As per the government, one million tourists visited Nepal in the last 11 months of 2018. Government officials say this is a good sign. However, tourism entrepreneurs say increasing the numbers of tourists alone should not be the target.
Recent figures from the central bank (Nepal Rastra Bank) show that foreigners spent around Rs 25 billion (AUD $319 Million) in Nepal in the last four months of the Nepali fiscal year.
India is Nepal's primary source of incoming tourists, and according to the Ministry of Tourism, more than 1.36 million Indian tourists came to Nepal in 2017, spending AUD $150 on average.
China, the only other country that Nepal shares her borders with, is also sending more tourists.
Australian tourists visiting Nepal have also seen an upward trend. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)'s data put Aussie arrivals in the Himalayan nation at 33,528 Australians between January and November of 2018. This was an increase of about 18 per cent for the same period in 2017. In August 2018 alone, more than 1,400 Australians visited Nepal.
However, some in the tourism industry are not happy with the money these tourists spend in Nepal and argue for the reboot of the tourism strategy to attract more high spending tourists.
"Most of the tourist that come here are budget tourists, and as such, they don't spend much. Hence, focusing alone in number is not enough," said Nava Raj Dahal, president of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal.
Karen Hill of Australia bikes through a waterfall during the 2018 Yak Attack in Nepal. Yak Attack is the highest mountain bike race on Earth. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images for LUMIX) Source: Getty Images North America/Donald Miralle/Getty Images for LUMIX
Officials say tourists in Nepal spend 12 days on average and spend between USD $500 to USD $3000.
"We want tourists who want to spend in Nepal and support the local economy."
For that, Dahal says the government has to make plans and develop outlets to attract tourists who are not afraid of spending more money while travelling.
''We need better infrastructure and destinations for tourists so that they can prolong their stay in Nepal," adds Dahal.
Officials claim the government is already on the job, with a number of new initiatives underway.
"We have identified 100 new destinations, and new luxury hotels are opening up in different parts of the country," Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General at Nepal's Department of Tourism said.
Tourism experts pointing to the latest figures believe that it is high time internal tourism should also be a top priority for the government.
"The tourism industry has not been able to internalise that Nepalis are also its clients. So much money is being spent abroad by Nepali travellers, why not cash in on them, inquire what kind of facilities they want?," asks economist Keshab Acharya.
Surprisingly, Nepalis spent more than that amount while travelling abroad, per the central bank's statement. They spent about Rs 34.9 billion (AUD $445 million) while abroad.
The data has revealed Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia as the favourite destinations of Nepali tourists.
To attract more high spending tourists Nepal also needs to upgrade its only international airport, the very entry point for hundreds of thousands tourist says Dahal.
