Book Review (Spotlight Weekly)]

Aviation Analysis

An exhaustive first-hand account of the evolution of tourism and aviation in Nepal

By A CORRESPONDENT

Tourism and aviation have revolutionized the entire service sector in Nepal over the last five decades. Following the restoration of democracy, both areas have witnessed enormous investments from the private sector. Countless books on tourism have chronicled Nepal’s emergence from isolation to a popular destination for visitors from around the world. Despite its major contribution to the national economy, few scholars have made an effort to look at the evolution of the aviation sector in Nepal.

Aviation has proved itself as one of the most important components of the modern tourism industry as well as a basic infrastructure for national development. In the last five decades, the country has laid great emphasis on developing aviation through appropriate policy measures.

In his quest to explore the history and present challenges of aviation and tourism, Maheswor Bhakta Shrestha has come out with a book based on his extensive experience in both fields.

Shrestha, who served for more than 25 years with the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), has facilitated an enriched understanding of the country’s aviation and tourism sectors through detailed — and often rare — information.

As chief of the Planning, Marketing, Sales and Corporate Department at the RNAC, Shrestha has seen many changes in both fields. In his book, Shrestha includes many valuable suggestions on the important issues related to the development of the tourism by integrating it with aviation.

Through its portrayal of analytical data covering the aviation and tourism industry, Shrestha’s book has come as a valuable reference text on the area. "I have tried to cover all important aspects of Nepalese aviation and tourism from the perspective of visitors, professionals, researchers and present relevant facts and figures in a precise tabulated format, leaving, in most cases, the interpretation of the facts to the readers," the author says.

The book is divided into four chapters covering general information on aviation, tourism and some issues related to airline management. As one of the first professional consultants on aviation and tourism in Nepal, the opinions Shrestha expresses in the book are interesting and valuable.

From the early phases of its development to the current jet-engine era, the author tries to cover the difficulties and challenges faced by the aviation sector in Nepal. Shrestha also discusses the role of aviation in promoting tourism in different parts to the country. The author clearly makes the case that it is aviation that has been promoting Nepal’s tourism industry.

One of the important aspects of the book is that it succeeds in discussing all critical aspects in the areas of tourism promotion and aviation sector. Shrestha also points to how forward-looking policies can make a difference by describing the surge in the number of private airlines following the adoption of an open-sky policy.

The book provides a descriptive account of the annual income from tourism and its contribution to the national economy. As an aviation management expert, Shrestha’s evaluation is based on existing trends and information of the tourism sector. Along with discussing facts and figures, he paints a wider canvas that includes such areas as Nepal’s culture, landscape and bio-diversity.

Nepalese Aviation and Tourism
By Maheswor Bhakta Shrestha
Published by Pramila R. Shrestha
Price: Rs.285
Pages:186