Nepal, a trekker's paradise with a diversified terrain, stunning snow-capped mountains, lovely hills, and plentiful green natural forests, has long been one of the world's most popular vacation destinations, attracting over a million visitors each year. However, as a result of the corona pandemic, the tourist arrival rate has dropped below 10%. The service economy, which includes tourism, aviation, and the hospitality industry, has been particularly heavily hit. Around 15,000 tour, hiking, and mountain guides have lost their jobs as a result of the cancellation of all scheduled mountaineering expeditions and travel and tour packages.
Similarly, significant cancellations of airline, hotel, and tourist bookings have resulted in widespread job loss and revenue loss. Job losses and Nepal's incapacity to develop chances would exacerbate poverty and inequality, potentially leading to a rise in crime and thievery. In the meantime, the government is soliciting input from various stakeholders and professionals in order to enhance domestic tourism. The epidemic can be used to promote domestic tourism. Alternatives for civil personnel, such as a two-day weekend, should help enhance domestic tourism. Nepal's current political instability and limited resources make it impossible to produce a big number of employment and opportunities right away, thus the country must concentrate on growing its tourism and agriculture sectors.
After the 3rd wave (Omicron) of the pandemic Domestic as well international tourism has started to crawl following various safety protocol. Nepal government is also working on various factors to attract national/ international tourists. As compared to last year (2020) International tourists can been seen touring in different travel destinations. Many travel agencies have also started running campaigns focusing such tourists.
The tourism sector is being reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. What new features might the industry anticipate in the future?
Experts believe that the coronavirus pandemic will become endemic one day; while it will not be actively circulating among huge populations around the world, it will reappear in locations where immunity is low at times. In the interim, and even once this status is reached, the tourism industry will need to discover new ways to operate as COVID-19 circulates.
What will the tourism industry's "new normal" be, and how can higher education institutions assist in the smooth deployment of these new features?
Digitalization:
For quite some time, the tourism industry has been embracing new technologies. Travelers had to plan their vacations in person through a travel agent only a few decades ago, and travel documentation had to be provided in tangible form. Much of the booking procedure is now done online, with smartphone apps storing all of the essential paperwork in a digital format. COVID-19, on the other hand, has raised the demand for technology in the tourism industry. These vaccination passports will be kept on digital platforms in many nations and will be automatically updated based on a citizen's medical record. In addition, several hotels have turned to digital technologies to streamline their processes and reduce in-person contact.
Insurance:
Travel insurance covers the cost of unanticipated events such as last-minute cancellations, medical expenditures, and the loss of personal belongings. The coronavirus pandemic has created an extremely unpredictable environment for travelers, with many circumstances beyond their control, such as travel restrictions. To ensure that travel is still possible while the coronavirus pandemic is still a reality, travel insurance providers are being forced to create even more flexible coverage. More people than ever before are seeing the value of comprehensive coverage, with 20-30 percent of tourists expected to buy insurance now, compared to 15% pre-pandemic.
Sustainability:
There has been a strong emphasis on rebuilding in a sustainable manner following the pandemic. With climate change being an urgent issue, businesses and industries have taken the drop in international travel as a chance to re-shape their processes to become more environmentally friendly. Domestic tourism, which is already helping to revive the hospitality and tourism sector while international tourism recovers, is a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for consumers, according to the OECD: "Natural areas, regional and local destinations are expected to drive the recovery, and shorter travel distances may result in a lower environmental impact of tourism." Domestic tourism, which is already helping to revive the hospitality and tourism sector while international tourism recovers, is a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for consumers, and may continue to drive the industry even after the coronavirus pandemic subsides.
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