How Ready Is The Hotel Industry For 2020?

In 2018, Nepal’s tourist arrivals crossed the 1 million mark for the first time in the history of Nepali tourism industry and it sparked joy among those concerned.

- Sagun Shakya

The country had been seeing steady increase in tourist arrivals each year since 2009 except for 2015 when we faced huge earthquake, so crossing the 1 million mark was just a matter of time. International Flights movement in the year 2018 has increased by 48% comparing to the year 2011 whereas the tourist arrival has increased by 59% in the year 2018 comparing to the arrival of the year 2011. Visit Nepal 2020 was announced then with an expectancy of 2 million tourists, it was a big ask for a country that had just crossed the 1 million mark of tourist arrival. However, barely crossing the 1 million mark doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the numbers of tourist arrivals are going to increase significantly. The major reason would be the air connectivity. Unless, we have our international airport in Lumbini currently under construction is complete and start providing services well in advance, we can be skeptical in achieving the target of 2 million tourist arrival. So, as a country, do we feel that we have been doing enough to ensure that 2020 campaign is a success? There is a huge question mark. Still, all concerned and general public has been vocal about their concerns on Visit Nepal 2020 with everyone determined to make the year a success.