Historical Aspects of Tourism Development in Nepal (Fifth Phase: Tourism during Conflict Period)

         The period around 1993/94, the conflict was started in Nepal. During that period, although Nepalese economy could not grow rapidly some new effort came to tourism sector. South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) was established in 1997. 9^th plan places emphasis on developing tourism industry as an important sector of the national economy of account of its comparative advantage engendered by existing attraction, features and special geographical location of the nation. Tourism activities based on social, natural, religious, cultural environment of nation were developed and diversifying during the period. Nepal visit year (19980 was announced by HMG/N. main objectives of Nepal Visit Year were to raise the image of Nepal as one of the important tourism destination, to raise the public awareness about tourism, to distribute the fruit of tourism up to the grass root, to increase the volume of domestic tourism, to raise the number of tourist’s stay and their expenditure, to improve the quality of tourism, to diversity the tourist product and to protect and conserve the natural and cultural centers in integrated from.

          Nepal Tourism Board replaced the department of tourism in 1999. Likewise a memo random of understanding between Nepal and China was signed on 26^th November 2001 to facilitate the visit of Chinese citizen to Nepal. Nepal became the first nation in South Asia to receive an approved destination status by China in the process of promoting tourism in South Asia. Similary, in January 2003 Nepal opened few rivers, Belefi, Budhi Gandaki, Dukhkoshi, Seti Karnali and Tomar for rafting. The year 2005 was celebrated as SAARC Tourism Year with special emphasis on the promotion and development of intra and inter regional tourism (Upadhyay, 2003).