Concept of Eco-tourism and Its Future in Nepal

TIES-The International Eco-tourism Society defines eco-tourism as Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Eco-tourism has been a globally known catchphrase for a form of responsible tourism in natural areas in theory but yet waits to be implemented properly. Nepal, which collects its largest revenue from the tourism industry, has also identified eco-tourism and sustainable tourism as a tool to enhance tourism itself but this has yet to be materialized.
In the beginning when the concept of eco-tourism arose, eco-tourism was observed by many conservationists and tourism experts as the answer to the threats of development on conservation areas, including the threat of tourism development itself. It was also seen as a means to provide alternative benefits to the local community surrounding these areas. These days, tourism industrialists of Nepal and customers themselves are taking much interest in environmental and social issues. Maximum tourists nowadays select for a more responsible traveling, one which gives less negative impact to the involved environment and much benefit to the host communities. The growing interests of tourists in responsible tourism have encouraged tourism industrialists to boost the principle of eco-tourism and sustainable tourism practically.
Eco-tourism, though carrying excellent principles in itself has also turned to be a marketing slogan. Hence, customers need to be aware of the principle of eco-tourism more or less.
TIES clears that eco-tourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in eco-tourism activities should follow the following eco-tourism principles:

• Minimize impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate.

Tourism business of Nepal must also be aware that eco-tourists are generally well educated and possess a higher level of income and so they must be able to furnish to the needs of this more sophisticated and learned spectators.
World Tourism Organizations has declared the future of tourism in Nepal. It says cultural and rural tourism and nature-based travel in pristine regions of Africa and Asia are going to be the most wanted destinations over the upcoming decades. Here lies the future of tourism industry in Nepal also. Study has shown that the tourists are switching from established areas like the Carribean, Hawaii and the Mediterranean to more interesting destinations like the Indian Ocean and Himalayas of Southeast Asia, among which Nepal could be the best.

In terms of eco-tourism potential, Nepal is blessed with prosperous and diverse vegetations, culture, beautiful and varied landscapes and as such destinations are going to be the top eco-tourism destinations in few years, opportunities abound Nepal for developing eco-tourism products, tour and trekking packages, climbing and expedition packages, adventurous sports, cultural festivals, accommodations, guiding services, transportation and to other indirectly benefited areas too.
Until now, despite the potential, eco-tourism has not developed and the number of eco-tourist arrivals in Nepal has not reached an optimum because priority is still given to tourist destinations which already attract the bigger portions of the market. Despite the challenges, the potential for eco-tourism in Nepal is very minimally realized or still unrealized but, for the time being, in judging the success of eco-tourism, it is the quality impact achieved that is more important than the quantity figures. The situation is going to be changed in the near future, and Nepalese eco-tourism industrialists should always be optimistic on eco-tourism and sustainable tourism. Nepal is going to be the best destination in the world for eco-tourism very soon.