tourist as well as foreign currency. The Board in 1959 began to function as the nucleus of
an organization strongly working for the promotion of tourism in the country. In 1962,
the Board was converted on to a full-fledged department under the Ministry of Public
Works, Transport and Communication. Keeping in view of immense tourist potentiality
and trends of international tourism, Nepal established Tourist Information Centers in
1959. After this, the tourist industry had been playing tremendous respective parts for the
development of tourism in Nepal. Since, its inception Tourism Development Board had
engaged itself in many tourist activities. The Board introduced training courses for tourist
guides and trained tourist guides for the first time to provide correct information to the
tourists.

The earning of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation was not remarkable as compared to the
revenue earned during the Fourth Plan. The corporation at the beginning of the Fourth
Plan carried as many as 196,646 tourists and its revenue showed an increase of Rs.2, 94,
83,047. The Master Plan for tourism was drafted and submitted in its final shape in April
1972 and was approved by His Majesty's Government in August 1972. Another most
important project is that of study on Pokhara Development as a Secondary Tourist
Destination Area in 1975 to make how Pokhara could best be fitted into the overall
tourism development plan.

The Fifth Five Year Plan (1975-80) has stressed the need of developing tourist's centers
in suitable places to encourage interregional and regional tourism. It envisions the policy
of increasing employment and relocating tourism centers to disperse possible benefits
from tourism. Nepal Tourism Act was for the first time circulate in the year 2021 B.S.
and subsequent regulations on hotel, travel agency, guide service were gazette in the year
2022 B.S. and second time, the Nepal Tourist Act was updated and publicize in the year
1979 (2035 B.S.). The Fifth Five Year Plan covers almost all objects recommended by
the Tourism Master Plan. These different development programs prescribed by the
Tourism Master Plan were incorporated in this plan, i.e. the preservation of historical
monuments in and around Kathmandu Valley. The Fifth Plan (1975-80) ventured to focus
on the Tourism Master Plan approach of maximizing foreign exchange, employment
generation and the regional development.

The Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) adopted an integrated approach with the following
objectives.

13
 To earn foreign exchange.
 To increase the number of tourists and lengthen their stay.
 To replace foreign goods by domestic products.
 To provide employment opportunities through tourism related industries.

The Seventh Development Plan has accorded priority for the development of tourism
sector of the country.

The Eighth Plan (1992-93/1996-97) had outlined five objectives and fourteen policies
concerning tourism. Its main recommendation is that considerable budget should be
allowed by the government for the promotion of tourism.

The Ninth Plan started July 17, 1997. Its main aim intends to alleviate poverty. This plan
has set development targets for the next 20 years on the foundation of a long term
development and matching strategy and conceptualization. This plan has placed on
development of tourism and physical infrastructures. This plan sets two major objectives
for the development of tourism in the coming years.

 To increase net foreign exchange earnings by increasing the flow of tourists, by


lengthening the duration of stay of tourists, by substituting imported goods and
services by domestic goods and services.
 Generating employment opportunities and income for the population through the
development of enterprises connected with the tourism sector.

One of the most significant characteristics of tourism development in Nepal mirror that
Nepal Government has followed the non-intervention policy in the genuine fields for the
participation of the private sector. This liberal policy has helped the specific development
of tourism in all tourism plans so far executed and has encouraged the opening of many
types of service industry.

14
Components of Tourism:
1. Attractions:
Attractions power the tourism industry. People travel to see and do things associated with
attractions. Tourists are always searching for more interesting and exciting places to visit.
Activities associated with attractions are as varied as the tastes of the consumer. The range
is immense: from gambling to sight-seeing, from relaxing on the beach to intense mountain
climbing, from learning at a museum to art appreciation.

Tourism Attractions:
Natural Resources Commercial Historical Social/Cultural
National Parks Resorts Monuments Festival
State Parks Amusement Parks Historic Homes Crafts
Shorelines, Lakes and Museums
Casinos Ethnic Events
Oceans
Mountains Convention Centers Battlefields Art Museums
Unusual Landscapes Retail Centers Landmarks Unique Culture
Above table provides a small list of attractions ranging from the natural to the urban or commercial facility.

Attractions are owned by private or public entities or a mixture of the two. For example,
national parks in most countries are public lands. Local retail outlets which sell souvenirs
are private, while the local museum may be owned and run by a non-profit historical
society. Some attractions –such as national parks-are extremely natural-resource dependent.
And some of the most beautiful resorts-typically privately owned-are natural-resource-
dependent by virtue of being located in gorgeous natural settings.

Major tourism attractions within a country can lure both domestic and international
travelers. The remains of Rome are an important heritage for Italians, but are also a primary
destination for travelers from around the world. The Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of
Egypt, the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, and Stonehenge in the United
Kingdom, Mount Everest in Nepal all represent attractions on an international scale.

Attractions-commercial or natural-bring in tourists-domestic or foreign. Disney World and


Disneyland are very popular the world over. The development and success of the Disney
operation in Japan attests to the appeal of theme oriented amusement parks. Natural
attractions and resources are also a big part of the international tourism business.
Wilderness areas, parks, beautiful scenery, and landscapes are important activities when
traveling overseas. In some countries, national parks and reserves form the foundation of
the tourism industry. This is especially true for Africa with its numerous game preserves.
The artistically manicured parks and gardens of Europe represent some of the most
beautiful landscapes in the world and attract millions of international guests.

2. Accommodations:
People seeking out attractions need to have places to eat, sleep, and purchase supplies. In
contrast to the trading posts and inns of old, accommodations today are very sophisticated,
extensive and diverse. The tourist can choose from accommodations that range from a
luxury hotel and resort to a primitive wilderness campsite in the backcountry of a national
park.

15
Accommodations can be categorized in a number of ways: by price, by location, by type of
visitor, and by type of facility. Luxury hotels are at one end of the scale while budget hotels
are at the other. Some properties are located within the city limits while others are within
the suburbs. One facility may target business travelers while another may cater to families
on vacation.
Accommodations available to the international traveler can be grouped according to these
categories:

Hotels: Hotels dominate the accommodations sector of the tourism industry across the
world. The hotel has been the centerpiece of many major cities in the United States and
Europe for years. Traditionally an urban facility, hotel settings range from the largest
downtowns to the most remote islands. The following discussion presents several useful
and general classifications of hotels.

 Commercial: Commercial hotels cater primarily to business travelers although


individual tourists, tour groups, and small conference groups may be among the
clientele. Amenities may include free morning newspapers and coffee, guestroom
computer terminals, and services such as laundry and valet, concierge (caretaker),
and gift shops. These hotels usually have room service, a coffee shop, and a formal
dining area. Swimming pools, saunas, and health clubs are sometimes part of the
facility. Commercial hotels are often located in the downtown or business districts
of many cities and smaller communities.

 Airport hotels: As the name suggests, these hotels are strategically located near
airports. These facilities are designed to provide convenience for travelers. Services
may include parking and shuttle service to and from the airport terminal. Airport
hotels vary in their level of service. Markets include business travelers; air line
passengers with short layovers or cancelled flights; and meeting, conference, and
convention groups.

 Conference centers: Although many hotels provide meeting space, these hotels are
specifically designed to provide all the services and equipment necessary for
successful meetings. Most full-service conference centers offer lodging
accommodations as well as meeting facilities.

 Economy hotels: Economy class hotels offer little beyond clean rooms. Amenities
are few and service is limited. Food service is generally not provided-or if it is, on a
very limited basis. These properties target the cost-conscious traveler. Markets
include vacationing families, tour groups, businesspeople, and conventioneers.

 Suite hotels: Accommodations at suite hotels are more than just a single room and
bath. Hotel suites often include a living room, a separate bedroom, and in some
cases, a kitchenette. The suite has definite advantages for many travelers. Business
travelers find suites appealing since they offer a place to conduct a small meeting or
to entertain in an area separate from the bedroom. The extra room offers a degree of

16
privacy not available in a typical hotel room. Suites also serve as temporary
quarters for families relocating between homes.

 Residential hotels: Guests of residential hotels stay much longer than guests at
other hotels since the hotel, in essence, becomes a home. Marriott's Residence Inns
represent a modern version of the residential hotel, but with limited service. The
facilities within the unit-such as the kitchen, fireplace, and separate bed-room-are in
a sense, the amenities. Residential hotels usually offer housekeeping services, a
dining room, room meal service, and a cocktail lounge. Food and Beverage
divisions are generally small and exist more as a convenience to travelers than as a
revenue center to the property. Residential hotels range from single rooms for
individuals to full suites for families.

 Casino hotels: As the name implies, these hotels house gambling facilities. The
amenities, services, and attractions are designed for, and marketed to, the gambling
guest. These properties can be quite luxurious. To attract gaming revenues, casino
hotels frequently offer top-name entertainment, extravagant shows, specially
restaurants, and charter flights.

 Resort hotels: Here again, the hotel caters to a special guest-the tourist on vacation.
But unlike some other properties, the resort hotel is the guest's planned destination.
Resorts are located in particularly scenic areas such as the seashore or mountains-
generally away from the clamor of large cities. Resorts, too, might offer spa and
health club facilities. Most resorts today are four-season operations full-service, and
enriched with amenities. Resorts also provide special activities for guests such as
dancing, golf, tennis, horseback riding, nature hikes, skiing, swimming and so forth.

 Motels: Like hotels, motels can be full-service, amenity-laden, and expensive. Most
motels are located along major highways or toll roads to take advantage of
automobile traffic. Parking is usually free and accessible.

 Inns: Inns have a long tradition in Europe as a place where weary travelers can rest.
Many inns have only a few rooms. Inns generally have limited food service that is
offered through a set menu. Inns seem more personal to the business or pleasure
travelers because they are small and often conveniently located in major cities.
A variation of the inns is the pension. A pension is a large home converted into a
guest house for travelers. The name "pension" is used most often in European
countries. In the United States, such establishments might be called inns.

a. Serviced Accommodation: provides housekeeping and meals facilities.

17
 Hotels:
International, Commercial, Residential etc.
 Resorts:
Located near the sea, jungle, riverside etc round the natural beauty. Rest,
relaxation, and entertainment are the objective of a resort.
 Motels: (Motor repair service and hotel service)
Mostly located in highways. Objective of motel is to give maintenance and others
facilities for motorists such as: Parking, garage, accommodation, restaurants gas
filling stations, repair services.
 Lodge:
Only for lodging facility. Specially made for budget tourists.
 Inns: Small in size as compare to other hotels, luxury category and people who
are looking for relaxation and recreation are the main tourists. Mostly located in
country side.

b. Self Catering: provides accommodation facility without any meals or


housekeeping facilities.
 Rented Accommodation: renting room or apartment.
 Holiday Centers: entertainment facility, also known as holiday camps.
 Camping and Caravanning: tourists who enjoy the country side and prepare
their own meals and comforts in limited space of tents or caravans.
 Youth Hostels: moderate and inexpensive shelters for young people. Center
which offer an opportunity to young people/travelers to understand each other.

4. Amenities: extra facilities provided by government and private enterprises such


as:
 Provided by the Government:
Passport, Custom formalities, Foreign exchange, Immigration, Visa etc.

Provided by Private Enterprises:


 Travel Trade Centers:
Travel agents, Trekking agencies, Rafting and Kayaking agents, Reservation
centers or Commission agents or Middleman.
2. Accessibility: is the means to fulfill the desire or wants created by the attractions
through transportation.
They are 3 types.
 Air: airplanes, jets, helicopters etc.
 Land: bus, car, motorbike, railways etc.
 Water: cruises, motorboats etc.

18
 Accommodation Establishments:
Swimming pool, recreation center, health clubs, sauna, conference facilities,
secretarial services, gift shop, bakery shops, travel counter, information centers
etc.
 Airlines:
Rate attractions- one way/two way fair, excursion, youth, seasonal fair etc
Service attraction- city transfer, airport hotel, check-in etc.
Insurance attraction- insurance of the pax and their luggage damage loss.
 Financial Institution:
Travel cheque, credit card, money transfer etc.
 Communication System:
News papers/magazines, post office, fax, Email/e-fax, internet, telephone.

Impacts of Tourism:
Travel and Tourism will be one of the world's highest growth sectors in the 21st century.
Global experts, in fact, have predicted that in the 21st century the global economy will be
driven by three major service industries- Technology, Telecommunications and Tourism.
Tourism, according to experts would capture the global market and become the largest
industry in the world. The economic potential of tourism development is almost
unlimited and tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry on a worldwide
scale. From 70 million in the year 1960 the international tourist arrival worldwide is
estimated to be 710 million in the year 2000. UNWTO has further estimated that
international tourism arrivals worldwide would be 1.5 billion by the year 2020.

 Economic Significance:
Tourism has major economic significance for a country. The receipts from
international tourism can provide a valuable source of earnings for many
countries both developed as well as developing. Visitor spending generates
income for both public and private sector besides affecting wages and
employment opportunities. Although tourism is sensitive to the level of economic
activity in the tourist generating countries, it provides more fixed earnings than
primary products. The income from tourism has tended to increase at a higher rate
than merchandise export in a number of countries specially in countries having a
low industrial base. There is now an almost assured channel for financial flows
from the developed countries to the developing countries raising the latter's export
earnings and rate of economic growth. Tourism therefore provides a most
important source of income for a number of countries both developed and
developing.
The major economic benefit in promoting the tourism industry has therefore,
tended to be the earning of foreign exchange earnings adds to the national income
and, as and invisible export, may offset a loss on the visible trading account and
be of critical importance in the overall financial reckoning. This is more true in
the case of developing countries particularly the small countries, mainly
dependent upon primary products such as a few basic cash crops where tourism
often offers a more reliable form of income.

19
Chapter-3

Transportation:
Transportation is a means of traveling from one place to another for import and export of
materials or for various other purposes. Transportation is the main medium for
improvement of agriculture and trade. Similarly, transportation is the most beneficial
medium for economic development. Countries need to develop their transportation
system so that they can develop themselves industrially and financially.

Importance of Transportation in the context of Nepal


1. Improvement in agricultural technology for better production:-
Even though Nepal is an agricultural country, the agricultural production is not high. To
have a higher and better production, it is important to improve the agricultural
technology. For this, there should be advancement in the field of agriculture by providing
better seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, advanced machines, irrigation facilities, markets and
information centers. This should be available to the local people whether in the cities or
villages. The only link between agricultural advancement and the local farmers is
transportation in the form of roadways, ropeways, railways and airways.

2. Industrialization in the country:-


Transportation helps to develop the industries. Transportation of raw materials from
certain places to the industry and selling the products to the market is made possible
through transportation.

3. Development in Tourism:-
Nepal is a beautiful country due to its natural beauty. With the motive in mind to explore
Nepal's adorable beauty thousands of foreigners visit Nepal every year. Our roadways
and airways help the tourists to enter every nook and corner of our country and make
their trip a success. Good accessibility helps and motivates them to visit Nepal quite
often. This improves Nepal's financial status due to the foreign income.

4. Increment in trade and business:-


With transportation, market facilities and trade also increases. Local people get
encouraged and cycle of trade can start within the nation. Later, small trades can result to
magnificent development and exporting of the products to foreign lands occurs. Today,
places like Jumla, Dolpa and Mustang are incapable of trade because of lack of proper
transportation facilities. If a few means of transportation can be made available to these
places, the local people can start up with their own business.

5. Proper utilization of natural resources:-


Nepal is a proud owner of natural resources. Transportation helps in the exploration,
refinement and utilization of our natural resources.

20
6. Rapid Development:-
Transportation transports the required materials and workers to the site quickly and helps
the project to be completed in the given time. This way, development occurs rapidly
within a limited time.

7. Employment:-
More the number of transport facilities, there will be more power to the local hands. If the
roads are constructed, industries will be established and people reach there immediately
for jobs. If people start working they will start earning and progress along with time.
Progress in people's living leads to the country's progress.

8. Stronger Unity in Diversity:-


People living different parts of Nepal following different religious, customs, languages
and way of living get a chance to get together and exchange each other's lifestyle. This
way they grow with the spirit of unity and nationalism. This is possible by traveling and
traveling is made possible by transportation.

9. Protection against natural calamities:-


Unwanted circumstances like flood, volcano, landslide, earthquake, draught and Tsunami
result to high death tolls and loss of property in these situation, various aids, food,
clothes, medicines and money are brought up to the casualties through roadways and
airways.

10. Maintenance of peace and security:


Peace and security is the desire and the most important right of every human being. At
times when protests, destruction, violence, wars and uncontrollable situations arise,
securities and soldiers are sent immediately through various means to maintain fraternity.

11. Decentralization of Administration:

12. Increment in the establishment of highways:


Highways link various districts and neighboring states. It adds to national pride and
prosperity.

Commonly Used Transport Facilities in Nepal:


Roadways, railways, ropeways, airways and waterways are the commonly used transport
facilities in Nepal. Among these, the most important are roadways, ropeways, railways
and airways. Here is a short description on these:

 Roadways:
All the zones, districts, cities and villages in Nepal have been connected to each
other through the means of roadways. Till 2006 B.S, the length of our roadway
was only 376 km but according to 2060 B.S. (Chaitra), its length is 16018 km.
Out of 16018 km, 4036 km (29%) are metalled roads, 4036 km (25.2%) are
graveled and 7347 km (45.8%) are "Kulcha" or track roads. Nepal's oldest

21
highway "Mahendra Highway" is the longest of all (1024 km). Some of the
important highways are mentioned below:

Highway Length (Km) Towns they touch


1. Mahendra Highway 1024 Jhapa-Kanchanpur
2. Tribhuvan Highway 189 Kathmandu-Birgunj
3. Arniko Highway 113 Kathmandu-Kodari
4. Prithivi Highway 174 Naubaise-Pokhara
5. Mechi Highway 267 Jhapa-Taplejung
6. Koshi Highway 111 Biratnagar-Dhankuta
7. Sagarmatha Highway 28 Lahan-Udaypur
8. Siddhartha Highway 183 Bhairahawa-Pokhara
9. Rapti Highway 196 Amelipa-Musikot
10.Ratna Highway 113 Jamuni-Bango Simal
11.Karnali Highway 210 Surkhet-Jumla
12.Mahakali- Highway 320 Dhangadi-Darchula
13.Seti Highway 65 Swanlobazar-Doti
14.Pasang Lhamu Highway 132 Kathmandu-Dhunche

(Reference: Nepal Roads Magazine, 16-31 Chaitra, 2057, pg:23)

 Airways:
Nepal's second most important means of transportation is airways. Places where
roadways are unavailable, it is where air services are easily available. 90% of
tourists who visit Nepal come to Nepal by air services. Airline service started in
Nepal in 2006 B.S through Indian Airlines Corporation by connecting Kathmandu
and Patna. Later, RNAC was established in the year 1958 A.D. Today, airways in
Nepal have been providing national as well as international services to its
customers. Even though, there are 45 airports at present, few are still unable to
provide services.

 Ropeways:
Nepal, being a hilly country, ropeways is of prime importance in the sector of
transportation. A ropeway was first started in Nepal in the year in 1962 A.D. This
ropeway connects Dhosingh-Matatirtha and is 22 km long. Another ropeway,
Hetauda-Kathmandu established in 1964 A.D. is 42 km long. But today, both
these ropeways have been closed.

 Railways:
The oldest railway in Nepal is the Janakpur railway established in 1935 A.D. It is
29 km long. Another railway is the Janakpur-Bijaipur Railway 22 km long
established in 1938 A.D. Nepal government railway established in 1964 A.D by
Chandra Sumsher connects Amlekh-Raxaul.

 Trolley Bus:

22
Trolley Bus services have been available since 1975 A.D, which connects
Tripureshwor-Suryavinayak. Today, it connects Tripureshwor-Koteshwor only…

23

You might also like