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Corona Virus and Tourism Condition in Nepal

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV), which was first identified amid an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. It was initially reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This pandemic Cause Every Sector of Business to fall down due to the Completely Lockdown of Every Nation of the world. The Economic Condition of every nation has downfall due to this Pandemic. Most Sector that has been Completely Affected by this pandemic are tourism sector, Restaurant, Park and Many More. This Pandemic has Caused the Adverse Effect on Nepal as Well as But Compare to other Developed Nation. It is least Affected By this Pandemic.

Introduction:

Nepal, a small landlocked Countrysituated at the foothill of the Himalayas, is said to encounter this pandemic in the Second phase, in which transmission of the virus was predominantly linked to the arrival from Foreign Countries. The Government of Nepal made a proper plan to stop this virus despite it spread rapidly throughout the country. The first Case was Identified on January 25, 2020, who was the return from Wuhan City. The Main City Responsible for the Outbreak of Coronavirus.

All the Aviation has been Stop to Fight against this pandemic by the Government at the beginning the Cases were also Low. But day by day The Coronavirus pandemic Started to Spread throughout the nation Causing Every Sector Of business to be completed Down.

Effect of Coronavirus in the Tourism Sector:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the tourism industry due to the resulting travel restrictions as well as a slump in demand among travelers. The tourism industry has been massively affected by the spread of coronavirus, as many countries have introduced travel restrictions in an attempt to contain its spread. The United Nations World Tourism Organization estimated that global international tourist arrivals might decrease by 58% to 78% in 2020, leading to a potential loss of US$0.9–1.2 trillion in international tourism receipts. In many of the world’s cities, planned travel went down by 80–90%. Conflicting and unilateral travel restrictions occurred regionally and many tourist attractions around the world, such as museums, amusement parks, and sports venues closed. The latest data shows a 65% drop in international tourist arrivals in the first six months of 2020.

The effects of COVID-19 on the global economy have been and will be, catastrophic. However, the full global impact, in both economic and health terms, remains unknown. The consequences in Low- and Middle-Income countries, such as Nepal, where national economies rely on a small number of services and industries, are deeply worrying. Tourism is one of Nepal’s largest industries. Tourism revenue in 2018 accounted for 7.9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and supported more than 1.05 million jobs, with the expectation of providing more than 1.35 million jobs by 2029.4 Nepal hosted 1.19 million foreign tourists in 2019, and the “Visit Nepal 2020” campaign, officially introduced on January 1st, aimed to attract 2 million tourists, generate $2 billion and create thousands of new jobs. However, on January 23rd, the first case of imported COVID-19 was detected in Nepal.

The government suspended the “Visit Nepal 2020” initiative on March 3rd. Shortly after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 13th, the government suspended all permissions for mountaineering expeditions and suspended all visas. After confirmation of the second imported case on March 23rd, the government locked the country down and suspended all national and international flights. Massive cancellations of hotel and tourist bookings followed, resulting in widespread unemployment, loss of income, and threatened livelihoods for thousands. The collapse of international and domestic tourism followed a 2% drop in tourist arrivals in January 2020 compared to 2019.5 Over 10,000 tourists who had entered Nepal before the lockdown was also left stranded, although many of them were eventually repatriated. Remittances from 3.5 million Nepalese living and working abroad account for almost a quarter of the country’s GDP.

Since 2009, Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment issued over 4 million permissions to migrant Nepalis working in 110 countries.6 When the 2015 earthquake hit Nepal, foreign remittances jumped 20%, cushioning families against the financial shock of the disaster. COVID-19 is set to have a much worse economic impact than the earthquake and the migrant worker saviors have themselves become a problem. International flights are banned, keeping job-seekers at home and stranding migrant workers abroad. On March 24th, the government’s High-Level Coordination Committee for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 informed Nepalis abroad to remain where they were and appealed to host countries to offer them protection. Many have been laid off and are unable to return home. In some countries, migrant workers are still employed but the safety and health of all are jeopardized by the pandemic.

Compare to Other Nation Our Economic isn’t Worse Because Of Low rate of Mortality and Cases. But Nowadays Cases are Increasing day by day Government Should Focus on Reducing Cases. As Our Country Depend upon Mountaineering, Natural Beauty Regarding Tourism. Our Country Economic can bounce back again by Implementing Effective rule by Government.

Opportunity after this Pandemic

Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world (8848m above the sea level), is located in Nepal. Mountaineering and other types of adventure tourism and ecotourism are important attractions for visitors. The world heritage site Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is located in the south of the West region of Nepal (which despite the name is located in the center of the country) and there are other important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country. The tourist industry is seen as a way to alleviate poverty and achieve greater social equity in the country. Tourism brings $471 million a year to Nepal. The Government Should maintain a cheap package for the tourist so they can enjoy the beauty of Nepal after this pandemic. Proper Facilities should be provided in the airport with Free PCR Test for foreigners for their Safety So the tourist will feel Safe to Visit Every part of Nepal. Due to Natural things like Lake, Rivers.Mountain. Our Country Economic will Increase Rapidly but the Government Should Implement Effective Rules and Regulation.

Major tourist activities include wilderness and adventure activities such as mountain biking, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, bird watching, flights, paragliding and hot air ballooning over the mountains of Himalaya, exploring the waterways by raft, kayak or canoe, and jungle safaris, especially in the Terai region. These Activities Price Should be Maintain Little Bit Low Compare to before Pandemic So Lots of people Can Visit Nepal with a Small Number of Packages.

Conclusion:

Nepal has come up as one of the most promising tourist destinations because of its tremendous tourism potential and there is tremendous scope for future growth and development. The beauty of Nepal is not limited to nature but is also rich in cultural and religious diversity as well. We can make our economic growth fast for this Sector By making effective policy. All stakeholders should play a significant role in the growth of tourism. Nation Should rise again making a Country to a great developed Nation rapidly by Utilizing the Source of Our Country.

Restricted Area Trekking Permit in Nepal – Cost To Reduce in Visit Nepal 2020

The government has started homework to reduce the permit cost on foreigners visiting the ‘prohibited trials’ in the Northern Territory by up to 50 percent, targeting the visit  Nepal 2020. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation are reducing permit charge on the prohibited highway links with China. The government estimates it will increase tourism traffic.

The Department of Immigration has informed that there are now 100 locations in 4 villages in five districts of Taplejung in the east to Darchula in the far west and the area covered by it is ‘prohibited area of pedestrian traffic’. Nepalese who have taken the guide’s license should be taken along with the foreigner who has paid a fee to travel to these areas.

“To make the tour year a success, we have to adjust the pathway fee of the restricted area. The matter is under discussion, ‘Rudrasingh Tamang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Tourism, said, adding that it is ready to take the proposal of reducing the tariff to the Council of Ministers in consultation with the Immigration Department.

He further said that further decisions on tariff will be taken next year after reviewing the positive/negative impact of tourism promotion. The Department of Immigration is taking charge of the postal charges. Director-General of the Department, Ishwar Raj Poudel, said that the issue of adjustment of postage fees has reached the Ministry of Home Affairs. “There will be some modifications to the laws that do not interfere with strategic security,” he said.

The government had banned the movement of foreigners in some areas along the northern border since 1965. In the ’70s, the movement of foreigners into the restricted area was further strengthened after the Dalai Lama’s supporters with independent Tibet demanded armed activities against China from Nepali lands. According to the latest immigration data, Chinese Mustang border areas are prohibited in Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpa, Lower Dolpa, Manaslu area of Gorkha, Humla, Taplejung, Chum valley of Gorkha, Ganesh Himal, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Rasuwa, Manang, Mazhang, Mugu and Darchula. Tourists must pay up to the US $ 500 for 10 days to the restricted areas of these districts. Tourists have been paying the US $ 1000 for two-person for  10days while traveling from 1 to 5 wards of the Lomanthang village of Mustang. Permit fees to other prohibited areas also vary.

Restricted Area Trekking Permit Fee In Nepal Before 2020

SNRegions/VDCsPermit Fee
1.Upper Mustang Lomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days)
2.Upper Dolpa Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4 to 6) Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7) Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6)USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days)
3.Gorkha Manaslu Area Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1,2,3 and 4)September – November USD 100 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 75 per person/week USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
4.Humla Simikot Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1,6 and 7) Namkha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6) Changkheli Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 to 5)USD 50 per person/week USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
5.Taplejung Phantanglung Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 6 and 7) Mikwakhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5) Sirijunga Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8)USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks)
6.Lower Dolpa Area Thulibheri municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11) Tripurasundari municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11) Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 3) Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8 and 9) Jagdulla Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6) Mudkechula Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9) Kaike Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7)USD 20 per person/ week  USD 5 per person /week ( beyond 1 week)
7.Dolakha Gaurishankhar Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 9) Bighu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)USD 20 per person/ week 
8.Gorkha Tsum Valley Area Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 3,6 and 7)September – November USD 40 per person / week USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 30 per person / week USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
9.Sankhuwasabha Bhotkhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Makalu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4)USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks)
10.Solukhumbu Khumbu Pasang Lahmu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks)
11.Rasuwa Gosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 and some area of ward no. 2)USD 20 per person /week
12.Manang Narpa Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Nasho Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 6 and 7)September – November USD 100 per person / week USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 75 per person / week USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
13.Bajhang Saipal Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)USD 90 per person / week for the first week USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
14.Mugu Mugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9)USD 100 per person / week USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
15.Darchula Vyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)USD 90 per person / week USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)