Making more religious tourists visit Nepal

Nepal, guided by the principle of 'Atithi devo bhava' (the guest is God), warmly welcomes tourists, particularly the millions of Indian pilgrims who visit sacred sites such as Pashupatinath, Muktinath, and Kailash-Mansarovar. The open border facilitates significant travel, with over 40,000 Indians arriving by air alone last month, marking a record high, and many more arriving by land.

However, a growing trend among these religious tourists is causing concern: many are observed cooking, eating, and resting by the roadside, bypassing Nepal's hotel industry. This practice raises questions about their actual contribution to the national economy and potential impacts on the cleanliness and sanctity of religious sites and popular tourist destinations like Pokhara.

The article points out that Nepal is ill-prepared to handle such a large influx of religious tourists. Many key religious sites lack basic infrastructure, including proper roads, accommodation (dharmashalas), sanitation facilities, and adequate food options. This deficiency forces many pilgrims to make their own arrangements, often leading to roadside encampments.

While pilgrims may not stay in hotels, tourism ministry officials note that they do contribute to the economy through spending on transport, food, souvenirs, and road tolls, supporting local businesses. Their repeated visits and word-of-mouth referrals also indirectly boost Nepal's tourism sector. In response to roadside cooking, the tourism ministry has issued guidelines advising tourists to maintain cleanliness and seek permission for using open spaces, with violators facing punishment.

Local authorities could potentially generate income by designating specific areas for pilgrims to cook, manage waste, and rest, possibly charging a small service fee. However, the guidelines notably miss addressing the critical issue of accommodation, which remains a significant gap in Nepal's preparedness for its religious tourism boom.