National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Weak Beginning

Tourist arrivals decline at the start of the new season

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

The hopes of tourism entrepreneurs to make a recovery this season have been dashed. The official figures revealed by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) say there has been 25 percent decline in tourist arrivals this September compared to the same month last year.

September holds special significance for entrepreneurs because it marks the beginning of what is known as the tourist season. After the completion of the monsoon, September usually sees good weather and a pleasant atmosphere. The mountains become clearer as the clouds that wrap it up in its covers during the monsoon move away.

The year 2002 has been bitter for Nepalese tourism for many reasons. Though already battered by the royal palace tragedy and 9/11 attacks last year, the violent events of 2002 scarred the tourism sector beyond recognition. For the first time in many years, tourism entrepreneurs actually started to voice SOS calls. Most of them had hoped that the new tourist season would help them survive, but the actual situation seems otherwise.

Figures for September show a significant drop in the arrival from third countries. According to the NTB 19,074 tourists came here in September. However, the number of Indian tourists remained fairly unchanged compared to the same month last year.

NTB officials say one reason for the sudden drop in tourists from third countries could be the psychological fear associated with the month of September. It was in the same month last year that terrorists struck America. Many western tourists may have feared to venture out on long-haul travels on or around the anniversary of the attacks.

The only thing to rejoice in the NTB's recent revelations is the continued buoyancy in the arrival of Indian tourists. In the past three to four months, the arrival of Indian tourists has shown an upward trend. Indian are the primary tourists to visit Nepal. But their number dropped sharply after the Indian Airlines hijack in December 1999. Nepalese authorities as well as entrepreneurs blame the negative projection by the Indian media as the reason for that drop. In the subsequent years, the NTB organized promotional programs specifically targeting Indian tourists. The NTB believes its work is paying off now.

Whatever the reason, entrepreneurs are reeling under tremendous pressure. "We are going through a terrible phase," said Tek Chandra Pokharel, a prominent entrepreneur. He estimated that if the situation did not improve soon, many industries will not be able to sustain and around 30 to 40 thousand employees working in different tourism-related industries may find themselves out of work. As there appears slim chance of sudden improvement, many feel Pokharel's dire predictions would actually take place.

The government has announced the Destination Nepal Campaign (DNC) 2002-2003 to revitalize this sector. It even announced several decisions from bringing down visa fee to lifting restrictions for filming to inject fresh lease of life to tourism. The government had also opened up many new peaks and trekking regions to lure more tourists.

But many feel that until and unless the internal situation in the country improves, the government's attempts could prove futile. However, others who feel that this is the time all concerned should join hands in dispelling unfounded fears and luring more tourists. "However long and dark the night is, morning will surely break out," said Karna Shakya, a reputed tourism entrepreneur. Whether Pokharel's prediction comes true or Shakya's assertion holds remains to be seen.