Nepal Mountainnews Report

It goes without saying that Nepal is a land of stunning contrasts that harbors within its narrow fold near sea level flatlands to some eight highest points on earth. The different ethnic groups with their unique language and culture along with the flora and fauna could prove immensely beneficial to visitors of all age groups and professions.

But going by the tourism policy that the country has adopted since the land was thrown open to foreign visitors more than half a century ago has been lop sided and highly centralized to say the least. It is therefore little wonder that even countries in South Asia in the tourism field have taken off like flying geese while we have remained pathetic sitting ducks!

There can be no doubt whatsoever, that a country like Nepal due to its rugged topography is best suited to rural tourism and nothing else. Though the idea has been floated on many occasions the concept in the true sense has yet to take off.

If we are really to go into the hospitality business in a big way and if it is really to accelerate all round economic development then rural tourism ought to be looked at more seriously than the cursory attention it has received so far. The point becomes particularly relevant in view of the new marketing strategies employed by our potential rivals in the region.

Therefore doing our utmost to combat it within our limits and reaching the right market with the correct profile should be the mainstay of our marketing policy of the country’s tourism in general and that of rural tourism n particular.Like other countries heavily dependent on tourism, Nepal too must move ahead with the times, be forward looking and push aggressively with a positive attitude and realistic plans. Therefore, a hard look at our tourism master plan is imperative and has been long overdue.

To make this country a powerful tourist magnet, virtually a destination in itself, will have to be the basis of our new master plan for tourism. In a world where all nations are virtually neck to neck in the competitive tourist market, it would be naïve to continue banking on short-term gains. The selling of Nepal to foreign visitors will now have to be more practical and realistic.
Since the tourism industry makes overriding demands like development of infrastructure at the expense of regional agriculture and the taking over as it does, the precious water supply of the inhabitants, such factors also ought to figure prominently in the formulation of future plans.
In other words, the master plan ought to strike that delicate balance between development through tourism and the hard complex reality it involves. This is where the book under review entitled "Readings in Rural Tourism" comes in. It is a timely publication consisting of some twenty three articles written by knowledgeable writers in their respective fields pertaining to tourism per se.

The collection in the volume ranges from theoretical to other related aspects of tourism; to the history of Nepali tourism; the strategies to be applied in the present context; the importance of rural tourism; the need for developing other tourist destinations within the country, the future policies that need to be adopted for the long term by the country etc. etc.

In short, the book is a veritable mine of information for those interested in the tourism field and moreover, for students pursuing tourism for their higher studies.

The editor of the volume, Dr. Rudra Prasad Upadhyay, Associate Professor in the Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur where he teaches rural tourism deserves special mention. Besides numerous accolades to his credit, Dr. Upadhyay was also awarded Ph D degree for his valuable and outstanding thesis in tourism from the University of Lucknow.
Like his commitment to build equitable and growing economy in Nepal through community based rural tourism within a given time frame, the articles meticulously solicited and carefully edited by the writer should go a long way in promoting the idea.

Besides, the publication could contribute substantially not only to the teaching of rural tourism as a worthwhile solution to the country’s economic ills but also towards formulation of plans and policies pertaining to Nepal’s tourism.