Nepal’s tourism sector is being positioned as a central driver of economic growth, with industry leaders urging the government to adopt a clear long-term strategy.
According to Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) President Binayak Shah, the country needs a structured five-year master plan to fully leverage tourism’s economic potential. He emphasized that despite the sector’s capacity to boost economic activity, a coherent roadmap is currently lacking.
Shah has proposed a target of attracting five million tourists within the next five years, stressing that such a goal must be backed by strong policies, legal frameworks, and infrastructure development. He noted that coordination between government and the private sector would be essential to implement the plan effectively.
As reported by News Agency Nepal, Shah also highlighted the need for both national and international promotional campaigns to increase tourist inflow. He added that while the private sector is already engaged in promotion, clearer government policies could enable stronger and more coordinated efforts.
The HAN president further indicated that the tourism sector remains optimistic about the formation of a new government with a near two-thirds majority, expecting it to prioritize long-term planning and collaboration. The effectiveness of future policy decisions will likely determine how quickly the proposed targets can be translated into measurable growth.
