Historical Aspects of Tourism Development in Nepal (Sixth Phase: Tourism after Peace Process)

          Peace has been elusive in Nepal, even since the start of the armed conflict, even though all government formed after 1996 stated peace as the primary agenda. In the past two attempts at peace and cease five were total fiascos. With the success of the April 2006 people movement carried out jointly by the seven major political parties in coordination with the Maoists, a third attempted at peace between the democratic governments at the Maoists was initiated after that a ray of home seems to have been seen in tourism industry. Recognizing the necessity of tourism promoted for economic change, the government of Nepal has placed tourism in high priority of new economic policy since fiscal year 2008/09 and declared to frame a new tourism policy, by revising tourism policy 1995 and making the policies and activities of all concerned ministries oriented towards promotion of tourism. Nepal has shown greater concerns about the real value of tourism and its role in contributing to economic growth, poverty alleviation, equity and overall tourism development in the country. In this connection, government of Nepal in consultation with Nepalese tourism industry, concerned organizations and experts decide to lunched a national tourism campaign “Nepal Tourism Year 2011” with the brand of “Naturally Nepal Once in Not Enough”, with the adage of. ‘Atithi Dewo Bhawa’ and slogan of “Together for Tourism, Tourism for Prosperity and Prosperity for Stability” however the endless civil strife and upraise of ethnic conflict, difference in power sharing, issues concerning decommissioning of arms and management of the militia, process of and restructuring of the state etc. are some of the contentious issues and challenges that have to be met with before sustainable peace can be attained in the country which is most responsible issue for prosperity or downfall of tourism.